Abstract: A snow thrower engine carburetor is covered by a heater box provided with a channel through which air passes so as to be heated by the engine's muffler. The heated airstream is changed in direction as it leaves the heater box and moves towards the carburetor whereby moisture carried in the airstream is separated therefrom before the heated air reaches the carburetor.

Abstract: A snow thrower engine cover is provided with spaced interior walls to define a first space for receiving air used to cool the engine, a second space for retaining air heated by the engine's exhaust and a third space between the walls for restricting heat transfer from the second space to the interior wall which defines the first space.

Abstract: A snow thrower of compact proportions is obtained by a single piece housing which supports an engine having a vertical output shaft extending within the housing. The housing also supports a horizontally disposed auger drive shaft. A belt drive connects the engine drive shaft and the auger drive shaft via a pair of idler pulleys, one disposed at an inclined angle and the other being mounted on an idler arm pivotally mounted within the housing. The belt and idler arm pass through an opening in the housing to achieve the belt drive connection. A control member is provided to move the idler arm to tension the belt for driving the auger drive shaft or to relax the belt to interrupt the belt drive connection. In the latter condition, the belt is braked while retaining light contact between the engine and auger drive pulleys.

Abstract: A retaining member is secured to a cable at a distance from one end of the cable. The retaining member includes a plurality of fitting receivers spaced from the cable end by different distances. A fitting is provided at the cable end. By selectively engaging the fitting with the fitting retainers, the effective length of the cable can be changed over an adjustment range.

Abstract: A snow blower is provided with cutting devices which are housed within, but project beyond, a housing provided for the blower's auger. As the cutting devices engage snow during the blower's advance, the cutting devices move in a direction which tends to urge the forward portion of the blower downwardly.

Abstract: An indicator mechanism for visually displaying the full condition of a lawn mower grass collection bag, specially adapted for use on a riding lawn mower having a rear mounted bag. The indicator mechanism comprises a housing mounted to the discharge chute leading from the mower cutting deck to the collection bag, in a position visible to the driver during normal cutting operation of the mower. The housing includes a compartment in communication with the interior of the discharge duct through a suitable opening. An indicating member is hingedly disposed within the housing and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position in response to pressure variations caused by changes in the air flow within the duct. When the collection bag becomes full, high pressure within the duct forces the indicating member to its raised position, where it is visible to the driver through a window formed in the side of the housing.

Abstract: A rope guide for the recoil starter rope of a power lawn mower, said rope guide being adapted for attachment to an extruded mower handle member having a substantially C-shaped configuration without drilling, cutting or otherwise deforming the handle member. The guide comprises a tubular body portion having an inner configuration in substantial conformity with the outer configuration of the handle member and adapted to receive the handle member therewithin in close fitting, sliding relation. The body portion is attached to the handle member by means of a screw passing through a bore in the body portion, through the opening in the handle member and into a threaded plate within the handle member spanning the opening therein. An arm portion extending outwardly from the body portion includes an aperture therein for receiving and guiding the mower starter rope.

Abstract: An over center tensioning and locking control for a cable actuated mechanism includes a control bracket on which an actuating lever is pivotally mounted. The cable to be controlled is connected to said actuating lever and rides on an arcuate cam surface thereon. A spring linkage pivotally connected at one end to the bracket and at the other end to the actuating lever passes over center to lock the actuating lever in a cable tensioning position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a grass catcher for a rotary lawn mower, which catcher comprises a frame including a first frame portion defining a mouth adapted to receive grass clippings from a lawn mower and a second frame portion extending from the first frame portion and defining an area removably coverable to facilitate clippings accumulation in and discharge from the catcher, and a bag on the frame including a pair of spaced side walls extending from the first and second frame portions, a rear wall located in spaced relation from the first frame portion, extending from the second frame portion and between and connected to the side walls, an additional wall extending from the first frame portion in opposing relation to the area, extending between and connected to the side walls, and connected to the rear wall, a cover extending from the mouth and being locatable in covering relation to the area, and an elastisized member for releasably retaining the cover in covering relation to the area.

Abstract: A mulching adapter for use in a rotary lawn mower having a blade housing including a grass discharge chute through which cut grass is adapted to be discharged. A grass mulching assembly is insertable through the discharge outlet into the discharge chute for blocking the discharge chute. The grass mulching assembly includes an inner portion defining a surface facing the rotary cutting blade and forming a generally continuous surface with the blade housing interior surface.

Abstract: A two-cycle internal combustion engine includes a crankcase extending from a cylinder and supporting a horizontally extending crankshaft, a piston mounted for reciprocative movement in the cylinder along an axis generally perpendicular to the crankshaft axis, an air and/or fuel inlet on the crankcase including a flange disposed in a first plane extending generally parallel to the crankshaft axis and perpendicular to the piston axis and having a major axis extending transversely of the crankshaft axis, and a manifold having an outlet flange which is disposed in the first plane and has a major axis extending generally parallel to the major axis of the crankcase inlet flange and further having an inlet flange disposed in a second plane extending generally vertically and having a major axis which extends generally horizontally and is angularly related at a substantial angle to the major axis of the crankcase inlet flange.

Abstract: A grass collection bag which can be removably supported on a lawn mower comprises a main body portion having a first access opening which can be connected to the grass discharge outlet of the lawn mower and a second access opening which serves as an outlet through which accumulated grass clippings can be dumped from the bag. Foldable first and second end panels are joined along one edge to each other and attached to the main body portion of the bag adjacent to the second access opening. A cord member is connected to each of the end panels. The cord members are joined to effect simultaneous folding of each end panel upon itself and back along the main body portion of the bag to bring the junction of the end panels into a position overlying and closing the second access opening.

Abstract: The snow thrower includes a housing having a transversely extending discharge chute and an impeller rotatably mounted in the housing below the discharge chute and carrying a plurality of elongated, axially extending blades having a length substantially coextensive with the width of the discharge chute and a radially outwarding extending propelling section. The propelling section is in the form of a continuous series of corrugations with alternating peaks or ridges and valleys or furrows defining a plurality of generally V-shaped cups or pockets into which snow is compacted and from which snow is propelled upwardly toward the discharge chute during rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-propelled lawn mower including a blade housing, a plurality of wheels adapted for supporting the blade housing, at least one of the wheels being adapted to serve as a drive wheel, a blade mounted for rotation within the blade housing, a prime mover supported on the housing, a drive shaft mounted for rotation relative to the housing and adapted for connection to the drive wheel for driving the drive wheel, and a transmission means mounted on the blade housing. The transmission means includes a rotatable first gear drivingly connected to the prime mover, a pair of driven gears rotatably mounted in meshing engagement with the first gear and driven by the first gear in opposite directions, and means for alternatively and selectively connecting the driven gears to the drive shaft for rotatably driving the drive shaft in different rotational directions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-propelled lawn mover including apparatus selectively operable to start the mower motor and a cutter blade drive mechanism selectively connecting the motor in driving engagement with the cutter blade, the cutter blade drive mechanism being movable between a first drive mechanism position wherein the motor is drivingly engaged with the cutter blade and a second drive mechanism position wherein the motor is disengaged from the cutter blade. A wheel drive mechanism is also provided for selectively connecting the motor in driving engagement with the wheel to propel the mower. A starter interlock is provided for preventing starting of the motor unless the cutter blade drive mechanism is disengaged from the motor and the wheel drive is in a neutral position, the starter interlock operably connecting the cutter blade drive mechanism and the wheel drive to the apparatus selectively operable to start the mower motor.