Abstract: The present invention refers to an mowing equipment (100) for cutting, collecting and dynamic processing of grass used for grass mowing, which, as well as mowing, innovates on gathering the mowed grass and proceeding on its dynamic processing, in order to transform the mowed and gathered grass amount in a disaggregated mass, similar to powder that is returned to the soil, thus being exempted from any subsequent steps on combing, sweeping, or picking.

Abstract: In a lawn mower provided with a lawn mowing mechanism (13), a grass collection box (18) receiving grass mowed by the lawn mowing mechanism, a lift mechanism (19) for lifting up the grass collection box (18) high, and a rear lid plate (21) structured such as to openably close an opening in a rear surface of the grass collection box (18), the invention achieves an improvement of a stability of a support at a time of lifting up the grass collection box (18) high in the case of discharging the mowed grass in the grass collection box (18) in a state of lifting up the grass collection box (18) high, and also achieves a downsizing and a weight saving. A bottom portion of the grass collection box (18) is opened, the opened bottom portion is openably closed by a bottom lid plate (20), and the mowed grass is discharged from the grass collection box (18) by an opening actuation of the bottom lid plate (20) and the rear lid plate (21).

Abstract: A riding mower carries a grass collector at the rear of the mower frame. A mounting system for the grass collector comprises a mount that pivotally couples the lower portion of the grass collector to the mower frame. The pivotal mount comprises a pair of hooks each of which is inserted onto a pivot rod. In addition, the mounting system comprises a quick connect fastening system that includes a pair of spring biased retaining pins that can be latched in a retracted, non-operative position or unlatched so that the spring bias on the pins is able to move the pins into an extended, operative position. In the extended, operative position of the retaining pins, the pins fasten or secure the grass collector to the mower frame in a substantially upright, operative position of the grass collector.

Abstract: A grass collector adapted to be attached to a rear of a riding-type mower for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the grass collector including a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening and adapted to be attached to the riding-type mower, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position. A rear container section is supported pivotably about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotable between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting yard waste, and a collection apparatus for receiving the yard waste, are provided. A yard waste collection system for connection with a tractor, the system which optimizes air flow comprising a collection apparatus including a cage suspension frame, a plurality of collapsible portions, and at least a rigid bottom portion, the rigid bottom portion having a drop door that opens and closes relative to the cage suspension frame to allow access to an interior space of the collection apparatus; a cage suspension frame operably connected to the tractor, the collection apparatus being pivotably suspended from the cage suspension frame; and a conduit for allowing passage of yard waste ejected from the tractor to the interior space of the collection apparatus.

Abstract: A grass mower for cutting grass and collecting cut grass includes a main body, two handle brackets, a handle, a collector element, and two collector brackets. The main body is for cutting grass. The two handle brackets are oppositely mounted on lateral sides of the main body. The handle is coupled to the two handle brackets. The collector element is for collecting the cut grass. The collector element is defined by a frame, and the frame includes at least two limb elements located on substantially opposite sides of the collector element. The two collector brackets are respectively mounted to the two handle brackets and are configured to respectively accommodate the limb elements, wherein the collector element is mounted on the mower free from the handle.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for separating grass clippings from air in a recirculating bagging apparatus for a lawnmower can include a grass-collecting compartment for collecting grass clippings discharged from a lawnmower and an air discharge channel in communication with and disposed below the grass-collecting compartment. The grass-collecting compartment can have a non-breathable bottom floor for receiving and supporting collected grass clippings. The air discharge channel can be adapted for passage of air discharged from a lawnmower through the grass-collecting compartment and out of the bagging apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection and reduction of yard debris combining a frontally facing vacuum pick up with a chipper-shredder-blower unit to induce airflow for entraining debris collected at the vacuum pick up; reduce the entrained debris to a more manageable volume; impel the reduced debris to a two-stage free-flow-separator device for removing the debris from the air in which it is entrained; and deposit the debris in a detachable accumulator for subsequent dumping.

