Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a blade housing, an internal combustion engine being supported on the blade housing and including a crankshaft, an output shaft rotatably supported by the blade housing, the output shaft being operably connected to the crankshaft such that rotation of the crankshaft at a given rpm causes rotation of the output shaft at an rpm less than the rpm of the crankshaft, and the output shaft having a cutting blade fixedly mounted thereon and housed within the blade housing.

Abstract: A general-purpose internal combustion engine has a vertically extending crank shaft. The engine includes intake and exhaust valves disposed in overhead relationship to a cylinder head having an intake passage connected to the intake valve and an exhaust passage connected to the exhaust valve, the intake and exhaust passages being defined in opposite sides of the cylinder head. A carburetor and an air cleaner are coupled to the intake passage and located on the same side as the intake passage, and a muffler is connected to the exhaust passage and located on the same side as the exhaust passage. With this arangement, the engine has as small a height as possible.

Abstract: A connecting-rod system particularly for mowers, wherein a crank, supporting a couple of rods, is linked to the driving shaft by means of a clamp fastened to said shaft by means of a threaded ring, and wherein the mutual positioning of crank and clamp is achieved by means of a key.

Abstract: The wheeled assembly supports and converts a hand-held power grass trimmer device into a wheeled power mower. The assembly includes a wheeled frame and a two-part detachable joint. The frame is mounted on ground-engaging, support wheels. The two-part joint includes (1) a bracelet which is fixably and releasably mounted on the trimmer's shaft without impairing the operator's ability to hand manipulate the trimmer when it is fully detached from the frame, and (2) a casing secured to the frame which detachably receives and holds the bracelet together with its shaft in a predetermined upstanding and inclined position against downward and rotational movements, but leaves the casing free to release the lock between the bracelet and the casing when a pull is exerted on the trimmer handle in an upward direction along the longitudinal axis of the trimmer shaft.

Abstract: A lawn mower rotor assembly comprising a rotor body, filament cutting members, and a shear pin coupler, the rotor body being a flat star-shaped disk having five equally spaced arms projecting outwardly from the center of the rotor, each of the arms including near its outer periphery a lug for gripping one end of a short length of filament, the coupler being a disk fitting into a central counterbore in the rotary body having two cylindrical members projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the disk symmetrically positioned diametrically opposite from each other and mating with two recesses in the counterbore.

Abstract: A carriage for a trimming device for grass, weeds and the like having at least two runners (20 and 22), a grip (24) for gripping a handle pole (26) of the trimming device and holders (28 and 30) affixed to the grip for holding the runners in a spaced apart relationship for supporting the device is disclosed. Opposing grip members (33 and 35) form a channel (42) for receiving the handle pole and two cross channels (34 and 36) for holding the runner holders. One arrangement for use with a trimmer having a skirt includes a substantially horizontal front skirt support connecting the runners together near the fronts of the runners and a substantially horizontal back skirt support connecting the runners near the backs of the runners along with a front clamp and a back clamp for clamping the skirts to the supports.

Abstract: The lawn mower comprises a vertical cutter shaft which is driven by an internal combustion engine its upper housing is formed as synthetic plastics moulding and combines a fuel tank, a carburettor and an air suction silencer into one construction unit which is secured as a unit on the internal combustion engine. A fuel passage between the fuel tank and the carburettor is formed into the housing. In the path of the fuel supply there is arranged a fuel shut-off valve the valve body of which carries a segment disc serving as choke flap of the carburettor.

Abstract: A gasoline engine is equipped with an auxiliary driven wheel selectively engageable with a driving wheel on the shaft of an electric motor mounted for movement relative to the gasoline engine and operable from a remote point. A compact housing enables use of the invention on existing equipment, such as a lawnmower, or installation as original equipment at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: A mower blade spindle assembly includes a drive shaft having a hub received on threaded end of the shaft. The shaft is tapered from the root diameter of the last thread and the hub is correspondingly tapered so as to provide a thread relief. The end of the shaft on which the hub is received has a threaded bore extending axially therein for receiving a blade mounting bolt. The bore is counterbored to a depth corresponding to the length of the threaded portion receiving the hub.

