Branch cutting machine

Abstract

To solve the problem in which a conventional branch cutting operation using a chainsaw to cut branches one by one by a worker standing on a high-place work vehicle is time-consuming and often neglected because of budget constraints; and provide a branch cutting machine that scales up a commercially available brush cutter by a factor of ten, replaces its rotating blade with a circular saw blade, and attaches a hook (2a) located at the branch cutting machine's center of gravity to a work platform (4a), thereby allowing light operation.SOLUTION: The branch cutting machine of the present invention comprises an engine (1), an operation rod (2), and a rotating blade (3). A handle (1a) is provided on the engine (1), and a hook (2a) of the operation rod (2) is attached and suspended at the center of gravity of the branch cutting machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a branch cutter that cuts branches covering a road by riding on an aerial work vehicle and felling the branches.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for branches covering a road, workers would ride on an aerial work vehicle and cut each branch one by one with a chainsaw. The cut branches would fall onto the road, and since the branches that fell on the road were large, they had to be cut again so that they could be loaded onto the truck bed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Cutting each branch one by one with a chainsaw while riding on a conventional aerial work vehicle takes too much time. The reason is that the blade of the chainsaw is 7 mm wide, and it is difficult and unsuitable to create 7-mm sawdust. Therefore, it takes time, which results in high costs, and in many cases, it is left unattended due to budget constraints.

[0005] Therefore, the branch cutter of the present invention enlarges a lawn mower by 10 times. Since it has a circular saw blade, the cutting speed is fast. Because the cutting speed is fast, it cuts small while the tree is growing and then falls onto the road, so it provides a branch cutter that does not require cutting twice on the road.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the branch cutter of the present invention is composed of an engine (1), an operation pipe (2), and a rotary blade (3). The engine (1) is provided with a handle (1a) at the tip of the engine (1), and the operator operates it by grasping the handle (1a).

[0007] The operation pipe (2) of the branch cutter is at the center of gravity of the entire branch cutter. A hook (2a) is attached to the operation pipe (2) at the center of gravity, and a flexible rod (4b) is inserted into a cylinder (4d) provided on a workbench (4a). The hook (2a) is hung by a hook attachment part (4c) provided on the flexible rod (4b), and the hook (2a) suspends the entire branch cutter.

[0008] The rotary blade (3) transmits the power of the engine (1) through a shaft (2b) inside the operation pipe (2). And the set screw (3c) provided at the angle part (3a) achieves the object by pressing and fixing the operation pipe (2) to fix the rotary blade (3) at an easy-to-handle angle in the rotating direction of the shaft (2b).

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The branch cutter of the present invention has the following effects. (A) Branches can be cut within 0.1 seconds. (For details, refer to paragraph 0021) (B) Since the branches are easily cut, they fall as fragments about 20 cm long. (For details, refer to paragraph 0015) (C) The branch cutter is supported by a hook, so no force is required. (For details, refer to paragraph 0018) (D) By uniquely attaching the aerial work platform, cutting can be performed directly above the loading platform. (For details, refer to paragraph 0033) (E) The angle part can freely change the angle of the rotary blade. (For details, refer to paragraph 0028)

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The pruning machine of the present invention is about 10 times larger than a commercially available shoulder-suspended lawn mower. Therefore, since the hook that was suspended on the shoulder was heavy, a flexible rod (4b) was attached to a cylinder (4d) attached to the workbench (4a), and a hook attachment part (4c) was attached to the tip of the flexible rod (4b). Then, the hook attachment part (4c) is hooked on the hook (2a) at the center of gravity of the operation pipe (2) of the pruning machine, and the operator holds and operates the handle (1a) attached to the rear side of the engine (1).

[0012] At the tip of the flexible rod (4b) inserted into the cylinder (4d) of the workbench (4a) of the aerial work vehicle (4), a hook attachment part (4c) is provided. At the center of gravity of the entire pruning machine, there is an operation pipe (2) in the hook attachment part (4c). The hook (2a) is provided on the operation pipe (2) at the center of gravity, and the entire pruning machine is supported by hanging the hook (2a) on the hook attachment part (4c).

