Abstract: A stand-on blower is provided that allows for fully powered nozzle angle adjustment. The blower may deliver an airflow for pneumatic cleanup tasks in different directions, including horizontal or left-right and vertical or up-down direction variability of the airflow. Position or angle of the blower's nozzle may be automatically reversed or driven to a rotational or angle limit upon demand.

Abstract: A walk-behind lawnmower and accompanying method of use allows for height adjustment of the cutting deck relative to all four wheels simultaneously. This is achieved using a linkage that runs along the cutting deck and that connects the front and rear wheel assemblies. Movement of the entire mechanism is achieved using a lever operatively connected to the linkage. The linkage is retained in place through the use of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking pin, a pin engagement mechanism, such as a lug, provided on the linkage, and an array of pin receptacles spaced longitudinally along the cutting deck. The pin engagement mechanism selectively engages the pin when the pin engages a designated pin receptacle on the cutting deck, retaining the cutting deck at a height determined by the prevailing location of the pin which, in turn, is determined by the selected pin receptacle.

Abstract: A transporter includes a frame supported on wheels, a cab mounted on a front portion of the frame, and a bed mounted on the rear portion of the frame. The bed includes deck plates and supports mounting the deck plates on the frame. At least a rear end portion of the bed is raiseable and lowerable relative to the frame. The bed is sufficiently lightweight that the transporter has a hauling capacity of at least 10,000 lbs. and a fully loaded gross vehicle weight of no more than 26,000 lbs. At least portions of the bed may be made from high strength steel (HSS) such as ASTM A1011/1011M steel having a grade of 80 or higher. A ramp, which may also be made of HSS, may be attachable to the rear of the bed and may have longitudinally extending supports and slats that may be arranged in a herringbone pattern.

Abstract: A suspended operator platform for use with a ride-on lawnmower or the like is connected to a rigid chassis of the ride-on lawnmower by a suspension system that has a parallelogram linkage. The operator platform supports an entire body of the operator and isolation mounts connect a seat assembly to the operator platform. Steering controls of the ride-on lawnmower are connected to the operator platform so that the steering controls move with the operator platform and are suspended and/or isolated from the chassis. The suspension system includes a course-stiffness adjuster and a fine-stiffness adjuster that adjust the suspension stiffness to correspond to a particular operator and/or terrain.

Abstract: A selectively deployable extender is provided on the rear of a platform assembly of a stand-on lawnmower so as to permit an operator to position his or her feet further from the rear wheels than would otherwise be possible in order to increase operator comfort and/or to improve traction and/or maneuverability. By making the platform selectively deployable as opposed to simply providing a longer platform, the length of the machine can be reduced for storage and transport, and the risk of making damaging contact with an obstruction or with the ground while traveling up a hill is reduced. The extender may, for instance, be a plate or similar device pivotally attached to a rear end of a main platform and the main platform can be resiliently mounted to or at least partially isolated from a frame of the stand-on lawnmower.

Abstract: The effective length of pump control linkage assembly of a pump-driven vehicle such as a zero-turn lawnmower can be adjusted without directly manipulating a rod or similar member forming the major length of the assembly. The length instead can be adjusted from above with a simple tool such as a screwdriver or wrench using a knob or similar device. In one embodiment, the linkage assembly includes a rod having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end is attached to the pump. The top end of the rod is received by an internally threaded insert which is housed in a housing. The internally threaded insert includes an engagement structure such as a hex head for mating with the tool. Upon rotation of the insert using the tool, the insert rotates to drive the rod into or out of the insert and, thereby, vary the effective length of the linkage assembly.