By Means For Reversing Drive Patents (Class 56/11.2)
  • Patent number: 11596105
    Abstract: A drive system for an agricultural baler that includes a power take off (PTO) shaft configured for being operably connected in between an agricultural vehicle and the agricultural baler and for supplying motive power to the agricultural baler, a gearbox configured for being mounted on the agricultural baler and connected to the PTO shaft for receiving motive power from the PTO shaft, a pickup drive shaft operably connected to the gearbox and configured for being operably connected to a reel of a pickup unit of the agricultural baler, at least one sensor associated with the pickup drive shaft and configured for sensing a rotational movement of the pickup drive shaft, and an electrical processing circuit operably connected to the at least one sensor. The electrical processing circuit is configured for disconnecting motive power to the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: John R. McClure
  • Patent number: 11589514
    Abstract: A pickup unit of an agricultural baler that includes a reel with a plurality of tines configured for lifting a crop material from a field, the reel is rotatable in an operating direction and a reverse direction, and a drive system configured for driving the reel. The drive system includes a gearbox configured for receiving motive power from a power take off (PTO) shaft, a drive shaft operably connected to the gearbox, and a first clutch connected to the drive shaft. The first clutch is configured for operably disconnecting motive power to the reel so that the reel is manually rotatable as the PTO shaft remains operably engaged with the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar K. Singh, John R. McClure
  • Patent number: 11350570
    Abstract: A sugarcane harvester comprises a frame, a knockdown roller, and a telescopic roller support mounted to the frame and to which the knockdown roller is mounted. The roller support is configured to telescope to cause linear movement of the knockdown roller relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kent M. Almeida, Michael L. Halbrook, Eric P. Richard, Eric L. Baker
  • Patent number: 11297764
    Abstract: A drive on an all wheel drive mower/slasher having on each side an assembly comprises appropriate brackets and fittings, axles, chains and tensioners where the worm gear output carries a forward direction spur gear and then extends to clutch. The clutch has an output gear and a forward chain travelling over a chain gear on reversible shaft, the reversible shaft is journaled in bearings. Chain gears and deliver drive to the wheel chain gears via respective chains. The spur gear is in mesh with a same sized gear so that when clutch 31 is disengaged and clutch engaged the wheels on one side are set forward. The brake clutches are disengaged. Chain and belt tensioners are provided in the usual way. The pulley has fan blades set above the pulley and the pulley has fan blades set below. Brakes are engaged on the turn side for skid steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Sam Milich
  • Patent number: 10945372
    Abstract: A feeding device for a flexible canvas or draper harvester characterized by upper beam (8) linked to a lower front beam (10) and joined by side covers (11) forming a frame, integral with a lateral stud supports (12) and a central stud supports (13) associated with a central lower beam (9) cut into three sections; the central stud supports (13) are integral with the anchors of the coupling device (15) and with the flexible body supports (14); the central stud supports (13) and lateral stud supports (12) are linked to the conveyor belts with flexible canvases (3, 4, 5 and 6), forming a central body and two laterals with space to accommodate a double row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Metal Noet S.R.L.
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Piersanti
  • Patent number: 10806092
    Abstract: A baling system including a working component, where the working component has at least one of a pickup assembly, a rotor assembly, or a lifter assembly, a frame supporting the working component, a first drive system configured to drive the working component, a second drive system configured to drive the working component, and a remote controller configured to selectively control the operation of the second drive system when the first drive system is operatively disengaged from the working component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric M. Thies, Gerald Shook, Tyler J. Brown
  • Patent number: 10292329
    Abstract: A sugarcane harvester comprises a frame, a knockdown roller, and a telescopic roller support mounted to the frame and to which the knockdown roller is mounted. The roller support is configured to telescope to cause linear movement of the knockdown roller relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kent M. Almeida, Michael L. Halbrook, Eric P. Richard, Eric L. Baker
  • Patent number: 10130036
    Abstract: A sugar cane harvester including a chassis for power directional movement across a field with a row dividing assembly feeding a base cutter that severs sugar cane stalks for delivery to a feed system. A rotor assembly is provided between the base cutter and the feed assembly with the rotor assembly being powered for rotation about an axis at right angles to the flow of sugar cane stalks through the harvester. The rotor assembly includes a pair of cylinders powered by a hydraulic motor with the cylinders having axially extending ribs and radially extending fingers for moving sugar cane in a downstream direction. The rotor assembly is connected to the harvester chassis by a linkage and supported by an actuator which is controlled by a hydraulic system to maintain a uniform and preselected downward pressure on sugar cane stalks as they move in a downstream direction through the harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mauro Barretto, Algirdas Butkevicius, Jr., Andre Peres, Jose Veiga Leal, Jair Kamphorst
  • Patent number: 9301437