Abstract: A novel blade and a rotary mower blade assembly involving use of the blade are described. The blade has (a) an extended inner end portion and (b) a bifurcated outer end portion comprising (i) a forward radially-extending outer segment carrying at least a portion of the cutting edge, and (ii) a rearward radially-extending outer segment spaced apart from said forward segment. The blade assembly involves a pair of spaced apart looped retaining bands affixed to a rotary blade support arm. One of these bands is secured to an intermediate portion of the blade support arm and the loop of this band is sized to slidably receive and securely encircle a rearward portion of the blade. The other band is secured to an outer portion of the blade support arm and the loop of this band is sized to receive and encircle the rearward bifurcated segment of the blade (i.e., the segment constituting the trailing edge of the blade).

Abstract: A rotary mower wherein tall vegetation is cut by selectively exposing a front opening in the housing of the mower, which in turn exposes a portion of a rotating cutting blade.

Abstract: A rotary mower has an engine supported by an engine platform secured to a frame having wheels and a handle, the engine has an output drive shaft which has a cutting blade rigidly secured at its end, a counter-rotating housing overlies the blade and is rotated in a direction opposite to the blade by a transmission means, the transmission means has a drive pulley rigidly secured to the output drive shaft, a pair of idler pulleys rotationally supported by the engine platform, a driven pulley rotationally supported by the drive shaft, and an endless belt trained from the drive pulley through the idler pulleys to the driven pulley, the counter-rotating housing is rigidly affixed to the driven pulley.

Abstract: A disposable cutting edge to be installed upon a lawn mower rotor and an audible tone generator to warn the operator when the disposable cutting edge is not properly installed. A disposable cutting edge providing a quick and safe snap-on/snap-off installation/removal upon a specially constructed rotor containing an edge positioning sensor, and capable of generating an audible alarm.

Abstract: A mulching adapter for use in a rotary lawn mower having a blade housing including a grass discharge chute through which cut grass is adapted to be discharged. A grass mulching assembly is insertable through the discharge outlet into the discharge chute for blocking the discharge chute. The grass mulching assembly includes an inner portion defining a surface facing the rotary cutting blade and forming a generally continuous surface with the blade housing interior surface.

Abstract: An elongated blade (21) for a rotary mower is fabricated from a nonrectangular blank (9) so that the lift portions (33, 34) formed on the trailing parts of the blade have radially outer peripheries (41, 42) which lie substantially on a circle (d) generated by the radially outer tips (46, 47) of the leading cutting edges (28, 29). This produces a blade with improved grass bagging characteristics due to greatly improved discharge of air entrained clippings.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower of the type having an inverted pan-shaped housing generally surrounding a horizontal rotary blade affixed to a vertical shaft extending downwardly from a rotary power source mounted on the top of the housing. A pair of tubular longitudinal frame members extend bridgingly in horizontal position over and secured to the housing on opposite sides of the rotary power source with downward extensions secured to front and rear wheels. The downward extensions are also affixed to front and rear aprons extending horizontally from the lower edge of the side wall of the housing to provide mutual bracing. The lawnmower has a handle that is attached to the rear downward extensions of the longitudinal frame members so that forces developed in the handle incident to guiding the mower are transferred directly to the frame members and then directly to the wheels so that the housing is not stressed upon manipulation of the handle.

Abstract: A lawn mower is illustrated as including a carburetor having a float bowl adapted to contain a vent assembly for selectively venting the air space of the carburetor float bowl to the atmosphere when the internal combustion engine of the lawn mower is running and for precluding evaporation of fuel from the air space when the engine is not running. The lawn mower fuel tank also includes a vent assembly for selectively venting the fuel tank to the atmosphere when the internal combustion engine is running and for precluding evaporation of fuel from the fuel tank into the atmosphere when the engine is not running. Each vent assembly includes a valve member resting on a valve seat and supported for movement in response to vibration of the engine and in such a manner that the valve member will return to its position on the valve seat when the engine is shut off.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage frame has a platform provided with an aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; the platform has a releasable clamping arm for holding the motor housing in position on the platform; the platform is slidably mounted on the wheeled frame between the front and rear of the frame and gripping devices are provided for holding the platform in a desired position on the frame; the lateral width of the front and rear wheels of the frame are adjustable, as well as the height of the frame, relative to the ground by adjustable axles.