Abstract: A mower 10 has a rearwardly directed discharge 24 and a handle 32 for gripping by an operator 12 walking behind the mower 10. A motor 18 powers a grass cutting operation to provide a flow of cut grass 26. A collection bag 36 has an inlet to mate with a discharge 24 of a cutting platform 16 for receiving flow of cut grass 26 there through. The bag 36 has a support 30 and a fabric enclosure 40. The fabric allows air to permeate there through while retaining cut grass 26. An opening 56 through the fabric is located on an upper side of the collection bag 36 and adjacent to the inlet of the collection bag 36. A transparent window 54 is attached to fabric and extends across the opening 56 through the fabric to permit the operator 12 to view the flow of cut grass 26 moving from the cutting platform 16 through the discharge 24 and into the bag 36 through the inlet of the collection bag 36 from an operator 12 position.

Abstract: A lawn refuse bag is provided that includes a tubular container having a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and a fifth side surface. The tubular container further includes an open end for receiving compressible contents therein. A plurality of perforations are selectively disposed on at least one side surface of the tubular container adapted to discharge air from the tubular container away from a user compressing the contents therein.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for separating grass clippings from air in a recirculating bagging apparatus for a lawnmower can include a grass-collecting compartment for collecting grass clippings discharged from a lawnmower and an air discharge channel in communication with and disposed below the grass-collecting compartment. The grass-collecting compartment can have a non-breathable bottom floor for receiving and supporting collected grass clippings. The air discharge channel can be adapted for passage of air discharged from a lawnmower through the grass-collecting compartment and out of the bagging apparatus.

Abstract: A cleanout mechanism is disclosed for a grass discharge and collection chute on a mower. The cleanout mechanism includes a door pivotable downwardly from the chute to provide an opening in a bottom surface of the chute, and a wiper pivotable rearwardly along the bottom surface of the chute toward a position adjacent the opening. An operator control is connected through linkages to the door and the wiper to pivot both of the door and the wiper while permitting continued operation of the mower.

Abstract: A recovered waste processing arrangement is fitted in an independently movable power tool for maintaining the environment. The power tool includes at least one processing unit provided with a processing device. The processing unit is connected to the frame of the power tool. The arrangement includes: a chamber connected to the processing unit for receiving recovered waste from the processing device; a discharge aperture connected to the chamber; a transport duct, the first end of which is connected to a discharge aperture; a collecting tank connected to the power tool frame and to the second end of the transport duct; a first blower arranged between the processing unit chamber and the collecting tank, via which air and recovered waste carried along with air are sucked through the transport duct from the processing unit and blown into the collecting tank; and a second blower connected to the chamber by an air duct.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for removing dust particles from air circulating within a mowing machine, such as a lawn mowing machine, including a housing, a handle attached to the housing, a prime mover attached to the housing, and a grassbag employing a cyclonic separator. A grassbag apparatus can be provided that can include a grass clippings chamber for collecting blades of grass that have been cut and a dust collection chamber for removing and collecting dust-filled air from the air circulating within the lawn mowing machine. The dust collection chamber can include a cyclonic separator and a dust collection receptacle, wherein the cyclonic separator can be configured to remove dust particles from air circulating within the grassbag apparatus.

Abstract: A grass mower for cutting grass and collecting cut grass includes a main body, two handle brackets, a handle, a collector element, and two collector brackets. The main body is for cutting grass. The two handle brackets are oppositely mounted on lateral sides of the main body. The handle is coupled to the two handle brackets. The collector element is for collecting the cut grass. The collector element is defined by a frame, and the frame includes at least two limb elements located on substantially opposite sides of the collector element. The two collector brackets are respectively mounted to the two handle brackets and are configured to respectively accommodate the limb elements, wherein the collector element is mounted on the mower free from the handle.

