An arrangement for arranging an energy-wood grapple on an end of a boom assembly of an excavator and an apparatus and a method for improving the reach characteristics of an energy-wood grapple

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (10') for arranging an energy-wood grapple (200) on an end (102) of a boom assembly (101) of an excavator (100). The arrangement includes an energy wood grapple equipped with a cutting device (203) The arrangement further includes an extension (30). The energy-wood grapple is arranged on a part (11.1) of the extension that is arranged further outwards with respect to the end of the boom assembly of the excavator. A part (11.2) of the extension that is arranged closer to the end of the boom assembly of the excavator includes a connection point (12') for arranging the extension on a fastening interface (109) of the end of the boom, assembly of the excavator. The extension arranged on the same can be moved by means of a bucket-pivoting arm assembly. The arrangement further includes at least one pivot mechanism. (29) arranged between the extension and the energy-wood, grapple for arranging the energy-wood, grapple in the arrangement in a vertically (V) pivotable manner. The pivot mechanism includes an articulated connection (18') arranged between the energy-wood grapple and the extension which, articulated connection (18') is provided so that the rotation radius (R) of the energy-wood grapple with respect to the articulated connection is less than 3.5 times the nominal diameter of the tree (300) to be manipulated by the energy-wood grapple. The invention also relates to an apparatus for harvesting energy wood and a method for improving the reach characteristics of an energy-wood grapple.

Description

[0001] AN ARRANGEMENT FOR ARRANGING AN ENERGY-WOOD GRAPPLE ON AN END OF A BOOM ASSEMBLY OF AN EXCAVATOR AND AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE REACH CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ENERGY-WOOD GRAP- PLE

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement for arranging an energy- wood grapple on an end of a boom assembly of an excavator. The invention further relates to an apparatus for harvesting energy wood and a method for improving the reach characteristics of an energy-wood grapple.

[0003] For example, an auxiliary beam, which can also be called an extension, is known for increasing the efficiency of work per- formed with an energy-wood grapple. The auxiliary beam can be attached as an extension to an end of a boom assembly of an excavator acting as a work machine. The energy-wood grapple is thus arranged on the end of the auxiliary beam instead of on the end of the boom assembly. The auxiliary beam improves, for example, the working reach of the energy-wood grapple. It is thus frequently also called an extension beam. The auxiliary beam makes it easy to move the energy-wood grapple over, for example, ditches or other objects that restrict the movement of the excavator without it being necessary to manoeuvre the ex- cavator into awkward places. For example, it is possible to harvest trees growing on an embankment on the other side of a ditch or even behind of that from the edge of a flat field area or road. The auxiliary beam also acts as an extension of the boom assembly in other situations, so that the excavator does not need to be moved as often.

[0004] It is occasionally necessary to use the energy-wood grapple to fell larger trees and, in addition to that, to carry out a delimbing of larger trees while they are still upright, for example, in order to optimize a drying of the same. In addition, it can also be necessary to fell trees from behind retention trees. This often requires moving the work machine to a new position in order to be able to operate behind a retention tree or to fell a tree in a desired direction. In this case, it is not possible to achieve an optimal working efficiency with a rotation device or a combination of a rotation device and a tilting device, i.e. a tiltrotator, arranged on the end of the boom assembly of an excavator working, for example, with an auxiliary beam of a fixed length.

[0005] The auxiliary beam, as a structure that projects from the end of the boom assembly of the work machine, and the energy-wood grapple, which is arranged on the end of the auxiliary beam, produce a moment arm that extends into equipment arranged on the end of the boom assembly, in addition, the moment arm also places stress on the bucket-pivoting arm assembly when the aux- iliary beam is to be moved. The action of the moment arm and the resulting forces exerted on the structures on the end of the boom assembly are even greater when there is a tall tree to be handled in the grip of the energy-wood grapple, i.e. at a distance from the end of the boom assembly. Such a situation arises, for example, during the felling of a tree or during the removal of a tree that has already been cut and felled. These forces place large stresses on equipment arranged on the end of the boom assembly as well as on the bucket -pivot ing arm assembly and the actuators provided for its actuation.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an arrangement for arranging an energy-wood grapple on the end of a boom assembly of an excavator that makes working with the energy-wood grapple more efficient as well as more versatile. The characteristic features of an arrangement according to the invention are set out in the attached patent claim 1. A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for harvesting energy wood that also makes working with an energy-wood grapple more effi- cient and more versatile. The characteristic features of an apparatus according to the invention are set out in the attached patent claim 18. A still further object of the invention is to provide a method for improving the reach characteristics of an energy-wood grapple when working with the energy-wood grapple. The characterist ic features of a method according to the inven- tion are set out in the attached patent claim 19.

[0007] An arrangement according to the invention includes at least one pivot mechanism arranged between an extension and an energy- wood grapple for arranging the energy-wood grapple in the ar- rangement in a vertically pivotable manner. This makes it easier to orient the energy-wood grapple arranged on the end of the extension for the felling of a tree compared to, for example, a situation in which this occurs using equipment, which does not even always provide for this option, arranged on the end of the boom assembly. It thereby becomes possible with an extension to fell a tree accompanying using the energy-wood grapple. In other words, the articulated connection belonging to the pivot mechanism and the actuator which produces the pivoting movement can also be described as a felling link arranged on the extension. This is because the pivot mechanism makes it possible for a tree to be felled solely with the energy-wood grapple when a tree is accompanying felled, i.e. when it is brought from a vertical position to a felled position. The tree thus remains in the grip of the energy-wood grapple throughout felling.

[0008] According to one embodiment, when it is connected to the aggregate apparatus of a rotation device or tiltrotator arranged on the end of the boom assembly of the excavator, the arrangement according to the invention enhances the possibilities of working with, for example, a beam or some analogous extension of a fixed length. Owing to the invention it becomes possible to fell trees, for example, from behind another tree. This expedites ©Deration and also eliminates the need to move the work machine to a position with better access a location behind a retention

[0009] According to one embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in which the extension is an auxiliary beam, an openable and closable grapple for carrying out a material handling can be provided on the auxiliary beam.

[0010] According to another embodiment., instead of an auxiliary beam, the extension can simply be an extension linking arm, the pivot mechanism of the energy-wood grapple being arranged in connection with the linking arm. According to one embodiment, the extension can equally be any other analogous connector which gives the energy-wood grapple even a little extra reach and which can be attached to equipment provided on the end of the boom assembly. In connection with, for example, a tiltrotator belonging to equipment on the end of the boom assembly, this already yields an improved reach and advantages provided by the invention .

[0011] At least the following specific advantages are achieved with the solution according to the invention:

[0012] - felling trees is fast (significantly faster than, for example, when carried out with a bucket-pivoting motion alone) ,

[0013] - the mass to be moved during the felling of a tree is much less compared to a situation in which felling is carried out with an all-in-one apparatus typically including a bucket rotator and filter (i.e. a tiltrotator) as well as an extension beam,

[0014] - a space required for felling, i.e, a rotation radius, is much smaller (owing to the solution according to the invention, the operator of the work machine does not have to make adjustments for the required space by moving the entire boom assembly up / down) , - trees can be felled freely in different directions, even when located behind trees that are to remain standing,

[0015] - there is significantly more reach for cutting on the ground, --- a tree can be delimbed higher up when the pivot mechanism is utilized to set an appropriate delimbing position.

[0016] Further additional advantages that can be achieved with the invention are set out in the description while features are set out in the attached patent claims.

