Abstract: A dual lever steering control mechanism for a mounting a control lever or stick to a mower is disclosed. The mechanism includes a housing with an opening, a forward/reverse lever insertable through the opening and pivoting on a first axis, and a neutral position lever pivotably attached to the forward/reverse lever to pivot on a second axis transverse to the first axis. The control lever may be attached to the neutral position lever at a plurality of different height and fore/aft settings.

Abstract: A ZTR lawnmower having first and second drive wheels and first and second control levers to control the direction and speed of rotation of the first and second drive wheels. The lawnmower further includes a park brake system operatively interconnected with at least one of the drive wheels, and an interlock mechanism interfacing with the parking system. The park brake interlock mechanism includes a parking brake handle movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position to cause the park brake system to respectively resist and not resist rotation of the at least one drive wheel.

Abstract: Centrifugal blade brake clutch apparatuses and methods are provided. In one aspect, a centrifugal blade brake clutch includes a rotatable clutch housing having an axis extending therethrough. The clutch housing can have a base and side walls. The clutch housing also can have a brake surface thereon and an integral clutch surface disposed on a side wall surface of the side walls. At least one centrifugally extendable clutch shoe device can be disposed within the clutch housing and configured for engaging the integral clutch surface of the clutch housing. A brake assembly can be positioned proximal to the clutch housing with the axis of the clutch housing passing therethrough. The brake assembly can include a brake member that has a braking surface and is configured to move in a direction parallel with the axis of the clutch housing to axially engage the brake surface of the clutch housing with the braking surface of the brake member.

Abstract: The parking brakes at the drive wheels of a zero turning radius mower are automatically set when a pair of drive levers used for determining speed, steering and forward or reverse travel are placed in their neutral positions and swung outwardly to widespread, operator dismount positions. When the drive levers are widespread, switches associated with a control circuit are opened, allowing air cylinders to immediately exhaust pressurized air so that tension springs may actuate the brake assemblies to set the brakes. When the drive levers are returned to their operating modes and the ignition is turned on, the control switches are closed, energizing the control circuit to pressurize the air cylinders and release the brakes against the bias of the tension springs.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a tool driven by a motor removes motor power under certain circumstances. The tool includes a housing moveable over a ground surface for mounting the tool, and a ground-engaging member moveable relative to the housing and disposed to follow the ground surface as the housing moves over same. The apparatus further includes a sensor for measuring the relative position of the housing relative to the ground engaging member. Motor control apparatus selectively stops the motor upon the ground-engaging member and the housing reaching a predetermined relative position.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a rotatable input shaft, a clutch housing fixed relative to the input shaft, an input disk coupled to with the input shaft and rotatable therewith, and an output disk axially movable relative to the clutch housing to selectively engage the input disk. The clutch/brake assembly also includes an electrical generation system having a rotor shell coupled to the input shaft and rotatable therewith, a magnet coupled to the rotor shell, and a coil coupled to a coil support fixed relative to the rotor shell, wherein the coil is positioned with respect to the magnet to generate electrical current upon rotation of the rotor shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for two motion cable engagement includes a housing adapted for attachment to a tubular member such as a handlebar or the like of a walk-behind lawnmower, a lever assembly pivotably mounted to the housing, and a socket operatively connectable to the lever assembly and actuatable by a deadman handle. The lever assembly preferably includes a lever, a hub connected to the lever, and a pivotable member which is selectively pivotably driven by the hub. When the socket is pivoted by the deadman handle from a primary position to an engaged position, movement of the lever from an initial position to an advanced position produces pivoting of the pivotable member and a control cable attached thereto.

Abstract: A zero turning radius mower is provided with twin operating levers that are manipulated by the driver to control steering, speed and forward or reverse direction of the mower. When the two drive levers are in the neutral mode, they may be swung outwardly to widespread positions to facilitate operator dismount. If both drive levers are spread apart, a park lever may be operated by the driver to position blocking bars into the path of the levers to prevent their return from the widespread positions. Once the engine is shut off, it can only be restarted when the mower is in its park mode with the park lever engaged.

