Interest in the development of forest utilisation and woodworking industries is reflected in the continual demand for information on new equipment. FAO's Forestry Division collects such information and passes it, on request, to Member Governments. Some of the information collected is published here. FAO accepts no responsibility for the claims put forward by manufacturers.
FLASH-O-LENS. - A useful instrument for carrying out accurate inspections even under poor light conditions. Combines a magnifying glass with a powerful light built into the handle, thus clearly illuminating a magnified field of vision without throwing direct rays in the user's eyes. The lens system gives a clear flat field of vision, reducing distortion and aberration. Model illustrated, which is light and portable, magnifies 7 times. Other units can be supplied for 5, 20 and 40 times magnifications.
Abbeon Supply Co., 58-10, 41st Drive, Woodside, N. Y., U.S.A.
SCREW-MATE TWIST DRILL. - This new tool is called "Screw-Mate" because its profile matches the body shape of the corresponding-size wood screw. It is so designed that it will drill the tapered pilot hole, drill shank clearance, and countersink in a single operation. It is impossible to drill pilot holes too large or too small, and the shoulder on the tool stops the drill at the proper depth. "Screw-Mates" fit any drill gun, hand drill, or drill-press and are available in a wide variety of sizes to correspond with the screws used.
D. R. Carner Co. Inc., 106 Hospital Street, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
TANKER SUCTION BOOSTER EJECTORS
TANKER SUCTION BOOSTER EJECTORS. - These ejectors can be used to lift water 100 feet vertically or draw from reservoirs 200 to 300 feet away. The operating principle is that water is pumped through a built-in nozzle at high pressure into a diffuser chamber, where extra water is picked up or entrained by the high velocity stream. The ejector works most efficiently when it is submerged in the pick-up water. Under conditions of normal suction lift, water tanks can be refilled at twice the output of the pumper.
Weights of the ejectors of which seven sizes are shown, are from 1 ¼ to 14 lb. and there are no moving parts to wear out or get out of order.
U. S. Forest Service, Arcadia Equipment Center, Arcadia, Calif., U.S.A.
FORBES KWIK-CUT SAW. - A light, portable machine for pruning and cleaning, easy to handle and operate, especially over very rough ground where high pruning is required. It can easily be operated from an ordinary ladder; a few pulls with the starting cord will start the engine.
Specifications: The power unit is a single cylinder, petrol-oil mixture, two stroke engine of 1/3rd B.H.P., driving the saw through a telescopic driving shaft. The outer or supporting tube is also fully telescopic and swivelling, and can be locked in any desired position when the machine is in action, The saw gear-box is fitted to this supporting tube. The saw is 6 in. in diameter; it is fitted on the end of the driving shaft by an inner driving shaft, being located and held in place by a large machined head. At the other end it is secured by a self-locking nut. Saw weight, 20 lb.
Gail & Scott Limited, 5 Drapers Gardens, London, E.C.2.
G.E. HOOK-ON POWER FACTOR METER, Type AK-3
G.E. HOOK-ON POWER FACTOR METER, Type AK-3. - An instrument for measuring the power factor directly without cutting Conductors or interrupting service. Measures both leading and lagging power factor on any balanced 3-phase current of 100 to 600 volts and 15 to 600 amperes, Enables checking of the need for corrective equipment so as to reduce power costs, and helps to determine where to locate corrective equipment so as to increase the efficiency of the distribution of power.
General Electric Co. Inc., Schenectady, N. Y., U.S.A.
P.T.I. SHARPENING ATTACHMENT. The principle used here is new and patented. Blades are sharpened with a grinding wheel rotating in the same surface as the saw blade. Therefore, vibrations are eliminated and the grinding is done with a higher degree of precision. Less skill and time is required with this new sharpening method. The blade is sharpened by segments. Section by section is moved up and down past the periphery of the grinding wheel.
The foot of the attachment is screwed to a table beside the right-hand wheel of a bench grinder with center 5 in. above table. The foot has two slots which permit the movement of the attachment sideways so that the saw blade can move across and use the full width of the grinding wheel.
P.T.I. Inc., 401 Broadway, New York 13.
