Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for attachment to a lawn mower such as a commercial lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the catcher includes at least one baffle for causing a venturi effect during grass cutting operation. The presence of such a baffle may allow for reduced grass clogging and/or improved grass packing in the catcher during mower operation in certain example instances.

Abstract: A grass collecting apparatus includes a grass collecting container support; at least one grass collecting container mounted on the container support and having an upper end opening edge for receiving mowed grass or the like through a conduit, a guide hood for covering the grass collecting container from the above, a support portion for supporting the guide hood while allowing its displacement from a closed position to an opened position; a fixed sealing plate provided to the grass collecting container support in the vicinity of the support portion; and a movable sealing plate provided to the guide hood in the vicinity of the support portion. The movable sealing plate is disposed in opposition to the fixed sealing plate, and a free end of the movable sealing plate displaceable in association with opening/closing displacement of the guide hood approaches the fixed sealing plate at least when the guide hood is at the closed position or the opened position.

Abstract: A collection container on a vehicle for lawn, garden, or property care may be connected to the vehicle so as to be movable about an axis that is at least essentially horizontal, whereby the collection container has at least a first position, in which it is arranged essentially above a hood of the vehicle, and can assume a second position, in which the hood may be opened.

Abstract: A grass collector for a grass mower adapted to move grass cuttings from a mower unit through a duct into a grass container disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle body, comprises: a support frame configured to be attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body of the grass mower; a connecting portion supported by the support frame; an engaging member provided to the grass container and engageable with the connecting portion wherein the grass container is detachably attached to the support frame by the engagement of the engaging member with the connecting portion; an engagement lock member provided in the grass container for preventing disengagement of the engaging member from the connecting portion; and an engagement releasing tool for releasing the engagement lock member, the releasing tool being disposed adjacent a handle provided on a top face of the grass container so that the releasing tool may be gripped simultaneously with the handle.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower comprises, a plurality of front wheels and a plurality of rear wheels; a vehicle body supported by the front wheels and the rear wheels, and supporting a driver's seat; an engine disposed in a rear position of the vehicle body; a hood housing the engine; a mower unit suspendible from the vehicle body; and a grass catcher for collecting grass clippings from the mower unit. The grass catcher includes a left side container portion; a right side container portion; and a center container portion communicating with the left and right side container portions in upper positions of the left and right side container portions, and having a planar bottom.

Abstract: In a control system of a lawn mower having an internal combustion engine controlled to a desired engine speed by a throttle actuator, a blade connected to the engine to be driven to cut grass, an engine output is estimated based on a detected throttle position and the desired engine speed, and when the estimated engine output exceeds a prescribed value, the grass bag is determined to be full of cut grass. With this, a full grass bag can be detected and the operator informed without providing a dedicated sensor.

Abstract: A grass collecting system having a grass collecting duct for transmitting grass clippings reaped by a mower to a swingable grass catcher. The grass collecting duct includes top and side plates for guiding grass clippings from the mower unit to the grass catcher. An outlet portion is defined by an end of a space surrounded by the top and side plates. The grass collection system also having a grass clippings discharge path for transmitting grass clippings received from the mower, from the outlet portion into the grass catcher, and a bottom plate unit disposed in the outlet portion that is swingable about a pivot shaft from a guide position to an upstanding position. The bottom plate unit has a shortening mechanism for shortening a distance between a forward end of the bottom plate unit projecting into the grass collecting duct and the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A reel type mower having a mobile structure and a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to the mobile structure. The ground engaging traction member imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed. A power device is supported on the mobile structure and outputs a driving force to the ground engaging traction member. A bed knife is supported by the mobile structure having a cutting edge that cooperates with a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on the mobile structure. A collection apparatus is engagable with the mobile structure or removable from the mobile structure for collecting the grass clippings. A guard device is pivotally coupled to the mobile structure and is positionable in a closed position concealing the grass cutting reel and an opened position revealing the grass cutting reel.