Abstract: A bush cutting machine with a tubular operating pole connected to an outlet of an exhaust muffler and doubling as an exhaust passage is provided. Exhaust gases discharged from an engine flow from the exhaust muffler through the operating pole and are then discharged into the air. The substantial capacity of the exhaust muffler is increased by the operating pole, and the exhaust noise of the engine is reduced.

Abstract: A forage harvester is equipped with a safety device which incorporates controls that monitor various operating conditions including an operator's presence and apply a brake for stopping any possible rotation of the cutting drum whenever an unsafe condition for the operator exists.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a lawn mower which includes two coupling members pivotable about a single axis. The coupling members are connected to a drive mechanism and a braking mechanism for the lawn mower. The lawn mower device has a drive configured to rotate a shaft in a first direction. A drive wheel is coupled to the shaft and is coupled to a driven wheel by a drive belt. A tensioning system is shown coupled to the drive belt. The tensioning system has a first idler plate configured to bias a first idler pulley against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in the first direction and a second idler plate configured to bias a second idler plate against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in a second direction. A brake mechanism is further coupled to the tensioning system. The brake mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the driven wheel. A brake lockout is provided which resist the inadvertent engagement of the brake when the mower is driven in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly including a first housing shell having a braking surface, an input shaft coupled to the first housing shell for rotation relative to the first housing shell, at least two input disks coupled to the input shaft for co-rotation with the shaft, the input disks being movable along the shaft, a braking disk having a first friction surface and a second friction surface, the braking disk being movable along the shaft, a biasing member biasing the braking disk against the braking surface of the first housing shell to resist rotation of the braking disk relative to the first housing shell, a second housing shell coupled to the input shaft for rotation relative to the input shaft and the first housing shell, the second housing shell having a third friction surface, and an actuator assembly operable to disengage the braking disk from the braking surface and operable to drivingly engage the first, second, and third friction surfaces with the input disks.

Abstract: A bush cutting apparatus has a first rotational shaft mounted for undergoing rotation and a cutter blade connected to the first rotational shaft for rotation therewith. A clutch mechanism has a rotational member, at least one clutch moving member mounted on the rotational member for undergoing movement along a radial direction of the rotational member, a clutch drum mounted on the first rotational shaft for sliding movement therealong to engage the clutch moving member, and a clutch resilient member for biasing the clutch moving member toward an axial centerline of the rotational member. A brake mechanism has a brake shoe formed at an end portion of the clutch drum, a brake pad disposed opposite to and confronting the brake shoe, and a braking resilient member for biasing the brake shoe into pressure contact with the brake pad.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a lawn mower which includes two coupling members pivotable about a single axis. The coupling members are connected to a drive mechanism and a braking mechanism for the lawn mower. The lawn mower device has a drive configured to rotate a shaft in a first direction. A drive wheel is coupled to the shaft and is coupled to a driven wheel by a drive belt. A tensioning system is shown coupled to the drive belt. The tensioning system has a first idler plate configured to bias a first idler pulley against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in the first direction and a second idler plate configured to bias a second idler plate against the drive belt when the drive is rotating the shaft in a second direction. A brake mechanism is further coupled to the tensioning system. The brake mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the driven wheel. A brake lockout is provided which resist the inadvertent engagement of the brake when the mower is driven in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a rotating body having a rotatable shaft includes a clutch to selectively transmit torque input to the shaft, a brake to slow down rotation of the shaft upon disengagement of the clutch, and an actuator to engage and disengage the clutch and brake. The clutch and brake are each mounted on a mounting member which is movable with respect to the shaft in the axial direction thereof. The actuator includes an actuator member that is slidably mounted on the mounting member and an actuator to move the actuator member from a first position, in which the clutch is engaged and the brake is disengaged, and a second position, in which the clutch is disengaged and the brake is engaged.