Abstract: A hybrid utility vehicle includes a tool-supporting frame and an electrical power source driven by an engine. Right and left rear wheels independently driven by permanent magnet electric motors and front wheels electrically steerable over a range of approximately 180 degrees operate under the control of a vehicle controller responsive to steering and speed input controls to provide zero turn radius operation with minimum slippage and tire scuffing. Space efficiency provided by the electric. steering and an electrically driven tool deck facilitate a variety of tool mounting configurations including a rear discharge deck with a chute passing under the vehicle frame between the driven wheels. An inverter connected to the electrical power source provides 110/220 volt output. The power source also functions as a high powered, high rpm, low noise starter motor.

Abstract: A grass catcher retaining device is disclosed for a reel mower cutting unit. The retaining device includes a central support ring on the grass catcher and removably fastened to a loop projecting forwardly from a lift arm for the reel mower cutting unit. The central support ring may be pivotably mounted to the top of the grass catcher, and may have a gate that is spring biased to the closed position to engage a wireform loop extending forwardly from the lift arm that supports the reel mower cutting unit. Additionally, a rod may extend horizontally from the sides of a grass catcher and may be pivotably attached to the reel mower cutting unit.

Abstract: A grass catcher assembly for coupling with a grass cutting device includes a covered frame and a support defining an aperture for receiving debris from the grass cutting device. The covered frame may be pivotally coupled with the support for one or more of collecting the debris when the covered frame is in a closed position and emptying the debris when the covered frame is in an opened position.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes: a container; a conveyance mechanism configured to convey an object to the container using a force of wind generated by a blower; and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a conveyance state of the conveyed object to the container. The evaluation unit has a drive load detecting function of detecting a drive load of the blower, and a conveyance state determining function of determining whether the conveyance state reached a predetermined conveyance state, based on the detected drive load.

Abstract: A mown-grass collecting bucket capable of smoothly collecting into a mown-grass collecting box the grass mown off by a lawn mower cutters and automatically discharging out of the box the mown grass collected into the box and scraped together is provided. The mown-grass collecting box having intake and discharge ports for the mown grass is provided with a mown-grass scraping-together and discharging mechanism, which mechanism comprising a rotary shaft coupled to a rotary drive source to be driven thereby, a first blade supported through first brackets by the rotary shaft, a second blade supported through second brackets mounted to support shafts provided on the first brackets, a brush provided to tip edge of the second blade, and twist springs each mounted on each support shaft and across each first bracket and each second bracket.

Abstract: A mowed grass amount detecting apparatus for a grass collection container of a grass mowing machine is disclosed, into which container mowed grass mowed by a mower unit is charged through a conveying duct. The apparatus includes a pivotal sensor plate (62) constituting a portion of a boundary wall for holding the mowed grass charged into the grass collection container, the pivotal sensor plate having a receiving face which receives the weight of mowed grass, a spring (65) disposed in a space on the outer side of the receiving face for urging the sensor plate (62) in a direction toward its home-position, a detecting unit (66) for detecting an amount of pivotal movement of the sensor plate (62) from the home position.