    Abstract: A hedgerow cutter for cutting a hedgerow having a root mass, stalks, branches and foliage, into smaller hedgerow segments is formed of a frame, having a vertically oriented centerline, adapted for attachment to a powered vehicle sized and configured to travel alongside, and parallel to a hedgerow, a root cutting spade assembly sized to be driven down and through the root mass of the hedgerow to cut and thereby separate a segment of the hedgerow root mass from the hedgerow and an elongated hedge cutter assembly, for cutting through the hedgerow stalks, branches and foliage, said hedge cutter assembly attached to the upper portion of the spade assembly and oriented to extend generally upwardly and means for extending the root cutting spade assembly outwardly and downwardly away from the centerline and into the hedgerow root mass to separate the root mass of the hedgerow segment from the hedgerow and extending the hedge cutter assembly into the stalks, branches and foliage of the hedgerow to separate the hedgero
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Bongers, Gerrit Massink
  • Publication number: 20140290200
    Abstract: A system and method of operation of a draper header of an agricultural work machine during a deslugging or clean out operation and after resumption of normal crop processing. During the deslugging or clean out operation, a feed draper is reversed or paused and the at least one side draper is paused. The method includes automatically resuming operation of the feed draper and at least one side draper in a graduated progression for more efficient clearing of the slug or blockage of crop material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Trowbridge, Andrew R. Wilbert
  • Publication number: 20140165525
    Abstract: A motor drive device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operation switch, a control unit, an adjusting unit, and a normal/reverse changeover switch. The control unit is configured, in a case where the operation switch is in an on state, to control a current flowing to the motor based on a control target value adjusted by the adjusting unit when a rotational direction of a motor is set to a normal direction by the normal/reverse changeover switch; and to control the current flowing to the motor based on a preset fixed reverse rotation control target value used to reversely rotate the motor, regardless of the control target value set by the adjusting unit, when the rotational direction is set to a reverse direction by the normal/reverse changeover switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chisako NAGATA
  • Patent number: 8554424
    Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a chopping arrangement and a reworking device downstream from the chopping arrangement. The reworking device having two rolls between which the harvested crop chopped by the chopping mechanism can be passed through and whose spacing and/or compressive force is adjustable by a unit that is actuated by an external force and is connected with a control device. The control device is acted upon by information with regard to the cut length of the chopping arrangement and directs the unit as a function of the cut length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Georg Kormann, Karl Josef Willeke
  • Publication number: 20130019580
    Abstract: A bidirectional material source vehicle including a base unit and at least one material gathering device. The base unit is movable in a first travel direction and a generally opposite second travel direction. The at least one material gathering device is carried by the base unit. The at least one material gathering device is positioned at a first end of the base unit when the base unit is traveling in the first travel direction, and is positioned at a second end of the base unit when the base unit is traveling in the second travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Alan D. Sheidler
  • Patent number: 8235151
    Abstract: A return to neutral control mechanism for a zero turning radius mower is disclosed. The return to neutral control mechanism includes a pair of control levers pivotable between forward, neutral and reverse positions. A brake pedal is moveable between a disengaged position to an engaged position. In response to engagement of the brake pedal, a control pivot attached to each control lever moves each control lever to the neutral position. The return to neutral control mechanism may include a cam that rotates in response to engagement of the brake pedal, and a control pivot that follows the cam during engagement of the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Dimitri Nunez, Franklin Patrick Lewis, Damon C. Green, Brad A. Hoffman, John W. Wall, Michael David, Curtis Ayers, Thomas G. Bartlett, William B. Lambeth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8186136
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a draper cutting platform, and a traction unit carrying the draper cutting platform. The traction unit includes an operator station and a hydro handle within the operator station. The hydro handle includes a reverse shuttle switch which is manually actuatable by an operator to selectively reverse a travel direction of at least one movable component on the cutting platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bronson C. Eick, Thomas D. Bebemes
  • Patent number: 7942599
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises a coupling for connecting a shaft to a driving element mounted for rotation about the shaft. The coupling provides a torque path between the shaft and the driving element which passes through both a lost motion connection and a shear bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Adrianus Naaktgeboren
  • Publication number: 20100251682
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a draper cutting platform, and a traction unit carrying the draper cutting platform. The traction unit includes an operator station and a hydro handle within the operator station. The hydro handle includes a reverse shuttle switch which is manually actuatable by an operator to selectively reverse a travel direction of at least one movable component on the cutting platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Bronson C. Eick, Thomas D. Bebemes
  • Patent number: 7677169
