High productivity whole tree harvesting method and system

摘要

A tree harvester for continuously cutting and accumulating trees and a method for using such a harvester is disclosed. The harvester has a frame with a cutting area and a large elongate accumulation area. A tree severing device is secured to one end of the frame and a continuous rail having accumulating arms secured to it extends from the cutting area to the rear portion of the accumulation area. The arms are equally spaced apart from each other along the rail, with each arm traveling in a continuous circuit along the rail such that it moves from the cutting area to the accumulation area. During use, the harvester is aligned with a row of trees to be cut. As the first tree is cut by the severing device, an accumulating arm is positioned behind the tree and moves it to the rear most available portion of the accumulation area. As the harvester travels down the row of trees, each tree in the row is cut and moved to the rear most available portion of the accumulation area. In a preferred embodiment, the harvester is self-propelled, has a curfless cutter, and travels forward along the row of trees to be cut at the same speed as the arms travel around the circuit.