Tractor-Mounted Tree Puller Frame Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical tree removal methods are inefficient, costly, and often require specialized equipment or additional steps like stump poisoning, and are limited in their ability to handle varying tree sizes and quantities, especially when uprooting force is transferred to the mobile carrier.
Innovation Solution
A frame assembly with a base frame and lifting frame secured to a mobile carrier, utilizing linear motors and gripper cams with independently controlled clamping cylinders to grasp and extract trees or stumps, allowing for efficient uprooting without loading the carrier's wheels or suspension, and accommodating different tree sizes with interchangeable claw units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional gripping devices mounted on mobile carriers are used for tree removal, then the device can be mobile and operational, but the uprooting force is transferred to the carrier's frame and suspension, limiting the size of trees that can be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the force generation function from the mobile carrier by introducing an independent frame assembly with ground engagement means. The carrier provides only positioning and power, while the separate frame assembly generates and contains all uprooting forces through its own power source and ground-based reaction point, eliminating force transfer limitations to the carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent frame assembly acts as an intermediary between the mobile carrier and the tree. It receives positioning assistance from the carrier but independently generates extraction force through ground engagement, serving as a force-mediating structure that protects the carrier from excessive loads while enabling removal of larger trees.
2Productivity
If dozing is used for tree removal, then large areas can be cleared, but the cost is expensive and additional reseeding expenses are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local extraction rather than area-wide dozing. Each tree is removed individually at its specific location using the independent frame assembly, preserving surrounding vegetation and eliminating the need for costly reseeding while maintaining efficient removal capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If sawing or cutting is used for tree removal, then the tree can be removed without uprooting, but stumps remain intact requiring additional poisoning treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary uprooting extraction before any stump remains. By using the independent frame assembly to pull the entire tree out by its root system, the stump is removed along with the roots, preventing regrowth without requiring additional poisoning treatments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hand digging or mechanical digging is used for tree removal, then trees can be removed, but it is not efficient especially for large quantities of trees
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual or mechanical digging systems with a powered extraction system. The independent frame assembly uses a power source and ground engagement means to generate pulling forces that extract entire trees efficiently, eliminating the labor-intensive digging process while maintaining complete removal capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extracting trees, stumps, posts and similar structures from the ground is attached to a 3-point hitch tractor accessory. The apparatus comprises a base frame and a lifting frame. The base frame includes a pair of vertical guides for confining a corresponding pair of vertical rails on the lift frame. A piston/cylinder type of linear motor is connected between the base frame and lifting frame to translate the lifting frame relative to the base frame. A pair of independently controlled gripping cylinders that are connected to respective gripping cams are mounted on the lifting frame. A tree is extracted by engaging the gripping cams against the tree and translating the lifting frame.