Patent attributes
The improved thinning or clearcut head is configured a tree harvesting vehicle supported by a plurality of wheels and tires. The improved thinning or clearcut head is adapted for use in cutting down a target tree. The improved thinning or clearcut head comprises a tree harvesting vehicle and a lateral pivot apparatus. The tree harvesting vehicle comprises a harvest vehicle and a cutting tool. The lateral pivot apparatus attaches the cutting tool to the harvest vehicle such that the cutting tool rotates around a lateral axis of rotation that is parallel to the center axis of the target tree. The improved thinning or clearcut head aligns the cutting tool with the target tree such that the alignment axis between the clamping arms of the cutting tool and the target tree is offset from primary sense of direction of the harvest vehicle.