Abstract: A side cart mounted directly to one side of a tractor or rider lawn mowing blade housing deck. The side cart has an opening adjacent to the grass cutting discharge chute. Fastened to the bottom of the side cart is a steel sheet which is bent upwards at the front and rear. In one embodiment of the invention a hard plastic liner is pivotally installed in the side cart. The liner has a long handle attached thereto which permits the user to empty the side cart to the rear of the side cart without using a snow shovel.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection and reduction of yard debris combining a frontally facing rotor-assisted 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; and impel the reduced debris to a free-flow-separator device for removing the debris from the air in which it is entrained.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a bearing frame, a grass cutting unit located beneath the bearing frame, a system for taking the grass clippings, a catcher for collecting the grass clippings located above the bearing frame, a duct for conveying the grass clippings from the system for taking the grass clippings to the catcher, a second frame arranged between the catcher and the bearing frame, wherein the second frame is hinged to the bearing frame so as to enable the catcher to assume a working configuration at which the catcher is lowered and an emptying configuration at which the catcher is raised with respect to the bearing frame.

Abstract: An attachment for releasably coupling a conduit or duct on a mower to the grass bagger inlet of a grass bagger. The duct has a front end connected to a cutting deck carried on the mower and a rear end connected to the grass bagger inlet. The duct is flexible and includes a spiral rib on an outer diameter of the duct. The grass bagger inlet includes inwardly protruding tabs on an inner diameter of the grass bagger inlet. When the rear end of the duct is pushed into the grass bagger inlet, the tabs on the grass bagger inlet engage the spiral rib on the duct in a ratchet type engagement to releasably hold the duct in the grass bagger inlet.

Abstract: A bagging device for use on a lawnmower includes a frame, a bag attached to the frame and having a bag opening aligned with a discharge opening on the lawnmower, and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the frame. During operation of the lawnmower, vegetation clippings from the lawnmower are collected in the bag. When the bagging device is mounted on the lawnmower, the at least one wheel is in a stowed condition and does not support any weight of the bagging device. The at least one wheel is generally at the top of the bagging device when the bagging device is attached to the lawnmower. When the bagging device is detached from the lawnmower, the bagging device is flipped or toppled over to position the at least one wheel at the bottom of the bagging device to facilitate rolling the bagging device away from the lawnmower.

Abstract: A housing cannot be made compact by only securing a space corresponding to a reservoir tank at the upper part of the housing, and the space at the upper part of the housing cannot be utilized if the reservoir tank is integrally provided to the upper part of the housing. An axle driving apparatus comprising a tubular reservoir tank erected on the upper surface of the upper wall surface of the housing for accommodating an HST, wherein, since the reservoir tank is thinly elongated and is freely bendable, it can be disposed in a limited space. The housing is divided into a first room and a second room with which the reservoir tank communicates. Further, a first magnet is disposed at a position where the first and second rooms are connected, and a second magnet is disposed in the proximity of an oil filter connected to a closed circuit of the HST so that impurities can be removed.

Abstract: A utility cart for lawn and garden applications and adapted for mounting on a lawnmower for catching vegetation clippings from the lawnmower. The cart includes at least one wheel that is in a stowed position when the cart is mounted on a lawnmower such that the at least one wheel bears no weight of the cart. The cart has substantially rigid walls and a handle movable between stowed and deployed positions. The handle pivots with respect to the cart by way of pins in a pivot slot and a guide slot. The slots include locking portions that receive the pins and prevent the handle from pivoting with respect to the cart to facilitate hauling items in the cart and to facilitate lifting the cart off of a lawnmower.

Abstract: Mowing machine chute cleaner apparatuses and methods are disclosed including a housing and at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass. The mowing machine includes a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, wherein the discharge chute defining an exit opening, and the mowing machine includes a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap. The mowing machine also includes a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine which can be moved in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute by movement of the cover flap to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute.

Abstract: A grass collecting apparatus for directing grass clippings cut by a mower unit to a grass catcher. The apparatus includes a grass collecting duct for guiding the grass clippings from the mower unit to the grass catcher, the duct having an outlet portion leading to the grass catcher defined by an upper plate, right and left side plates and a bottom plate, a gate-shaped frame disposed in a boundary between the outlet portion of the grass collecting duct and an opening of the grass catcher, and a swing mechanism for swinging the grass catcher between a grass collecting position and a grass discharging position. The bottom plate is arranged to receive the grass clippings falling off an area when the grass catcher is in the grass collecting position, and is displaced with a surface being tilted when the grass catcher is swung from the grass collecting position to the grass discharging position.