    Abstract: A cotton module building apparatus, utilizing imaging apparatus operable for capturing real-time images of the module building process, including accumulated cotton in the module building chamber, cotton inflow, and the in-process cotton module, and a method for building a cotton module using the images. The imaging apparatus includes a camera or cameras disposed at advantageous locations about the module building chamber, and cotton is distributed and moved within the chamber responsive to the images, for advantageous placement and distribution for forming a module having a desired consistency and top shape. Imaging apparatus can also be provided for observing unloading of a module from the chamber, and for facilitating maneuvering and positioning the unloading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, George H. Hale, Jimmy Ray Hargett
  • Patent number: 7640718
    Abstract: An attachment for agricultural harvesting machines for cutting, picking up and further conveying of stalk-like goods that flow into an intake gap of an intake housing of the harvesting machine for further processing, having in each case at least two cutting and conveying elements, which are spaced apart on both sides of a vertical longitudinal center plane and are driven rotationally about vertical axes, wherein the rotational direction of at least one cutting and conveying element can be changed independently of the other cutting and conveying elements of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Claas Saulgau GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Altepost, Hans Rauch
  • Patent number: 7523795
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 7520806
    Abstract: A deslugging method and system for an agricultural combine, providing several semi- and fully automated operating modes or routines for removing or dislodging a slug of crop and/or other material from the threshing system and/or a feeder of the combine for conveying crop material to the threshing system. The routines can include reciprocating, agitating and jogging routines, which can be automatically altered during execution responsive to sensed or changing conditions, as processed by a suitable filter such as a simplified Kalman type signal filter, for generating a real time estimation and prediction of the various states of the threshing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John E. Bundy, John G. Brome, Yun-Ren Ho, Richard E. McMillen
  • Patent number: 7520113
    Abstract: A reverse drive engaging mechanism for a feeder of an agricultural combine, including a power unit including a drive motor having an output gear drivingly rotatable by the motor about an output axis therethrough, and support structure supporting the power unit and configured to be fixedly mounted proximate to a drive gear of a mechanism to be reversed. The support structure supports the power unit such that when the support structure is mounted the output axis will be substantially parallel to a drive axis about which the drive gear is rotatable, and the support structure allows the power unit to be moved substantially linearly in a transverse direction relative to the axes between a disengaged position wherein the output gear is disengaged from the drive gear, and an engaged position wherein the output gear is engaged with the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Orlin W. Johnson, Guy N. Thedford, George R. Vater
  • Publication number: 20080163596
    Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.,
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 7275357
    Abstract: A control and method for a cotton module building program for an on-board cotton module builder of a cotton harvester, which utilizes a signal or output from a yield monitor as a factor in determining and varying cotton module building parameters, which can include auger direction and duration of operation, compactor positions and compacting strokes for best compacting a cotton module under the yield conditions. A module complete signal which can be a visual or audio signal, can be outputted when the yield monitor detects a predetermined cotton module weight, for signaling approach of a required unloading of a cotton module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Jesse H. Orsborn, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 6925788
    Abstract: A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bradley D. Nelson, William A. Hood, Ryan G. Walker
  • Patent number: 6722112
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for engaging and disengaging the reverse operation of a feederhouse of a harvesting apparatus. The mechanism solves the problem of accurate engagement between the shift collar or driving element and the reverse gear, teeth or splines and the forward gear, teeth or splines of the feederhouse transmission. The mechanism comprises an actuator, electrically controlled, which loads or compresses a spring, wherein the spring exerts a shifting force on a shift shaft or shift fork of the gearbox which automatically moves the shift collar or driving element of the transmission into either a forward or reverse drive position when the gear, teeth of splines of the shift collar is aligned or meshed with the gear, teeth or splines of either the reverse or forward drive of the feederhouse transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Johann H. Pierce, Joseph A. Teijido, Dennis M. Roe
  • Patent number: 6681552
    Abstract: A reverser which, in a preferred embodiment, has a hydraulic cylinder supported by a chopper baler frame. The opposite end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to the reverser driver. When activated by hydraulics on a tractor, the hydraulics will extend the cylinder, causing the sprockets to be disengaged. Further extension of the cylinder will cause the reverser driver to engage the reverser sprocket and turn the rotor backwards slightly. After full extension, the cylinder will then be retracted. This process can be repeated a couple of times in order to remove the blockage. The reverser enables the operator to restore the baler to its working condition from the tractor seat. Being able to disengage the rotor from the rest of the machine enables the bale to be wrapped if a major blockage occurs. Also a controlled reversing motion is beneficial, so over-reversing does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bradley D. Nelson, William A. Hood, Ryan G. Walker
