Abstract: A lawn mower having a deck height adjustment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting a height of a deck of a lawn mower at all four wheels of the lawn mower by the use of a single hand of the operator. The mechanism includes an index plate having a plurality of teeth thereon defining a plurality of deck height positions, and therefore a plurality of height positions of a cutting blade supported by the deck. The index plate is fixedly secured to an offset rear axle. An engaging plate having a pawl is coupled to an actuating member which is slidably, vertically moveable relative to the deck when the operator grips the actuating member and pulls upwardly away from the deck, while resting a palm of the same hand on a palm rest portion of the mechanism. A linkage member couples the index plate to a bracket of an offset front axle positioned at a front end of the deck.

Abstract: An improved handle-to-deck coupling arrangement for a lawn mower. The coupling arrangement is provided in part by a lawn mower handle having a pair of curved distal end portions. The distal ends portions fit within a pair of channels integrally formed in a deck of the lawn mower. The end-most portions of each distal portion of the handle fit within sockets formed in a lower-most portion of the deck. This coupling arrangement serves to spread out stresses experienced by the deck over a larger area of the deck when pushing or lifting forces are exerted on the handle member by an operator. In a preferred embodiment, an anchor-type fastening assembly is included. The anchor-type fastening assembly is associated with at least one of the sockets and provides a plurality of arm portions which fit within an interior area of the end-most portion of the handle member once the end-most portion is inserted in the socket.