Abstract: A lawnmower comprising a mower deck having a discharge outlet for discharging grass clippings. The mower deck includes an aperture and slot defined by the mower deck adjacent opposite sides of the discharge outlet. A chute is pivotally connected to the mower deck above the discharge outlet and may pivot between a stowed condition and an operable condition. An extension portion is removably connectable to the mower deck adjacent the discharge outlet. The extension portion includes a fixed pin engageable with the aperture and a latch engageable with the slot. The latch is movable between an engaged position, in which the latch engages the slot, and a disengaged position, in which the latch is removed from the slot. The extension portion extends beyond the chute while the chute is in the stowed condition. A grass catcher is connectable to extension portion opposite the mower deck.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection and reduction of twig-containing yard debris combining a frontally facing twig breaker 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; and impel the reduced debris to a free-flow-separator device for removing the debris from the air in which it is entrained.

Abstract: A self propelled lawnmower protective component used to support the grass catcher door is formed of a plastic material that is more flexible than the polyethylene material used in the prior art. By using co-extrusion, two different plastics are extruded into one shape. When applied to the lawnmower structure, the adhesion between the basic profile and a co-extruded ball or flap is extremely tight. Metallocene olefin is the plastic material which, when compressed under load and heat, recovers its original shape, similar to a soft rubber product and still has the capability of adhering to the polyethylene profile, so as not to separate after continuous or repeated use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a discharge stopper unit for a mowing machine having a mower deck. The discharge stopper unit has a discharge stopper adapted to block a discharge opening in the mower deck and an arm connected to the discharge stopper. Preferably, the arm has a biasing member which produces a securing force on the discharge stopper.

Abstract: A rigid refuse bag liner for insertion into a yard refuse bag for supporting the yard refuse bag in an open condition. The rigid yard refuse bag liner is an elongated enclosure having an open bottom and having a tapered construction such that its bottom portion is wider than its top portion, which facilitates the removal of the rigid liner once the refuse bag liner/refuse bag are filled with yard refuse. To further facilitate this removal, air vents running through the enclosure permit the passage of air as the rigid liner is lifted upward, out of the yard bag. A compactor is associated with the rigid liner whereby the compactor is a planar surface coupled to a handle that the user can grasp and apply pressure to in order to compact the yard refuse that has already been collected. The rigid refuse bag liner can be inserted into a yard refuse bag and that combination can then be used on a bagger attachment device coupled to a riding lawn mower for automatically collecting grass cuttings therein.

Abstract: A lawn mower for transmitting grass clippings cut by a mower unit (4) to a grass catcher (32) through a grass collecting duct (31). The lawn mower includes a body frame (1), and a bracket unit (39) attached to a rear of the body frame (1). A gate frame (40) is provided for supporting the grass catcher (32) to be displaceable between a collecting posture with an opening of the grass catcher (32) opposed to the grass collecting duct (31), and a discharging posture with the opening directed downward. The gate frame (40) defines first connecting areas (50) for enabling connection to a lift link mechanism (47) for vertically moving the gate frame (40) relative to the body frame (1), and second connecting areas (60) for enabling direct connection to the bracket unit (39). The first connecting areas (50) have connecting pins (51) connectable to distal ends of swing arms (45) of the lift link mechanism (47) used according to circumstances.

Abstract: An attachment for releasably coupling a conduit or duct on a mower to the grass bagger inlet of a grass bagger. The duct has a front end connected to a cutting deck carried on the mower and a rear end connected to the grass bagger inlet. The duct is flexible and includes a spiral rib on an outer diameter of the duct. The grass bagger inlet includes inwardly protruding tabs on an inner diameter of the grass bagger inlet. When the rear end of the duct is pushed into the grass bagger inlet, the tabs on the grass bagger inlet engage the spiral rib on the duct in a ratchet type engagement to releasably hold the duct in the grass bagger inlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus removably attachable to a rotary lawn mower for collecting grass, leaves, and debris in a disposable collection bag, such as a plastic garbage bag.