[0017] The invention, which is not limited to the embodiments described in the following, is explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures. W Q S I? Q 2. n

[0018] Figs. 1 - 4 show perspective views of a first embodiment of the arrangement in the case of a fixed- length auxiliary beam from different directions and with the felling link in different positions,

[0019] Figs. 5 - 8 show perspective views of a second embodiment of the arrangement in the case of a fixed- length auxiliary beam from different directions and with the felling link in different positions,

[0020] Figs. 9a and 9b show steps in the felling of a tree with an energy-wood grapple from behind a retention tree with an arrangement as shown in Figures 1 - 4,

[0021] Figs. 10a and 10b show steps in another example of the felling of a tree and its subsequent sectioning with an energy-wood grapple with an arrangement as shown in Figures 1 - 4,

[0022] Figs. Ila and 11b show steps in the felling of a tree with an energy-wood grapple from behind a retention tree with an arrangement as shewn in Figures 1 - 4 in a side view,

[0023] Fig. 12 shows the sectioning of a felled tree with an energy-wood grapple with an arrangement as shown in Figures 1 - 4 in a side view,

[0024] Fig. 13 snows an embodiment of a loader grapple be- longing to the arrangement shown in Figures 5 - 8,

[0025] Fig. 14 snows an example of the paths of movement of the energy-wood grapple and the auxiliary beam that are rendered possible by an ar- rangement and an apparatus according to the invention,

[0026] Figs. 15a and 15b show another embodiment of an extension for providing a felling link configured in the same and a horizontal pivoting movement,

[0027] Figs. 16a and 16b show another embodiment for providing a felling link and a horizontal pivoting move- ment , and

[0028] Figs. 17a and 17b show a third embodiment for providing a felling link and a horizontal pivoting movement in the case of an extension beam of a variable length.

[0029] Figures 1 - 4 show a first example of an arrangement 10' ac- cording to the invention for arranging an energy-wood grapple 200 on an extension 30 viewed from different directions. Figures 1 and 3 show the arrangement 10 ' from different perspectives in its first position, while Figures 2 and 4 snow the arrangement 10 ' from different perspectives in its second position. In the shown embodiments, the extension 30 is mostly shown as an aux- iliary beam 10, which, when referred to in the following, simultaneously denotes the extension 30 on a more general level. On a more specific level, it additionally denotes the part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged closer to the end 102 of -he boom assembly 101. In the first position, the energy-wood grapple 200 and the auxiliary beam 10 can be said to be in a tree-cutting position. In the second position, the energy-wood grapple 2.00 and the auxiliary beam 10 can be said to be in a post-felling position. The arrangement 10fincludes the energywood grapple 200 and the extension 30 as its basic parts. When the extension 30 is, for example, an auxiliary beam 10, it includes a frame 11 and a possible support leg 34 configured in same its b a s i c p a r t s

[0030] The energy-wood grapple 200 is intended in a manner known per se for harvesting wood for energy use. The energy-wood grapple 200 includes a cutting device 203. This can be implemented, for example, by means of a guillotine principle or a blade saw. In a guillotine cutting, there can be either a movable blade or a stationary blade 212 (Figure 1) . With a stationary blade 212, the tree to be cut is squeezed by the cutting device 203, more specifically pressed against the blade 212 by its grippers 201. A guillotine principle is thus used to cut through the tree. The grippers 201 are operated in this case with a hydraulic actuator 202 (Figures 2 and 3) . Similarly, it would also be possible for the blade to be in the grippers.

[0031] Energy wood refers here to trees 10 - 30 cm in diameter or even 10 - 50 cm in diameter that can be harvested with an energywood grapple 200. The nominal diameter of a tree to be harvested depends on the characteristics of the energy-wood grapple 200. Typically, a tree to be harvested by the energy-wood grapple 200 is intended for combustion in order to produce energy. If necessary, it is even possible to delimb, for example, the thickest trees with the energy-wood grapple 200 in order to optimize their drying. Typically, however, energy wood is wood that has not been delimbed, so that it can also be referred to as the whole tree. The energy-wood grapple 200 can be equipped with a batch-han- dling feature (reference number 214 in the figures) or can be without such a feature. The batch-handling feature allows mul- tiple trees to be handled in a known manner at a time. It thus makes it possible to perform a plurality of cuts at different times while a plurality of trees are simultaneously gathered together in the grip of the grapple. In other words, operations are thus carried out without a release of the trees already cut and harvested by the energy-wood grapple 200 between operations. For example, the energy-wood grapple 200 can have gathering members for batch handling. Trees that have already been cut and picked up by the energy-wood grapple 200 are held in the grip of the energy-wood grapple 200 during the next one or more cuts. The batch-handling feature makes it possible to form small grapple bundles from the cut and gathered-up trees, wherein the bundles are defined by the harvesting capacity, i.e. dimensions, of the energy-wood grapple 200.

[0032] An energy-wood grapple 200 implemented without the batch-handling feature releases cut wood material, for example, after each cutting operation. The wood material in this case can include at least one trunk, log, branch or crown. However, especially when operating in densely wooded areas, there can be several of these in the energy-wood grapple 200 at any one time, even when it is not equipped with the batch-handling feature.

[0033] In addition to the energy-wood grapple 200, the arrangement 10 ' also includes an extension 30. The extension 30 is intended to optimize work with the energy-wood grapple 200, which in prac- tice takes the form of an improved working reach. The energy- wood grapple 200 can be arranged by its fastening interface 209.1 (Figure 15b) on the extension 30. Via the extension 30, the energy-wood grapple 200 can be arranged on equipment, such as, for example, a bucket rotator, arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of a work machine 100' , which is an excavator 100 here by way of example. To this end, the extension 30 is equipped with a fastening interface 12 at the end opposite the energy-wood grapple 200 for arranging the extension 30 on the end 102 of a boom assembly 101 of a work machine 100 ' , such as, for example, an excavator 100. One example of this fastening interface 12 can be, for instance, an arrangement of openings. A suitable connector 210 for the equipment arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 can be fastened to the arrangement of openings. When it creates a working reach, the extension 30 can also be said to be arranged so as extend, when it is oriented so as to face forward, parallel to the plane defined by the direction of movement of the booms 104, 105 belonging to the boom assembly 101 of the work machine 100 ' . The extension 30, when oriented so as to face forward, i.e. , away from the carriage part 107 of the work machine 100 ' , is thus arranged so as to be oriented to the opposite side of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 with respect to the carriage part 107 of the excavator 100.

[0034] The end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 can be equipped in a manner known per se with a movable bucketpivoting arm assembly 103. The position of an object joined to the end of the boom assembly 101, such as, for example, an auxiliary beam 10, more generally an extension 30, is changed in the vertical plane V by means of the bucket-pivoting arm assembly 103. The vertical plane V can be defined here by, for example, the direction of movement of the booms 104, 105 belonging to the boom assembly 101, which are attached to each other in an articulated manner. When they are at an angle relative to each other, the booms 104, 105 define the plane. In addition, the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 can be equipped in a manner known per se with equipment that includes a fastening interface 109 for a work device. The work device can be, for example, a bucket or here the extension - a part 30.2 of the extension, such as, tor example, an auxiliary beam 10, belonging to the arrangement 10 ' .

[0035] As is known, a boom assembly 101 of an excavator 100 includes a main boom 104, which is attached in an articulated manner to the excavator, and an arm, which is attached in an articulated manner to the end of the main boom 104. This arm is frequently also called the excavation arm 105. The main boom 104 and the excavation arm 105, more generally the boom assembly 101, are at an angle with respect to each other. Together they thus define a plane. A vertical movement of the parts of the boom assembly 101 also occurs here in the same plane. The end of the excavation arm 105 has a fastening interface 109 for an imple- ment 110 or at least part of the same. The end 102 of the boom assembly 101 can include - either directly or, according to the shown embodiment, indirectly - a selected quick coupling 109' . The implement 110, such as, for example, a bucket or here, in the case of the invention, an auxiliary beam 10, more generally the extension 30 belonging to the arrangement 10 ' - can be quickly connected to this quick coupling 109' in a releasable manner. This occurs by means of a selected compatible counter” part element 210 ' (Figures 2 --- 4) . This counterpart element 210 ' is frequently also called a connector 210. When it is attached to the fastening interface 12 of the extension 30, the connector 210 can also be understood as part of the same. A "quick coupling" here denotes, for example, an attachment with” out the use of tools and without the operator leaving the cab of the excavator 100. An extension, such as, for example, an auxiliary beam 10, can be arranged via its fastening interface 12 in several different connector models. There are numerous different types of connector models available for excavators 100. Alternatively, the extension 30 can also be arranged di- rectly on a rotator provided, for example, with a possible inclination (or vice versa) . -he quick coupling which acts as the fastening interface 109 of the excavator 100 can be provided directly on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 at the bucket-pivot articulation points 106.1, 106.2. It is also possible, however, for the fastening interface 109 or quick coupling 109' to be formed of, for ex- ample, by a rotator or, as in the shown embodiment, by a combined bucket rotator and filter, i.e. by a tiltrotator 110, as an integral part. According to a still further option, the fastening interface 109 can of course also be belonging to the rotator, i.e. without any special adapters. Like other work devices that can be attached, for example, by a quick coupling 109' to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of an excavator 100, the extension 30 with all its configured features can be provided just on the fastening interface 109 belonging to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. In other words, it is thus possible to arrange it without any other mechanical attachment to the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. This makes it extremely quick to connect as well as to disconnect.

