Abstract: A method and apparatus for a resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute of a lawn mower. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame is disclosed. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute is provided which has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

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 having a cutter housing for receiving a cutter blade for cutting grass. To make the manufacture of molds easy, the cutter housing is divided into three members: a housing proper for receiving the cutter blade, a bottom member for forming a cut grass carrying passage, and a scroll guide member for forming a portion of a scroll part. The bottom member engages with the housing proper and the scroll guide member. The scroll guide member is co-fastened to the housing proper with an engine. As a result, molds needed for making the cutter housing can be made simple and the assembly of the lawn mower made easy.

Abstract: A mulching mower unit comprising a mower deck having a top plate, and a plurality of rotary blades arranged side by side inside the mower deck. A mulching baffle for providing at least part of boundary walls of a plurality of mulching chambers is detachably attached to the interior of the mower deck. A vertical guide wall constituting the mulching baffle has an inclined surface. A terminal end guide surface is formed in a terminal end portion of the vertical guide wall with respect to a direction of rotation of the rotary blade in a region around an opening for allowing the adjacent mulching chambers to communicate with each other, whereby grass clippings are deflected inwardly of the mulching chamber with which the terminal end guide surface is associated.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a power source for rotatably driving an output shaft, a housing having an interior space having a generally spiral-shaped portion, and a cutting blade disposed in the interior space of the housing and connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith to cut grass. The rotating cutting blade coacts with the spiral-shaped portion of the interior space to generate a swirling air flow that causes the cut grass to swirl within the interior space. A grass discharge passage communicates with the interior space of the housing and discharges therethrough grass cut by the cutting blade and swirling within the interior space of the housing. A pivotal shutter is pivoted about a generally vertical axis by manual operation of a control member to open and close the grass discharge passage. The pivotal shutter comprises a pivotal shaft and a unitary shutter member mounted on the pivotal shaft to undergo pivotal movement therewith for opening and closing the grass discharge passage.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower deck has at least two cutting blades mounted on vertical spindles in cutting chambers, a fan in a housing mounted on the deck over the cutting chambers, and an inlet opening between the cutting chambers and the fan housing. The surface area of the inlet opening may be between about 50% and about 80% of the surface area within the fan diameter. A stripper plate may be on one edge of the inlet opening, and each cutting chamber may have an upwardly sloping tunnel to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A convertible mower deck has a plurality of adjoining cutting chambers under a mower deck, each cutting chamber having a cutting blade mounted to the lower end of a vertical spindle. The deck includes openings between adjoining cutting chambers, and gates or baffles under the deck in the openings between adjoining cutting chambers. The gates or baffles include pairs of plates that pivot on vertical axes, and interlock together when moved in the mulching position.

Abstract: A convertible mower deck has a plurality of adjoining cutting chambers under a mower deck, each cutting chamber having a cutting blade mounted to the lower end of a vertical spindle. The deck includes openings between adjoining cutting chambers, a discharge opening from one of the cutting chambers, a blower mounted in a housing outside the discharge opening, and a protective cover between the discharge opening and the blower housing. Gates are mounted under the deck at the openings between adjoining cutting chambers and at the discharge opening. A control structure moves the gates to change the size of the openings. The gates may be in an open position for the grass clippings to be discharged or collected, a closed position for the grass clippings to be mulched, and one or more intermediate positions for some of the clippings to be discharged or collected, and the remainder to be mulched.

Abstract: A convertible mower deck having a mulching mode and a discharge mode. The deck is convertible from the mulching mode to the discharge mode by removal of an insert that extends along the rear of the cutting chamber walls of the deck.

Abstract: A mower deck having a plurality of cutting blades carried within a cutting chamber and having a plurality of flow control baffles positioned within the cutting chamber including a first flow control baffle being movably connected to the mower deck. The first flow control baffle being selectively movable between a pair of orientations within the cutting chamber during a mowing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the first flow control baffle may be positioned between the pair of orientations without access to the cutting chamber.