Abstract: A yard waste collection bag for providing a user with a biodegradable bag that would be attached to a yard machine discharge chute. The yard waste collection bag includes a main bag member having a perimeter wall that extends between a first and second end. The first end is open. The first end is designed for engaging an output of yard maintenance equipment. The second end is closed such that the second and the perimeter wall form a bag for collecting yard waste discharged from the yard maintenance equipment. At least one elongate member is coupled to the second end of the main bag member. The elongate member is for facilitating holding and transporting the main bag member.

Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for attachment to a lawn mower such as a commercial lawn mower. In certain example embodiments, the catcher includes at least one baffle for causing a venturi effect during grass cutting operation. The presence of such a baffle may allow for reduced grass clogging and/or improved grass packing in the catcher during mower operation in certain example instances.

Abstract: A hopper for a lawn tractor. The hopper includes a plurality of walls. The walls together define an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space. A door is movably coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls and is movable between a closed position, in which the door substantially covers the opening, and an open position, in which, the opening is at least partially uncovered. A sweep assembly is movable within the interior space when the door is moved between the closed and open positions. Preferably, the sweep assembly includes a frame coupled to the door and a sweep coupled to the frame. The sweep is preferably a flexible member that engages at least one of the plurality of walls. Preferably, the hopper also includes a latching mechanism coupled to the at least one of the plurality of walls.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a grass discharge passage extending rearward from a housing 11. A grass receptacle is removably mounted to the discharge passage via a receptacle mounted portion. A shutter is provided at a passage opening of the grass discharge passage facing the housing. The shutter is rotatably provided within the housing to adjust the degree of opening of the passage opening. The lawn mower is switched between a bagging mode, a mulching mode and an intermediate mode by the opening control with the shutter.

Abstract: A grass collecting apparatus for directing grass clippings cut by a mower unit to a grass catcher, the apparatus comprising a grass collecting duct for guiding the grass clippings from the mower unit to the grass catcher, the duct having an outlet portion leading to the grass catcher defined by an upper plate, right and left side plates and a bottom plate, a gate-shaped frame disposed in a boundary between the outlet portion of the grass collecting duct and an opening of the grass catcher, and a swing mechanism for swinging the grass catcher between a grass collecting position with the opening of the grass catcher being opposed to the gate-shaped frame and a grass discharging position with the opening of the grass catcher being directed downward.

Abstract: A grass collection container for a lawnmower is provided to reduce the amount of blockage in an air-permeable region of the container. Materials, such as residual grass, that adhere to the container, cause the blockage. The grass collection container is made from cloth, sewn in the form of a bag, to collect grass that has been cut by a rotating cutting blade of the lawnmower and carried to the container by a flow of air. At least one section of the grass collection container is the air-permeable region that allows the flow of air to pass therethrough but does not allow the grass to pass therethrough. The air-permeable region carries thereon a photocatalyst that sterilizes and decomposes grass and organic materials. Therefore, the container is able to reduce the amount of blockage and suppress decay therein, thereby lowering the level of unpleasant odors.

Abstract: A hopper for a lawn tractor. The hopper includes a plurality of walls. The walls together define an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space. A door is movably coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls and is movable between a closed position, in which the door substantially covers the opening, and an open position, in which, the opening is at least partially uncovered. A sweep assembly is movable within the interior space when the door is moved between the closed and open positions. Preferably, the sweep assembly includes a frame coupled to the door and a sweep coupled to the frame. The sweep is preferably a flexible member that engages at least one of the plurality of walls. Preferably, the hopper also includes a latching mechanism coupled to the at least one of the plurality of walls.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower body and a grass bag provided at the rear of the mower body. The mower body has a cutter deck rotatably accommodating a cutter blade, a carrying passage for guiding grass clippings into the grass bag, and an air return passage for guiding only air from the grass bag into the cutter deck. Cutter deck-facing openings of the air return passage are opened in line with the rotating track of airlifts provided at the opposite ends of the cutter blade. A swirling airflow inside the cutter deck induced by the rotation of the cutter blade is in the same direction as that of air returned via the air return passage, resulting in a smooth airflow inside the cutter deck.