  • Patent number: 6651412
    Abstract: A drive system for the auger of a crop-harvesting header that includes a slip clutch to slow or stop auger rotation upon encountering a slug or foreign object of sufficient size, and pawls on the drive sprocket that engage a ratchet wheel on the auger drive shaft when the drive is reversed to provide positive power to the auger in reverse to eject the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall L. Sierk, Anthony F. Diederich, Jr., Wayne D. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6644006
    Abstract: A baler having a baler frame, a main drive assembly that includes a starter roll drive shaft mounted to rotate on the baler frame, and a pick-up assembly connected to the baler frame is disclosed. The pick-up assembly has a reverse control apparatus for reversing the direction of rotation of a conveying rotor to disimpact any impacted plug of cut crop material from the rotor. The reverse control apparatus can be operated remotely from a tractor connected to the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Merritt, Lee S. Curley, Randall D. Kern, David M. Malloy
  • Publication number: 20030159416
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for engaging and disengaging the reverse operation of a feederhouse of a harvesting apparatus. The mechanism solves the problem of accurate engagement between the shift collar or driving element and the reverse gear, teeth or splines and the forward gear, teeth or splines of the feederhouse transmission. The mechanism comprises an actuator, electrically controlled, which loads or compresses a spring, wherein the spring exerts a shifting force on a shift shaft or shift fork of the gearbox which automatically moves the shift collar or driving element of the transmission into either a forward or reverse drive position when the gear, teeth of splines of the shift collar is aligned or meshed with the gear, teeth or splines of either the reverse or forward drive of the feederhouse transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Johann H. Pierce, Joseph A. Teijido, Dennis M. Roe
  • Patent number: 6560953
    Abstract: A harvester at least one adapting device for receiving a front attachment, wherein a mechanically and/or hydraulically switchable reversing device is associated with at least one of the working components of the agricultural harvesting machine which are at the front in the direction of travel and the front attachment, which is received by the adapting device, can be moved by at least one displacement device into at least one non-working position which is at a distance from the working components of the agricultural harvesting machine, and which forms a gap for passage of crop between the front attachment and these working components. In this way, in the non-working position a through-gap is created between the front attachment and the working components of the harvesting machine, through which the crop stream conveyed out of the agricultural harvesting machine during the reversing process and interspersed with one or more foreign bodies can flow down in the direction of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Claas Saulgau GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Rauch
  • Patent number: 6430905
    Abstract: A hydraulic reel drive wherein the reel motor is driven by a hydraulic pump, which is adjustable in a continuous manner and operates therewith in a closed oil circulating system. The advantage of this arrangement is that the reel always rotates uniformly independently of the instantaneous load thereon. Another advantage thereof is that by using a hydraulic pump, which is adjustable in a continuous manner, only that amount of oil is ever circulated as is required to drive the reel at a predetermined rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Eis, Norbert Strieker
  • Publication number: 20010042363
    Abstract: An interlock system for use with a cutting assembly of a lawn tractor is disclosed. The interlock system automatically disengages the cutting assembly when the lawn tractor is shifted into a reverse mode and automatically re-engages the cutter assembly when the lawn tractor is subsequently shifted into a non-reverse mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy Walters
  • Patent number: 6247296
    Abstract: The invention concerns a drive arrangement of a crop conveying and/or processing mechanism of a harvesting machine with an internal combustion engine (25) that is arranged to drive the crop conveying and/or processing mechanism through power transmission elements in a first operating mode in a first direction at a first speed, and a reversible motor (86) that is arranged to drive the crop conveying and/or processing mechanism in a second operating mode at a second speed in a second direction that differs from the first direction. The drive arrangement is also able to be driven in one or both of third and fourth operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Comapny
    Inventors: Klaus Becker, Bernd Kempf, Jörg Weissig
  • Patent number: 6237311
    Abstract: A device for preventing reverse mowing of a Snapper, rear engine rider lawnmower having an ABS system, by halting rotation of the mower blade when the gear shift lever of the mower is shifted from the forward into the reverse driving position. The reverse mowing prevention device is designed to be mounted on riding mowers having a blade engagement lever for selectively engaging a mower blade in driving configuration and a pivoting lever retaining member for selectively retaining the blade engagement lever in the blade-driving configuration, typically by depression of a blade engagement foot pedal. In a first embodiment the reverse mowing prevention device is characterized by a blade release rod for connecting the lever retaining member to the shift linkage of the mower transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: William R. Richards