Abstract: A system for controlling a grass cutting reel assembly of a turf-care vehicle. The system includes: a reel cylinder motor operable to rotate a reel cylinder of a grass cutting reel assembly of a turf-care vehicle at a desired rotational rate of speed to provide a controllable frequency of clip for the reel assembly; an automated height of cut control system operable to control a position of a front roller of the reel assembly to provide a controllable height of cut for the reel assembly; and a controller system operable to control the reel cylinder motor and the height of cut control system to provide a particular frequency of clip and a particular height of cut stipulated by one of a plurality of cutting scenarios programmed into the controller system and selected via a user interface of the controller system that is accessible by an operator onboard the turf-care vehicle.

Abstract: A grass mower comprising a power generator, a blade reel, a drive drum, and a power split device. The split power device can include a single power input shaft, a reel output shaft, a drum output shaft, and at least one continuously variable transmission hub operably connecting the reel output shaft and/or the drum output shaft to the power input shaft such that torque and rotational speed delivered by the power input shaft is transferrable to the reel and/or drum output shafts at any infinitely variable ratio. The power split device structured and operable to transfer the torque and rotational speed delivered by the power input shaft to both the reel and drum output shafts such that a rotational speed of the blade reel and a rotational speed of the drive drum are both generated from the power delivered by the power input shaft and are both independently controlled.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing debris collected and retained on a radiator air intake screen of a turf-care vehicle hood by an airflow flowing through the air intake screen into a radiator of the turf-care vehicle. In various embodiments, the system comprises an airflow interruption device mountable to the radiator of the turf-care vehicle under the hood of the vehicle. The airflow interruption device is structured and operable to be selectively translatable between an Open position and Closed position to thereby selectively interrupt the airflow flowing through the air intake screen and into the radiator. The system additionally includes a control system comprising an actuator and an actuator controller that are structured and operable to selectively translate the airflow interruption device between the Open and Closed positions.

Abstract: A system for controlling a grass cutting reel assembly of a turf-care vehicle. The system includes: a reel cylinder motor operable to rotate a reel cylinder of a grass cutting reel assembly of a turf-care vehicle at a desired rotational rate of speed to provide a controllable frequency of clip for the reel assembly; an automated height of cut control system operable to control a position of a front roller of the reel assembly to provide a controllable height of cut for the reel assembly; and a controller system operable to control the reel cylinder motor and the height of cut control system to provide a particular frequency of clip and a particular height of cut stipulated by one of a plurality of cutting scenarios programmed into the controller system and selected via a user interface of the controller system that is accessible by an operator onboard the turf-care vehicle.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a multi-piece bedbar assembly for cylinder mower. The multi-piece bedbar assembly generally includes a bedbar comprising an elongated metal structure having a back, a bottom, and a face disposed between the back and the bottom. The bedbar assembly additionally includes a pair of adjustment arms that are separate and distinct from the bedbar and are connectable to the bedbar back.

Abstract: A differential mechanism with offset, self-aligning spherical side gears and wider side gear separation to provide differential mechanism that is less expensive and easier to assemble. The differential mechanism includes a centerpoint of one surface or gear that is offset from a centerpoint of the chamber or casing along an axle centerline in a direction away from an opposing surface or gear.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing. A first side gear and a second side gear are substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from one other, each of the side gears being supported by the differential housing for relative rotation therebetween and being adapted to engage an axle half-shaft. A clutch pack is mounted between and interconnects the differential housing and the first side gear. A ball screw assembly is adapted to selectively apply axial force to the clutch pack, thereby locking the first side gear to the differential housing and preventing relative rotational movement of the first side gear and the differential housing.

Abstract: A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines includes a first output shaft that is connected to the powertrain of the vehicle and is adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline, and a transfer clutch is adapted to transfer drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. A ball screw assembly is adapted to actuate the transfer clutch.

Abstract: A differential axle assembly includes an axle housing having a pair of opposed openings. A differential gear set includes a pair of side gears. Each of the side gears are supported within one of the opposed openings. A plurality of pinion gears engage the side gears. A hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing and a pinion shaft is supported by the hypoid ring gear. The pinion shaft supports the pinion gears in engagement with the side gears. The hypoid ring gear includes a cylindrical inner diameter having a pair of axially spaced inwardly facing annular surfaces and the axle housing includes a pair of axially spaced outwardly facing annular surfaces. The hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing by a pair of roller bearings positioned between the annular surfaces.

