Abstract: An interlock circuit on a mowing vehicle or tractor deactivates the engine if a signal from a single backup sensor is interrupted. The mowing vehicle or tractor has an engine, an electric power source to provide electric current to a magneto and an ignition, a transmission connected to the engine and having forward, neutral and reverse operations, a controllable tool drive (PTO) connected to the engine for powering an accessory, and a single backup sensor to provide a signal if no object is detected behind the vehicle. A reverse sensing switch is movable between a first position if the transmission is in forward or neutral, and a second position if the transmission is in reverse. A PTO switch is movable between an on condition for activating the PTO and an off position for deactivating the PTO.

Abstract: An interlock system for a lawn and garden tractor or similar vehicle includes a latching circuit with a two-pole seat switch and an operator push button switch connected to a latch relay to provide operator actuated mow in reverse feature. The system provides a latching function which is actuated by the operator each time the vehicle is put into reverse to facilitate mowing in reverse. If the vehicle is placed in reverse with the PTO turned on and without the push button switch being depressed, the engine will be disabled. Also, if the operator leaves the seat while the vehicle is mowing in reverse, the engine will be disabled. The circuit includes a two pole operator presence switch connected to the PTO switch and to the brake switch, respectively, to isolate the circuits for simplicity and ease of routing connecting lines to indicators.

Abstract: Jump start structure and method particularly useful for a battery-start vehicle for starting the vehicle or quick charging the battery from a separate source which may have an operating voltage substantially higher than the battery voltage. A starting system operating at a first voltage, for example twelve volts, is connected to a separate source of higher voltage, such as twenty-four volts, through a jumper cable. In one embodiment, a manual switch on the vehicle with the discharged battery must be operated simultaneously with the key switch to start the engine. In another embodiment, an inexpensive control circuit including a normally closed relay located on the vehicle connects the separate source with the discharged battery when a jumper cable from the source is plugged into the vehicle. Once the discharged battery receives sufficient charge, the relay activates to open the circuit between the separate source and the vehicle battery.

Abstract: An interlock system for a lawn and garden tractor or similar vehicle includes a PTO switch having off, on and momentary on positions and connected to a latching relay to provide PTO operation in reverse if the switch is moved to the momentary on position prior to the vehicle being shifted into reverse. Once the vehicle is operating in reverse with the PTO activated, the operator can release the switch from the momentary on position and the PTO will remain activated. However, once PTO operation has been interrupted for any reason, the PTO can be reenergized only after reverse operation has been stopped and the PTO switch has been moved to the off position.