Abstract: An electrically powered actuator system is provided for engaging and disengaging the parking brake system of an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a riding lawn mower. The actuator system includes a solenoid that is coupled to the parking brake(s) of the unit by one or more link arms. When the solenoid is deenergized and the armature of the solenoid is extended, the link arms rotate the parking brake(s) into their engaged positions. When the solenoid is energized and the armature of the solenoid is drawn inwardly into the solenoid housing, the link arms rotate the parking brake(s) into their disengaged positions. The solenoid is energized and deenergized by a control system responsive to various switches that detect various operational conditions of the unit, such as the presence of the operator in the seat of the unit and/or the placement of the unit's twin stick propulsion and steering controls in their inboard positions.

Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of the pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrically powered actuator system for engaging and disengaging the parking brake system of an outdoor power equipment unit, such as a riding lawn mower. The actuator system includes a solenoid that is coupled to the parking brake(s) of the unit by one or more link arms. When the solenoid is deenergized and the armature of the solenoid is extended, the link arms rotate the parking brake(s) into their engaged positions. When the solenoid is energized and the armature of the solenoid is drawn inwardly into the solenoid housing, the link arms rotate the parking brake(s) into their disengaged positions. The solenoid is energized and deenergized by a control system responsive to various switches that detect various operational conditions of the unit, such as the presence of the operator in the seat of the unit and/or the placement of the unit's twin stick propulsion and steering controls in their inboard positions.

Abstract: A transmission device between a primary motor shaft and an output shaft (1) includes a casing (2) within which are disposed a reducing mechanism constituted by a driving member (3) in engagement with a driven member (4), the driven member (4) mounted freely rotatably on the output shaft (2) being adapted to be coupled with or uncoupled from the shaft (2) by a clutch mechanism mounted on the output shaft (2). The driven member (4) is a tangent toothed wheel, of synthetic material, at least the constituent material of the teeth (5) of the toothed wheel (4) incorporating a mineral or organic load increasing the resistance to the wear of the teeth (5).

Abstract: A mower having a locking mechanism for locking a moveable handlebar of the mower in its operating position is provided. The mower further includes an actuator for controlling operation of the mower so as to permit or not permit operation of an implement powered thereby when the handlebar is in its operating position. Additionally, the locking mechanism may be used to assist in the fastening of an attachment such as a debris collection receptacle. Also, since the handlebar may be moved into a non-operating position, the handlebar may be used as a prop so as to, for example, permit necessary maintenance on the underside of the mower to be more easily accomplished.

Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of said pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hand control levers with ergonomic grip members. Such hand control levers are used on vehicles, preferably lever-operated mowing machines. The hand control levers can reduce anatomical stress, fatigue or discomfort experienced by users of such vehicles.

Abstract: A portable trimmer in which the power generated by an internal combustion engine is transmitted to a cutter via a centrifugal clutch and the output power of the internal combustion engine is controlled by operating a manual throttle lever, thereby adjusting the throttle opening of a throttle valve via a throttle wire. The portable trimmer includes a friction member arranged to face the clutch drum of the centrifugal clutch, a moving member which is connected to the friction member and moves the friction member between a braking position where the friction member is pressed against the clutch drum and a non-braking position where the friction member is kept away from the clutch drum so as to release the braking, a manual release device for moving the moving member from the braking position to the non-braking position, and a release restricting device for controlling the behavior of the manual release device.

Abstract: A friction coupling includes a friction member including a brake surface and a clutch surface in a different plane from the brake surface; a spring abutting the friction member; a brake member proximate to the brake surface; the brake member mounted relative to the friction member to permit relative rotation; and a brake actuator connected to the brake member. The friction member can include an insert.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar with at least one cutterhead having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of the shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution. The brake includes upper and lower locking blocks having generally mating teeth. Upon failure of the shear device, the teeth of the upper and lower locking blocks engage, thereby stopping the rotation of the mounting hub.