[0036] To define this point more generally, the connection of the energy-wood grapple 200 via the extension 30 to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 occurs in such a manner that the part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged closer to the exca- vator 100 and thus closer to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 includes a connection point 12 ' for arranging the extension 30, and thus also the energy-wood grap- ple 200 via the extension 30, on the fastening interface 109 of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. According to one embodiment, the extension 30 arranged on the fastening interface 109 can be moved by means of the bucket- pivoting arm assembly 103. The fastening interface 109 belonging to the end 102. of the boom assembly 101 here can equally be understood as equipment arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 instead of as just the artic- ulation points 106.1, 106.2 at the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. In the case of equipment on the end 102 of the boom assem- bly, this can be moved by means of the bucket-pivoting arm assembly 103. Similarly, the connection point 12 ' can be under- stood as the fastening interface 12 configured in the closer part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged for the purposes of connection as well as a point provided solely for such a purpose. The fastening interface 12 in question can be provided, for example, retrofitted, at this point. The energy-wood grapple 200, in turn, is now arranged on the part 11.1 of the extension 30 that is arranged further outwards with respect to the excavator 100 as well as, accordingly, with respect to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100.

[0037] The extension 30 belonging to the arrangement 10 ' in the form of an auxiliary beam 10, is in this case of a fixed length. In other words, the length of the auxiliary beam 10 is constant. It is thus not possible to change its length during operation. The frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 13 is also elongated, which yields a greater reach when working with the energy-wood grapple 200. It can thus be said to have a longitudinal direction LI (Figure 2) that is greater than, e.g. , its width direction W (Figure 3) . The frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10 can thus be said to have an elongated reach in the direction defined by a line running between the fastening interface 12 of the extension 30 and the energy-wood grapple 200, so that it also functions as an extension 30. By way of example, a length of the auxiliary beam 10 can be, for example, 0.5 - 1.5 m, more generally 0.5 - 2 m. As a whole, the arrangement 10 ' makes it possible to obtain a cutting length of up to 2.5 m, for example, in the case of an auxiliary beam 10 of a fixed length.

[0038] The function of the auxiliary beam 10 is to provide a reach for working with the energy-wood grapple 200 when the auxiliary beam 10 is attached to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. The auxiliary beam 10 is consequently often also called an extension beam. According to one embodiment, the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam can be configured so as to form an elongated housing structure, but other types, such as a bar- frame, are equally entirely possible. Instead of a fixed-length auxiliary beam, the auxiliary beam could equally be, for exam- ple, telescopic, i.e. equipped with at least one extension that can move back and forth and an integrated actuator.

[0039] A support leg 34 is provided in the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10, more generally in the extension 30, in the shown em- bodiment. The support leg 34 here is in connection with the second end of the auxiliary beam 10, i.e. to the second part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged closer to the end 102. of the boom assembly 101. The end of the support leg 34 can have a ground support 26. It is noted that the auxiliary beam 10 does not have to include a support leg 34. The support leg 34 is configured to receive the weight of the boom assembly 101 and of the excavator 100 when the extension 30 is in contact with the ground. The support leg 34 is configured to receive the weight of the boom assembly 101 and of the excavator 100 when the extension 30 is in contact with the ground. The support leg 34 is arranged so as to point to the opposite side of the auxiliary beam 10 with respect to the fastening interface 12 of the extension 30. In addition to a support on the ground, the support leg 34 can also be utilized in other ways. It can be used, for example, to move the excavator 100, for example, by pulling. To this end, the support leg 34 can have, for example, claws 54. In addition, the second part 30.2 of the extension 30, i.e. the auxiliary beam 13 here, can also be equipped with a loader grapple 16 (Figures 5 - 8) for holding grapple bundles during an ongoing operation of the energy-wood grapple 200.

[0040] Furthermore, at least one pivot mechanism 29 belonging to the arrangement 10?is arranged in the extension 30, in the first part 30.1 (Figure 4) of the extension 30 that is arranged further outwards, opposite the attachment of the extension 3 to the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. The first pivot mechanism 29 is arranged in the extension 30 so as to arrange the energy ---wood grapple 200 pivotable in a vertical direction V in the arrangement 10 ' and thus also in the extension 30 and, more specifically, in the part 30.1 of the extension 30.1 that is arranged further outwards. The pivot mechanism 29 can con- sequently also be said to be configured as part of the arrange- ment 10 ' . The first pivot mechanism 29 is arranged between the extension 30 and the energy-wood grapple 200. The direction of rotation of the energy-wood grapple 200 in terms of its vertical directionality V can be defined, for example, so as to occur in the plane defined by the direction of movement of the booms 104, 105 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 when the extension 30 is oriented in the longitudinal direction L2 of the boom assembly 101.

[0041] Tn addition to at least one articulated connection 18' , such as, for example, at least one pivot joint 18, the pivot mecha- nism 29 belonging to the arrangement 10 ' includes now an actu- ator 28. Together, these form the first pivot mechanism 29 for arranging the energy-wood grapple 200 pivotable in a vertical direction V in the extension 30, i.e. here in the auxiliary beam 10, and thus also in the arrangement 10 ' . The energy-wood grapple 200 can consequently be said to be arranged by the articulated connection 18 ' on the first part 11.1 of the exten- sion 30 that is arranged further outwards. The pivot joint 18 with its actuators 28, or more generally the pivot mechanism 29, can be said to form part of the fastening interface 209.1 of the energy-wood grapple 200, the energy-wood grapple 200 having at least one such fastening interface 209.1 here for connecting to the extension 30. The rotational movement that occurs in relation to the pivot joint 18 thus only affects the energy-wood grapple 200, while the other parts belonging to the -rrangement 10 ' , such as, for example, the extension 30 to which the energy-wood grapple 200 is connected, remain stationary.

[0042] When the cutting device 2.03 of the energy-wood grapple 200 is oriented so as to face forward, i.e. away from the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 and from the carriage part 107, the pivot joint 18 that renders possible a vertical V rotational movement of the energy-wood grapple 200 is arranged so as to be perpen- dicular to the plane defined by the direction of movement of the booms 104, 105 of the boom assembly 101.