Abstract: A grass collecting apparatus for a lawn mower comprises a frame (22) supported by a vehicle body, a container supporting member (26) for supporting a grass collecting container (21) for storing grass clippings and including a container supporting surface (27) for receiving an opening edge of the grass collecting container, and a container cover (23) mounted on the frame to be oscillatable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an opened position. An engaging member (35) is mounted on the container cover (23). The engaging member (35) is engageable with the opening edge (21b) of the grass collecting container (21) with oscillation of the container cover (23) from the opened position to the closed position, thereby positioning and maintaining the grass collecting container (21) on the container supporting member (26), and disengageable from the opening edge (21b) of the grass collecting container (21) with oscillation of the container cover (23) from the closed position to the opened position.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism (60) is provided for detachably connecting A grass collecting unit (30) to a chassis (4), and the connecting mechanism (60) includes a connecting unit (40) at the grass collecting unit side provided in a support frame assembly (31), and a connecting unit (50) at the vehicle body side provided in the chassis (4). The support frame assembly is vertically movable by the driving unit with the grass container (32) being supported to the ground through a support (70), which selectively achieves a connecting operation performed by the connecting mechanism (60) for connecting the connecting unit (40) at the grass collecting unit side to the connecting unit (50) at the vehicle body side, and a releasing operation performed by the connecting mechanism (60) for releasing connection between the connecting unit (40) at the grass collecting unit side and the connecting unit (50) at the vehicle body side.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a container assembly defined by a plurality of panels coupled to a frame assembly, the plurality of panels comprising at least one releasable panel releasably coupled to the frame assembly, the releasable panel adapted to release and provide separation from the frame assembly and a release assembly coupled to the releasable panel suitable for providing force adequate to release the releasable panel from the frame assembly, the release assembly further comprising a lever and a plurality of bracket members pivotally coupled to a panel of the container assembly. The container assembly and release assembly are suitable for attaching to a portion of a grass cutting device, containing material collecting from the grass cutting device and discharging the material without detachment of the container assembly from the grass cutting device.

Abstract: A riding mower carries a grass collector at the rear of the mower frame. A mounting system for the grass collector comprises a mount that pivotally couples the lower portion of the grass collector to the mower frame. The pivotal mount comprises a pair of hooks each of which is inserted onto a pivot rod. In addition, the mounting system comprises a quick connect fastening system that includes a pair of spring biased retaining pins that can be latched in a retracted, non-operative position or unlatched so that the spring bias on the pins is able to move the pins into an extended, operative position. In the extended, operative position of the retaining pins, the pins fasten or secure the grass collector to the mower frame in a substantially upright, operative position of the grass collector.

Abstract: The collector bag is provided that includes a fabric formed to define an internal volume, a plurality of sewn loops for disposal about an outer periphery of the collector frame, and a gather of fabric at each of the plurality of sewn loops for disposal about an inner circumference of the collector frame. The plurality of sewn loops are secured to the gather so that the internal volume of the collector bag, when disposed on the collector frame, is at least about 90 percent of a maximum volume of the collector frame.

Abstract: A riding-type mower vehicle comprises a mower supported by a vehicle body; a grass collector configured to receive cut grass cut by the mower; a vehicle-side connector located at a rear position of the vehicle body and having a pair of inclined guide portions that face each other such that a distance between the inclined guide portions decreases toward lower portions of the inclined guide portions to open upwardly; and a collector-side connector provided to the grass collector to extend generally downwardly and having a pair of inclined guided portions whose distance from each other decreases toward lower portions of the inclined guided portions; wherein the collector-side connector is attached to the vehicle-side connector by inserting an inclined guided portion of the collector-side connector between the pair of inclined guide portions of the vehicle-side connector.

Abstract: A cleanout mechanism is disclosed for a grass discharge and collection chute on a mower. The cleanout mechanism includes a door pivotable downwardly from the chute to provide an opening in a bottom surface of the chute, and a wiper pivotable rearwardly along the bottom surface of the chute toward a position adjacent the opening. An operator control is connected through linkages to the door and the wiper to pivot both of the door and the wiper while permitting continued operation of the mower.

Abstract: A grass collector adapted to be attached to a rear of a riding-type mower for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the grass collector including a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening and adapted to be attached to the riding-type mower, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position. A rear container section is supported pivotably about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotable between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A catcher frame apparatus is provided including a catcher frame and a catcher roller mounted to the front lower end of a catcher supporting unit of the catcher frame along the direction of the width of a machine body. The catcher frame is connected to the machine body so as to be capable of rotating about an axis of rotation extending along the direction of the width of the machine body, and the catcher supporting unit of the catcher frame is arranged in front of a lawn mowing unit, so that substantially the entire weight of lawn chips stored in a grass catcher supported by the catcher supporting unit is applied to the catcher roller.