[0013] The flexible rod (4b) is substantially in the shape of a "コ". The cylinder (4d) is stood at the right corner of the workbench (4a), and the vertical part of the substantially "コ" shape is inserted into the cylinder (4d), and it can rotate freely. Then, a hook attachment part (4c) is attached to the horizontal tip part of the substantially "コ" shape, and the hook (2a) is suspended in the hole of the hook attachment part (4c). The flexible rod (4b) can move the rotary blade (3) of the pruning machine back and forth, left and right, and up and down, so it was named the flexible rod (4b).

[0014] The hook (2a) is the center of gravity of the entire branch cutter. By suspending the operating tube (2), it can be easily operated. Since the engine (1) is heavy and the rotary blade (3) is light, it can reach far away and can be cut from a safe place more than 15 meters away.

[0015] The operation is as follows: First, cut obliquely downward from above at a point 20 cm from the tip of the branch. After finishing the cut, slightly release the rotary blade (3) from the branch and lift it upward, and then cut another 20 cm of the branch. The reason for cutting from above is that if cutting from below, gravity acts on the cut surface of the branch, and after cutting, it will be pinched, just like in a serious sword fight, the cross-section pinches the side surface of the rotary blade (3), causing the rotation to slow down. Furthermore, when the rotation slows down and stops, it will not move whether pushed or pulled. Therefore, when cutting from above, the cut cross-section will open due to gravity, so cut obliquely downward from above.

[0016] After repeating such operations until cutting is completed, lower the workbench (4a) and cut the branches on the spot from the tip. Therefore, different from a chainsaw and a circular saw, the blade of the circular saw is faster. As a result, the branches that have become about 20 cm long will fall onto the road one by one from above, so after that, only the cleaning of the road is needed.

[0017] Also, when you want to change the angle of the rotary blade (3) in the direction of rotation of the shaft (2b), by loosening the set screw (3c) of the angle part (3a), the rotary blade (3) can be rotated from the angle part (3a). Therefore, determine the angle of the rotary blade (3) and tighten and fix the set screw (3c) at that position. Therefore, if the angle of the left normal plane is 11 o'clock in terms of the clock hand, the angle of the right normal plane is 1 o'clock. When explaining the moved angle by the set screw (3c), the left side is 2 o'clock and the right side is 10 o'clock. Therefore, the moving angle is 120 degrees from 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock, and loosen and fix the set screw (3c) at that place.

Example 1

[0018] The branch cutter of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The side view of Figure 1 shows the branch cutter cutting a branch. The engine (1) has a displacement of 250 cc and weighs about 20 kg. The rotary blade (3) weighs about 2 kg. The center of gravity of the branch cutter is at the hook (2a) of the operating tube (2). By attaching a hook mounting part (4c) to the hook (2a) on the operating tube (2), the entire branch cutter moves lightly. The balance is 1 to 10. Since the engine (1) is heavy, the hook (2a) of the center of gravity is close, and the rotary blade (3) is far away. Since the rotary blade (3) cuts, even if fragments fly, it is safe. For example, if it is 15 meters away, fine wood chips will not reach due to the reduced speed, but if the blade is damaged, it will fly at a speed of 100 km / h. However, if it is 15 meters away, the speed will decrease due to air resistance, so it is safe.

[0019] The size of the branch cutter is about 10 times that of a lawn mower and the entire branch cutter weighs 25 kg, so it is heavy to hang from the shoulder, and it is impossible to operate the rotary blade (3) 15 meters away. Therefore, a hook (2a) is attached to the center of gravity of the operating tube (2), and the rotary blade (3) is operated up, down, left, and right with the hook (2a) as the fulcrum. By tilting the entire branch cutter diagonally, the rotary blade (3) can tilt about 30 degrees in either direction. The flexible rod (4b) is a rod with a diameter of Φ20 and can rotate freely, so the entire branch cutter can move back and forth.