Abstract: A duct support and transition structure for the air system of a cotton harvester includes a plurality of upright telescoping duct sections connected to a vertically adjustable support tube extending transversely between the sections providing lateral support for the ducts. Hydraulically operated slide structure connected to the support tube moves the sections vertically between operating and transport positions and eliminates duct binding problems. A telescoping harvester basket supports forwardly extending hood structure. The hood structure opens downwardly towards the upper ducts and includes grates for exhausting air and debris. The ends of the ducts open upwardly rather than rearwardly into the hood structure. The basket can move to and from the dump position without interference from the ducts, and the hood structure reduces cotton loss without need for side shields.

Abstract: A mowing machine chute cleaner apparatus and method including a housing and at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass. The mowing machine includes a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, wherein the discharge chute defining an exit opening, and the mowing machine includes a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap. The mowing machine also includes a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine which can be moved in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute by movement of the cover flap to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower includes a front wheel unit (1), a rear wheel unit (2) having a left rear wheel (2a) and a right rear wheel (2b), a body frame (3) supported by the front wheel unit and rear wheel unit, a mower unit (10) disposed under the body frame between the front wheel unit and rear wheel unit, a driver's seat (5) disposed on the body frame to be above the mower unit, an engine (7) disposed rearwardly of the driver's seat, and a drive transmission mechanism (70) for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear wheel unit. The engine (7) is disposed between and substantially at a higher level than the left and right rear wheels (2a, 2b) to secure a utility space (100) extending longitudinally of the vehicle body between the left and right rear wheels.

Abstract: A lawn mower for directing grass clippings to a grass catcher. The lawn mower includes a vehicle body and a mower unit supported by the vehicle body to be vertically movable for varying a height thereof above the ground. The mower unit includes a housing, cutting blades rotatable about vertical shafts, and a grass clippings discharge channel connected to the housing and opening downward for rearwardly directing grass clippings cut by the cutting blades. The lawn mower further includes a grass collecting duct for connecting a discharge opening of the grass clippings discharge channel to the grass catcher, and a receiving plate having a receiving surface for covering the downward opening of the grass clippings discharge channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection and reduction of yard debris combining a frontally facing rotor-assisted 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; and impel the reduced debris to a free-flow-separator device for removing the debris from the air in which it is entrained.

Abstract: A grass bag apparatus includes a bag portion, a lower bag attachment subassembly, and an upper bag attachment subassembly. The lower bag attachment subassembly includes a hoop portion and a handle portion. The upper bag attachment subassembly includes a first upper subportion element (itself including a main wireform subportion and hook portions) and a second upper subportion element (itself including a main wireform subportion and a shield portion). When the grass bag apparatus is attached to a convention lawnmower having a handle assembly, the lower bag attachment subassembly is mounted proximate the discharge opening of the lawnmower. The upper bag attachment subassembly is mounted proximate the handle assembly, particularly at a location including a crossbar. Hook portions being part of the first upper subportion element hook over the crossbar such that the first and second upper subportion elements tend to be locked together during such mounting on said crossbar.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a scroll portion for allowing grass clippings to swirl within a housing while guiding them to a grass discharge passage. A guide provided beneath a top plate of the housing is placed along the scroll portion. A rear guide end of the guide is opposed to a passage opening facing the housing of the grass discharge passage. The direction of a swirling flow is gradually changed and guided toward the passage opening by the guide.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a grass discharge passage extending rearward from a housing 11. A grass receptacle is removably mounted to the discharge passage via a receptacle mounted portion. A shutter is provided at a passage opening of the grass discharge passage facing the housing. The shutter is rotatably provided within the housing to adjust the degree of opening of the passage opening. The lawn mower is switched between a bagging mode, a mulching mode and an intermediate mode by the opening control with the shutter.

Abstract: A lawn mower for directing grass clippings to a grass catcher. The lawn mower includes a vehicle body and a mower unit supported by the vehicle body to be vertically movable for varying a height thereof above the ground. The mower unit includes a housing, cutting blades rotatable about vertical shafts, and a grass clippings discharge channel connected to the housing and opening downward for rearwardly directing grass clippings cut by the cutting blades. The lawn mower further includes a grass collecting duct for connecting a discharge opening of the grass clippings discharge channel to the grass catcher, and a receiving plate having a receiving surface for covering the downward opening of the grass clippings discharge channel.