[0043] According to one embodiment, it is even possible to define the position of the pivot joint 18 in the arrangement 10 ' in a number of different ways. The pivot joint 18 is arranged in the energy-wood grapple 200 so as to minimize the rotation radius R of the energy-wood grapple 200. This is achieved by means of the design of the structure of the energy-wood grapple 200, in particular with respect to the pivot joint 18 arranged therein, not only of the connection of the pivot joint 18 to the extension 30 but also of the extension itself in relation to an implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200, so as to minimize the distance D between the pivot joint 18 and the cutting device 203 of the energy-wood grapple 200, such as, for example, be- tween the pivot joint 18 and an extreme point, i.e., outermost part 211 of the grapple (Figure 14) . There can be several dif- ferent ways and definitions to realize this in detail. According to one embodiment, the pivot mechanism 29 includes an articu- lated connection 18 ' arranged between the energy-wood grapple 200 and the extension 30, which articulated connection 18 ' is implemented by means of the pivot joint 18 and is provided in the arrangement 10 ' , more specifically in the energy-wood grap- ple 200, so that the rotation radius R (Figure 14) of the energy- wood grapple 200 with respect to the articulated connection 18 ' is less than 3.5 times the nominal diameter of the tree 300 to be manipulated by the energy-wood grapple 200. The rotation radius R of the energy-wood grapple 200 here de- notes, for example, as shown in Figure 14, the distance D be- tween the pivot joint 18 and a part (typically a part provided, for example, in a fixed manner) of the grappler part of the cutting device 203 that is furthest away from the pivot joint 18, i.e. an outermost part 211. The rotation radius R is thus the maximum distance D between the pivot joint 18 and a part, for example, a grappler part, belonging to the cutting device 203. In the energy-wood grapple 200 shown here, this is the tip 211 of the fixed jaw of the grapple. However, the person skilled in the art will understand that, for example, in energy-wood grapples of another model, this can equally be some other point on the grapple, depending, for example, on the design of the cutting device 203 and the grapple belonging to it. Also in this case, however, the distance D between the pivot joint 18 and the outermost part 211 of the energy-wood grapple 200 is the grapple characteristic that limits work to be performed with the energy-wood grapple 200, for example, when felling a tree. This is because this outermost part 211 limits the felling rotation to be performed by the energy-wood grapple 200 when felling a tree. This part 211 is the part that protrudes the most from the energy-wood grapple 200 in every position and is thus the first to come into contact with the ground (Figure 12) . This is one possible way of defining the minimum rotation radius R. To express the point of this definition in more gen- eral terms, the rotation radius R of the energy-wood grapple 200 is configured to be defined by the distance Q between the articulated connection 18 ' and the outermost part 211 of the cutting device 203 in a felling situation. The outermost part 211 of the cutting device 203, and thus also of the energy-wood grapple 200, is consequently determined based on the point on the energy-wood grapple 200 from which the distance D to the articulated connection 18*’ is greatest. Some random examples of a rotation radius R are, for instance, R < 1050 mm for an energy-wood grapple with a nominal diameter of 300 mm, R < 1220 mm for an energy-wood grapple with a nominal diameter of 350 mm, and R < 1400 mm for an energy-wood grapple with a nominal diameter of 400 mm.

[0044] According to an example embodiment of a definition, the nominal diameter of a tree 300 to be manipulated with the energy-wood grapple 2.00 can be configured to be determined, for example, by the cutting capacity of the cutting device 203. One technical feature that defines this capacity in this case can be, for example, the cutting capacity of the blade 212. In other words, this is the maximum diameter of a tree 300 that the energy-wood grapple 200 can cut through in a single squeezing movement performed with its grippers 201. With respect to the size of the seat of the cutting device 203, according to another embod- iment, the position of the pivot joint 18 can also be defined so as to be at a distance of less than 600 mm as measured from the stem of a tree cut by the energy-wood grapple 200 and squeezed into the seat of the cutting device 203. The measure- ment is performed here from the point on the stem of a tree in the seat that is closest to the pivot joint 18.

[0045] In addition to the cutting capacity of the blade 212, the max- imum capacity of the energy-wood grapples 200 is also determined by the size of the seat of the grapple of the cutting device 201. A tree exceeding this capacity cannot be cut and / or does not fit into the seat so as to remain there safely when the tree is moved.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the pivot mechanism 29 includes, in addition to an articulated connection 18 ' between the energy- wood grapple 200 and the extension 30, more specifically the first part 30.1 of the extension 30, an actuator 28, which are arranged together in the arrangement 10 ' , more specifically in the energy-wood grapple 200, so that the rotation angle a of the energy-wood grapple 200 with respect to the articulated connection 18 ' is 90 - 110 degrees (Figure 14) . More commonly, the rotation angle a of the energy-wood grapple 200 with respect to the articulated connection 18 ’ can be, for example, 80 - 110 degrees. The pivot joint 18 thus allows a rotation angle which is safe for the energy-wood grapple 200 in all working situations and which is also not damaging to any devices.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the actuator 28 of the pivot mechanism 29 is attached by one of its parts 46.1 (Figure 3) , here the end of its piston rod, in an articulated manner to the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200. By its second part 46.2 (Figure 7) , here the end of its cylinder part, the actuator 28 of the pivot mechanism 29 is connected in an articulated manner at its articulation point 31 rigidly to the extension 30. The actuator 28 thus only pivots with respect to this articulation point 31 arranged, for example, in its end, without the entire actuator assembly, i.e. its piston rod and cylinder part together with its pivot joint, moving in the plane defined by a vertical V rotational movement produced in the energy-wood grapple 200, as would occur, such as, for example, if the actuator were provided so as to be implemented according to the principle of a lever assembly designed to pivot the bucket of the excavator, i.e. inside a four-bar linkage, and were connected to one of the articulation points of the four- bar linkage. When designed in this manner, the actuator 28 is also mainly protected in all of its movement positions inside the part 11.1 of the extension 30 that is arranged further

[0048] As already stated in the foregoing, the extension 30 can be a whole assembled from a number of different parts. The extension 30 consequently includes at least one part 30.1, 30.2. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the extension 30 -ncludes two parts 30.1, 30.2. The second part 30.2 of the extension 30 includes a connector 210 here. The arrangement 10 - is configured to be connected by the connector 210 to, for example, a quick coupling 109' of the fastening interface 109 arranged at the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. The second part 30.2 of the extension .30 can thus also be called a "con- nector frame" . Such a design with respect to the extension 30 alone already enables an improved reach compared to, for exam- ple, a design in which the energy-wood grapple 2.00 is directly connected, by its fastening interface 209.2 configured in the surface 204 of its implement frame 207, to a quick coupling 109' of the fastening interface 109 of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. This feature will be discussed in more detail later on in the description of the application.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the pivot joint 18 belonging to the pivot mechanism 29 is arranged in a linking arm 39 acting as a hanger, the linking arm 39 being arranged on the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10 or even integrated as part of said frame 11. In this case, the linking arm 39 can be said to be part of the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10. The pivot joint 18 of the articulated connection 18' in this case can be in the first end 41.1 of the linking arm 39 acting as a hanger (Figure 2) . The linking arm 39 acting as a hanger is arranged by its second end 41.2 on the end of the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10 (Figure 1) . The attachment of the linking arm 39 to the end of the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10 can be said to be rigid, in other words, the linking arm 39 thus moves in unison with the auxiliary beam 10.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the linking arm 39, more generally the auxiliary beam 10, and even more generally the extension 30, is arranged so that its end on the side of the articulated connection 18 ’ , i.e. here its first end 41.1, points to the same side of the auxiliary beam 10 as the support leg 34 provided in the auxiliary beam 10 here. Even more generally, it can also be defined that the articulated connection 18 ' is arranged in the energy-wood grapple 200 so that, in all operating situations, it is located on the side of the face of the extension 30 that lies opposite the face on the side of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 when the arrangement 10' is provided on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the e x c a v a t o r 100.

[0051] The point at which the energy-wood grapple 200 is fastened to the first part 30.1 of the extension 30 is thus positioned in a plane lower than, for example, the first end of the elongated second part 30.2 of the extension 30. According to one embodi- ment, the dimensions and positioning of the linking arm 39 relative to, for example, the second part 30.2 of the extension 30 can also be defined so that the linking arm 39 is thin and short, but tall relative to, for example, the second part 30.2 of the extension 30. In addition, the linking arm 39 is oriented diagonally so as to extend underneath the second part 30.2 of the extension 30.

