Abstract: A high-clearance dump system is described for use with a riding mower. A folding lift assembly lifts the catcher box up and away from the riding mower to allow dumping over and away from the walls of a truck or other receiving vehicle. The folding lift assembly interfolds into the dumping catcher assembly and the dump system mount assembly thus providing a low-profile when in the lowered position. A lift pivot arm, and lift control rods that are shorter than the lift pivot arm, cause the catcher frame to be tilted at an obtuse angle with respect to the lift pivot arm so that the back end of the catcher frame is higher than the front end of the catcher frame when the lift pivot arm is raised, thus providing high clearance. A power system provides power a switch box that switches power between a lift cylinder and a dump cylinder so that the catcher may be dumped in a raised, partially raised, or lowered position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self propelled walk behind mower comprised of a tractor unit and a mowing deck. The tractor unit is hydrostatically driven with a unique control system whereby the forward speed of the tractor is set by operating an electric rocker switch with an operator's thumb. Hand levers are used to turn the tractor to the left and the right. The tractor unit comprises two drive wheels and a third wheel that is pivotally attached, letting the tractor unit stand upright when no implements are attached. Implements attach to the front of the tractor through a movable attachment so that the tractor and implement can closely follow the contour of the ground while keeping the operator controls in a convenient position.

Abstract: A self propelled walk behind mower including a tractor unit and a mowing deck. The tractor unit is hydrostatically driven with a unique control system whereby the forward speed of the tractor is set by operating an electric rocker switch with an operator's thumb. Hand levers are used to turn the tractor to the left and the right. The tractor unit comprises two drive wheels and a third wheel that is pivotally attached, letting the tractor unit stand upright when no implements are attached. Implements attach to the front of the tractor through a movable attachment so that the tractor and implement can closely follow the contour of the ground while keeping the operator controls in a convenient position.

Abstract: A blower for fluidized particulates has a housing with an inlet in one wall. The housing defines a chamber which also has an outlet. A rotatably mounted shaft projects into the interior of the chamber. Circumferentially spaced around and projecting laterally from the shaft are a plurality of blades which individually have a shape selected to substantially maximize the impulsive pressure on the particles delivered through the outlet upon rotation of the shaft. Each of those blades has a notch defined toward the shaft from the laterally outer blade periphery with that notch having a size and shape selected to significantly reduce noise created by movement of the blade across the outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle is controllably powered to be steerably moved over an area. Mounted on the front of the vehicle is a cutter assembly. Also mounted on the vehicle is a hopper. Mowed cuttings are delivered by a conduit from the cutter to the hopper. An outlet mounted within the hopper is coupled in use to the conduit for distributing received cuttings on into the interior of the hopper. A driver mounted with respect to the hopper moves that outlet in a systematic pattern to vary the direction of distribution of the received cuttings.

Abstract: A vehicle is controllably powered to be steerably moved over an area. Mounted on the front of the vehicle is a cutter assembly. Also mounted on the vehicle is a hopper. Mowed cuttings are delivered by a conduit from the cutter to the hopper. An outlet mounted within the hopper is coupled in use to the conduit for distributing received cuttings on into the interior of the hopper. A driver mounted with respect to the hopper moves that outlet in a systematic pattern to vary the direction of distribution of the received cuttings.An elongated paddle is mounted to swing reciprocally in correspondence with movement of the outlet. Upon the occurrance of impedence against the swinging of that paddle, by cuttings collected within the hopper, a switch is actuated to energize an indicator.

Abstract: A first pulley is coupled by a flexible belt to a second pulley for delivering power from a source to a driven device. An idler pulley is urged against the belt to create tension therein. A cam, coupled for swinging movement to the idler pulley, faces against a cam guide in a manner to vary the spacing between the guide and the idler pulley in correspondence with the amount of swinging movement. A spring secured to the cam nudges the latter in a direction to incrementally increase the spacing between the guide and the pulley in order to maintain a pre-selected degree of tension in the belt upon the occurrence of a surge in power delivered from the source to the driven device with consequent incremental permanent stretching of the belt.

Abstract: A vehicle is controllably powered to be steerably moved over an area. Mountable on the front is a cutter assembly. Also mounted on the vehicle is a hopper. Mowed cuttings are delivered by a conduit from the cutter to the hopper. That hopper is positioned atop the vehicle and coupled to the delivery end of the conduit. Moreover, the hopper is movable with respect to the vehicle into another position wherein the hopper is disengaged from the conduit and at which latter position cuttings may be easily removed.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling system includes a housing with an air outlet and inlet structure. An endless belt is of a material to which a liquid may cling and is transparent to air flow so as to achieve evaporation. A portion of the belt extends through a reservoir and the belt is driven in movement therethrough. Blower apparatus is disposed to draw air through the inlet and the belt and exhaust the air through the outlet. A metering drum controllably exhausts reservoir liquid for the purpose of reducing contamination.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling system includes a housing with an outlet in one wall and a pair of inlets in opposing other walls. A pair of endless belts are individually disposed inside the respective inlets with each belt being of a material to which a liquid may cling and transparent to air flow so as to achieve evaporation. A portion of each belt extends through a reservoir and the belts are driven in movement therethrough. Blower apparatus disposed between the belts draws air through the inlets and the belts and exhausts the air through the outlet.