Abstract: A mower deck includes a blower to lift blades of grass or vegetation for cutting. The blower may be mounted above and to the rear of the mower deck, and may rotate on a vertical axis spaced from the axes of the cutter blades. A passage or duct extends from the cutting chambers under the mower deck to the blower. Cutter blades may be used having essentially flat or planar surfaces to reduce noise, or the mower deck may be used with conventional blades. The mower deck may be configured with several alternative discharge modes, so that clippings and debris may be collected in a container, or may be dispersed to the rear or side of the mower.

Abstract: Chute apparatuses and methods are disclosed for use with a mowing machine to selectively maintain cut grass clippings within the housing, such as for mulching, or to discharge the grass clippings from the housing through a discharge chute by selectively and easily opening the discharge chute. A chute flap attached to a mowing machine is selectively movable from a closed chute flap position where it can provide a portion of the housing for the mowing machine to an open chute flap position where the chute flap can provide a discharge chute for material such as cut grass to exit the housing. A retaining flap is selectively movable from a retaining position to a non-retaining position wherein the retaining flap can in its retaining position provide support to maintain the chute flap in either its closed or open chute flap position. The chute flap and the retaining flap can both be pivotable along different axes.

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 resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute for a lawn mower deck. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

Abstract: A lawn mower that includes a cutting blade rotatable about a blade axis to produce clippings and a mower deck including a side opening positioned to allow for the discharge of the clippings. A discharge chute is coupled to the mower deck adjacent the side opening. The discharge chute includes a first plate that at least partially defines the front of the discharge chute and a second plate that at least partially defines the rear of the discharge chute. The second plate is spaced apart from and arranged at a first angle relative to the first plate. A top plate is coupled to and arranged at a second angle relative to the front plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the top plate, are movable to move the discharge chute between a first position and a second position such that the first angle and the second angle remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A mower with a blade housing, in which a blade rotates about a vertical rotational axis in a rotational plane, so that for movement of the mower in the mowing direction, the cutting material is cut corresponding to the diameter of the blade. The front region of the blade housing in the mowing direction is partially covered by a base plate, which extends between the blade and the ground. The blade has at least two cutting edges or cutting edge regions with different cutting heights in the radial direction.

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has dual, side-by-side cutting chambers each of which houses a rotary cutting blade. The blades rotate so that grass clippings exit to the rear of the cutting deck through a central, rearwardly extending exit tunnel. A pivotal mulch door is located within the exit tunnel with the mulch door swinging between two positions. In one position, the exit tunnel is open to permit operation of the cutting deck in a discharge/collection mode of operation. In the other position, the exit tunnel is closed to convert the cutting deck to a mulching mode of operation. A V-shaped baffle with a forwardly facing apex is placed in the bottom and rear of the exit tunnel to enhance performance in the mulching mode of operation.

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: A mid-mount mower including a body frame supported above the ground by front wheels and rear wheels, and a mower unit vertically movably suspended from the body frame between the front wheels and rear wheels. The mower unit includes a mower deck having a top board, and a front wall, side walls and a rear wall depending from the top board. The mower deck has a rearwardly opening recess formed in a sideways middle region at a rear end thereof. A mower input shaft is disposed on the top board for transmitting power to the rotary blades juxtaposed inside the mower deck to be rotatable about three vertical axes arranged sideways. The mower input shaft extends longitudinally of the body frame and has a rear connecting end. A PTO shaft is provided in a rear transmission mechanism that drives the rear wheels. The PTO shaft extends longitudinally of the body frame and has a forward connecting end.

Abstract: A lawnmower is convertible between a bagging mode and a mulching mode. The convertible lawnmower includes a cutter housing having a discharge opening, an engine mount centrally positioned on the cutter housing, a prime mover supported on the engine mount, a mulching blade coupled to the prime mover to rotate in a blade circle within the cutter housing, a mounting ring rotatably mounted in the cutter housing, and a plate connected to the mounting ring. The plate translates along an arcuate path in the cutting chamber between a full bagging position where the plate is laterally spaced from the discharge opening and a full mulching position where the plate obstructs the discharge opening.