[0052] Moreover, when the extension 30 is viewed in the longitudinal direction, the attachment of the energy-wood grapple 2.00 to the extension 30 lies in a lower plane than, for example, the at- tachment of the second part 30.2 of the extension 30 to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. This results in a well-balanced solution. In addition, when the first part 30.1 of the extension 30, i.e. the linking arm 39, is oriented so as to point obliquely downwards and away from the cutting device 203 of the energy- wood grapple 200, i.e. towards the rear side of the energy-wood grapple 200 with respect to the cutting device 203, a space is provided, for example, for a possible batch-handling means in the upper part of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200. This represents a possible example of equipment 214 provided on the energy-wood grapple 200 in addition to the -utting device 203. The energy-wood grapple 200 thus includes an implement frame 207 on which the cutting device 203 is ar- ranged. The energy-wood grapple 200 is thus arranged by its implement frame 207, by means of the articulated connection 18 ' arranged therein, on the extension 30 so that an open space 213 free of structures is provided above the cutting device 203, for example, for equipment 214 provided on the energy-wood grap- ple 200 in addition to the cutting device 203. The space 213 or, for example, the equipment 214 arranged there is arranged so as to be located at least partially in front of the extension 30 in the longitudinal direction of the extension 30.

[0053] In the shown embodiment, the first part 30.1 of the extension 30, which is also the part 11.1 of the extension 30 that is arranged further outwards with respect to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101, is a tall and narrow structure oriented so as to point more downwards than forwards. It follows from this as well as from the location of the articulated connection 18 ’ provided in the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200 that the pivot joint 18 of the articulated connection 18 ' is arranged in the energy-wood grapple 200 so that at least part of the implement frame 207 belonging to the energy-wood grapple 200 is arranged so as to be located underneath the extension 30, more specifically underneath the part 11.1 of the extension 30 that is arranged further outwards.

[0054] The at least one actuator 28 that can produce the rotational movement of the energy-wood grapple 200 in the vertical direction V can be, for example, at least one hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder can be a per se known, double-action liquid-operated hydraulic cylinder equipped with a single piston and a piston rod. In the majority of the figures, only the piston rod of the actuator 28 is visible. It acts here as the back and forth moving actuating member of the actuator 28. The piston at its end is configured to move back and forth inside the cylinder in the cylinder part under the action cf a pressure medium, such as, for example, a fluid.

[0055] The hydraulic actuator is attached by one of its parts, in this case by its cylinder-part end, to the first part 30.1 of the extension 30. An articulation 31 for the actuator 28 is in turn arranged in this first part 30.1. Attachment takes place, for example, close to the second end of the first part 30.1, i.e. , of the linking arm 39. According to one embodiment, the first part 30.1 of the extension 30, which can thus also be called the linking arm 39 as mentioned in the foregoing, can be a housing structure in which the hydraulic cylinder is arranged. The hydraulic cylinder is thus mainly protected in all operating situations. The actuating member of the hydraulic actuator, i.e. , here the piston rod, is configured to act on the energywood grapple 200 in order to move it, i.e. to rotate it back and forth in the vertical V plane. In Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7, the energy-wood grapple 2.00 can be said to be in its cutting position, while, for example, in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, it can be said to be in its felling position. The vertical rotational movement V of the energy-wood grapple 200 thus occurs between these positions.

[0056] The actuator 28 of the pivot mechanism 29 is also attached in an articulated manner to the energy-wood grapple 200 so that its movement, here its linear movement, produces a rotational movement of the energy-wood grapple 200 via the pivot joint 18 arranged in connection with it . According to one embodiment, the pivot mechanism 29 includes, in addition to the articulated connection 18!, the actuator 28, which are arranged together in the energy-wood grapple 200 so that the articulated connection 18 ' is arranged between the articulation point 206 provided on the energy-wood grapple 200 for the actuator 28 and the cutting device 203 of the energy-wood grapple 200. In other words, the articulation point 206 of the actuator 28 is thus located on -he side of the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10, i.e. , more generally on the side of the extension 30. This detail also contributes to the achievement of a moderate rotation radius R. By means of a pushing movement of the actuator 28, the energy- wood grapple 200 thus turns upwards on the side of the cutting device 203. It is of course also possible for the arrangement of the joints 18, 206 to be reversed, i.e. for the articulation point 206 of the actuator 28 to be closer to the cutting device 203 than the pivot joint 18. In this case, a pulling movement of the actuator 28 would turn the energy-wood grapple 200 up- wards on the side of the cutting device 203.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the articulated connection 18 ' of the pivot mechanism 29 is integrated in the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200, and more specifically inside the same. In that case the implement frame 207 belonging to the energy-wood grapple 200 includes, for example, an opening 208 for the extension 30, here for the first part 30.1 of the extension 30, in order to provide the articulated connection 18 ' , more specifically the pivot joint 18, belonging to the pivot mechanism 29 and arranged between the energy-wood grapple 200 and the first part 30.1 of the extension 30, on the energy- wood grapple 200 as an internal structure of the same, more specifically as an internal structure of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200. As stated in the foregoing, the pivot joint 18 can then be between the articulation point 206 configured in the energy-wood grapple 200 for the actuator 28 of the pivot mechanism 29 and the cutting device 203 of the energy-wood grapple 200. The opening 208 allows the pivot joint 18 to be integrated inside the energy-wood grapple 200 in a gap between internal structures instead of on the surface 204 of the implement frame 207 and / or on the rear part of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200. At the same time, the pivot joint 18 is also brought closer to the outermost point 211 of the cutting device 203, more specifically the grapple -art belonging to the cutting device 203. This thus also contributes to rendering the rotation radius R of the energy-wood grapple 200 more moderate.

[0058] According to one embodiment, an implement frame 207 of an energy-wood grapple 200 including an opening 208 can also be described as a fork structure. The articulation points 205, 206 for the pivot joint 18 and the actuator 28 are arranged therein. The first part 30.1 of the extension 30, at its end on the side of the pivot joint 18, is thus arranged partially inside the implement frame 207. This allows the end of the extension 30 to be placed in a better position in relation to the implement frame 20’7 of the energy-wood grapple 200. When the extension 30, here more specifically the first part 30.1 of the same, is connected to the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200 close to its centreline area and the implement frame 207 is also located on both sides of this area, the pivot joint 18 and the articulation point 206 of the actuator 28 are located at a point that bears a torsional load better than, for exarnple, in an inverted arrangement in which the first part of the extension 30 forms a fork between which the energy-wood grapple pivots. This arrangement variant according to the invention thus makes it possible to get by with a single pivot joint 18 and a single actuator 28. Such a design yields a more compact as well as a more durable structure.

[0059] Figures 5 - 8 show another example of an arrangement 10 ' ac- cording to the invention for arranging an energy-wood grapple 200 on an auxiliary beam 10. The perspectives and positions of these figures correspond to those of Figures 1 - 4, to which reference is made here. The example second embodiment of the arrangement 10 ' shown in Figures 5 - 8 also improves the logistics of harvesting energy wood. Especially when operating in densely wooded areas, it is possible to accrue a number of grapple bundles formed by the energy-wood grapple 200 in a very small area. A loading to be performed in connection in particular with a transportation of these bundles is time-consuming and requires a back-and-forth movement of the boom assembly of the loader in order to transfer the bundles to a transport load. This not only affects working efficiency but the fuel economy of the energy-wood harvester. A similar problem exists and is even compounded when operating in densely wooded areas, especially if the energy-wood grapple 200 in operation does not include the batch-handling feature 214. Not only a loading operation, but the operation of the energy-wood grapple 200 per se can be experienced as inefficient and time-consuming in certain situations. An example of such a situation is the clearing of a road in a densely wooded area. In order for the machine to be able to advance along the road formed by the energy-wood grapple 200, the bundles formed by the energy-wood grapple 200 must be moved by the same to the side of the road. This likewise involves a horizontal back-and-forth movement of the boom assembly for moving bundles formed in the energy-wood grapple 200 out of the way.