Abstract: A wheeled platform is provided with a centrally located aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; coupling members are provided on the platform around the aperture and on the trimming device or on a flange member which is attachably connected to the grass trimming device such that the coupling members on the platform portion are offset at a predetermined angular distance from those on, for example, the flange member; the coupling members can be interengaged by orienting the trimming device or the flange member equal to the offset predetermined angular distance and rotated to align with the central longitudinal axis of the platform.

Abstract: A three point ground support system for a grass cutting machine having two rear wheels and a front roller of sufficient width to minimize the rolling resistance and provide a sufficiently stable support to produce a level cut. The two rear wheels are mounted inboard of the cutting circle but rearwardly thereof. Only the front roller is within the cutting circle and below the cutting plane of the cutting blades. The support brackets for the roller have a portion outside the cutting circle. The cutting circle of the cutting blades permits visible front and side cutting, and may be combined with a deflectable cutting blade.

Abstract: A wheeled platform is provided with a centrally located aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; pivoted arms are mounted on the platform to extend along or across the aperture to engage and hold the housing in position in the aperture on the platform; locking devices are provided on the top of the platform to grasp the ends of the arms to hold them in a closed position; a telescoping handle is pivotally mounted on one end of the platform on the top side thereof.

Abstract: A wheeled platform is provided with a centrally located aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; pivoted arms are mounted on the platform to extend along or across the aperture to engage and hold the housing in position in the aperture on the platform; locking devices are provided on the top of the platform to grasp the ends of the arms to hold them in a closed position; a telescoping handle is pivotally mounted on one end of the platform on the top side thereof.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower 2 includes a housing 4 having a side discharge port 54 located downstream of a rear discharge port 52. A downwardly opening tunnel 32 is tilted from front to back to define a grass circulating passageway. Discharge ports 52 and 54 may be blocked so that tunnel 32 operates as an improved mulcher with the grass clippings being discharged therefrom in a substantially downward direction. Lawn mower 2 includes a grass receiving means 12 having a chute 140 which may be releasably coupled on rear deck 21 of housing 4. Chute 140 has an open mouth with an area which is much larger than the cross-sectional area of the chute to more easily empty a bag 126 attached to the chute. In addition, dispersal attachment 180 can be alternatively coupled to rear deck 21 for dispersing the cut grass clippings in a pattern behind housing 4.

Abstract: A wheeled platform is provided with a centrally located aperture for receiving and supporting the lower portion of a housing for a grass trimming device so that the cutting element of the device will extend beneath the platform and the motor housing will extend above the platform; pivoted arms are mounted on the platform to extend along or across the aperture to engage and hold the housing in position in the aperture on the platform; locking devices are provided on the top of the platform to grasp the ends of the arms to hold them in a closed position; a telescoping handle is pivotally mounted on one end of the platform on the top side thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for modifying a conventional rotary lawn mower to provide the capability of cleaning a paved area such as a sidewalk or driveway. Basically, the only modification to the lawn mower is the provision of a depending skirt extending downwardly from a peripherial wall of the lawn mower frame. Three embodiments are illustrated. The first embodiment comprises a skirt mounted on the lawn mower frame for adjusting movement between an upper or grass cutting position and a lower or sweeping position in which the lower edge of the skirt is spaced only slightly above the bottoms of the lawn mower wheels. The second embodiment comprises a skirt fixed to the lawn mower frame. Adjustment of the skirt to a lower sweeping position is accomplished by the provision of conventional adjustable wheels which effectively lower the lawn mower frame relative to the ground. The third embodiment comprises a skirt which is attached to the lawn mower only when it is desired to perform a sweeping function.

