Abstract: A PTO switch for the attachment drive of a lawn and garden tractor includes a solenoid activated detent to retain the normally off switch in an on position. The switch includes an interlock override position for permitting a function such as mow in reverse. An interlock circuit interrupts drive to the attachment under certain conditions. Once drive is interrupted for any reason, the solenoid deactivates and the switch is moved to the off position so that PTO switch position corresponds to attachment drive condition, even when the drive is interrupted by means other than movement of the switch.

Abstract: A removable shaft assembly having a drive shaft with internal splines defined therein and an output shaft positioned within the drive shaft and having a first set of external splines defined thereon adapted to engage the internal splines of the drive shaft is disclosed. The assembly further includes a cap axially aligned with the drive shaft having internal splines defined thereon which are adapted to prevent an axial movement of the output shaft relative to the drive shaft when the cap is in a first position and hallow axial movement of the output shaft relative to the drive shaft when the cap is in a second position. The output shaft may be removed from the drive shaft when the cap is placed in the first position by axially sliding the first set of external splines through the internal splines of the cap. A method of operating a removable shaft assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism that interconnects the service brakes of a hydrostatically driven tractor with the hydrostatic pump to more effectively slow or stop the tractor, particularly when towing a trailer, is disclosed. The service brakes are connected to a control servo on the hydrostatic pump such that actuation of the service brakes will destroke the pump, eliminating or reducing the torque of the pump as a factor to be overcome in slowing or stopping movement of the tractor. Both mechanical and electronic versions of the mechanism are disclosed.

Abstract: A tractor having a mid-mount type mower includes a pair of frames extending in a fore and aft direction, and a transmission case extending and supported between the pair of frames. The transmission case houses a power take off clutch disposed above a rear wheel differential. A change speed gearing mechanism is disposed between a front surface of the transmission case and the rear wheel differential. With such an arrangement of the components, the transmission case has a reduced length in the fore and aft direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) couplable to a tractor (3) and drivable from the tractor (3) and having at least one consumer (10, 12) supplied with electrical energy. In order to ensure operational reliability of the electrical consumers (10, 12) of the agricultural machine (1) despite increasing demands, it is proposed according to the invention that, for power supply, the agricultural machine (1) comprises its own on-board electrical system (17) having at least one energy generator (13) and/or energy storage mechanism (15) of its own.

Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle that resembles a riding lawnmower or tractor. The vehicle includes a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor, and a frame that is adapted to support a child. The ride-on further includes a bubble-producing mechanism adapted to produce a stream of bubbles.

Abstract: A tractor having a mid-mount type mower includes a pair of frames extending in a fore and aft direction, and a transmission case extending and supported between the pair of frames. The transmission case houses a power take off clutch disposed above a rear wheel differential. A change speed gearing mechanism is disposed between a front surface of the transmission case and the rear wheel differential With such an arrangement of the components, the transmission case has a reduced length in the fore and aft direction.

Abstract: A power take-off casing (47) including therein a rear-PTO shaft (12) and a transmission mechanism (50) therefor is mounted on an outer surface of a rear wall (3c) of the transmission casing (3) disposed between left and right rear wheels (4) which constitute drive wheels for a working vehicle, and a gear (52) constituting an input member of the transmission mechanism is operatively connected to a drive mechanism (46) for a mid-PTO shaft (9) which extends forwardly from the inside of transmission casing through a front wall (3a) thereof. A clutch (60) for selectively cutting-off the drive of the rear-PTO shaft is provided preferably such that it couples the gear selectively to a drive gear (58) which is rotatably mounted on the mid-PTO shaft. In a working vehicle in which a transmission casing is disposed between left and right front wheels constituting the drive wheels for the vehicle, a power take-off casing having a front-PTO shaft is mounted on an outer surface of a front wall of the transmission casing.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a transmission through which an engine can deliver torque to an axle to propel the vehicle and a transfer case associated with the transmission for operating auxiliary equipment. A system for engaging and disengaging the axle from the transmission and for engaging and disengaging the auxiliary equipment contains a first solenoid (20) that operates to a first state when the vehicle is to be propelled and to a second state when the auxiliary equipment is to be operated and a second solenoid (22) that is selectively operable to a first state that causes the auxiliary equipment to be disengaged from the transmission and to a second state that causes the auxiliary equipment to be engaged with the transmission through the transfer case.

Abstract: A splitter gearbox for a four wheel drive, hydrostatically driven tractor integrates both the input drive train and the output drive train into a single gearbox. The splitter gearbox is mounted to the rear axle housing to allow the sharing of a common oil sump. The front and rear axles of the tractor are driven from a single hydrostatic motor associated with a gear drive system that provides a shaft extending forwardly and rearwardly out of the splitter gearbox to drive, respectively, the front and rear axles of the tractor. An auxiliary pump drive is mounted to the side of the splitter gearbox and driven from an idler gear appropriately positioned within the splitter gearbox.

Abstract: A splitter gearbox for a four wheel drive, hydrostatically driven tractor integrates both the input drive train and the output drive train into a single gearbox. The drive mechanism eliminates the need for a separate mechanical gearbox by establishing pre-set fixed displacement settings that are electronically controlled along with the variable displacement of the hydrostatic motor and hydrostatic pump, to provide a smooth power shift through all ranges without requiring the tractor to stop. The drive mechanism is configured so that essentially all components are individually controlled so that the entire power generated by the tractor engine can be diverted to any one of the traction drive, the PTO mechanism, the auxiliary hydraulic drive or, to a somewhat lesser extent, the tractor hydraulic system. The splitter gearbox is mounted to the rear axle housing to allow the sharing of a common oil sump.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling a power takeoff (PTO) shaft of a work vehicle (e.g., a tractor). The work vehicle includes an engine and an operator station, and the PTO shaft transfers power from the engine to an implement. The control system includes a remote switch, a vehicle speed sensor, and a control circuit. The remote switch is located remotely from the operator station and provides a remote switch signal to the control circuit to engage and disengage rotational movement of the PTO shaft. The vehicle speed sensor provides a vehicle speed signal to the control circuit representative of a speed of the work vehicle. The control circuit receives the remote switch signal and the vehicle speed signal and, when the vehicle speed signal exceeds a predetermined vehicle speed, the control circuit prevents engagement and disengagement of the PTO shaft with the remote switch.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling a power takeoff (PTO) shaft of a work vehicle (e.g., a tractor). The work vehicle includes an engine and an operator station, and the PTO shaft transfers power from the engine to an implement. The control system includes a remote switch, a vehicle speed sensor, and a control circuit. The remote switch is located remotely from the operator station and provides a remote switch signal to the control circuit to engage and disengage rotational movement of the PTO shaft. The vehicle speed sensor provides a vehicle speed signal to the control circuit representative of a speed of the work vehicle. The control circuit receives the remote switch signal and the vehicle speed signal and, when the vehicle speed signal exceeds a predetermined vehicle speed, the control circuit prevents engagement and disengagement of the PTO shaft with the remote switch.