[0060] In the shown embodiment, the arrangement 10 ' , here more specifically the part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged closer to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101, i.e. here the auxiliary beam 10, further includes a pair of jaws 13 configured to form a grapple 16 and a double-action hydraulic actuator 17 for the grapple 16, i.e. for opening and closing the grapple 16. In Figures 5 and 6 only the end of the actuator 17 is visible, while in Figure 13 the actuator 17 is also visible in its entirety. The arrangement 10 ’ thus includes a first jaw 14, which is arranged on the extension 30, on a part 11.2 of the latter that is arranged closer to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101, i.e. on the auxiliary beam 10, so as to be functionally attached in an articulated manner to the support leg 34, and which can be moved in a pivoting manner by means of the arranged actuator 17. The first jaw 14 is configured to form, together with the support leg 34, an openable and closable grapple 16 for a material handling to be carried out with the extension 30. The second jaw 15 of the pair of jaws 13 formed the grapple 16 in the auxiliary beam 10, i.e. , here thus the support leg 34, is thus rigid, i.e. , immobile with respect to the frame 11 and the auxiliary beam 10. The grapple 16 formed by the jaws 14, 15 can thus be opened and closed in a transverse direction with respect to the extension 30, i.e. with respect to the elongated frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10. This makes it possible to grab objects lying on the ground parallel to the orientation of, for example, the auxiliary beam 10, more generally the extension 30, in to order to pick up, such as, for example, elongated tree trunks in the grip of the grapple 16. Instead of a grapple, one can equally speak of a grab.

[0061] The first of the jaws 14 configured to form the grapple 16 is attached in an articulated manner to the auxiliary beam 10, here more specifically to its support leg 34, so as to open and close the grapple 16 in a pivoting manner. The jaw 14 is thus arranged on the grapple 16 and the auxiliary beam 10 in a movable manner. The jaw 14 is thus rotated in relation to the pivot joint 22 provided on the support leg 34 for the same (Figures 7 and 8) . The pivot joint 22 is in the end of the jaw 14.

[0062] The support leg 34 is open on the side of the movably configured jaw 14 so that the jaw 14 can be pivoted so as to retract it inside the support leg 34. The movably configured jaw 14 can thus be pivoted towards the structures 25 of the support leg 34 and onwards between the latter into the support leg 34.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 13 relating to the grapple 16 (without the other parts of the auxiliary beam 10 and arrange- ment 10 ’ ) , the movably configured jaw 14 is configured to in- cludes at least two parts 20, 49 in the longitudinal direction. Here, these parts are a first part or base part 20 and a second part or tip part 49 arranged on the base part 20. The base part 20 is configured to be connected in a rotatable manner by its articulation 22 to the support leg 34, and thus also to the auxiliary beam 10. The base part 20 constitutes the longer part of the jaw 14 forming the grapple 16.

[0064] The second part 49 or tip part of the movably configured jaw 14 is configured to be rotatable on the first part 20., i.e. on the opposite end of the base part 20., via the articulation 50, In this embodiment, the tip part 49 is configured so as to be curved. The tip part 49 is thus configured to form an effective claw-like jaw in the grapple 16 for material handling to be performed with the grapple 16. The first part, i .e. , base part 20 of the movably configured javj 14 is in turn configured to form a pivot arm in the grapple 16. An opening 58 is arranged in the first part, i.e., base part 20 of the movably configured jaw 14. The opening 58 is formed in a fork here. The reaction arm 48 belonging to the jaw, which extends through the opening 58 in the shown embodiment, is configured to run from the frame 11 of the auxiliary beam 10 to the second part, i.e. , tip part 49 of the movably configured jaw 14.

[0065] In the shown embodiment, the tip part 49 of the jaw 14 is configured to pivot, driven by the rotational movement of the base part 20. The tip part 49 is not connected to the base part 20, however, in this regard. The rotational movement of the tip part 49, i.e. the opening and closing of the grapple 16, is configured to be produced by the mechanical coupling of the tip part 49 to the auxiliary beam 10, more specifically to its frame 11, via the support-leg structures 34. This mechanical coupling is achieved, for example, by the reaction arm 48. The reaction arm 48 is connected by one of its ends, at its first articulation point 53, to the frame 11. The reaction arm 48 is connected by its opposite end to the tip part 49 of the jaw 14, so as to pivot the same. The tip part 49 is thus configured to be acted upon by the reaction arm 48 arranged between the tip part, i.e. , second part 49 and the frame 11. The tip part 49 of the movably configured jaw 14 has a fixed pivot support 51 with an articulation 52 for the reaction arm 48.

[0066] In the shown embodiment, the rotational movement of the tip part 49 of the movably configured jaw 14 is produced by the relative positions of the articulation 22 of the base part 20 and the articulation 53 of the reaction arm 48 with respect to each other. In addition, when the reaction arm 48 also has constant dimensions, it can be used to forcibly rotate the tip part 49 as the base part 20 rotates. In the shown embodiment, the articulated geometry of the pivot mechanism, i.e. of the movably configured jaw 14, with respect to the articulations 22, 53 of the base part 20 and the reaction arm 48, is configured so that, when the grapple 16 is completely open, i.e. when the movable jaw 14 is raised up, the articulation 22 of the base part 20 is in the area between the articulation 53 of the reaction arm 48 arranged on the frame 11 and the tip part 49. Correspondingly, when the grapple 16 is completely closed, i.e. when the movable jaw 14 is lowered down and its tip part 49 is inside the support leg 34, the articulation 53 of the reaction arm 48 arranged on the frame 11 is in turn in the area between the articulation 22 of the base part 20 and the tip part 49.

[0067] With the shown articulation geometry of the movable jaw 14, the path of movement of the grapple 16 is not an arc with its centre at the point of the articulation 22 of the jaw 14, but is off- centre with respect to the articulation 22 of the jaw 14. The distance from the tip 47 of the jaw 14 to its pivot joint 22 thus changes as the jaw 14 pivots. The advantages of the shown mechanism are, for example, a large range of motion (up to 135° measured from the tip 47 of the jaw 14) and a more protected positioning of the mobile jaw 14 inside the support leg 34. The difference in orientation of the tip part 49 of the jaw 14 in the end positions is as great as 180 degrees. The extended range of movement allows, for example, diffuse bundle to be posi- tioned better in the grip of the grapple 16, with a single grasping action.

[0068] The shown embodiment optimizes the overall work involved in harvesting energy wood. With an auxiliary beam 10 equipped with a grapple, trees can be arranged in temporary bundles more efficiently and only moments later moved with the grapple 16 in larger units to their final locations for transportation.

[0069] In the foregoing, the arrangement 10 ' has been described as a different embodiment: in which the extension 30 is an auxiliary beam 10 of fixed dimensions or even of variable length; with or without a support leg 34; or with or without a loader grapple 16. According to another embodiment, it is also possible for the extension 30 to simply be the linking arm 39 shown in connection with the auxiliary-boom embodiment, or more generally a connector 210 of the energy-wood grapple 200 that is configured to be connected, for example, to a tiltrotator 110 arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. At least some of the advantages provided by the invention are already achieved with this design of the extension 30 alone.

[0070] An example of another extension 30 is shown in Figures 15a and 15b, in which the arrangement 10' is viewed from different directions. Here, the articulated connection 18 ' is arranged in the implement frame 207 belonging to the energy-wood grapple 200 in such a manner that, when the arrangement 10 ' is arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100, the articulated connection 18!is configured to be located on the other side of the tiltrotator 110 relative to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 on which the tiltrotator 110 is provided. In this case, the arrangement 10' includes a linking arm 39 integrated, for example, in the connector 210, at least as part of the extension 30, together with the tiltrotator 110, on which the energy-wood grapple 200 is provided so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction V by means of the articulated connection 18 ' . Here as well, the structure and orientation of the linking arm 39 are formed so that the articulated connection 18' , i.e. , pivot joint 18 connected to the tiltrotator 110 lies, thanks to the linking arm 39, on the other side of the tiltrotator 110, i.e. , in other- words below it, with respect to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. This is an advantageous embodiment, for example, for smaller excavators equipped with a tiltrotator, in which an extension 30 in the form of a longer auxiliary beam 10 as shown in Figures 1 - 8 would make work awkward.