Abstract: A mowing machine includes a vehicle body (1), a mower unit (4) connected to and supported by the vehicle body and having flow generating members driven by power supplied thereto for generating grass carrier air flows, a grass catcher (6) disposed at a rear end of the vehicle body and defining an opening for receiving grass clippings, a grass transport duct (17) for guiding grass clippings transported by the carrier air flows to the grass catcher, and a moving mechanism (5) for moving the grass catcher between a collecting position for connecting the grass catcher to the grass transport duct and a discharge position for separating the grass catcher from the grass transport duct. A power cutoff mechanism (11, 100) is provided for stopping power supply to the mower unit in response to a movement caused by the moving mechanism of the grass catcher from the collecting position to the discharge position.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar with at least one cutterhead having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of said shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution.

Abstract: A disc cutterbar having a two-piece mounting hub, one piece rotatably driven and the other supporting a knife for severing standing crop material, with an epoxy layer bonding the two pieces together and forming a shear device therebetween. A brake is associated with the knife-supporting piece whereby upon failure of said shear device, the knife-supporting piece is stopped from rotating within one revolution.

Abstract: A friction coupling includes a friction member including a brake surface and a clutch surface in a different plane from the brake surface; a spring abutting the friction member; a brake member proximate to the brake surface; the brake member mounted relative to the friction member to permit relative rotation; and a brake actuator connected to the brake member.

Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly for a mower includes a housing, a shaft rotatably connected to a prime mover, a clutch plate operatively received onto the shaft, a brake ring and a pulley of which the pulley is selectively engageable with the clutch pad or brake ring. An actuator, that may be a vacuum actuator, applies equal and opposite forces to disengage the brake ring and engage the clutch plate, which in affect allows for the transmission of rotational power from the shaft to the pulley.

Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of said pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to said brake on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.

Abstract: A bush cutting machine including an automatic braking mechanism having a brake drum formed integrally with a clutch case which houses a centrifugal clutch. When the number of rotations of a clutch drum decreases, at least two braking members press against the brake drum, whereby the clutch drum stops rotating, and a cutting blade also stops rotating automatically.

Abstract: A grass-cutting machine comprising an internal combustion engine, and clutch means for selectively connecting the engine to at least one driven element of the machine, characterized by means for operating the clutch means using a partial vacuum generated in the induction flow path of the engine. The partial vacuum may be used alternatively or in addition to effect other control functions of the machine.

Abstract: A single component inner hub adapted to engage the drive shaft of an engine, support a transaxle pulley and serve as the inner hub of a clutch/brake assembly, the inner hub having a first end, a second end, an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends, the exterior surface including an upper portion adjacent the first end of the inner hub, an intermediate portion which is adjacent the first portion and which has a circumference that is smaller than that of the upper portion, an axially facing shoulder extending between the upper and lower portions of the exterior surface and a lower portion that is externally threaded and that extends between the intermediate portion and the lower end of the inner hub, the inner hub also having extending between the first and second ends a bore having an upper portion adapted to receive the lower end of the drive shaft to rotationally fix the inner hub to the shaft, the bore also including a lower portion of the bore having an internal diameter smaller than

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has a feed conveyor assembly arranged in the front region and a crop receiving assembly attached thereto. The two drive shafts of these assemblies are fitted with drive pulleys over which a common belt is entrained to drive the assemblies. A slip clutch is located between the pulley and the drive shaft for the feed conveyor. A brake is associated with the drive shaft for the feed conveyor by which the drive shaft can be braked suddenly when foreign objects appear in the feed region. The crop receiving assembly is braked by at least one slip clutch which is activated by the brake.

