Tree Pruning device and releasable swivel connection

Abstract

A releasable swivel connection 100 for connecting a tiltable container to a vehicle, has an anchor 102 with a rotatable element (110, fig 3c,3d) rotatable about a first axis mounted to the vehicle, an

Description

05 08 25 The present invention relates to a tree pruning device, a releasable swivel connection and a vehicle comprising the tree pruning device and / or one or more releasable swivel connections. 5 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Municipals responsible for the upkeep of streets and estates regularly carry out landscaping works which includes tree pruning. The current method of tree pruning typically requires using several assets from trucks, machinery, hand tools and labour. To reach heights where branches are 10 trimmed, a worker in a work basket with a gasoline / cordless power chainsaw is suspended at the end of a crane boom. This crane is mounted on a truck that has an open storage platform. Cut branches are allowed to fall by gravity. When removing heavier loads or when a load may cause damage to property or is deemed unsafe, the load is tied to a sling and lowered in a controlled manner by the crane. 15 The felled branches left on the ground are then gathered by several workers into piles, which are then loaded onto the truck manually. This process is repeated until the truck is fully loaded. The crane can be used to assist in the loading of the gathered piles of felled branches onto the truck. When the crane is used for loading the gathered piles, the 20 cutting works stops. When the truck is fully loaded, no further pruning works can continue for that truck and crew. The truck with the load of felled branches must dispose of the load before returning to site to continue pruning operations. The truck generally needs to manoeuvre into position to unload the felled branches from the rear. This adds to the time taken for the truck to return to pruning operations. 25 Additionally, the current method of transporting felled branches / slashes to a processing site tends to underutilise the full payload capacity of the truck. When pruning operations are undertaken on or next to roads, it generally creates disruptions to smooth traffic flows. Long stretches of a single lane must be closed off for the duration of the pruning. Pruning happens during daylight hours when traffic is 30 generally busier, which compounds this issue. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION 05 08 25 According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a tree pruning device for a tree pruning vehicle, the tree pruning device comprising: a body attachable to or provided on the tree pruning vehicle; 5 a grappling means disposed on or connected to the body for grappling tree branches, the grappling means comprising a first grapple claw, a second grapple claw, a first hydraulic cylinder for actuating the first grapple claw, and a second hydraulic cylinder for actuating the second grapple claw; and a cutter assembly disposed on or connected to the body for cutting the 10 tree branches, the cutter assembly comprising a motorised cutter and a third hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the cutter about the body, in which the third hydraulic cylinder is actuatable without actuating the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder to operate the cutter assembly independently of the grappling means. 15 The tree pruning device can be used to trim branches from a tree without requiring workers to be lifted into the air. That is, a worker or workers may carry out tree pruning from at or close to ground level, without needing to be at around the height of the tree branch or branches being pruned. The grappling means may be used to gather branches which may then be cut by the cutter assembly. Advantageously, the 20 cutter assembly is operable independently of the grappling means to facilitate cutting of smaller branches where the grappling means is not required. The tree pruning device may be considered as an applicator or applicator attachment. The term tree pruning is intended to cover tree surgery works including but not 25 limited to any one or more of: pruning, pollarding, trimming (such as crown trimming), cutting. The body may be considered a frame or support. The body provides a structure for mounting the cutter assembly and grappling means. 05 08 25 The grapple claws are rigid elongate members extending from the body. The grapple claws may be curvilinear. The grapple claws are used to pull branches towards the body and hold them in place for cutting. The grappling means may include a first pair of grapple claws, in which the first pair 5 of grapple claws includes the first grapple claw. The first pair of grapple claws may be actuated by the first hydraulic cylinder. Each grapple claw in the first pair of grapple claws may be connected by a first bar. The first hydraulic cylinder may be connected to the first bar for moving the bar and the first pair of grapple claws. The grappling means may include a second pair of grapple claws, in which the 10 second pair of grapple claws includes the second grapple claw. The second pair of grapple claws may be actuated by the second hydraulic cylinder. Each grapple claw in the second pair of grapple claws may be connected by a second bar. The second hydraulic cylinder may be connected to the second bar for moving the second bar and the second pair of grapple claws. 15 Each of the grapple claws may be pivotally connected to the body. The motorised cutter may be a chainsaw. The motorised cutter may be driven by a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor may be a high-speed hydraulic motor. The chainsaw may operate at 8000 rpm, for example. The hydraulic motor may be disposed within the body. 20 The cutter assembly may comprise a rim sprocket wheel. The rim sprocket wheel may drive a chain on the chainsaw. The rim sprocket wheel may be driven by the hydraulic motor. The rim sprocket wheel may be connected to the hydraulic motor by a sprocket adaptor. The sprocket adaptor may have a first part for connecting to the motor and a 25 second part for connecting to the rim sprocket. The sprocket adaptor may comprise two spline gears. The two spline gears may be two different sizes. The two spline gears may be disposed on one spindle. The two different spline gears allow two different types of sprocket wheels to be used. In other words, the cutter assembly may be configured to accommodate or interchangeably 30 receive different chainsaws. The cutter assembly may comprise a mounting plate. The mounting plate may be fitted to the body. The chainsaw may be mounted to a first side of the mounting plate. 