[0020] When the angle of the rotary blade (3) is 0 degrees for commercially available products, it tilts from 60 degrees to 80 degrees with respect to the normal plane around the axis (2b). And the angle between the operating tube (2) and the rotary blade (3) is tilted 60 degrees from commercially available products. And when the commercially available lawn mower is set to 0 degrees, the angle (3a) is from 60 degrees to 80 degrees and is fixed using a set screw (3c).

[0021] The diameter of the rotary blade (3) is 1 meter, the thickness is 1 mm, the width of the chip is 1.4 mm, and it maintains a disk shape due to centrifugal force. And there is a blade edge every 2 cm, and there are 150 in total. The rotary blade (3) rotates 600 times per minute. Branches with a diameter of about 3 cm that touch the rotary blade (3) are cut within 0.1 seconds.

[0022] The engine (1) is equipped with a handle (1a) at the tip of the engine (1). The handle (1a) is attached with an accelerator and a stop button necessary for operation. The operator works while holding the handle (1a).

[0023] The center of gravity of the branch cutter is at the operation pipe (2), and a hook (2a) is attached at the position of the center of gravity. On the other hand, a flexible rod (4b) is inserted into the cylinder (4d) of the workbench (4a), and there is a hook attachment part (4c) at the tip of the flexible rod (4b). The hook (2a) is attached to the hook attachment part (4c), and the operation is centered around the hook (2a). Therefore, when lowering the rotary blade (3), the handle (1a) rises upward, and conversely, when raising the rotary blade (3), the handle (1a) must be lowered downward.

[0024] In order to suspend the hook (2a), a cylinder (4d) for standing the flexible rod (4b) is provided on the right side of the workbench (4a) of the aerial work platform (4). The vertical part of the flexible rod (4b) is inserted into the cylinder (4d), and the flexible rod (4b) is configured to be rotatable. At the tip of the other flexible rod (4b), the hook (2a) is suspended by the hook attachment part (4c). The cross bar of the flexible rod (4b) is 2 meters long, and a 2-meter rotation can move the rotary blade (3) about 2 meters back and forth, so the rotary blade (3) can move in and out by 2 meters.

[0025] Figure 2 is a front view seen from the side of the rotary blade. The bottom of the engine (1) is horizontal, and the angle between the bottom of the engine (1) and the rotary blade (3) is inclined at about 70 degrees like B. The hook (2a) supports the center of gravity of the entire branch cutter, and the hook (2a) is kept parallel to the engine (1). However, when the branch cutter itself is tilted, in terms of the hour hand of a clock, it can be set from 0 o'clock to 10 o'clock. So, if the branch hangs down in the 5 o'clock direction and is cut by the rotary blades (3) at 11 o'clock and 5 o'clock, the branch will be split. Therefore, it is cut while tilting it to one side.

[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the angled portion, showing the A-A cross-section of Figure 2. The angle of the angled portion (3a) means a right angle and is interposed between the operating tube (2) and the rotary blade (3). The shaft (2b) inside the operating tube (2) rotates the rotary blade (3) through two bevel gears (3b). Since the rotary blade (3) is perpendicular to the operating tube (2), the operating tube (2) and the rotary blade (3) are parallel. However, by modifying the bevel gears (3b) and the angled portion (3a), the angle can be changed like that of a commercially available lawn mower. When the angle of the angled portion (3a) is changed from 90 degrees to 60 degrees, the position of the navel of the person working is the same as the angle at which the rotary blade is horizontal to the ground, like a commercially available lawn mower. Changing the angle of the angled portion (3a) is designed to open the umbrella of the bevel gear (3b).

[0027] Figure 4 is a plan view of the angled portion. The angled portion (3a) is equipped with a set screw (3c). By pressing the operating tube (2), the operating tube (2) and the angled portion (3a) are fixed, and the angle of the rotary blade (3) provided in the angled portion (3a) is also fixed. Therefore, when the set screw (3c) is loosened, the operating tube (2) is fixed. With the operating tube (2) as the center, the angled portion (3a) can rotate freely in the same direction as the rotation of the shaft (2b), so any angle can be freely selected.