[0071] In both embodiments described in the foregoing, the energy-wood grapple 200 can further include a fastening interface 209.2 (Figure 15b) configured in the surface 204 of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200 as well as here at least partially around the opening 208 arranged in the implement frame 207. This fastening interface 209.2 is provided for a connector 210 or a quick coupling 109' arranged directly on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101. The fastening interface 209.2 is thus configured to arrange the energy-wood grapple 200, for example, on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100, even without the vertical V rotational movement according to the invention and provided in connection with the extension 30, i .e. as part of the arrangement 10 ’ , i .e. , for example, without a linking arm 39 or without an extension 30 with a pivot mechanism 29 at all. The connector 210 can be, for example, a plate connector 210 ' . A plate element bent at an angle and including holding members for connecting to, for example, a quick coupling 109' can constitute the connector 210 in this case. The holding members here are two tubular bars arranged at a distance from each other. They are connected at both ends by plate flanges. The connector 210 can be attached, for example, with screws, to the rear surface of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200. Perforations are arranged in said rear surface for attachment to the connector 210. This second fastening interface 209.2 in the surface 204 of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200 improves the modularity of the energy-wood grapple 200, i.e. its suitability for dif- ferent applications. This makes it possible for the same energy- wood grapple 200 to be used in applications with as well as without a vertical V rotational movement, the energy-wood grap- ple 200 thus being attached to a quick coupling arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 directly via the surface 204 of the implement frame 207 of the energy-wood grapple 200, or via a connector 210, for example, as shown in Figures 1 - 8, provided on said surface 204, or via a rigid auxiliary beam 13.

[0072] In addition to an arrangement 10 ’ , the invention also relates to a method for improving the reach characteristics of an en- ergy-wood grapple 200 when working with the energy-wood grapple 200. Work is performed with the energy-wood grapple 200 via an extension 30. In the method, an arrangement 10 ' is provided which includes an energy-wood grapple 200 equipped with a cut- ting device 203 and an extension for the energy-wood grapple 200. The energy-wood grapple 200 is arranged on the part 11.1 of the extension 30 that is arranged more outwards with respect to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. The part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged closer to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 includes a connection point 12 ' for arranging the extension 30, and thus the energy-wood grapple 200 arranged on the same, on the fastening interface 109 of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. The fastening interface 109 can be moved by means of a bucket-pivoting arm assembly 103.

[0073] The energy-wood grapple 200 oriented vertically V when work is carried out with the energy-wood grapple 200. m the method, the vertical V orientation of the energy-wood grapple 200 is provided on the extension 30 at a distance d (Figure 4) from the fastening interface 109 of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101, which fastening interface 109 can be moved by the bucketpivoting arm assembly 103. The orientation occurs by means of the pivot mechanism 29 in the vertical V plane.

[0074] According to one embodiment, in particular for controlling the position of the energy-wood grapple 200, the implementation of the vertical rotational movement V can be divided into two rotational movements VI, V2 that are implemented separately. These are the felling rotation VI of the energy-wood grapple 200 and the levelling rotation V2 of the energy-wood grapple 200. These vertically rotational movements VI, V2 are carried out in an orientation that increases the reach of the extension 30 to opposite sides of a possible second rotational mechanism 60, i.e. of a horizontal pivoting action, which is described later on in the description. This makes it possible to implement a very large pivoting movement, which is in particular necessary in embodiments comprising an extension beam in which it is also necessary to control the position of the energy-wood grapple 200, which depends on the length of the extension beam. This point is touched upon in the description again a little later

[0075] In addition to an arrangement 10 ' and a method, the invention also relates to an apparatus for harvesting energy wood. The apparatus includes an energy-wood grapple 200 equipped with a cutting device 203. The apparatus also includes an extension 30. The energy-wood grapple 200 is arranged on a part 11.1 of the extension 30 that is arranged further outwards with respect to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of an excavator 100. A part 11.2 of the extension 30 that is arranged closer to the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 includes a connection point 12 ’ . The connection point 12 ’ , which is implemented, for example, as a fastening interface 12, is intended for arranging the extension 30 on a fastening interface

[0076] 109 of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100 or on equipment 110 arranged on said fastening interface 109. The extension 30 provided on the fastening interface 109 or equipment 110 can be moved, for example, in the case of an excavator 100, by means of a bucket -pivoting arm assembly 103. At least the energy-wood grapple 200 and the extension 30 are part of the arrangement 10 ' according to the invention in the apparatus. The apparatus further additionally includes possible connectors 210, which can be arranged between a rotation device

[0077] 110 of the excavator 100 and the connection point 121of the extension 30 and / or between a rotation device and the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100. The apparatus further additionally includes a possible rotation device that can be arranged on the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the excavator 100.

[0078] Figures 9a - 12 show a few examples of possibilities fo: ? the harvesting of energy wood provided by the arrangement 10 ac- cording to the invention. As is evident from the figures . the felling of a tree 300 from behind a retention tree 300 ' be 30mes readily possible with the arrangement 10 ' according to the ? i n - vent ion. As already established in the foregoing, the invei nt o n is equally extendable to method features. These can be der: ived, for instance, from the advantages listed for the arrange sment 10' according to the invention.

[0079] The idea according to the invention, i.e. a felling link (pivot mechanism 29) , has been explained as applied to, for example, auxiliary beams 10 of a fixed length. In some example embodiments and with reference to Figures 17a and 17b, the idea according to the invention of a pivot mechanism 29 for the energywood grapple 200 can, however, be equally applied to, for example, extendable auxiliary beams and / or different fastening -onnectors of the energy-wood grapple 200 (Figures 15a - 16b) . Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the vertical V pivot mechanism 29 of the energy-wood grapple 200 can be combined with a horizontal H pivoting movement or orientation of the energy-wood grapple 200. In this case, an articulation 61 and an actuator 62 that produce the horizontal H rotation, in more general terms a horizontal pivot mechanism 60, can be arranged and positioned in many different ways, depending on, for exam- ple, the rest of the design and / or the type of extension pro- vided between the energy-wood grapple 200 and the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of the work machine 100 ' .

[0080] By the pivot mechanism 29, i.e. the vertical V rotational move- ment, can be implement the bucket-pivoting feature of the end 102 of the boom assembly 101 of a work machine 100 ’ , more specifically of an excavator 100, replaceable. The correspond- ing positioning / or .lent at ion feature is thus achieved closer to the implement, i .e. to the energy-wood grapple 200. This reduces not only the strain to which the work machine 100 ' , its actua- tors and articulations are subjected but also energy consump- tion. An additional advantage is an enhanced working precision and thus an improvement in working performance, several differ- ent ways .

[0081] Figures 9a and 9b show an example of the possibilities provided by an embodiment of the arrangement 10 ’ according to the inven- tion for the harvesting of energy wood. As is evident from the figures, the felling of a tree 300 from behind a retention tree 300fbecomes readily possible with the arrangement 10 according to the invention.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the invention, combining a hori- zontal H pivoting movement with a vertical V felling rotation yields an increased flexibility when working with the energy- wood grapple 200. In addition, both movements, which are -mplemented with the actuators 28, 20, can be controlled at all times by the operator of the excavator 100. Compared to, for example, conventional harvesters and timber loaders, which are equipped with a hanging suspension, the movements in the solu- tions according to the invention can be limited and even stopped at any time and in any desired position. As a result, work is stable in all situations and positions, as the load cannot swing freely. In addition to the fact that trees 300 can be harvested from behind other upright trees 300' that are to be retained, the mobility in all directions further ensures that trees can also be felled and stacked in almost any direction.

[0083] It is understood here that the foregoing description and the accompanying figures are intended solely to snow the present invention. The invention is therefore not limited to the embod- iments shown in the foregoing or defined in the claims, but rather the person skilled in the art will be able to derive many different variations and variants of the invention that are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the attached claims.