05 08 25 The hydraulic motor may be mounted to a second side of the mounting plate. The second side of the mounting plate may be configured to receive a flange, particularly an ISO 3019-2 flange. The second side of the mounting plate may be configured to receive a saw motor flange. 5 The body may comprise a slew drive assembly for positioning the body. The slew drive assembly should be taken to mean a portion of the body having one or more slew drives for rotating the body with respect to a structure (e.g. a crane) that the body is connected to. The slew drive assembly may comprise a first slew drive having a first axis and a second slew drive having a second axis, the second axis of 10 being orthogonal to the first axis. At least one of the first and second slew drive may be hydraulically driven. The slew drives may be considered hydraulic rotators. Each slew drive may comprise a limit switch for limiting rotation of the slew drive. The slew drive assembly allows rotation of the tree pruning device about two orthogonal axes to trim branches sideways or make oblique cuts. 15 The tree pruning device may be provided on a vehicle. The tree pruning device may be retrofitted to the vehicle. The vehicle may have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of approximately 28T (tonnes). The vehicle may comprise a flatbed. The vehicle may be considered a tree pruning vehicle. The tree pruning device may be connected or connectable to a crane (which may be 20 a crane on the vehicle). The crane may have a maximum outreach of about 25 metres or 30 m. The crane may have a maximum outreach of about 20 m. The crane may lift a maximum payload of 650 kg. The tree pruning device may be provided on a knuckle boom crane arm. A knuckle boom crane arm is a crane arm having a boom which articulates at the middle or 25 “knuckle”. The body may be provided on a boom of the knuckle boom crane arm. The body may be provided on an anvil or distal end of the crane arm. In other words, the body of the tree pruning device may be directly attached to the boom. Advantageously, compared to attaching the tree pruning device to a cable and lowering the tree pruning device from the crane as is the case with a conventional 30 crane, the direct attachment assists in trimming branches sideways or make oblique cuts through manipulation of the boom. 05 08 25 One or more of the hydraulic components of the tree pruning device such as the hydraulic cylinders, slew drives (where provided) and the hydraulic motor (where provided) may be driven by one or more hydraulic circuits. That is to say, the hydraulic components may be powered by hydraulic circuits in that power from a 5 mechanical input is transmitted to a mechanical output by means of liquid moving through a circuit. The hydraulic circuit(s) driving the hydraulic components of the tree pruning device may be independent from hydraulic circuits driving the crane. One or more of the hydraulic circuits may be regenerative hydraulic closed-loop circuits to keep the hydraulic feed lines pressurised. 10 The tree pruning device may comprise a slot or mounting point for receiving a camera. The tree pruning device may comprise a camera. The camera may be used to provide visual information to the operator. When the tree pruning device is provided on a vehicle, the vehicle may comprise a woodchipper. The woodchipper may be a four blade (or other multi-blade) flywheel 15 woodchipper. The woodchipper may be hydraulically driven. The vehicle may include a container for storing wood chips. The woodchipper may comprise a discharge chute. The discharge chute may be connected to the container. Chipping the branches prior to storage allows higher payloads to be transported. 20 A tree pruning vehicle comprising one or more of the tree pruning device, woodchipper and container may provide an integrated solution for tree pruning operations, allowing less manpower to be used and less space occupied on the road for a tree pruning operation. The vehicle may be used to cut branches, chip the branches, and store the chipped branches. 25 At least one of the grappling means, the cutter assembly, (where provided) the woodchipper, and (where provided) the tiltable container may be powered by an engine of the vehicle. The woodchipper may be driven from a Power Take Off (PTO) drive from the engine transmission. The PTO drive relieves demand for additional hydraulic power trains and reduces the need for a larger hydraulic tank and cooling 30 capacity. The tree-pruning device may be operable by a remote control means. The remote control means may be provided as a portable controller, for example for use outside 05 08 25 the vehicle cab. The remote control means may be independent to a crane control means. The remote control means may comprise a wireless control circuit. The wireless control circuit may comprise directional control valves for controlling the direction of fluid inside the hydraulic circuits. 5 The vehicle may have any feature, or independently selected combination of features, of the second and / or third aspects of the disclosure. According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a releasable swivel connection for connecting a tiltable container to a vehicle according to claim 1. Optional features are set out in the dependent claims. 10 Advantageously, the releasable swivel connection holds the container securely during transport but allows disengagement. The bracket of the releasable swivel connection can be rotated with respect to the anchor on two axes, to accommodate tilting of the container in different directions. The swivel connection is designed to rotate about a part (such as a pin) that is easily 15 replaceable when worn out, unlike currently available solutions in the market that rotate about a ball surface and need to be removed from its welded surface. The releasable swivel connection may be considered to be a swivel pin. The anchor comprises a main pin extending along the second axis. The main pin may be connected to the rotatable element and rotate on the first axis through 20 rotation of the rotatable element. The bracket rotates about the second axis on the main pin. The bracket may rotate about the first axis through rotation of the rotatable element. The releasable swivel connection may be made of metal or alloy, such as steel or mild steel or carbon steel for example. Either or both of the anchor and the mount 25 may be made of an independent selection of the metal or alloy. The bracket (or part thereof) is preferably made