Abstract: A powered device has a center of gravity and includes an engine comprising a block member, a crankshaft having opposite first and second end portions, and generally spaced supports on the block member for supporting the crankshaft for rotation with the first end portion extending toward the center of gravity and the second end portion extending beyond the supports. A piston is located in the block member for reciprocative movement, and a connecting rod has a first end portion pivotally connected with the piston and a rotationally balanced second end portion rotationally connected with the crankshaft intermediate the supports for converting the reciprocative movement of the piston into rotation of the crankshaft about its axis.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower comprises a chassis, a prime mover mounted on the chassis, and a rotating member operatively connected with the prime mover for rotation within the chassis and having a peripheral edge. A cutting blade is movably secured to the rotating member for movement between a retracted position in which the cutting blade is positioned inwardly of the peripheral edge and an extended position in which the cutting blade extends outwardly beyond the peripheral edge. A control mechanism is connected to the chassis and movable axially of the axis of rotation of the rotating member for moving the cutting blade between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Two embodiments of mowing machines wherein the cutters are resiliently deflectable to within a guard. In both embodiments, the frame of the mowing machine is connected to a tractor and extends laterally therefrom, the mowers being powered from the power take-off of the tractor by a train of gears, shafts and connecting universal joints. In one embodiment, the mowers rotate about vertical axes with the cutters being rotated on elongated resilient shafts which are also rotated about a common main axis from which they are spaced. The cutters are supported near the ground by holders which permit resilient deflection of the cutters' shafts into guards supported by the mowers when the cutters encounter obstacles or otherwise are subjected to forces which cause them to deflect. In the other embodiment, the cutters are mounted on an endless member such as a chain which runs around laterally spaced apart wheels such as sprockets which are mounted on carrier plates which are connected by a rod which is spring-biased.

Abstract: An air cushion lawn mower has a rotary grass cutting blade and a fan driven by a motor. A hood encloses the cutting blade and the fan and includes a generally vertical wall portion which is part cylindrical and which extends over an arc of 270.degree. about the axis of rotation of the blade and close to the path of rotation of the tips of the blade. The hood has an outwardly directed peripheral lip spaced outwardly of, and in a generally horizontal direction from, the lower extremity of the vertical wall portion. An outlet for cut grass is located in a position in relation to the vertical wall portion such that the cut grass is ejected through the outlet into a grass collecting container. The lowest surface of the peripheral lip is preferably in a horizontal plane which is below the lower extremity of the vertical wall portion.

Abstract: A rotary cutting device, primarily for grass mowers, includes a number of blade elements for cutting or air propelling purposes. To reduce noise, the rotating blades are provided with substantially flat leading and trailing edge portions formed along a major part of the leading edge and trailing edge, respectively, of the blade, cross sections of the leading edge flat portion being parallel to corresponding cross sections of the trailing edge flat portion and being connected thereto by an intermediate portion merging by smooth roundings into the respective flat portions, the cross sections being in respective cutting planes parallel to the axis of rotation and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade, such that the airflow past the blade follows the blade smoothly and shedded vortices are limited substantially to a relatively small cross-sectional area immediately following the trailing edge of the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower including a blade housing, wheels supporting the blade housing for movement along the ground, a rotary cutting blade supported within the blade housing, and an engine supported by the blade housing and rotatably driving the rotary cutting blade, the engine including a crankcase chamber and a carburetor connected to the crankcase chamber for conveying fuel to the crankcase chamber. The lawn mower also includes an engine housing enclosing the engine and including therein a first air intake opening, and a carburetor enclosure surrounding the carburetor for shielding the carburetor from heated air, the carburetor enclosure including a second air intake opening. A fan is also provided for conveying air from the first air intake opening into the second air intake opening.

