STUMP CUTTER WITH A WEIGHT CENTERED POWER TRAIN
A stump cutter configured for improved stability includes a frame structure, an engine, a boom with a proximal end and distal end, and a grinding wheel rotatably mounted to the distal end of the boom. The boom is pivotally mounted to the frame structure at its proximal end typically by means of a turntable, hydraulic actuators and ears. Preferably, the engine is pivotally mounted between the ears about a generally horizontal axis so that the engine is generally weight-balanced during pivoting. The horizontal axis preferably passes through or adjacent the engine's center of mass.
1 . A stump cutter comprising:
a frame;
a boom pivotally mounted on the frame about a substantially horizontal axis;
a grinding wheel rotatably mounted on the boom; and
an engine mounted on the boom and pivotable therewith wherein the horizontal axis passes through the engine.
2 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:
first and second opposed ends formed on the boom;
wherein the engine is positioned adjacent the first end of the boom; and
the grinding wheel is positioned adjacent the second end of the boom.
3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the engine has a center of mass; and the horizontal axis extends adjacent the center of mass.
4 . The device of claim 2 further comprising:
two spaced ears;
wherein the boom is pivotally mounted on the ears; and
wherein at least a portion of the engine is positioned intermediate the two ears.
5 . The device of claim 4 further comprising:
a boom actuator having first and second opposed ends;
wherein the first end of the boom actuator is pivotally mounted adjacent one of the ears; and
the second end of the actuator is pivotally mounted on the boom.
6 . The device of claim 5 wherein the boom is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis.
7 . The device of claim 6 further comprising a turntable for supporting the boom that is pivotable about the vertical axis and supports the ears.
8 . The device of claim 7 further comprising:
a turntable actuator having first and second opposed ends;
wherein the first end of the turntable actuator is pivotally mounted to the turntable; and
the second end of the turntable actuator is pivotally mounted to the frame.
9 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a boom actuator pivotally mounted on the boom for pivoting the boom up and down.
10 . The device of claim 2 wherein the boom is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis.
11 . The device of claim 10 further comprising a turntable that is pivotable about the vertical axis and supports the boom.
12 . The device of claim 2 further comprising a cradle mounted on the frame for supporting the boom.
13 . The device of claim 12 in which the cradle further comprises a pivot plate and a pair of spaced ears extending away from the pivot plate and wherein the boom extends intermediate the ears.
14 . The device of claim 13 wherein the horizontal axis passes through the cradle.
15 . The device of claim 13 further comprising a vertical pivot having a vertical pivot axis extending through the frame and the pivot plate for pivotally supporting the cradle relative to the frame.
16 . The device of claim 15 in which the engine is positioned over the pivot plate.
17 . The device of claim 15 in which the vertical pivot axis passes through the engine.
18 . The device of claim 15 in which the vertical pivot axis intersects the horizontal pivot axis.
19 . The device of claim 10 wherein the engine is substantially weight balanced about the horizontal axis.
20 . The device of claim 19 wherein the engine is substantially weight balanced about the vertical axis.