of steel or mild steel. The rotatable element and / or pin (or, more generally, part(s) connecting the anchor to the bracket) should preferably be made of carbon steel. The pin may be manufactured to a tolerance of ±0.1 mm. 05 08 25 The releasable swivel connection may have dimensions of around 5 to 25 cm for any one, two or all three of its length, width and height (as measured on mutually orthogonal Cartesian axes). Preferably the dimensions are on the order of 10 cm. The load capacity of each swivel connection (or anchor or bracket thereof) may be up 5 to about 10 tonnes. Preferably, the maximum load capacity may be up to about 15 tonnes (T). The mount may be approximately or substantially cuboidal. The rotatable element may extend into the mount. The rotatable element may rotate inside the mount. The rotatable element may include a cylindrical portion. A first end of the cylindrical 10 portion may extend into the mount. The rotatable portion may include a cuboidal portion disposed at an opposing end of the cylindrical portion. The cuboidal portion may comprise an aperture for receiving a first end of the main pin. The bracket may comprise an aperture for receiving a second end of the main pin. The bracket may be offset from the anchor. The bracket is offset from the anchor 15 along the second axis. The main pin may be replaceable when worn by removing it from the bracket and / or anchor facilitating maintenance. The locking means may include a pull-type retainer pin disposed through at least one of the anchor and bracket. The retainer pin may be disposed through the main pin. 20 The retainer pin may prevent the bracket from sliding off the main pin. According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vehicle comprising: a container disposed on the vehicle; a hydraulic lift cylinder connected to the container for tilting the container in at least three directions; 25 first, second and third swivel connections according to the second aspect of the disclosure; in which in a first configuration, the container is tilted in a first direction and the first swivel connection is disengaged; in a second configuration, the container is tilted in a second direction 30 and the second swivel connection is disengaged; and 05 08 25 in a third configuration, the container is tilted in a third direction and the third swivel connection is disengaged. The bracket of the or each swivel connection may be welded to the container, preferably the underside. The anchor of the or each swivel connection may be 5 welded to the vehicle. The anchor of the or each swivel connection may be welded to a flatbed of the vehicle. The container may be tilted by a hydraulic lift cylinder. The hydraulic lift cylinder may be considered a tilting cylinder. The hydraulic lift cylinder may be operable by a control means accessible in a cab of the vehicle. 10 The vehicle may further comprise a fourth swivel connection according to the second aspect of the disclosure, in which in the first configuration, the first and fourth swivel connections are disengaged; in the second configuration, the second and third swivel connections 15 are disengaged; and in the third configuration, the third and fourth swivel connections are disengaged. The first swivel connection may connect the container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a first corner of the vehicle flatbed. The second swivel connection may connect the 20 container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a second corner of the vehicle flatbed. The third swivel connection may connect the container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a third corner of the vehicle flatbed. The fourth swivel connection may connect the container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a fourth corner of the vehicle flatbed. The container may have a first door on a rear side. The container may have a second 25 door on a right side. The container may have a third door on a left side. Having doors on each of the rear, right and left sides of the container allows the container to be emptied easily in each of the directions it is tiltable in. The container may have a top side or cover comprising a tiltable top cover for guiding material into the container. That is to say, a top side or cover that can tilt (or be 30 pivoted or repositioned) with respect to the container for guiding material into the container, preferably to help evenly fill the container. The top side or cover may be 05 08 25 opened, closed and / or inclined through extension and / or retraction of hydraulic actuators. The vehicle may comprise a woodchipper having a discharge chute. The discharge chute may be connected to the container. 5 The vehicle may comprise a tree pruning device according to the first aspect of the disclosure. The vehicle may have any feature or independently selected combination of features of either or both of the first and second aspects of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it 10 may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a tree pruning device; Figure 2a shows a perspective view of a vehicle having a tiltable container connected to the vehicle by releasable swivel connections; 15 Figure 2b shows a side view of the vehicle of Figure 2a in a first configuration; Figure 2c shows rear view of the vehicle of Figure 2a in a second configuration; Figure 2d shows a rear view of the vehicle of Figure 2a in a third configuration; Figure 3 shows side and top schematic views of a releasable swivel connection for the vehicle of Figure 2a; 20 Figure 3a shows schematic views of a mount of the releasable swivel connection of Figure 3; Figure 3b shows a schematic of a bracket for the releasable swivel connection of Figure 3; Figures 3c and 3d show schematic views of a rotatable element and pin of the 25 releasable swivel connection of Figure 3; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a releasable swivel connection and a representation of a container in which the container is in an upright position; 05 08 25 Figure 5a shows a rear view of the releasable swivel connection and container of Figure 4, with the container tilted on the first axis; Figure 5b shows a top view of the releasable swivel connection and container of Figure 4 with the container tilted on the first axis; 5 Figure 6 shows a side view of the releasable swivel connection and container of Figure 4, with the container tilted on the second axis; and Figure 7 shows of the releasable swivel connection and container of Figure 4 in which the releasable swivel connection is disengaged; Figures 8a and 8b show side and top views of a vehicle comprising a crane, a 10 chipper and a tiltable container, as an example of an integrated mobile processing platform. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figure 1, an unclaimed embodiment of a tree pruning device is generally indicated at 10. The device 10 is intended to be mounted on a vehicle (not 15 shown) for use in pruning a tree. The device 10 may be retrofitted to the vehicle, for example fitted on a crane, or could be an integral part of the vehicle. The device 10 does not need to have space for a person to stand in, because it is intended for use in remote pruning. The tree pruning device has a body 12, a grappling means 14, and a cutter assembly 20 16. The grappling means 14 can gather branches which can then be cut by the cutter assembly 16. The tree pruning device 10 can be fitted to a crane arm. In a preferred embodiment, the tree pruning device 10 is fitted directly to a boom of a crane arm, as opposed to be connected to a cable attached to a crane arm. For example, the tree pruning device 10 can be fitted to an anvil or distal end of a knuckle boom crane arm. 25 The body 12 can be considered as a framework or means for supporting the grappling means and cutter assembly, and for connection to vehicle or support arm therefrom. The body 12 can be considered to have a substantially U-shaped profile. A left side 11, a rear side 13 and a right side 15 form the U-shape. The grappling means 14 is 30 disposed at a front side of the body 12, opposing the rear side 13. The cutter assembly 16 is disposed at the lateral side 11 of the body 12. In another unclaimed 05 08 25 embodiment, the cutter assembly may be disposed at the lateral side 15 if the mounting plate part 28 is mounted on lateral side 15. A slew drive assembly 30 is connected to the rear side 13 of the body 12. The slew drive assembly 30 has a first slew drive 32 and a second slew drive 34. The 5 slew drive assembly 30 may be considered a hydraulic rotator. The second slew drive 34 is positioned orthogonal to the first slew drive 32. The tree pruning device 10 can be fitted to the crane arm at the slew drive assembly 30. The first slew drive 32 allows the body 12 to be rotated with respect to the crane arm about a first axis. The second slew drive 34 allows the body 12 to be rotated with 10 respect to the crane arm about a second axis, orthogonal to the first axis. Each slew drive 32, 34, includes two limit switches. The limit switches limit movement on opposing sides of each slew drive 32, 34. The grappling means 14 includes a first pair of claws 14a and a second pair of claws 14b. Each pair of claws 14a, 14b includes toothed claws at opposing sides of the 15 body 12. Each claw is pivotally connected to a side of the body 12. Each pair of claws 14a, 14b includes a toothed claw pivotally connected to the left side 11 and a tooth claw pivotally connected to the right side 15. The claws in each pair of claws 14a, 14b are connected together by first and second claw bars 22a, 22b. The claw bars help to coordinate movement (that is, opening and / or closing) of the claws in 20 each pair. The first claw bar 22a is pivotally connected to a first hydraulic cylinder 18a. The second claw bar 22b is pivotally connected to a second hydraulic cylinder 18b. Each hydraulic cylinder 18a, 18b is pivotally connected to the body 12. In this embodiment, the hydraulic cylinders 18a, 18b are pivotally connected to a clevis bracket on the 25 body 12. The first and second hydraulic cylinders 18a, 18b actuate the first and second claw bars 22a, 22b and the first and second pairs of claws 14a, 14b. During use, the hydraulic cylinders 18a, 18b can be used the actuate the grappling means 14 to gather and consolidate branches. The cutter assembly 16 includes a motorised chainsaw 26 having a chain on a 30 chainsaw bar, a swing plate guide mount 45, and a swing plate sub-assembly 46. The chainsaw 26 is pivotally mounted to a first side of the mounting plate 28 on the body 12. The chainsaw 26 extends across the body 12 towards the grappling means 14. The chainsaw 26 extends to a position adjacent to the grappling means 14. In 05 08 25 this embodiment, the chainsaw 26 is an off-the-shelf chainsaw retrofittable to the mounting plate 28. The chainsaw 26 is pivotable through actuation of a third hydraulic cylinder 20 to cut branches and is powered through a hydraulic motor 36. The hydraulic motor 36 is a high-speed hydraulic motor which can rotate the 5 chainsaw at up to 8000 rpm. In this embodiment, the hydraulic motor 36 is a bentaxis hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor 36 is fitted to a second side of the mounting plate 28. In preferred embodiments, the hydraulic motor 26 is a Rexroth (RTM) or Parker (RTM) saw motor. In those embodiments, the mounting plate 28 is shaped to receive a flange of the motor 36. The flange in preferred embodiments is 10 an ISO 3019-2 Rexroth (RTM) flange or Parker (RTM) motor saw flange. The hydraulic motor 36 is connected to the chainsaw 26 through a sprocket adaptor 38. The sprocket adaptor 38 has a first end for connecting to the hydraulic motor 36. The sprocket adaptor 38 has a second end for connecting to a rim sprocket wheel in the chainsaw 26. The hydraulic motor 36 drives the rim sprocket wheel through the 15 sprocket adaptor 38. The sprocket adaptor 38 includes two spline gears of different sizes on one spindle. The two different spline gears allow two different types of sprocket wheels to be used. This allows different types of chainsaws to be interchangeably fitted to the cutter assembly 16. A first end of the third hydraulic cylinder 20 is pivotally connected to the body 12 at a 20 third hydraulic cylinder bracket 40. A second end of the third hydraulic cylinder 20 is connected to the cutter assembly 16. Extension of the third hydraulic cylinder 20 rotates the chainsaw enabling it to cut. The third hydraulic cylinder 20 can be actuated without actuating the first or second hydraulic cylinder 18a, 18b. In other words, the cutter assembly 16 can be operated independently of the grappling means 25 14 if gathering of branches is not required. The body 12 includes a camera slot 42 for receiving a camera. In this embodiment, the camera slot is disposed in the rear side of the body 12, facing towards the grappling means 14. During use, the camera slot 42 can accommodate a camera facing towards the grappling means 14. The camera can be used to provide visual 30 information to the operator to assist in adjusting the position of the tree pruning device 10 and operating the grappling means and / or cutter assembly. The hydraulic components of the tree pruning device 10 are driven by hydraulic circuits (not shown). The hydraulic circuits of the tree pruning device 10 are 05 08 25 independent of hydraulic circuit of the crane arm. The hydraulic circuits are regenerative hydraulic closed loop circuits to keep the hydraulic feed lines pressurised. A hydraulic sub-circuit driving the third hydraulic cylinder 20 may be an open-loop circuit. 