RENAULT POWER-WINCH. Pan Model BT51
RENAULT POWER-WINCH. Pan Model BT51. - This winch has been specially developed for skidding, clearing and grubbing. It has given good results on swampy and sandy ground and on slopes. Capacity 5,500 kg. with a cable 145 m. in length. The sprag-anchor is controlled from the driving-seat and does not impede the maneuverability of the tractor. By a cable guide the driver also controls the correct winding of the cable on the drum. If the effort needed is beyond the power of the winch, assistance can be given by hoist and snatch blocks. Accessory equipment is issued with the BT51 winch.
Regie Nationale des Usine Renault, Billancourt (Seine), France.
ROHR BUMMER WHEELS. - The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Research has tested this equipment and found it to be very satisfactory and of durable construction. Compared to ground skidding of logs by cable, the traction power saved is in the order of 20 to 45 percent, according to the nature of the terrain. Damage to standing timber and tracks is also less and the time needed for man-handling of logs reduced. The wheels are most useful for heavy logs; to haul poles and branchwood the addition of a mobile bolster is recommended.
Specifications: Width of wheel track 88 cm.; total width 105 cm.; height of load 50 cm.; wheel diameter 47 cm.; total length 148 cm.; length of loading arm 132 cm.
Rosta-Produkte, Ernst Rohr, Staufen-Lenzburg, Switzerland.
WOOD REFUSE AND DUST EXHAUST PLANT (a)
WOOD REFUSE AND DUST EXHAUST PLANT (b)
WOOD REFUSE AND DUST EXHAUST PLANT. - This machine incorporates a "Tornado" motor-driven fan and centrifugal settler, with duct connections to hoods serving a saw bench, spindle moulder, planing machine and "sweep-up". The settler is suitable for handling both seasoned and green timber and is an example of the range of standard sizes from 2 feet (0.6 m.) to 13 feet (4 m.) diameter. Depending on the nature of the refuse collected, the waste matter may be fed to boilers for steam raising purposes.
Keith Blackman Ltd., Mill Mead Road, Tottenham, London, N.17.
REMORQUE PORTE-TRACTEUR. Type RPT 8 tons (a)
REMORQUE PORTE-TRACTEUR. Type RPT 8 tons (b)
REMORQUE PORTE-TRACTEUR. Type RPT 8 tons. - The back-axle of this tractor-carrying trailer is removable by means of two elevating screws, permitting loading ramps to be fixed as shown in the photograph. Loading platform 3.9 in. X 2.4 in.; clearance 55 cm.; tires 270 X 20. Steering by front wheels. Hand and automatic brakes on rear axle. Deadweight 2,400 kg. Maximum speed 25 km. per hour.
Société R. Madurand & Cie, Chelles (S. & M.), France.
ALLMAN SPRAYER. - A machine specially designed and built for the United Kingdom Forestry Commission for spraying seedlings in nurseries with insecticides. It has a maximum operating pressure of 100 lb. p.s.i. and will apply liquid at both high and low volume. It is equipped with a speedometer to record up to 4 miles per hour, and is fitted with a drift sheet.
Allman Overseas Ltd., 7/8 Bury Court, St. Mary Axe, London, E.C.3.
HIAB TRUCK LOADER. - A crane that needs only about a foot's space on the frame between the body and the platform of the truck on which it is mounted, leaving the whole platform free for use. Symmetrically located in the center of the chassis, it can easily work on either side of the truck; a simple adjustment permits it to work also in front.
The lifting piston in the vertical main cylinder carries a telescopic boom, length adjustable from 3 ft. 3 in. to 11 ft. 6 in. Lifting capacity, depending on the length of the boom, varies from 1100 lb. to 2200 lb. The lateral movement of the boom is operated by hydraulic power swing pistons. Vertical and lateral operations are controlled to any speed and direction by means of a single lever on either side of the cab. No brakes, clutches or mechanical catches are used, all operations being fully hydraulic. By applying the block and tackle principle reversed on two groups of triple pulleys, the load rises and sinks seven times faster than the vertical piston; the crane has a working range from 12 feet below ground level up to 14 feet above, and a horizontal reach of 20 feet. The truck engine supplies power through a single-speed power takeoff driving a hydraulic gear pump mounted in an oil tank, separate from the crane. Overloading is prevented by a by-pass valve in the hydraulic system.