Abstract: A foldable control lever for use with a riding mower comprising a main lever tube having a lower end, an upright section and a grip portion. An upper weldment is affixed to the lower end of the main lever tube. The upper weldment comprises a support flange and a plurality of outwardly projecting ears. A lower weldment connected to the mower drive unit is adapted to receive the lower end of the main lever tube. The lower weldment comprises a receiver flange having a plurality of notches spaced about the circumference of the flange. The notches are configured so as to engage the outwardly projecting ears of the upper weldment. When the outwardly projecting ears are engaged with the notches, the main lever tube is prevented from rotating relative to the lower weldment. When the outwardly projecting ears are not engaged with the notches, the main lever tube can be rotated downward and on to the top of the mower.

Abstract: A self-propelled lawn mower having a hydrostatic drive system with individual brake control levers coupled to a linkage mechanism which when actuated releases hydraulic pressure in the hydrostatic drive system to slow rotation of rear drive wheels for improved steering and control of the lawn mower. The lawn mower includes a mower deck, a mower deck, and a control console extending between handle bars attached to the rear of the mower deck. The drive system comprises an infinitely variable speed control from forward, neutral, and reverse. Steering is accomplished by two independent wheel brakes, which are controlled by right and left hand brake control levers located adjacent respective handgrip levers. Squeezing one of the brake control levers partially releases the internal hydraulic pressure by the opening of a dump valve to effectively produce a reduced transmission drive condition.

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.

Abstract: A riding lawnmower includes a parking brake handle movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the parking brake handle is in the disengaged position, the lawnmower control levers are permitted to operate the lawnmower drive system, and the lawnmower engine startup circuit is in an open condition in which the engine is unable to be started. When the parking brake handle is in the engaged position, the lawnmower wheels are substantially prevented from rotating, the control levers are locked in a neutral position, and the startup circuit is in a closed condition in which the engine is able to be started. Movement of the parking brake handle to the engaged position causes the control levers to move to the neutral position.

Abstract: A belt tension mechanism for tensioning an associated belt drive system on an associated vehicle is provided. The associated belt drive system includes a double stacked pulley, a first belt for providing power from a power mechanism to the double stacked pulley and a second belt for providing power from the double stacked pulley to an associated implement. A first tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the first belt and a second tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the second belt. A tension arm selectively simultaneously tensions the first and second belts from an inoperative condition to an operative condition or from an operative condition to an inoperative condition. A balancing mechanism is also provided for balancing tension on the first and second belts as the implement is selectively height adjusted.

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.

Abstract: An improved, large capacity, self-propelled, walk-behind power tool, such as a lawn mower, employs a parking brake apparatus which is operative to effectively brake the drive wheels of the tool. The described apparatus is activated by a foot pedal and employs locking fingers having a cooperating lost motion coupling which relieves having to maintain close tolerances for the apparatus during manufacture.

Abstract: An operation control lever unit for regulating power of an engine of an engine-powered working machine has a handle case attached to a support rod connected at one end to the engine and at the other end to a working tool, a throttle lever pivotally mounted to the handle case for controlling a throttle mechanism to regulate the engine speed, and a brake release lever pivotally mounted to the handle case in diametrically opposite relation to the throttle lever for releasing a brake mechanism associated with the engine. This arrangement enables the operator to manipulate the throttle lever using at least one finger excluding the thumb of its one hand and to depress the brake release lever with a palm of the same hand while maintaining a grip on the handle case.

Abstract: A trimming machine includes a centrifugal clutch for transmitting power from an internal combustion engine to a cutting blade. A manually operated throttle lever controls an output from the internal combustion engine by adjusting an opening of a throttle valve via a throttle wire. A friction member arranged to oppose to a clutch drum of the centrifugal clutch. A first swinging member is connected to the friction member and swings between a braking position to be pressed against the clutch drum and a releasing position to be spaced from the clutch drum. A second swinging member is connected to a connecting point at an intermediate portion of the throttle wire and pivots about a pivoting pin thereof with respect to the first swinging member when the throttle wire is moved by operating the throttle lever.