5 Advantageously, the tree pruning device 10 can be used to trim branches sideways or make oblique cuts. For example, direct attachment of the slew drive assembly 30 to the crane arm direct assists in trimming branches sideways or make oblique cuts through manipulation of the boom. The slew drive assembly 30 further assists in manipulating the tree pruning device 10 to trim branches sideways or make oblique 10 cuts by allowing the body 12 to rotate and access target locations. The components of the tree pruning device 10 are controlled through a control means (not shown). The control means is accessible or usable via a portable remote controller. The control means is independent from the crane controls. The control means includes a wireless control circuit. The control circuit includes directional 15 control valves to control the direction of the fluid inside the hydraulic circuits. During use, with the device 10 provided on a vehicle (e.g. on a crane arm), the operator can control the tree pruning device 10 through control means to prune branches. The operator can raise the tree pruning device 10 by extending the crane arm. The operator can view the branches to be pruned through the camera. Once the 20 target position is identified, the operator can rotate the tree pruning device 10 using the slew drive assembly 30. With the tree pruning device 10 in the target position, the operator can grapple the branches by actuating the grappling means 14, and then cut the grappled branches using the cutter assembly 16. The grappled branches substantially remain held by the grappling means after they have been cut. The cut 25 branches can then be released from the grappling means 14. In some cases, the branches do not need to be grappled and the operator can actuate the chainsaw 26 without actuating the grappling means 14. Referring now to Figure 2a, a vehicle indicated generally at 1000 has a tiltable container 1002. In a preferred embodiment, the tiltable container 1002 is used to 30 store woodchips. The tiltable container 1002 is tiltable using a hydraulic lift cylinder 1004. The hydraulic lift cylinder 1004 is connected to a ball joint at the centre of the base of the container 1002. The hydraulic lift cylinder 1004 is extendible in three different directions to tilt the container 1002 in three different directions. In other words, the container 1002 can tilt to take three configurations. In this embodiment, 05 08 25 the container 1002 can be tilted to a rear of the vehicle 1000, to a left side of the vehicle 1000, and to a right side of the vehicle 1000. The tiltable container 1002 is releasably connected to a flatbed 1001 of the vehicle 1000 through releasable swivel connections 100. Four releasable swivel connections 5 100 are provided, noting that only two of them are shown in Figure 2. Each releasable swivel connection 100 includes an anchor 102 mountable to the flatbed 1001 of the vehicle 1000 and a bracket mountable to the container 1002. The releasable swivel connections 100 are discussed in more detail below with respect to Figures 3 to 7. 10 The container 1002 has a bottom side 1006, a top side, a left side 1008, a right side (not shown), a front side (not shown) and a rear side 1010, a longitudinal axis extending from the front side to the rear side 1010 and a transverse axis extending from the left side to the right side 1008 of the vehicle. A first anchor 102 is provided on the vehicle 1000 and disposed at or adjacent to a 15 first corner of the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 where the rear side 1010 meets the right side, and a first bracket 104 corresponding to the first anchor 102 is provided on the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 at or adjacent to the first corner. A second anchor 102 is provided on the vehicle 1000 and disposed at or adjacent to 20 a second corner of the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 where the left side 1008 meets the rear side 1010, and the second bracket 104 corresponding to the second anchor 102 is provided on the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 at or adjacent to the second corner. A third anchor 102 is provided on the vehicle 1000 and disposed at or adjacent to a 25 third corner of the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 where the left side 1008 meets the front side, and the third bracket 104 corresponding to the third anchor 102 is provided on the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 at or adjacent to the third corner. A fourth anchor 102 is provided on the vehicle 1000 and disposed at or adjacent to a 30 fourth corner of the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 where the front side meets the right side, and a fourth bracket 104 corresponding to the fourth anchor 102 is provided on the bottom side 1006 of the container 1002 at or adjacent to the fourth corner. 05 08 25 Figure 2b shows the vehicle 1000 in the first configuration, in which the third and fourth brackets 104 are disengaged from the third and fourth anchors 102 respectively, and the container 1002 is tilted about the transverse axis. That is, the two front brackets are disconnected from the two front anchors, so that the container 5 can be tilted backwards. Figure 2c shows the vehicle 1000 in the second configuration, in which the second and third brackets 104 are disengaged from the second and third anchors 102 respectively, and in which the container 1002 is tilted about a first longitudinal axis at the right side. That is, the two left brackets are disconnected from the two left 10 anchors, so that the container can be tilted to the right. Figure 2d shows the vehicle 1000 in the third configuration, in which the first and fourth brackets 104 are disengaged from the first and fourth anchors 102 respectively, and in which the container 1002 is tilted about a second longitudinal axis at the left side. That is, the two right brackets are disconnected from the two 15 right anchors, so that the container can be tilted to the left. The container 1002 includes a door 1020, 1022, 1024 on each of the left side 1008, right side, and rear side 1010 for emptying the container 1002 out of each respective door 1020, 1022, 1024, depending on which way the container is tilted in the respective configurations. Each door 1020, 1022, 1024 may be hinged at or adjacent 20 to the top side. Latches at or adjacent to a bottom of each door 1020, 1022, 1024 may be unlatched prior to tilting, to allow the door 1020, 1022, 1024 on tilting the container 1002. Referring now to Figure 3, a schematic of the releasable swivel connection is generally indicated at 100. As described above, the releasable swivel connection 100 25 includes an anchor 102 and a bracket 104. The anchor 102 includes a mount 106 with a vehicle mounting surface for mounting to the vehicle 1000. The anchor 102 includes a rotatable element 110 which is disposed inside and rotatable with respect to the mount 106. The rotatable element 110 is rotatable about a first axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1000. 