Abstract: A push-button starter for use with an outdoor power equipment unit. In one embodiment, the starter includes a housing defining an opening to receive a removable button, and a peripheral edge surrounding the opening. The peripheral edge may define two scalloped areas such that two opposite sides of a head portion of the button are exposed and accessible when the button is in a neutral position within the housing while remaining sides of the head portion are enclosed within the housing. Moreover, the opening and the head portion may be configured to control an orientation of the button relative to the housing, and further prevent rotation of the button relative to the housing.

Abstract: A walk-behind is configurable in a grass catching mode, wherein a debris container is attached to the mower in a grass collecting configuration to permit the collection of grass clippings. The mower may further be configured such that the debris container is stored on the mower in a stowed configuration. The debris container may be partially or fully supported by a handle of the mower when in the stowed configuration.

Abstract: A control system for controlling engagement of a first and second transmission of an all-wheel drive (AWD) walk-behind power equipment unit such as a lawn mower. The control system may include a mechanical load balancer to split an input drive force vector into two output force vectors. These two forces act upon associated first and second connection elements coupled to the first and second transmissions, respectively. One transmission may include a resistance element selected to sequence engagement of the first and second transmissions so that both transmissions begin driving their respective wheels at or near the same time even when the wheels associated with one transmission are more heavily-loaded than the wheels associated with the other transmission.

Abstract: A walk-behind mower that, in one embodiment, is configured in a grass catching mode, wherein a debris container is attached to the mower in a grass collecting configuration to permit the collection of grass clippings. The mower may further be configured in an alternative mode, wherein the debris container is stored on the mower in a stowed configuration. In one embodiment, the debris container may be partially or fully supported by a handle of the mower when in the stowed configuration.

Abstract: A control system for controlling engagement of a first and second transmission of an all-wheel drive (AWD) walk-behind power equipment unit such as a lawn mower. The control system may include a mechanical load balancer to split an input drive force vector into two output force vectors. These two forces act upon associated first and second connection elements coupled to the first and second transmissions, respectively. One transmission may include a resistance element selected to sequence engagement of the first and second transmissions so that both transmissions begin driving their respective wheels at or near the same time even when the wheels associated with one transmission are more heavily-loaded than the wheels associated with the other transmission.

Abstract: A grounds maintenance apparatus such as a lawn mower adapted for movement from a horizontal operating orientation to a vertical storage orientation. Embodiments of the apparatus provide supplemental storage wheels adapted to permit rolling of the apparatus over a ground surface while in the vertical storage orientation.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The mower deck has ground engaging wheels that are vertically moved up or down to adjust the height of cut. The height of cut adjustment system comprises at least one spring arm having a locking pin or tab that cooperates with one of a plurality of notches, detents or openings on the mower deck to select a desired height of cut. A threaded fastener releasably attaches the locking pin or tab to the spring arm to be able to replace the locking pin or tab without replacing the entire spring arm.

Abstract: A push-button starter for use with an outdoor power equipment unit. In one embodiment, the starter includes a housing defining an opening to receive a removable button, and a peripheral edge surrounding the opening. The peripheral edge may define two scalloped areas such that two opposite sides of a head portion of the button are exposed and accessible when the button is in a neutral position within the housing while remaining sides of the head portion are enclosed within the housing. Moreover, the opening and the head portion may be configured to control an orientation of the button relative to the housing, and further prevent rotation of the button relative to the housing.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The pair of cutting blades rotate in the same direction relative to a cutting chamber of the mower deck so that grass clippings cut by one blade merge with grass clippings cut by the other blade with the merged clippings forming a single common stream of clippings that is rearwardly directed along one side of the cutting chamber. The clippings enter a grass collection bag which is positioned between the handle tubes of a handle assembly of the mower.

Abstract: A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The blades are powered by a timed drive system that is carried by a horizontal apron that is part of a cast aluminum engine mount. The engine mount and the apron are bolted to a stamped steel deck shell that forms the cutting chamber in which the blades rotate. The mower has a side discharge mode in which a side discharge chute is releasably mounted over a side discharge opening. The chute carries a flow cutoff baffle having an inwardly protruding inner end that sticks through the side discharge opening to intercept and direct the clippings out through the side discharge opening and through the chute in the side discharge mode.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a housing having a cutting chamber defined by a top wall and a circumferential sidewall. A side discharge opening is provided on the sidewall. A side discharge chute selectively opens and closes the discharge opening. The discharge chute has a side door pivoted to the sidewall about a vertical pivot axis and a top deflector pivoted to the side door about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. When the discharge chute is in an open position to open the discharge opening to the flow of grass clippings, the top deflector pivots downwardly on the side door into an inclined position to intercept the grass clippings and direct them downwardly towards the ground.

Abstract: A walk behind lawn mower has an exit tunnel that is opened and closed by a pivotal mulch door to convert the mower between collecting and mulching modes of operation. An operating handle fixed to the mulch door includes a vertically reciprocal push button for releasing locking tabs that engage detents for holding the mulch door in the open and closed positions thereof. The bottom wall of the exit tunnel has a steeply inclined rear ramp section that is angled upwardly relative to the horizontal at least approximately 45°. The rear discharge opening of the exit tunnel occupies approximately an upper quarter of the area of the rear face of the cutting deck. Grass clippings flow into the upper portion of a grass collector through this high, steeply angled exit tunnel to promote even and full filling of the grass collector in the collecting mode.