Abstract: A rotary lawnmower includes a dish-like body defining the chassis of the lawnmower. The dish-like body has an upwardly extending side wall and a substantially continuous bottom wall. A set of wheels are mounted on this dish-like body. A motor is mounted in the body so as to cause the free end of the motor drive shaft to penetrate the bottom wall. The free end of the motor drive shaft is adapted for carrying a cutting blade thereon. A cover interfaces with the dish-like body to conjointly define therewith a housing enclosing the motor.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower apparatus including a mower housing and an annular muing liner attachment mounted within the mower housing and extending above the rotating cutter blade. The mulching liner includes integrally formed guide vanes for directing the clippings inwardly toward the center of the mower housing where they pass downwardly through the plane of the rotating cutter blade to be finely mulched and propelled below the cutting plane onto the ground for maximum mulching efficiency.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to filament metering apparatus for use with a rotary lawn mower that uses flexible filament as the cutting element. The filament is wound on a spool that is carried by the engine or motor drive shaft in an axially stationary position. The spool is capable of rotation relative to the drive shaft. A drive member is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, and is axially movable thereon relative to a driven member carried by the spool. The drive member drivingly engages the driven member in each of two axial positions, and actuating means are included for axially shifting the drive member. The drive and driven members are so constructed that, as the drive member moves from one axial position to the other, relative rotational movement occurs therebetween, which movement is utilized to unwind filament from the spool in a discrete amount.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lawn mower having several pairs of rotatable blades attached to a rotatable frame. The rotatable frame is motor driven, and centrifugal forces cause a frictional engagement between blade driving means and a portion of the frame so that each pair of the blades assume a planetary rotary motion, yet are capable of movement away from obstacles. Each pair of blades consists of two overlapping circular blades that are in frictional engagement with each other and rotate in opposite directions to effect a cutting action.

Abstract: A rotary-type lawn mower is provided with cutting means comprised of a rotatable disc-like member having a plurality of flexible non-metallic cords projecting radially from its perimeter. The disc-like member is rotated within the cutting plane by a suitable power source such as a conventional gasoline-driven engine, and at a velocity such that the projecting cords function to sever the grass in a substantially conventional manner. The cords are therefore of a length and diameter which are functionally related to effective cutting and are mounted within the disc-like member in brackets formed to support the cords against vertical as well as lateral deflection resulting from contact with the grass sought to be cut.

Abstract: A rotary-type lawn mower with a motor driven housing member having at least one flexible non-metallic line projecting radially from its perimeter within a cutting plane and moving at an angular velocity sufficient to sever grass in a lawn mowing manner. The line has an effective cutting length extending from the housing member through a line support tube. A rotatable spool in the housing member carries a supply of the line in a coiled configuration with the unwound portion being extended from the tube into the cutting plane. A line feeding mechanism provides for automatic and/or manually selective spool rotation within the housing member to feed out upon command preselected increments of line during operation to maintain a desired effective cutting length but to secure the spool against rotation to prevent inadvertent unreeling of cutting line.

Abstract: A working vehicle, for example, a lawn mower, floor brush, or snowblower, is disclosed wherein a steerable ground-engaging wheel is located within the sweep of a rotary mechanism. A spindle portion of the wheel is journaled in a sleeve portion of the rotating mechanism and the mechanism is operatively connected to a power source by a power transfer system. The wheel and the rotary mechanism are independently rotatable. Apparatus is provided in both the single cutter and multiple cutter embodiments to adjust the height of the rotary mechanism as a unit. An alternate drive mechanism is disclosed for use with such devices in which a ground-engaging wheel interior of the rotating mechanism is individually powered. In another embodiment, the wheel is castered. Each of the rotating mechanisms includes a rotatable member rotatably supported within a receiving portion of a body which includes a plurality of support wheels.

Abstract: A filament-trimmer/mower having a wheel mechanism supported frame articulated to provide semi-universal adjustment of the filament-to-work aspect through independent but co-acting side-by-side and fore-and-aft tip mechanisms, shielding being carried by the wheel support mechanism permitting the frame to move relative to the shielding for better access for trimming when the frame is tipped; a lever-actuated dynamic feed for the filament as needed for replacement of expended portions while operating is provided.

Abstract: In a rotary lawn mower the engine on the deck is completely shielded by an engine shroud, and the engine exhaust is below the mower deck.

Abstract: An improved indexing means for a garden edger-trimmer having interengaging surfaces on the end of the handle and the head housing for selectively positioning the head.

Abstract: A safety device for lawn mowers includes an elongated frame assembly having a pair of laterally spaced leg elements connected by a bight section. A plurality of ground anchoring elements depend from the bight section and are adapted to be selectively affixed in the ground to prevent rolling of the mower. The device includes clamping plates for fixedly securing the assembly to the handle of a lawn mower in angular relation thereto such that the ground anchoring elements are out of contact with the ground during normal operation of the mower and the mower is pivotable upon its rear wheels in an emergency to thereby shift said leg elements into a position substantially perpendicular to the ground and drive the ground anchoring elements into the ground to prevent rolling of the mower.