30 The anchor 102 includes a main pin 112 disposed inside the rotatable element 110. The main pin 112 extends along a second axis parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle 1000. The first axis is orthogonal to the second axis. 05 08 25 The bracket 104 includes a container mounting portion 108 with a container mounting surface for mounting to the container 1002. The bracket 104 has an aperture (122, Figure 7) for receiving the main pin 112 of the anchor 102. The bracket 104 can rotate about the main pin 112 about the second axis. 5 Figure 3a shows the mount 106 in isolation. The mount 106 has a hole for receiving part of the rotatable element 110. The mount 106 has a lower flange for connection to a vehicle, e.g. by welding. Figure 3b shows the bracket 104 in isolation. The bracket 104 has a hole for receiving another part of the rotatable element 110. The bracket 104 has an upper 10 flange for connection to a container, e.g. by welding. Figure 3c shows the rotatable element 110 in isolation. The rotatable element has a cylindrical portion for engaging the anchor 102, and a cuboidal portion joined to the cylindrical portion. The cuboidal portion has a second cylindrical portion extending orthogonal to the first cylindrical portion, for connection to the bracket 104. 15 Figure 3d shows a pin which is provided in or through the rotatable element 110. The pin is made of carbon steel. The pin is manufactured to a tolerance of ±100 microns. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the bracket 104 can adopt multiple configurations through rotation of the rotatable element 110 within the mount 106 and rotation of the bracket 104 about the main pin 112. 20 In Figure 4, a representation of the container 1002 is shown in an upright position. In other words, the bracket 104 is positioned such that the vehicle mounting surface is parallel to the container mounting surface. It is envisaged that the bracket 104 is in the upright positioned during transportation of the container 1002. A retainer pin 114 ensures the bracket 104 remains secure on the main pin 112. The retainer pin 114 25 extends through the main pin 112 to prevent the bracket 104 from sliding off the main pin 112. In Figures 5a and 5b, the container 1002 is tilted in a first direction. The first direction is towards a side of the mount 106, i.e. rotated on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1000. With respect to the upright position, the rotatable element 110 is rotated on the 30 first axis. 05 08 25 In Figure 6, the container 1002 is tilted to the rear, i.e. rotated on the transverse axis of the vehicle 1000. With respect to the upright position, the bracket 104 is rotated on the second axis about the main pin 112. This corresponds to tilt in a second direction. Referring to Figure 7, the bracket 104 can be disengaged from the main pin 112. This 5 corresponds to tilt in a third direction (opposite to the first direction), where the container is supported by other brackets and anchors. The retainer pin 114 is removed, allowing the bracket 104 to freely slide off the anchor 102. This enables the bracket 104 to be disengaged from the anchor 102 as described above. In preferred embodiments, the vehicle comprises one or more of a crane including 10 the tree pruning device 10 of Figure 1 and the tiltable container and releasable swivel connections of Figures 2 to 7. In other embodiments, it is envisaged that the vehicle 1000 also includes a woodchipper. In these embodiments, the container 1002 is a container for storing the woodchips. The woodchipper can be a conventional woodchipper fitted to the vehicle 15 1000. The woodchipper has a hydraulic infeed for branches with a width of up to 150mm, for example. The woodchipper is secured to vehicle 1000 at the side or rear. The woodchipper has a discharge chute which directs the woodchips into the container 1002. A quick release connector may be used to disconnect the discharge chute from the container 1002. The woodchipper is powered by a Power Take Off 20 (PTO) link shaft to rotate a flywheel with reversible cutting blades. Power output at the PTO is between 25 kW to 75 kW. Advantageously, the vehicle 1000 provides an integrated solution for tree pruning works. The operator of the vehicle 1000 can operate the tree pruning device 10 to cut branches in the manner described above with respect to Figure 1. The cut branches 25 (or “slashes”) can be released or inserted into the woodchipper. The branches are fed into the woodchipper by the hydraulic infeed. The woodchips are then deposited into the container 1002 on the vehicle 1000 via the discharge chute. The top side of the container 1002 is moved to guide the discharged woodchips into the container 1002. The chippings are then hauled to the point of unloading at a designated yard. 30 The container 1002 is tilted to one of the left side, right side and rear side to empty the container 1002. Once discharge is completed, the vehicle 1000 can then return to the site of the pruning works to repeat the process. There is no need for an entire pruning crew to 05 08 25 be at the tipping yard as discharge can be done by the driver by disengaging two of the releasable swivel connections 100 and operating the hydraulic lift cylinder 1004. Advantageously, less manpower is required to discharge the woodchips and idle time is reduced. Woodchips are a more efficient use of space and so more slashes can be 5 transported per container 1002. The result is reduced CO2 emissions from fewer vehicles and less congestion on the roads during the tree pruning works. Figures 8a and 8b depict another embodiment of a vehicle 1100. The vehicle 1000 is substantially similar to the other vehicle 1000, with additional features as discussed below. 