[0028] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of C-C of Figure 4. There is an operating tube (2) in the cross-sectional view. Since the operating tube (2) is attached to the engine (1), with the engine (1) horizontal, when the set screw (3c) at 9 o'clock of the outer angled portion (3a) is loosened, the set screw (3c) part turns upward like a dotted line and becomes rotatable at 0 o'clock.

[0029] Therefore, the angle of rotation around the shaft (2b) is about 70 to 80 degrees of the normal plane angle, and it is advisable to tighten and fix the set screw (3c). When cutting the right normal plane from the left normal plane, when indicating the left normal plane at the position of the set screw (3c), it is represented by the hour hand as 10 o'clock. When cutting the branches of the right normal plane, the angle of the set screw (3c) is 2 o'clock and it is rotated 120 degrees.

Example 2

[0030] An example of use will be described. Since the aerial work vehicle (4) moves backward while cutting, the aerial work vehicle (4) is moved to the place where the branches to be cut are growing. Since the right support leg will obstruct traffic if it is extended, it is not extended and is left installed on the ground, with the tires lifted. Also, on the right side, since the work platform (4a) does not go there, there is no need to extend it.

[0031] On the left, since there is a load, the support legs are fully extended and set. Even if it falls, it will only cover the slope and will not fall on flat ground where there is nothing. Next, the operator gets on the work platform (4a) and cuts with the rotary blade (3) because it is at a high position. Since the rotary speed of the rotary blade (3) is high, it is cut in a few seconds. Therefore, since it would be troublesome to dispose of the standing tree if it were cut from the root, the branches of the standing tree are cut with a width of 20 cm from the top so that the subsequent disposal is easier. The cutting speed is fast, and one tree can be cut in a few seconds. Then, the cut branches fall down one by one.

[0032] Therefore, the branches that have fallen on the road are collected by people and disposed of by the garbage collection vehicle. The wood chips that have fallen on the mountain are left as they are and wait to naturally return to the soil, so the working time can be shortened, and the branches in a wide area can be cut with the same cost.

Example 3

[0033] A unique refers to a crane with a loading platform. When the boom of this unique is modified to an aerial work vehicle (4), when cutting directly above the loading platform, the branches will fall and stack on the loading platform. Therefore, the door of the left loading platform is opened so as to stick to the slope, and care is taken not to spill the branches.

Example 4

[0034] A detailed explanation of the symbols and terms will be given. The branch cutter is the same as enlarging a commercially available shoulder - type lawn mower by about 10 times. Therefore, the branch cutter does the same thing as mowing grass. As an image, it is like a 20 - meter - tall giant with 10 times the height mowing branches. For this reason, due to the high - altitude work vehicle (4) and the heavy engine (1), a hook (2a) is attached to the operation pipe (2) and it is operated with the handle (1a), so it is easy to cut branches. The engine (1) is an engine (1) of about 250 cc and is heavy. Therefore, the center of gravity is such that the position where the balance between the engine (1) and the rotary blade (3) can be achieved is 1 to 10. It can cut branches from a position far away from the branches, so it is safe. Therefore, if the rotary blade (3) is rotated by a motor like an electric lawn mower, the rotary blade (3) becomes heavier, so the center of gravity becomes 1 to 1, and it cannot cut from a distance. Also, since it has to move the same distance as the movement of the rotary blade (3), the electric motor is not suitable. The handle (1a) is where the operator operates the branch cutter. The handle (1a) has things necessary for operations such as an accelerator attached to it. The handle (1a) has a shape that is easy to move up and down, left and right, and back and forth, like the handle of a commercially available lawn mower.

[0035] The operation pipe (2) is a pipe that covers the shaft (2b) connecting the rotary blade (3) and the engine (1). Its size is about Φ50 and its length is 15 meters. And inside the operation pipe (2), the shaft (2b) is provided with a diameter of Φ12. And the shaft (2b) serves to transmit the rotation of the engine (1) to the rotary blade (3). The hook (2a) is provided on the operation pipe (2), and the place where the hook (2a) is attached is the center of gravity of the entire branch cutter. However, if the rotary blade (3) is made a little heavier, the handle (1a) side will float, so the body doesn't get tired. The shaft (2b) is an intervening object for transmitting the power of the engine (1) to the rotary blade (3), and there is an operation pipe (2) outside it.