Claims

-LAIMS1. An arrangement for arranging an energy-wood grapple on an end of a boom assembly of an excavator, wherein the arrangement (10 ' ) includes-• an energy-wood grapple (200) eguipped with a cutting device (203) ,- an extension (30)- wherein the energy-wood grapple (200) is arranged on a part (11.1) of the extension (30) that is arranged further outwards with respect to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) ,- wherein a part (11.2) of the extension (30) that is arranged closer to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) includes a connection point (12 ' ) for arranging the extension (30) on a fastening interface (109) of the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) , which fastening interface (109) can be moved by means of a bucket-pivoting arm assembly (103) ,- at least one pivot mechanism (29) arranged between the extension (30) and the energy-wood grapple (200) for arranging the energy- wood grapple (200) in a ver- tically (V) pivotable manner in the arrangement (10' ) , wherein the pivot mechanism (29) includes an articu- lated connection (18 ' ) arranged between the energy- wood grapple (200) and the extension (30) , which ar- ticulated connection (18 ' ) is provided so that a ro- tation radius (R) of the energy-wood grapple (200) with respect to the articulated connection (18 ' ) is less than 3.5 times a nominal diameter of a tree (300) to be manipulated by the energy-wood grapple (200) .-. The arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pivot mechanism (29) further includes an actuator (28) , which is- attached in an articulated manner by one of its parts(46.1) to an implement frame (207) belonging to the energy-wood grapple (200) ,- attached in an articulated manner by its other part(46.2) to the extension (30) .

3. The arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot mechanism (29) includes, in addition to the articulated connection (18 ' ) , the actuator (28) , which are ar- ranged in such a manner that a rotation angle of the energy- wood grapple (200) with respect to the articulated connection (18 ’ ) is 90 - 110 degrees, more generally 80 - 110 degrees.

4. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 3, char- acterized in that the pivot mechanism (29) includes, in addition to the articulated connection (18 ’ ) , the actuator (28) , which are arranged in the energy-wood grapple (200) in such manner that the articulated connection (18 ' ) is arranged between the articulation point (206) provided in the energy-wood grapple (200) for the actuator (28) and the cutting device (203) of the energy-wood grapple (200) .

5. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 4, char- acterized in that the articulated connection (18 ' ) is arranged in the energy-wood grapple (200) in such manner that, when the arrangement (10 ' ) is provided on the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (10) , the articulated connection (18 ' ) is located on the side of the face of the extension (30) that lies opposite the face on the side of the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) .-. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the energy-wood grapple (200) includes an implement frame (207) , which includes an opening (208) for the extension (30) in order to provide the articulated connection (18 ' )- as an internal structure of the energy-wood grapple ( 200 ) ,- preferably between the articulation point (206) ar- ranged in the energy-wood grapple (200) for the actu- ator (28) belonging to the pivot mechanism (29) and the cutting device (203) of the energy-wood grapple (200) .

7. The arrangement according to any of Claims6, character- ized. inhe extensiis an auxiliary beam (10) .

8. The arrangement according to any one of Claims6 , char- in that the extension (30) is a linking arm (39) that is configured to be connectable to a tiltrot it or (110)9. The arrangement according to Claim 8, characterized in that the articulated connection (18 ' ) is arranged in the energy-wood grapple (200) in such a manner that, when the arrangement (10 ' ) is arranged on the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) , the articulated connection (18 ’ ) is configured to be located on the other side of the tiltrotator (110) relative to the end (102.) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator(100)10. The arrangement according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the arrangement (10 ' ) includes a linking arm (39) , at least as part of the extension (30) , together with the tiltrotator (110) , on which the energy-wood grapple (200) is arranged so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction (V) by means of the articulated connection (18* ) , wherein the linking arm (39) , whenit is connected to the tiltrotator (110) , is configured to arrange the articulated connection (18 * ) on the other side of the tiltrotator (110) with respect to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) .

11. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 6 - 10, characterized in that the energy-wood grapple (200) includes a fastening interface (209.2) configured in the surface (204) of the implement frame (20’7) belonging to the energy-wood grapple (200) and provided for a connector (210) or for a quick coupling arranged on the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) for arranging the energy-wood grapple (200) on the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) without said vertical(V) rotational movement .

12. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the arrangement (10) further includes- a support leg (34) provided in connection with the extension (30) , more specifically to the part (11.2) of the extension (30) that is arranged closer to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) , wherein the support leg (34) is configured to receive the weight of the boom assembly (101) and of the excavator (100) when the extension (30) is in contact with the ground,- a grapple (16) provided on the part (11.2) of the extension (30) that is arranged closer to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) for a material handling to be carried out with the extension (30) in order to handle an elongated tree (300) with the grapple (16) parallel to the extension (30) , wherein the grapple (16) is configured to form a first jaw (14) , which is functionally attached to the support leg (34) by an articulation and which can be moved in a pivoting manner by means of an actuator (17) belonging to the extension (30) , wherein the jaw (14) is configured toform, together with the support leg (34) , a grapple(16) that can be opened and closed in a tre ms verse direction with respect to the extension (30) .

13. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 12, characterized in that the arrangement (10 ' ) further includes a pivot mechanism (60) for producing a horizontal (H) pivoting movement of the energy-wood grapple (200) .

14. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 13,in that the rotation radius (R) of the energywood grapple (200) is configured to be defined by the distance (D) between the articulated connection (18 ' ) and the outermost part (211) of the cutting device (203) .

15. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 14, characterized in that the energy-wood grapple (200) includes an implement frame (207) on which the cutting device (203) is arranged, and the energy-wood grapple (200) is arranged by its implement frame (207) , by means of the articulated connection (18 ' ) arranged therein, on the extension (30) in such a manner that an open space (213) is provided above the cutting device (203) , for example, for equipment (214) provided on the energywood grapple (200) in addition to the cutting device (203) , wherein the space (213) or, for example, equipment (214) arranged there is arranged so as to be located at least partially in front of the extension (30) .

16. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - 15, characterized in that the articulated connection (18 ' ) is arranged in the energy-wood grapple (200) so that at least a part of the implement frame (207) belonging to the energy-wood grapple (200) is located underneath the extension (30) .

17. The arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 - lb, characterized in that the extension (30) belonging to the arrangement (10 ' ) is arranged so as to extend to the opposite side of the end (102.) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) with respect to the carriage part (107) of the excavator (100) .

18. An apparatus for harvesting energy wood which includes- an energy-wood grapple (200) equipped with a cutting device (203) ,— an extension (oO)- wherein the energy-wood grapple (200) is arranged in a part (11.1) of the extension (30) that is arranged further outwards with respect to the end (102) of the boom assembly( 101 )excavator (100) ,- wherein a part (11.2) of the extension (30) that is arranged closer to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) includes a connection point (12 ’ ) for arranging the extension (30) on a fastening interface (109) of the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) or on equipment (110) arranged on said fastening interface (109) , wherein the extension ar— ranged there can be moved by means of a bucket -pivoting arm assembly (103) , characterized in that- at least said energy-wood grapple (200) and said extension (30) are part of an arrangement (10 ' ) according to any one of Claims 1 - 17,- the apparatus further includes possible connectors (210) , which are to be arranged between a rotation device (110) of the excavator (100) and the connection point (12’ ) of the extension (30) and / or between arotation device (109) and the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) ,- the apparatus further includes a possible rotation device that is to be arranged on the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) .

19. A method for improving the reach characteristics of an energy-wood grapple, wherein work is performed with the energywood grapple (200) via an extension (30) , in which method an arrangement (10 ' ) is provided which includes- an energy-wood grapple (200) equipped with a cutting device (203) ,- an extension (30)- wherein the energy-wood grapple (200) is arranged on a part (11.1) of the extension (30) that is arranged further outwards with respect to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) ,- wherein a part (11.2) of the extension (30) that is arranged closer to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) includes a connection point (12 ' ) for arranging the extension (30) on a fastening interface (109) to the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) of the excavator (100) , which fastening interface (109) is to be moved by means of a bucket-pivoting arm assembly (103) , and wherein, in the method, the vertical (V) orientation of the energy-wood grapple (200) is provided on the extension (30) at a distance (d) from the fastening interface (109) of the end (102) of the boom assembly (101) , which fastening interface (109) is movable by the bucket -pivot ing arm assembly (103) .

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