With Vertically Adjustable Wheel Patents (Class 172/259)
  • Patent number: 7958943
    Abstract: A wheel mounting and height adjustment mechanism for use with a power equipment unit/implement such as a lawn mower. In one embodiment, the mechanism may include a block defining a plurality of bores, each bore to selectively receive an axle of a wheel assembly. A plate member may be provided in or near the block. The plate member may include a plurality of elongate cutouts such that a separate cutout is selectively alignable with each of the plurality of bores. When the plate member is in a disengaged position such that a first portion of each cutout is aligned with its respective bore, each cutout permits the axle to fully enter its respective bore. However, when the plate member is moved to an engaged position, each cutout may engage the axle to capture the respective wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Tommy Joe Vachal
  • Publication number: 20080230244
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for moving a scraping device are provided. The scraping device has a frame, a blade attached to the bottom of the frame, a tongue attached to a front end of the frame and a beam attached to a back end of the frame. Tires are connected to the beam. The scraping device has a front lift mechanism at the front end of the frame and/or a rear lift mechanism at the back end of the frame. The front lift mechanism has a front cylinder connected to the tongue and the front end of the frame. The rear lift mechanism has a rear cylinder attached to the back end of the frame. Movement of the front cylinder and the rear cylinder results in raising and/or lowering of the corresponding ends of the frame of the scraping device. Raising and/or lowering of the front end and/or the back end of the frame adjusts the angle of the frame relative to the ground, adjusts the angle of the blade relative to the ground and/or adjusts the ground clearance of the scraping device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 6102129
    Abstract: A turf aerator is provided with two separate shafts, each having a plurality of tines mounted thereon for aerating the turf. Each shaft is selectively connected to an output shaft of a motor mounted on the frame of the aerator by two separate drive trains, each having a clutch arrangement therein. A pair of control levers are mounted on a handle assembly for operating the clutches in each drive train. Thus either or both of the tine carrying shafts may be rotated to facilitate a turning operation of the aerator or facilitating the operation of the aerator while traversing a sloping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Classen Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Classen
  • Patent number: 5477928
    Abstract: The invention provides extension links for lawn maintenance equipment to move the front axle forward and allow oversize wheels to be used, increasing flotation capability for soft soil while maintaining the height adjustability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Forgrave
  • Patent number: 5398768
    Abstract: An aerator includes a frame supported on a pair of forward drive wheels and a pair of rearward caster wheels. An aerator head is mounted on a pivot frame on the forward end of the aerator frame, pivotable to move the aerator head from a disengaged position above the ground, downwardly to an engaged position wherein tines on the aerator head work the soil. The pivot frame includes a forwardly projecting arm upon which the aerator head is mounted, and a rearwardly projecting arm upon which the forward wheels of the frame are mounted, such that movement of the pivot frame will engage either the forward wheels of the frame or the aerator head with the ground. The aerator head is mounted forwardly of the forward end of the frame such that the tines on the aerator head form the forward most part of the aerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Clarke H. Staples
  • Patent number: 5129463
    Abstract: A large tillage implement provided with hinging wing sections is adapted for end towing rather than wing-up folding transport. The hitch which is normally centered at the front of the machine may be swung into a folded condition parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame and overlying the front portion thereof to project the hitch coupling to the vehicle outwardly beyond the end of the frame. A front row of tillage shanks can be selectively raised or lowered as desired while leaving the rear row of shanks at their normal elevations for ground working, and a special frame design enables the rear ground wheels of the frame to be position in close fore-and-aft proximity to the rear tillage shanks to provide more uniform depth of penetration of the shanks as rises and falls in the ground terrain are encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Barry L. Handy
  • Patent number: 4286671
    Abstract: A rotary tiller plow attachment kit for converting into a plow a rotary tiller of the type having a frame, a pair of handle bars extending rearwardly therefrom, and a horizontal power driven axle on which a pair of cleated pull wheels may be mounted. The kit comprises a plow attachment assembly detachably mountable on the front portion of the rotary tiller frame, and a height adjusting control mounted on one of the handle bars of the rotary tiller for selectively adjusting the height of the plow attachment. Since the height adjusting control is located on the handle bars, the height of the plow attachment assembly may be conveniently adjusted by the user while the pull wheels are in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: James A. Mays
  • Patent number: 4220209
    Abstract: The application discloses a multi-row plow adapted to be towed behind a small walking tractor. The plow comprises a draft frame having a pivotal attachment to the tractor and a tool frame. At the rear of the tool frame there is a ground engaging wheel. Apparatus is provided to change the elevation of the wheel relative to the draft frame, thereby to adjust the elevation of the rear end of the draft frame. Linkage causes the forward end of the tool frame to be raised when the rear end of the draft frame is raised, and vice versa. The foregoing provides a simple and labor-saving way of removing the tool from the ground at the end of the row for turning the apparatus around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Inventor: William W. Carter
  • Patent number: 3986573
    Abstract: A hand guided, motor driven, utility tractor having a single drive wheel which is rotatably mounted on a frame approximately 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of the frame away from its front end and which is driven by an engine mounted on the frame forward of the drive wheel. A beam is adjustably mounted on the frame to the rear of the drive wheel for attaching plows, discs or a variety of other devices for planting, tilling, smoothing or otherwise modifying land in the path of the drive wheel. A stabilizer wheel, preferably with a cutter portion adapted to penetrate the soil, is adjustably mounted on the frame forward of the drive wheel and disposed forward and below the engine. A hand control lever is mounted on a handle structure extending upwardly and rearwardly from the frame and simultaneously raises, or lowers, the tool attachment beam and the stabilizer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Inventors: Robert C. Alderson, Robert H. Alderson
  • Patent number: RE32467
    Abstract: A rotary tiller plow attachment kit for converting into a plow a rotary tiller of the type having a frame, a pair of handle bars extending rearwardly therefrom, and a horizontal power driven axle on which a pair of cleated pull wheels may be mounted. The kit comprises a plow attachment assembly detachably mountable on the front portion of the rotary tiller frame, and a height adjusting control mounted on one of the handle bars of the rotary tiller for selectively adjusting the height of the plow attachment. Since the height adjusting control is located on the handle bars, the height of the plow attachment assembly may be conveniently adjusted by the user while the pull wheels are in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: James A. Mays