[0036] The rotary blade (3) is in the form of enlarging a circular saw for woodworking. Its diameter is Φ1000 or more and its width is 2 mm or less. The thin disk maintains its shape by the centrifugal force during rotation. The angle of the angled part (3a) means a right angle. With a combination of bevel gears (3b), the angle between the operating pipe (2) and the rotary blade (3) can be changed from 90 degrees to 60 degrees. The changed angle, that is, the inclination of the angle between the rotary blade (3) and the operating pipe (2) from 90 degrees to 60 degrees, allows the rotary blade (3) to conform to the normal plane. However, in the drawing of Figure 3 of the present invention, it is 90 degrees. The bevel gears (3b) are components of the angled part (3a). By meshing two bevel gears (3b), the angled part (3a) can change its angle from 90 degrees to 60 degrees. The set screw (3c) is a component of the angled part (3a). When fixing the angled part (3a) with the operating pipe (2), it stops the rotation in the direction of the axis (2b) rotation. Therefore, loosen the set screw (3c) of the angled part (3a), and set the angle of the rotary blade (3) to the angle of the normal plane and then tighten it. Since the rotary blade (3) is thin, the flange (3f) is needed for reinforcement, and there are two pieces to support and reinforce the rotary blade (3).

[0037] The elevated work vehicle (4) can be an ordinary elevated work vehicle for electrical work. However, if the unique part of a truck with a loading platform is modified to make an elevated work vehicle (4), cutting can be done on the loading platform, and the cut branches will fall onto the loading platform, making subsequent cleaning easy. The work platform (4a) is a basket attached to the elevated work vehicle (4) and is active in electrical work and the like. The work platform (4a) has a size of about 2 meters on one side and needs to be able to move across the full width centered on the hook (2a). The adjustable rod (4b) is a rod with a diameter of Φ20 and is in a roughly "character" shape. The vertical part is about 1 meter long and is inserted into a pipe attached to the work platform (4a). The horizontal bar has a hook attachment part (4c) at the tip and the horizontal part is 2 meters long. Since a cylinder (4d) is attached to the left end of the work platform (4a) and the adjustable rod (4b) is inserted into it, the adjustable rod (4b) can rotate within a range of 2 meters, the rotary blade (3) can move within a range of 2 meters, and it can also move back and forth, so it is named the adjustable rod (4b). The hook attachment part (4c) is interposed for attaching the flexible rod (4b) and the hook (2a), and the hook attachment part (4c) is a hole for attaching the hook (2a). The cylinder (4d) is a pipe attached to the corner of the workbench (4a), and the flexible rod (4b) is inserted into the cylinder (4d).

[0038] The serious bare-handed sword-catching technique mentioned in paragraph 0015 is a technique for stopping a sword with bare hands. The side of the blade is sandwiched with both hands and is in a state where it cannot be moved whether pushed or pulled. And when the branch cutter also cuts from bottom to top, the cutting surface becomes narrow due to the weight of the branch, the rotating cutting blade (3) stops, and once it stops, it cannot be moved whether pushed or pulled. Once it becomes like this, one has to go and cut the tree with a saw, and the work is interrupted. However, when the branch can be cut quickly and cut faster than narrowing the cutting surface, it is okay to cut back and forth.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0039] 1 Engine 1a Handle 2 Operating pipe 2a Hook 2b Shaft 3 Rotating blade 3a Angle part 3b Bevel gear 3c Set screw 3f Flange 4 Aerial work platform 4a Workbench 4b Flexible rod 4c Hook attachment part 4d Cylinder

Claims

Claim 1 The pruning machine is composed of an engine (1), an operating tube (2), and a rotary blade (3), the engine (1) is provided with a handle (1a), the operating tube (2) is provided with a hook (2a) at the center of gravity of the entire pruning machine, the rotary blade (3) is characterized in that the power of the engine (1) is transmitted to the rotary blade (3) through a shaft (2b) in the operating tube (2).

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