Abstract: An axle differential assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing and a central shaft rotatably mounted within the differential housing. The central shaft has opposing first and second ends, includes a ring gear mounted thereon, and defines a central axis of the axle differential assembly. A pair clutch packs are mounted to each end of the central shaft. Each of the clutch packs is adapted to connect to an end of an axle half shaft and is adapted to selectively transfer rotational motion from the central shaft, across the clutch packs, and to the axle half shafts. A pair of actuators are adapte to exert an axial force onto the clutch packs.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly including a differential housing and a ring gear mounted externally to the differential housing by a clamp. The differential housing and the ring gear each include an annular flange extending therefrom and the clamp includes a pocket which is adapted to receive the annular flanges therein. In another aspect, the flanges include opposing angled surfaces and the pocket includes opposing angled sides, whereby when the clamp is placed to the flanges, the angled surfaces of the flanges engage the angled sides of the clamp such that the clamp provides an axial clamping force to the flanges.

Abstract: A differential assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing and a differential gear assembly mounted within the differential housing. A connector plate is adapted to connect to a drive shaft of the vehicle and a clutch pack is mounted within the differential housing that interconnects the differential gear assembly and the connector plate. A ball screw assembly is adapted to selectively apply axial force to the clutch pack, thereby engaging the connector plate and the differential gear assembly such that rotational movement of the connector plate is transferred through the clutch pack to the differential gear assembly.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly including a differential housing, a pair of side gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other supported by the differential housing and engaging an axle half-shaft, and a plurality of pinion gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other. The pinion gears engage the side gears and include an outwardly facing first side and an inwardly facing second side. A ring gear is mounted externally to the differential housing and includes features which engage the first sides of the pinion gears to support the pinion gears within the differential gear assembly while allowing rotational movement of the pinion gears.

Abstract: An axle differential assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing and a central shaft rotatably mounted within the differential housing. The central shaft has opposing first and second ends, includes a ring gear mounted thereon, and defines a central axis of the axle differential assembly. A pair of clutch packs are mounted to each end of the central shaft. Each of the clutch packs is adapted to connect to an end of an axle half shaft and is adapted to selectively transfer rotational motion from the central shaft, across the clutch packs, and to the axle half shafts. A pair of actuators are adapted to exert an axial force onto the clutch packs.

Abstract: A differential assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing and a differential gear assembly mounted within the differential housing. A connector plate is adapted to connect to a drive shaft of the vehicle and a clutch pack is mounted within the differential housing that interconnects the differential gear assembly and the connector plate. A ball screw assembly is adapted to selectively apply axial force to the clutch pack, thereby engaging the connector plate and the differential gear assembly such that rotational movement of the connector plate is transferred through the clutch pack to the differential gear assembly.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a differential housing. A first side gear and a second side gear are substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from one other, each of the side gears being supported by the differential housing for relative rotation therebetween and being adapted to engage an axle half-shaft. A clutch pack is mounted between and interconnects the differential housing and the first side gear. A ball screw assembly is adapted to selectively apply axial force to the clutch pack, thereby locking the first side gear to the differential housing and preventing relative rotational movement of the first side gear and the differential housing.

Abstract: A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines includes a first output shaft that is connected to the powertrain of the vehicle and is adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline, and a transfer clutch is adapted to transfer drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. A ball screw assembly is adapted to actuate the transfer clutch.

Abstract: A differential axle assembly includes an axle housing having a pair of opposed openings. A differential gear set includes a pair of side gears. Each of the side gears are supported within one of the opposed openings A plurality of pinion gears engage the side gears. A hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing and a pinion shaft is supported by the hypoid ring gear. The pinion shaft supports the pinion gears in engagement with the side gears. The hypoid ring gear includes a cylindrical inner diameter having a pair of axially spaced inwardly facing annular surfaces and the axle housing includes a pair of axially spaced outwardly facing annular surfaces. The hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing by a pair of roller bearings positioned between the annular surfaces.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly including a differential housing and a ring gear mounted externally to the differential housing by a clamp. The differential housing and the ring gear each include an annular flange extending therefrom and the clamp includes a pocket which is adapted to receive the annular flanges therein. In another aspect, the flanges include opposing angled surfaces and the pocket includes opposing angled sides, whereby when the clamp is placed to the flanges, the angled surfaces of the flanges engage the angled sides of the clamp such that the clamp provides an axial clamping force to the flanges.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly including a differential housing, a pair of side gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other supported by the differential housing and engaging an axle half-shaft, and a plurality of pinion gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other. The pinion gears engage the side gears and include an outwardly facing first side and an inwardly facing second side. A ring gear is mounted externally to the differential housing and includes features which engage the first sides of the pinion gears to support the pinion gears within the differential gear assembly while allowing rotational movement of the pinion gears.