Abstract: A mower tractor includes a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; an engine mounted to the vehicle body; a mower suspended from the vehicle body; at least one grass collector bag for collecting grass cut by the mower; a grass collector bag holder supporting said at least one grass collector bag at a position on one side with respect to the engine; and a stopper portion for abutting against the grass collector bag so as to prevent the grass collector bag supported by the grass collector bag holder from moving toward the vehicle body.

Abstract: A grass collecting apparatus for a lawn mower comprises a frame (22) supported by a vehicle body, a container supporting member (26) for supporting a grass collecting container (21) for storing grass clippings and including a container supporting surface (27) for receiving an opening edge of the grass collecting container, and a container cover (23) mounted on the frame to be oscillatable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an opened position. An engaging member (35) is mounted on the container cover (23). The engaging member (35) is engageable with the opening edge (21b) of the grass collecting container (21) with oscillation of the container cover (23) from the opened position to the closed position, thereby positioning and maintaining the grass collecting container (21) on the container supporting member (26), and disengageable from the opening edge (21b) of the grass collecting container (21) with oscillation of the container cover (23) from the closed position to the opened position.

Abstract: A multi-use lawn mower capable of operating as a mulching, side-discharge, or a bagging mower. The lawn mower (10) includes; a mower deck (14) having an opening (58) therein forming a passageway through which grass clippings exit the cutting chamber during select modes of operation. The lawn mower also includes a grass-collecting hopper (40) removably mounted on the mower deck (14), the grass-collecting hopper (40) having a basket portion (42) for receiving grass clippings cut by the cutting blade (36) and a multi-station mounting portion (60) configured to interface with the opening (58) in the mower deck in a plurality of orientations. The mounting portion includes a mulching station (64) that configures the lawn mower to function as a mulching mower, a bagging station (66) that configures the lawn mower to function as a bagging mower, and a side-discharge station (68) that configures the lawn mower to function as a side-discharge mower.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for removing dust particles from air circulating within a mowing machine, such as a lawn mowing machine, including a housing, a handle attached to the housing, a prime mover attached to the housing, and a grassbag employing a cyclonic separator. A grassbag apparatus can be provided that can include a grass clippings chamber for collecting blades of grass that have been cut and a dust collection chamber for removing and collecting dust-filled air from the air circulating within the lawn mowing machine. The dust collection chamber can include a cyclonic separator and a dust collection receptacle, wherein the cyclonic separator can be configured to remove dust particles from air circulating within the grassbag apparatus.

Abstract: A grass collector adapted to be attached to a rear of a riding-type mower for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the grass collector comprises a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening and adapted to be attached to the riding-type mower, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position; and a rear container section supported pivotably about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotable between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: The working vehicle with front-mount mower according to the present invention makes it possible to secure, in the center in a vehicle widthwise direction, a free space used for positioning a discharge duct without being affected by a pump-side transmission mechanism that transmits rotational power from a driving power source to a hydraulic pump main body and a PTO-side transmission mechanism that transmits rotational power from the driving power source to a mower. Accordingly, it is possible to improve design freedom of the discharge duct, thereby eliminating the use of or downsizing a blower, which has been vital in the conventional techniques.

