Abstract: A partially tracked utility vehicle and conversion are provided. The converted partially tracked utility vehicle has a chassis, front wheels, and a trailing link suspension. The trailing link suspension has a trailing link with a first end pivotably connected to the chassis and a second end pivotably connected to a walking beam at a walking beam pivot; a shock having a first end pivotably connected to a tension shaft and a second end pivotably connected to the trailing link; the walking beam further comprising a plurality of axle mounted bogey wheels for engaging a track of the partially tracked utility vehicle; a sprocket mounted to a traction drive of the utility vehicle for engaging and providing rotational power to the track; and an actuator attached to the chassis, the actuator having a shaft pivotably connected to the tension shaft and configured to rotate the tension shaft.

Abstract: A lawn maintenance vehicle includes a frame having a first axle and a second axle mounted to the frame. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel are mounted to the first and second axle. An energy storage device and an electric motor having a motor shaft are mounted to the frame. The electric motor is in electrical communication with the energy storage device and the energy storage device provides electrical power to the electric motor. The lawn maintenance vehicle further includes a traction drive. The traction drive is operably connected to the motor shaft, and the traction drive is operably connected to the first and second axles. The lawn maintenance vehicle includes an implement mounted to the frame. The lawn maintenance vehicle can also include an internal combustion engine operably connected to the electric motor.

Abstract: A suspension for a tracked utility vehicle is provided. The trailing link suspension for the tracked utility vehicle has at least two trailing links. Each of said trailing links has a shock and a walking beam. The first end of the trailing link is pivotably connected to the tracked utility vehicle chassis. The second end of said trailing link is pivotably connected to the walking beam. The first end of the shock is pivotably connected to the chassis and the second end is pivotably connected to the trailing link. The walking beam has a plurality of axle mounted bogey wheels for engaging one or both of the track of said tracked utility vehicle or the track lug or guide. The shocks are independently adjustable to permit more of the tracked utility vehicle's weight to be supported at the suspension midpoint.

Abstract: A suspension for a tracked utility vehicle is provided. The trailing link suspension for the tracked utility vehicle has at least two trailing links. Each of said trailing links has a shock and a walking beam. The first end of the trailing link is pivotably connected to the tracked utility vehicle chassis. The second end of said trailing link is pivotably connected to the walking beam. The first end of the shock is pivotably connected to the chassis and the second end is pivotably connected to the trailing link. The walking beam has a plurality of axle mounted bogey wheels for engaging one or both of the track of said tracked utility vehicle or the track lug or guide. The shocks are independently adjustable to permit more of the tracked utility vehicle's weight to be supported at the suspension midpoint.

Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a track drive for outdoor power equipment including a support frame and a drive axle configured to attach to an associated drive hub. A hub bearing is mounted on the drive axle and the support frame enabling the drive axle to rotate relative to the support frame. A drive sprocket is attached to the drive axle and includes an interior half sprocket and an exterior half sprocket. The half sprockets are located on either side of the support frame. Drive teeth are spaced radially about the drive sprocket. The drive sprocket is movably engaged with an endless track to transmit force to rotate the endless track and propel the outdoor power equipment. A kit for adding or replacing a track drive of outdoor power equipment is also provided.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

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 three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a tracked vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes an interior ring, an exterior ring, and an intermediate ring situated between the interior ring and the exterior ring. The interior ring, exterior ring, and intermediate ring are oriented in a substantially spaced-apart manner, each of the rings have an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of rods is attached to the rings adjacent to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The interior, exterior, and intermediate rings have a substantially “U” or “J” shape.

Abstract: A maintenance vehicle having a frame supported by a pair of traction wheels and at least one steered wheel. The maintenance vehicle also includes a steering assembly having a pair of control levers for directly controlling a pair of transmissions that drive the traction wheels, a pair of sensors for measuring a characteristic of each transmission, the sensors being operatively connected to a system controller which generates an output signal to a steering controller for independently controlling the steering of the steered wheel(s).

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: Provided is a track drive for outdoor power equipment including a support frame and a drive axle configured to attach to an associated drive hub. A hub bearing is mounted on the drive axle and the support frame enabling the drive axle to rotate relative to the support frame. A drive sprocket is attached to the drive axle and includes an interior half sprocket and an exterior half sprocket. The half sprockets are located on either side of the support frame. Drive teeth are spaced radially about the drive sprocket. The drive sprocket is movably engaged with an endless track to transmit force to rotate the endless track and propel the outdoor power equipment. A kit for adding or replacing a track drive of outdoor power equipment is also provided.

Abstract: A replaceable mower blade for attachment to a mounting member operatively connected to a mower is provided. The blade includes a central portion having opposing side edges, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The blade also includes a tip portion extending from the central portion. The central portion includes at least one attachment mechanism for operatively connecting the blade to the mounting member.

Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame, a power source, and a plurality of steerable structures. Ground engaging members are connected to the steerable structures. An operator seating area includes a steering control and a speed control. Controllers receive input from the steering control and the speed control. Motors drive the ground engaging members at different speeds and in different directions. A controller integrates a steering input with a speed input to effect rotation of the steerable structures and effect rotation of the ground engaging members. The steering control, speed control, controllers, steerable structures, and motors are configured to work together to control the rotational speed of all of the ground engaging members based upon a steering angle input and the lateral side the ground engaging member is connected to. Other examples include braking mechanisms, adjustable track width, and a sealed tubular frame.

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 three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: A three-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to said housing, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply into the housing, and a lateral drive shaft extending rotatably attached to opposing side walls of the housing and being meshingly engaged with the longitudinal drive shaft within a gear assembly. The power supply drives the longitudinal drive shaft, thereby causing the longitudinal drive shaft to rotate, and at least a portion of such rotation is transferred to the lateral drive via a gear assembly. The first stage assembly includes a plurality of augers attached to the lateral drive shaft, wherein the first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. The second stage assembly includes at least one auger attached to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the second stage assembly pushes the snow from the first stage assembly axially rearward in a transverse manner relative to the first stage assembly.

Abstract: A replaceable mower blade for attachment to a mounting member operatively connected to a mower is provided. The blade includes a central portion having opposing side edges, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The blade also includes a tip portion extending from the central portion. The central portion includes at least one attachment mechanism for operatively connecting the blade to the mounting member.

Abstract: A replaceable mower blade assembly for attaching to a rotatable spindle, motor, or engine crankshaft is provided. The blade assembly includes a mounting member having a plurality of ends extending from a central bore that is configured to receive the spindle, motor, or engine crankshaft. Each end includes an indexing aperture and a plurality of caps. A locking mechanism is operatively connected to the mounting member, and each arm of the locking mechanism includes a pin. A cutting blade is removably attachable to each end of the mounting member and the cutting blade includes an indexing aperture and a plurality of keyhole apertures. Each pin of the locking mechanism is insertable and engageable with an indexing aperture of both the mounting member and the cutting blade for positively securing each cutting blade.