Abstract: Jacking apparatus for use with ground maintenance vehicles and methods of using such apparatus are provided. In general, the jacking apparatus includes a jacking member which may pivotally couple to the frame of the vehicle. The jacking member is preferably positionable in a stored position, a jacking position, or a jacked position wherein the stored and jacking positions correspond to the vehicle being in an operating configuration while the jacked position corresponds to the vehicle being in an elevated, maintenance configuration. During operation, the driving power of the vehicle may be used to propel the vehicle up and onto the jacking member, thereby elevating a first portion of the vehicle relative to a second portion. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a latching device to permit latching of the jacking member in both the stored position and the jacked position.

Abstract: Jacking apparatus for use with ground maintenance vehicles and methods of using such apparatus. In general, the jacking apparatus includes a jacking member which may pivotally couple to the frame of the vehicle. The jacking member is preferably positionable in a stored position, a jacking position, or a jacked position wherein the stored and jacking positions correspond to the vehicle being in an operating configuration while the jacked position corresponds to the vehicle being in an elevated, maintenance configuration. During operation, the driving power of the vehicle may be used to propel the vehicle up and onto the jacking member, thereby elevating a first portion of the vehicle relative to a second portion. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a latching device to permit latching of the jacking member in both the stored position and the jacked position.

Abstract: Jacking apparatus for use with ground maintenance vehicles and methods of using such apparatus are provided. In general, the jacking apparatus includes a jacking member which may pivotally couple to the frame of the vehicle. The jacking member is preferably positionable in a stored position, a jacking position, or a jacked position wherein the stored and jacking positions correspond to the vehicle being in an operating configuration while the jacked position corresponds to the vehicle being in an elevated, maintenance configuration. During operation, the driving power of the vehicle may be used to propel the vehicle up and onto the jacking member, thereby elevating a first portion of the vehicle relative to a second portion. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a latching device to permit latching of the jacking member in both the stored position and the jacked position.

Abstract: Jacking apparatus for use with ground maintenance vehicles and methods of using such apparatus are provided. In general, the jacking apparatus includes a jacking member which may pivotally couple to the frame of the vehicle. The jacking member is preferably positionable in a stored position, a jacking position, or a jacked position wherein the stored and jacking positions correspond to the vehicle being in an operating configuration while the jacked position corresponds to the vehicle being in an elevated, maintenance configuration. During operation, the driving power of the vehicle may be used to propel the vehicle up and onto the jacking member, thereby elevating a first portion of the vehicle relative to a second portion. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a latching device to permit latching of the jacking member in both the stored position and the jacked position.

Abstract: A snowthrower (20) including an improved impeller (50) which has an "open center" configuration and which is substantially made from a single piece of plastic. Impeller (50) includes a pair of curved blades (60) which are supported, braced and stiffened by a plurality of "spiders" (62, 64, 66, 68, 72, 74, 76 and 78) which form recesses for receiving a shaft (42) which spans between the side walls (36) of the snowthrower housing (22). Curved blades (60) of impeller (50) extend transversely between a pair of somewhat circular plates (52, 54). Plates (52, 54) preferably include teeth (54b, 54c, 52b, 52c) which help to break up snow and ice and assist in propelling snowthrower (20).

Abstract: An electrical appliance (10) including a motor assembly (12) and a switch assembly (14). A handle assembly (16) spans between the motor and switch assemblies (12 and 14, respectively). Lower handle (16a) includes a free end (22a) and upper handle (16b) includes a free end (22b). The free ends (22) form notches (26) which receive a wire (18) conductively coupling motor assembly (12) to switch assembly (14). Notches (26) allow for a shorter length of wire (18) and prevent abrasion and excessive bending of wire (18) during packaging and shipment.

Abstract: An improved vegetation cutting device (2) comprises a rotatable cutting head (4) having a radially outwardly extending cutting line (14). Cutting line (14) extends through an exit aperture (12) in the cutting head (4) to define a free end portion (16) that serves as the vegetation cutting element. A line retaining member (20) is defined by a crimped tube (22) which distorts the cutting line (14) out of its straight line path as the cutting line (14) extends from the interior of the cutting head (4) to the exit aperture (12). This distortion causes the line (14) to rub against the tube (22) to exert a frictional retaining force sufficiently large to prevent the line (14) from sucking back into the cutting head (4) should it break off at the exit aperture (12).