10 The vehicle 1100 has a knuckle crane positioned immediately behind the front cab. A chipper is disposed on the vehicle 1100 behind the knuckle crane. A tiltable container which can tilt in three different directions (pivoting relative to any of the left side, right side and rear side of the vehicle) is also provided behind the chipper. A feed mechanism connects the chipper to the container so that wood chips (or other chips) 15 outputted by the chipper can be fed directly into the tiltable container. As seen in Fig 8b, the chipper is offset to one side of the vehicle, and there is a storage compartment or area on the opposing side. The container spans the full width of the vehicle. The space allocated to the crane also spans the full width of the vehicle. 20 It will be appreciated that right-handed and / or left-handed versions of the releasable swivel connection may be provided in any embodiment as appropriate for the required position on a vehicle or other platform and the intended tilt orientations. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art 25 without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 05 08 25 Various aspects of the invention will now be enumerated in the following clauses. 1. A tree pruning device for a tree pruning vehicle, the tree pruning device comprising: 5 a body attachable to the tree pruning vehicle; grappling means disposed on or connected to the body for grappling tree branches, the grappling means comprising a first grapple claw, a second grapple claw, a first hydraulic cylinder for actuating the first grapple claw, and a second hydraulic cylinder for actuating the second grapple claw; and 10 a cutter assembly disposed on or connected to the body for cutting the tree branches, the cutter assembly comprising a motorised cutter and a third hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the cutter about the body, in which the third hydraulic cylinder is actuatable without actuating the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder to operate the cutter 15 assembly independently of the grappling means. 2. A tree pruning device according to clause 1, in which the body comprises a slew drive assembly for positioning the body, the slew drive assembly comprising a first slew drive having a first axis and a second slew drive having a second axis, the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis. 20 3. A tree pruning device according to clause 1 or 2, in which the motorised cutter is a chainsaw. 4. A tree pruning device according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, in which the motorised cutter is driven by a hydraulic motor. 5. A tree pruning device according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, in which the tree 25 pruning device is provided on a knuckle boom crane arm. 6. A tree pruning device according to clause 5, in which the body is provided on a boom of the knuckle boom crane arm. 05 08 25 7. A tree pruning device according to clause 6, comprising a slew drive according to clause 2, in which the slew drive assembly is connected to the boom of the knuckle boom crane arm. 8. A tree pruning device according to any of clauses 1 to 7, in which the tree pruning 5 device comprises a camera. 9. A tree pruning device according to any of clauses 1 to 8, in which the tree pruning device is provided on a vehicle. 10. A tree pruning device according to clause 9, in which the vehicle comprises a woodchipper. 10 11. A tree pruning device according to clause 9 or clause 10, in which the vehicle includes a container for storing wood chips. 12. A tree pruning device according to clause 11, in which the container is tiltable in three directions. 13. A tree pruning device according to any of clauses 9 to 12, in which at least one of 15 the grappling means, cutter assembly, woodchipper according to clause 10, and tiltable container according to clause 12 20 is powered by an engine of the vehicle. 14. A tree-pruning device according to any of clauses 9 to 13, in which the treepruning device is operable by a remote control means or portable controller. 15. A releasable swivel connection for connecting a tiltable container to a vehicle, the swivel connection comprising: 25 an anchor having a mount for fixing to the vehicle and a rotatable element connected to the mount, the rotatable element being rotatable about a first axis with respect to the mount; 05 08 25 a bracket for fixing to the tiltable container, the bracket being releasably attachable to the anchor at the rotatable element, the bracket being rotatable about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis with respect to the rotatable element; and 5 releasable locking means for locking the bracket to the anchor. 16. A releasable swivel connection according to clause 15, in which at least one of the rotatable element and bracket rotate about a pin. 17. A releasable swivel connection according to clause 15 or clause 16, in which the locking means includes a pull-type retainer pin disposed through at least one of 10 the anchor and bracket. 18. A vehicle comprising: a container disposed on the vehicle; a hydraulic lift cylinder connected to the container for tilting the container in at least three directions; 15 first, second and third swivel connections each according to any of clauses 15 to 17; in which the container is tiltable into different configurations wherein: in a first configuration, the container is tilted in a first direction and the first swivel connection is disengaged; in a second configuration, the container is tilted in a second direction and the 20 second swivel connection is disengaged; and in a third configuration, the container is tilted in a third direction and the third swivel connection is disengaged. 19. A vehicle according to clause 18, in which the vehicle further comprises a fourth swivel connection according to any of clauses 15 to 17, in which 25 in the first configuration, the first and fourth swivel connections are disengaged; in the second configuration, the second and third swivel connections are disengaged; and in the third configuration, the third and fourth swivel connections are disengaged. 20. A vehicle according to clause 18 or clause 19, in which the container has a first door on a rear side, a second door on a right side, and a third door on a left side. 5 21. A vehicle according to any of clauses 18 to 20, in which the vehicle comprises a woodchipper having a discharge chute, in which the discharge chute is connected to the container. 22. A vehicle according to any of clauses 18 to 21, in which the vehicle comprises the tree pruning device according to any of clauses 1 to 8. 05 08 25