Abstract: A multi-use lawn mower capable of operating as a mulching, side-discharge, or a bagging mower. The lawn mower (10) includes; a mower deck (14) having an opening (58) therein forming a passageway through which grass clippings exit the cutting chamber during select modes of operation. The lawn mower also includes a grass-collecting hopper (40) removably mounted on the mower deck (14), the grass-collecting hopper (40) having a basket portion (42) for receiving grass clippings cut by the cutting blade (36) and a multi-station mounting portion (60) configured to interface with the opening (58) in the mower deck in a plurality of orientations. The mounting portion includes a mulching station (64) that configures the lawn mower to function as a mulching mower, a bagging station (66) that configures the lawn mower to function as a bagging mower, and a side-discharge station (68) that configures the lawn mower to function as a side-discharge mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower, comprising a vehicle body that is supported by a plurality of wheels; a support frame that is connected to a rear part of the vehicle body; a grass collector that is supported on the support frame so as to be pivoted between a grass collecting position and a discharge position about an axis oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, the grass collector having a bottom surface; a swiveling body that is connected to a rotating shaft of the grass collector to be rotated in unison so as to switch the grass collector between the grass collecting position and the discharge position; and a cylinder connected to the swiveling body and to the support frame; wherein the swiveling body and the cylinder are disposed below the grass collector in the grass collecting position, and the cylinder extends along the bottom surface of the grass collector.

Abstract: A fill detection device for a grass container includes: a detection switch; a pivot sensor that is fastened inside the grass container, that can actuate the detection switch as a result of contact with cut grass, and whose position can be changed between a raised non-detection position and a lowered detection position, the pivot sensor having: a first pressure-sensing surface that faces generally upwardly when the pivot sensor is in the non-detection position; and a second pressure-sensing surface that is linked to the first pressure-sensing surface, and that faces generally substantially rearwardly when the pivot sensor is in the non-detection position.

Abstract: A biodegradable grass and debris catcher is attached to an exit chute of a lawn mower and garden vacuum/blower discharge chute to collect grass clippings and debris. The biodegradable grass and debris collector bag, containing grass clipping and debris, is composted or disposed of in a landfill without incorporating polymeric residue. The biodegradable grass and debris catcher has a plurality of layers, preferably three layers, of industrial strength paper. A plurality of air vent holes on side walls of the bag release discharged air while trapping grass clippings or debris. The industrial strength paper may be reinforced with biodegradable cotton fibers.

Abstract: A riding lawnmower vehicle includes two main drive wheels, at least one caster wheel, an electric traction motor, an internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and a lawnmower. The electric energy generated by the generator can be supplied directly or via an electric accumulator to the electric traction motor. The main drive wheels are independently driven by the electric traction motor, which can operate as a traction power source. When viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the internal combustion engine and a secondary battery operable as the electric accumulator overlap each other, and the main drive wheels overlap at least a part of at least one of the internal combustion engine, the generator, the secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, an inverter, a cooling device, a mower driving motor, and a grass-collecting duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traveling mower including a traveling body 1 with a mower unit, and a grass collection box 22 for storing the mowed grass. The box is pivotally connected to the traveling body for switching between a grass collection posture for receiving grass and a discharge posture for discharging grass. The body 1 is provided with a posture change lever 12. The box 22 and the lever 12 are associated with each other via an interlock mechanism 44 so that the box 22 changes the posture in accordance with the manual operation of the lever 12. The change of the posture of the box 22 is performed with a small operation force that depends on the amount of the grass in the box 22. To enable this, the interlock mechanism 44 includes a switching mechanism for increasing the turning angle of the box 22, per unit operation of the lever 12, when the box 22 is empty or substantially empty and for reducing the turning angle when the box 22 holds much grass.