Hydrauliska Industri Aktiebolaget, Hudiksvall, P. O. Box 117, Sweden.
R.J.H. RADIUS BANDFACER. - This machine is designed for form grinding and polishing small radius material; it uses a 36 X 4 in. band, with speed of 2,500 surface ft. per minute. Drive is taken from a 1 h.p., totally enclosed motor, which carries a 3 ½ in. diameter driving pulley and is mounted on a pivoted platform to allow for belt tensioning. Idler bobbins from ¾ to 1 ¾ in. diameter are provided for dealing with radii from 3/8 in. upwards, and are readily interchanged by removing the top cover of the steady housing only. Adjustable work table enables the full width of the band to be utilized, and has cut-outs of various sizes to suit the different diameters of bob bins. A flush mounted push-button starter is incorporated in the fabricated pedestal, which occupies a floor area of 24 X 16 in.
R.J.H. Tool & Equipment Co. Ltd., Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, England.
HAND AND POWER FEED PLANER (MOTOR DRIVEN) Type WR/T
HAND AND POWER FEED PLANER (MOTOR DRIVEN) Type WR/T. - A machine for surfacing, thicknessing, bevelling, rebating, chamfering and moulding. It is entirely self-contained, having a standard motor housed within the machine frame. A short central belt drives from motor to both cutter head and feed; three rates of feed through constant mesh ball-bearing gearbox. Feeding system for thicknessing driven through enclosed chains and gears; thicknessing table adjustable vertically by hand-wheel. Surfacing tables carried on double wedge slides, enabling tables to be withdrawn for access to knives. Concentric lift pressure bars operate before and after cutter block, and are arranged to allow moulding to be carried out without their having to be withdrawn.
Specifications: Upper tables for hand planing 6 ft. long overall; cutter-block 4,000 r.p.m.; two cutters 1/8 in. thick X 1 ½ in. wide and X 24 ¼ in. long; power feed rollers 3 ½ in. diameter; rates of speed 26, 39 and 59 ft. per minute.
The patent fence can be moved to any position across the width of the table and will tilt up to 45°. The 6 b.h.p. motor is mounted on a swing plate inside the machine frame and is completely isolated from chipping Space occupied - length 6 ft. 4 in. X width 4 ft. 3 in.; net weight 3,472 lb.
Thomas Robinson & Son Ltd., Africa House, Kingsway, W.C.2, London.
SPINDLE SANDER. - The principal characteristic of this machine is that it is equipped with a tilting spindle rather than a tilting table, so that the job on which the operator is working is always in a horizontal position. The spindle can be tilted from 0° to 45° by a worm and gear unit and can be locked in place at ion. It can be used any desired posit with a wide range of abrasive sleeve adapters, from ¼ in. diameter X 5 in, high to 4 in. diameter X 11 in. high. It is powered by 2 h.p., 220 or 440 Volts, 3 phase 60 cycle A.C., completely enclosed two speed motor. Speed is 2,000 or 4,000 r.p.m.
Kindt-Collins Company, 12651 Elmwood Avenue, Cleveland 11, Ohio U.S.A.
PLYCOR HOT PRESS TYPE BVH HYDRAULIC
PLYCOR HOT PRESS TYPE BVH HYDRAULIC. - This plywood press is specifically designed for the small and medium size firm and enables use to be made of all types of hot press adhesives. It is equipped with drilled steel steam platens, ensuring uniform plate temperature at all times; no pit is required; a maximum specific pressure of 100 lb./sq.in. is developed over the entire hot plate area. The machine operates on either high or low pressure steam. If steam is not available the unit can be equipped with a self-contained steam generator. Automatic electric pressure control.
The Type B.V.H. is at present available in one size only, 99 in. X 51 in. The frame is designed to accommodate five openings, but may be installed with anything up to that number; additional plates can be installed at any time.
Plycor Company, 365 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
