Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes an inner circumferential ring and an outer circumferential ring defining an annular space and a cylindrical space inside the inner circumferential ring. A plurality of partitions connect the circumferential rings within the annular space. A ground-contacting tread is located on the outer circumferential ring. A rim, including a plurality of pieces, is located within the cylindrical space. The non-pneumatic tire assembly further includes a hub that is removably connected to the rim.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: A lawn maintenance device has a transverse center line, a frame, and a power source including an output shaft attached to the frame. The lawn maintenance device further includes a rotating cutting blade. A left side is located on one side of the transverse center line and a right side located on a second side of the transverse center line. A plurality of ground engaging members are attached to the frame enabling movement of the lawn maintenance device along an associated driven surface. The ground engaging members on the left side are located at a first distance from the transverse center line that is different from a second distance that those on the right side are located from the transverse center line. Another example includes ground engaging members on opposite sides of the lawn maintenance device being located at different distances from a central axis of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: A low-energy blade system having a quick-change attachment for a lawn maintenance tool is provided. The low-energy blade system requires a reduced amount of energy to rotate the blade system. The blade system includes a shell, a mounting plate attached to the shell, a plurality of quick-attach mechanisms, and a separate cutting blade attachable to each of the quick-attach mechanisms. Each quick-attach mechanism allows a cutting blade to be attached to the mounting plate without the need for external tools, such as screwdriver, wrench, ratchet, or the like.

Abstract: A low-energy blade system having a quick-change attachment for a lawn maintenance tool. The low-energy blade system requires a reduced amount of energy to rotate the blade system. The blade system includes a shell, a mounting plate attached to the shell, a plurality of quick-attach mechanisms, and a separate cutting blade attachable to each of the quick-attach mechanisms. Each quick-attach mechanism allows a cutting blade to be attached to the mounting plate without the need for external tools, such as screwdriver, wrench, ratchet, or the like.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a utility track vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes a pair of spaced-apart inner rings having a spacer fixedly attached between the inner rings. An adapter is attached to an outwardly-directed surface of one of the inner rings. A plurality of rods are attached in a spaced-apart manner about the outer peripheral edge of the inner rings. A guide ring is attached to each end of the rods in a perpendicular manner, wherein the guide rings are substantially parallel to the inner rings.

Abstract: A snow thrower impeller assembly (24) includes a mounting slot (84) for a wiper (70). The wiper includes a wiper portion (86) that slides into the mounting slot to mount the wiper to the impeller (54). The wiper contacts an interior wall (56) of an associated impeller housing during rotational operation of the impeller in order to limit a gap (74) between an impeller blade (66) and the interior wall. The wiper can move radially inward and outward to remain in contact with the interior wall without input from the operator. Another embodiment of the impeller assembly includes impeller blades with a first portion (116) and a second portion (118). The second portion extends at a non-zero angle from the first blade portion of the impeller blade.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: Provided is a snow thrower impeller assembly (24) that defines a mounting slot (84) for a wiper (70). The wiper includes a wiper portion (86) that slides into the mounting slot to mount the wiper to the impeller (54). The wiper contacts an interior wall (56) of an associated impeller housing during rotational operation of the impeller in order to limit a gap (74) between an impeller blade (66) and the interior wall. The wiper can move radially inward and outward to remain in contact with the interior wall without input from the operator. Another embodiment of the impeller assembly includes impeller blades with a first portion (116) and a second portion (118). The second portion extends at a non-zero angle from the first blade portion of the impeller blade. Methods of improving the efficiency of the snow thrower are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. Systems include steering and speed coordination systems that control the direction and speed of rotation of vehicle drive units.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: A high-efficiency blade for a lawn maintenance tool includes a central axis and a mounting portion located on the central axis. The high-efficiency blade includes a cutting blade and a cutting blade sharpened leading edge. A cleaning blade is vertically offset from the cutting blade and is configured to mulch the associated clippings from vegetation and reduce an associated accumulation of clippings on an underside of an associated mower deck. The lawn maintenance tool can also include a deck having a separation distance between the cleaning blade and an underside of the deck. The deck can include an elevation change to vary the separation distance. The deck and high-efficiency blade can also include a forward or rearward tilt.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: A multiple-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to a plurality of drive shafts for rotating a plurality of stage assemblies. Each stage assembly of the multiple-stage snow thrower is configured to move snow either axially along the axis of rotation or radially away from the axis of rotation. The first stage assembly is configured to expel snow from the housing, thereby throwing the snow away from the snow thrower. The second, third, and fourth stages assemblies are configured to push the snow toward the longitudinal centerline of the housing and then rearwardly toward the first stage assembly.

Abstract: A mower blade assembly attaches to a rotatable spindle and includes a mounting plate which defines a first pin aperture. The mounting plate and a retaining plate are attached to the rotatable spindle. The retaining plate defines a second pin aperture. A movable pin plate comprises a pin. A blade is selectively attachable to the mounting plate. The blade defines a retaining plate aperture and a third pin aperture. A biasing member urges the movable pin plate from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The pin is engageable with the pin apertures for mounting and retaining the cutting blade to the mounting plate. The blade is attached by moving the blade over the retaining plate aperture, urging the movable pin plate to the disengaged position, rotating the blade, and releasing the movable pin plate. Another embodiment includes a force finger.

Abstract: A snow thrower having a power supply with a crankshaft operatively connected thereto is provided. The snow thrower further includes an impeller operatively connected to a first drive shaft. A first drive train operatively connects the crankshaft to the first drive shaft to provide a first rotational speed of the first drive shaft and impeller. An impeller speed adjustment assembly includes a second drive train that operatively connects the crankshaft to the first drive shaft to provide a second rotational speed of the first drive shaft and impeller therebetween, wherein the first and second rotational speeds of the first drive shaft and impeller are different.

Abstract: Provided is a snow thrower impeller assembly (24) that defines a mounting slot (84) for a wiper (70). The wiper includes a wiper portion (86) that slides into the mounting slot to mount the wiper to the impeller (54). The wiper contacts an interior wall (56) of an associated impeller housing during rotational operation of the impeller in order to limit a gap (74) between an impeller blade (66) and the interior wall. The wiper can move radially inward and outward to remain in contact with the interior wall without input from the operator. Another embodiment of the impeller assembly includes impeller blades with a first portion (116) and a second portion (118). The second portion extends at a non-zero angle from the first blade portion of the impeller blade. Methods of improving the efficiency of the snow thrower are also provided.

Abstract: A multiple-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to a plurality of drive shafts for rotating a plurality of stage assemblies. Each stage assembly of the multiple-stage snow thrower is configured to move snow either axially along the axis of rotation or radially away from the axis of rotation. The first stage assembly is configured to expel snow from the housing, thereby throwing the snow away from the snow thrower. The second, third, and fourth stages assemblies are configured to push the snow toward the longitudinal centerline of the housing and then rearwardly toward the first stage assembly.