Abstract: A lawn mower for mowing lawn. There is: a lawn mower base, having a first transport hole; an external collection container, having a second transport hole and a first transport flap; and an internal collection container having a third transport hole and a first elongated ductile connection member. There is also a second elongated ductile connection member coupled to the internal collection container. The transport flap is removably coupled to the external collection container by zipping. The internal collection container comprises a plurality of slit portions. The external connection container comprises a plurality of connection hooks, and the internal collection container comprises a plurality of connection bands. The internal collection container comprises a plurality of ventilation holes opposite the third transport hole.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a machine body, a grass bag detachably attached to the machine body for collecting therein grass clippings, a driving power source mounted on the machine body, a cutter blade driven by the driving power source for rotation to cut grass, and a cutter housing covering the cutter blade. The cutter blade has air lifting sections disposed at opposite end portions thereof for producing carrier air during rotation of the cutter blade. The cutter housing has a grass clipping delivery passage for directing grass clippings to the grass bag with the carrier air produced by the air lifting sections of the cutter blade, and an exhaust air return passage for returning only the carrier air, as exhaust air, from the grass bag to the cutter housing. The grass clipping delivery passage extends in a front-and-rear direction of the cutter housing. The exhaust air return passage is disposed adjacent to and extends substantially perpendicular to the grass clipping delivery passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection and reduction of yard debris combining a frontally facing vacuum pick up with a chipper-shredder-blower unit to induce airflow for entraining debris collected at the vacuum pick up; reduce the entrained debris to a more manageable volume; impel the reduced debris to a high-efficiency free-flow-separator device for removing the debris from the air in which it is entrained; and deposit the debris in a detachable accumulator for subsequent dumping.

Abstract: A vacuum system adapted for mounting to a riding lawn mower. The vacuum system includes a blower section removably mountable to the mower deck of the mower, a unit for delivering power from a drive system on the mower deck to a propeller within the blower section, a trailer section configured for towing behind the mower, a hitch system for connecting the trailer section to the rear of the mower, and a passage connecting the blower section to the trailer section and through which debris discharged by the mower deck is propelled into the hopper. The blower section has a housing that receives debris discharged from the mower deck and a device for propelling the debris through an outlet of the housing. The hitch system permits pivoting of the trailer section about lateral and fore-aft axes of the mower but not about a vertical axis, such that the trailer section remains aligned with the fore-aft axis of the mower when the mower is turning.

Abstract: An exhaust circulation lawnmower is disclosed in which grass clippings are sent, along with carrier air, from a cutter housing to a grass bag; the grass clippings are held in the grass bag; and the carrier air is returned to the cutter housing as exhaust. A surface area A1 of a grass clippings discharge opening and a surface area A2 of a recirculation opening have a relationship of A2?{1/(1??N)0.5}A1, where A1 is the surface area of the grass clippings discharge opening through which the grass clippings and carrier air are discharged from the cutter housing to the grass bag, A2 is the surface area of the recirculation opening through which the carrier air is recirculated from the grass bag to the cutter housing, N is the number of bends having an angle of ? degrees in the space between the grass clippings discharge opening and the recirculation opening, and ? is a pressure loss coefficient for each of the bends.

Abstract: A high-clearance dump system is described for use with a riding mower. A folding lift assembly lifts the catcher box up and away from the riding mower to allow dumping over and away from the walls of a truck or other receiving vehicle. The folding lift assembly interfolds into the dumping catcher assembly and the dump system mount assembly thus providing a low-profile when in the lowered position. A lift pivot arm, and lift control rods that are shorter than the lift pivot arm, cause the catcher frame to be tilted at an obtuse angle with respect to the lift pivot arm so that the back end of the catcher frame is higher than the front end of the catcher frame when the lift pivot arm is raised, thus providing high clearance. A power system provides power a switch box that switches power between a lift cylinder and a dump cylinder so that the catcher may be dumped in a raised, partially raised, or lowered position.

Abstract: A grass collection container for a grass mowing machine includes a bag or hopper attached to a support frame under the plastic top cover with air permeable panels, and a flexible sound barrier curtain attached to the support frame over the air permeable panels. The flexible sound barrier curtain has a thickness of between about 1 mm and about 5 mm. An air passage is provided between the bag or hopper and the flexible sound barrier curtain.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a grass bag for collecting cut grass, which is attached to a rear wall of a cutter housing of the lawn mower. The rear wall includes an exit that communicates the grass bag with a cut grass carrying passage formed in the cutter housing, and a plurality of internal pressure control holes formed proximately to the exit. When a grass cutting operation continues, cut grass is accumulated in the grass bag, causing the internal pressure of the bag to rise. By virtue of the control holes, rise of the internal pressure is restrained.