Abstract: The grass trimming apparatus includes an elongated frame structure having a front base portion and a rear handle portion, a single ground engaging wheel adjacent the rear end of the base portion, and a motor and cutter unit assembly on the forward end of the base portion. The lower portion of the motor and cutter unit assembly is located within the transverse confines of the base portion so that only flexible cutting elements on the cutter unit extend laterally outwardly from below the base portion during a grass trimming operation. The frame structure is longitudinally and laterally tiltable on the single wheel support and at least one hand grip on the handle portion of the frame structure is adjustably movable to a position within the transverse confines of the frame structure to provide for a maximum efficiency of the apparatus in trimming lawn adjacent wall structures, headstones, fences and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lawn mower having several pairs of rotatable blades attached to a rotatable frame. The rotatable frame is motor driven, and centrifugal forces cause a frictional engagement between blade driving means and a portion of the frame so that each pair of the blades assume a planetary rotary motion, yet are capable of movement away from obstacles.

Abstract: A lawn-edge trimmer with a grip at the top of a motor housing, a shield plate at the bottom of that housing overlying a rotor, and a detachable mounting forming a socket for a long-stemmed handle has a motor-control switch with a spring-loaded trigger on the underside of the grip in a cutout of the web-shaped mounting. The tubular handle stem is axially traversed by a thrust rod which, on being displaced by a knob near the handle, acts through a camming mechanism on the mounting to depress the trigger when the mounting and the handle are emplaced on the housing.

Abstract: In a walk-behind rotary lawn mower powered by a gasoline engine, two pushbutton-type switches are so connected in the engine ignition circuit that at least one must be actuated for the engine to run. One switch comprises a dead-man control actuated by gripping the mower guide handle. The other is actuated by a treadle so located on the mower deck as to be depressed by one foot of a person who has his other foot in a safe position and who is operating the engine rope starter in a natural, convenient manner. Depression of the treadle also actuates a brake that prevents the mower from rolling.

Abstract: A lawn mower with two coacting spirals cooperating in a scissors-like manner. This mower is self-sharpening and self-cleaning since a torsional stress urges the coacting spirals together. At least one spiral cutter is mounted on a resilient torsion disc.

Abstract: An improved mower blade spindle assembly for a rotary mower is provided with an outer shaft having circumferential slots and an inner shaft rotatable within the outer shaft and having a diametral drive pin extending through the slots, and a braking member axially movably mounted on the outer shaft for rotation therewith, the braking member having a braking surface disposed for engagement with an interior surface of a support sleeve in which the outer shaft is mounted and a cammed surface disposed for engagement with the pin such that upon cessation of the input drive, the pin acts against the cammed surface to shift the brake member axially to engage the braking surfaces.

Abstract: The outer section of a rotary mower blade is stamped with a U-shaped cut-out portion to define a tab extending in the direction of the center of the blade. Each tine device is formed of springwire and includes a downward end section which forms the tine and a coiled section which is mounted on the tab. The other end section overlies the mower blade to prevent rotation of the entire device on the tab by the operation of the tine which is to loosen the thatch formed by accumulated grass clippings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for modifying a conventional rotary lawn mower to provide the capability of cleaning a paved area such as a sidewalk or driveway. Basically, the only modification to the lawn mower is the provision of a depending skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral wall of the lawn mower frame. Three embodiments are illustrated. The first embodiment comprises a skirt mounted on the lawn mower frame for adjusting movement between an upper or grass cutting position and a lower or sweeping position in which the lower edge of the skirt is spaced only slightly above the bottoms of the lawn mower wheels. The second embodiment comprises a skirt fixed to the lawn mower frame. Adjustment of the skirt to a lower sweeping position is accomplished by the provision of conventional adjustable wheels which effectively lower the lawn mower frame relative to the ground. The third embodiment comprises a skirt which is attached to the lawn mower only when it is desired to perform a sweeping function.