Claims

05 08 251. A releasable swivel connection for connecting a tiltable container to a vehicle, the swivel connection comprising:an anchor having a mount for fixing to the vehicle and a rotatable element 5 connected to the mount, the rotatable element being rotatable about a firstaxis with respect to the mount;a pin extending along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis;a bracket for fixing to the tiltable container, the bracket being releasably attachable to the anchor at the rotatable element by the pin, the bracket being 10 rotatable about the second axis with respect to the rotatable element, in whichthe bracket is offset from the anchor along the second axis; andreleasable locking means for locking the bracket to the anchor.

2. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking means includes a pull-type retainer pin disposed through at least one of the 15 anchor and bracket.

3. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mount is substantially cuboidal.

4. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the rotatable element extends into the mount.20 5. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in any preceding claim, in whichthe rotatable element includes a cylindrical portion.

6. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in claim 5, in which the rotatable element includes a cuboidal portion disposed at an end of the cylindrical portion.25 7. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in claim 6, in which the cuboidalportion comprises an aperture for receiving a first end of the pin.

8. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in claim 7, in which the bracket comprises an aperture for receiving a second end of the pin.05 08 259. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the releasable swivel connection has dimensions of 5 to 25 cm for any one, two or all three of its length, width and height.

10. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in any preceding claim, in which 5 the releasable swivel connection is made of metal or alloy.

11. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in claim 10, in which the bracket is made of steel or mild steel, and the rotatable element is made of carbon steel.

12. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in claim 11, in which the pin is 10 made of carbon steel.

13. A releasable swivel connection as claimed in any preceding claim, having a maximum load capacity of up to about 15 tonnes (T).15 14. A vehicle comprising:a container disposed on the vehicle;a hydraulic lift cylinder connected to the container for tilting the container in at least three directions;first, second and third swivel connections each as claimed in any of claims 1 20 to 13; in which the container is tiltable into different configurations wherein:in a first configuration, the container is tilted in a first direction and the first swivel connection is disengaged;in a second configuration, the container is tilted in a second direction and the second swivel connection is disengaged; and25 in a third configuration, the container is tilted in a third direction andthe third swivel connection is disengaged.

15. A vehicle as claimed in claim 14, in which the vehicle further comprises a fourth swivel connection as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, in whichin the first configuration, the first and fourth swivel connections are 30 disengaged;05 08 25in the second configuration, the second and third swivel connections are disengaged; andin the third configuration, the third and fourth swivel connections are disengaged.5 16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15, in which the vehicle includes a vehicleflatbed, the first swivel connection connects the container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a first corner of the vehicle flatbed, the second swivel connection connects the container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a second corner of the vehicle flatbed, the third swivel connection connects the container to the 10 vehicle at or adjacent to a third corner of the vehicle flatbed, and the fourthswivel connection connects the container to the vehicle at or adjacent to a fourth corner of the vehicle flatbed.

17. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, in which the bracket of the or each swivel connection is welded to the container.15 18. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, in which the anchor of the oreach swivel connection is welded to the vehicle.

19. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, in which the hydraulic lift cylinder is operable by a control means accessible in a cab of the vehicle.

20. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 or 19, in which the container has a 20 first door on a rear side, a second door on a right side, and a third door on aleft side.

21. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20, in which the vehicle comprises a woodchipper.

22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, in which the woodchipper comprises a 25 discharge chute, in which the discharge chute is connected to the container.

23. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 14 to 22, in which the vehicle comprises a tree pruning device comprising:a body attachable to the tree pruning vehicle;grappling means disposed on or connected to the body for grappling 30 tree branches, the grappling means comprising a first grapple claw, a secondgrapple claw, a first hydraulic cylinder for actuating the first grapple claw, and a second hydraulic cylinder for actuating the second grapple claw; anda cutter assembly disposed on or connected to the body for cutting the tree branches, the cutter assembly comprising a motorised cutter and a third5 hydraulic cylinder for pivoting the cutter about the body,in which the third hydraulic cylinder is actuatable without actuating the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder to operate the cutter assembly independently of the grappling means.05 08 25

Images