Abstract: The invention is a multifunctional, mobile appliance capable of performing a variety of tasks safely, quietly, without pollution, and out of sight of its owner. Such tasks might include lawn mowing, fertilizing, and edging, floor vacuuming, waxing, and polishing, or rug shampooing. In its preferred implementation, the mobile unit 1 would obtain precise real time and position information using the Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System. The user initially guides the appliance around the work-area perimeters. The device then uses this information to determine the full working area. Proximity detectors and impact sensors help the appliance avoid unexpected obstacles. The device is quiet enough to perform its task in the middle of the night while its owner is asleep, but can be programmed to work continuously or during any user-specified time interval. The small turning radius of the appliance allows it to follow intricate perimeters.

Abstract: A dischargeable hopper system (10) for a vehicular apparatus is provided. The dischargeable hopper system (10) comprises a fixed assembly (100) including a front support portion (110) and a pair of opposing wing portions (120) extending transversely therefrom to delineate at least a portion of a storage compartment (150). The dischargeable hopper system (10) also comprises a movable assembly (200) releasably coupled to the fixed assembly (100) in pivotally displaceable manner. The movable assembly (200) is displaceable relative to the fixed assembly (100) between open and closed positions responsive to user manipulation of an actuation assembly (300) coupled thereto. The movable assembly (200) in its closed position encloses against the fixed assembly (100) at least a portion of the storage compartment (150), and in its open position opens the portion of the storage compartment (150) for autonomous content discharge therefrom.

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 system for mounting material collector containers to lawn and garden tractors includes mounting arms pivotally attachable to the tractor frame and spring biased latching device connected to the arms for releasably and automatically latching the arms to the frame in a given pivotal position. The mounting bracket system is arranged so as to be latched to and receive vertical support from a location or locations remote from the hitch plate and hitch hole. Thus, the mounting bracket system does not interfere with the normal intended uses of the hitch plate and hitch hole.

Abstract: A grass and leaf catcher for use with a riding mower in the form of a large bag of flexible material, having a generally conical shape. The bag has an opening around its first end, and another at the second end. The opening at the first end is generally circular, with a drawstring to facilitate attachment around the discharge tube and hood of the mower. A cleat in proximity to the opening allows for securing the drawstring. The opening at the second end is likewise secured by a drawstring and cleat combination, or by a hook-and-loop fastener. A mesh area in the surface of the bag relieves the pressure within the bag caused by the entry of air forced up the discharge tube by the action of the cutter blades of the mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a mower body and a grass bag provided at the rear of the mower body. The mower body has a cutter deck rotatably accommodating a cutter blade, a carrying passage for guiding grass clippings into the grass bag, and an air return passage for guiding only air from the grass bag into the cutter deck. Cutter deck-facing openings of the air return passage are opened in line with the rotating track of airlifts provided at the opposite ends of the cutter blade. A swirling airflow inside the cutter deck induced by the rotation of the cutter blade is in the same direction as that of air returned via the air return passage, resulting in a smooth airflow inside the cutter deck.

Abstract: A mower with a grass catcher (10) for collecting grass clippings transmitted from a mower unit. The grass catcher has an inlet opening (12) in a front position thereof, and an outlet opening (13) and an openable lid (14) in a rear position. The grass catcher (10) is connected to the rear end of a vehicle body to be supported in a suspended state by a grass catcher support unit (100). The support unit includes mounting posts (9) attached to the rear end of the vehicle body and extending upward, and a support link mechanism (20) for interconnecting upper regions of the mounting posts and lower rearward regions of the grass catcher, and for switching the grass catcher between a grass clippings collecting posture with the inlet opening directed forwardly of the vehicle body, and a raised dumping posture with the outlet opening directed downward. The support link mechanism performs a switching process for switching the grass catcher from the grass clippings collecting posture to the raised dumping posture.

Abstract: A lawn care device comprises a main frame having at least two wheels attached thereto for engaging an associated underlying surface. A mower deck is operatively connected to the main frame. A power means is operatively mounted to the main frame. A non-mower deck implement operatively connects to the main frame. The non-mower deck implement is adapted to follow the contour of the underlying surface. More specifically, the non-mower deck implement is a ground following implement or a floating implement.