Abstract: A discharge baffle for a lawnmower may be operated to open or close the discharge opening of the lawnmower without interfering with the operation of the discharge shroud of the lawnmower.

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 lawn mower has a power source for rotationally driving an output shaft. A housing has an interior space having a generally spiral-shaped portion. A cutting blade is disposed in the interior space of the housing and is connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith to cut grass while the spiral-shaped portion of the interior space generates a swirling airflow allowing the cut grass to swirl within the interior space. An enclosure is connected to the housing and has a grass discharge passage having an inlet opening disposed in communication with the interior space of the housing for discharging grass cut by the cutting blade and swirling within the interior space of the housing. A guiding member is disposed in the interior space of the housing for gradually changing a direction of the swirling airflow and the swirling cut grass and for guiding the swirling airflow and the swirling cut grass toward the grass discharge passage of the enclosure.

Abstract: The discharge chute opening and closing apparatus for lawn mowers comprises a vertical bar fixedly attached to a pivot bar, rotatably mounted between first and second pivot stanchions; a pivot arm fixedly attached to the pivot bar at a first end and engaged with a cam pin at a second end; a cam plate comprising a cam pin and a drive pin, rotatably attached to a third pivot stanchion; a lift plate rotatably attached to the third pivot stanchion and fixedly attached to a chute door being operably engaged by the cam and drive pins; a second lift plate fixedly attached to a fourth pivot stanchion further comprising a spring attachment; a spring attached at a first end to the spring attachment of the lift plate and attached at a second end to a spring mounting bracket wherein the spring assists in maintaining the position of the chute door.

Abstract: An industrial grade mower that has a cutting blade rotating in horizontal plane under an inverted dish like housing that has a cuttings discharge opening in a side wall of the housing, and a door moveably mounted on the housing selectively to cover and uncover the discharge opening respectively to mulch and discharge the cuttings. A multi link linkage system is mounted on the mower so the operator can controllably move the discharge door from one position to the other selectively to cover and uncover the discharge opening without interrupting the mowing operation. There is an actuator in proximity of the operator that is connected to a series of interconnected links and members with crank arms.

Abstract: A mower unit attachable to a vehicle body includes a mower deck. The mower deck defines a grass discharge opening at an opposite side of one side wall, and has a plurality of rotary blades juxtaposed inside the mower deck to be rotatable about vertical axes. All of the rotary blades are rotatable in the same direction so that a front half, with respect to a traveling direction, of a track of rotation of each rotary blade points toward the side having the grass discharge opening. A rear baffle depends from a top board of the mower deck for enclosing the rotary blades in combination with a front wall, and surrounds, in form of a concentric part circle, a rear portion of the track of rotation of each rotary blade. A front baffle and a mulching baffle are provided to be selectively attached to the mower deck to be located forwardly of the tracks of rotation of the rotary blades.

Abstract: A lawnmower is convertible between a bagging mode and a mulching mode. The convertible lawnmower includes a cutter housing having a discharge opening, an engine mount centrally positioned on the cutter housing, a prime mover supported on the engine mount, a mulching blade coupled to the prime mover to rotate in a blade circle within the cutter housing, a mounting ring rotatably mounted in the cutter housing, and a plate connected to the mounting ring. The plate translates along an arcuate path in the cutting chamber between a full bagging position where the plate is laterally spaced from the discharge opening and a full mulching position where the plate obstructs the discharge opening.

Abstract: A running mower of the present invention comprises a traveling body 1 provided, between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3, with a rotary mowing unit 12 which includes a laterally spaced pair of mowing blades 16a, 16b. The traveling body is also provided with an outlet duct 26 extending backward from between the mowing blades past a position between the rear wheels for discharging grass mown by the mowing blades. The rotary mowing unit 12 is provided with a forwardly extending mower input shaft 22 disposed offset from the center of the mowing blades toward one mowing blade 16b by an appropriate amount L1. A front part of the traveling body 1 is provided with an engine 4 whose power is transmitted to the input shaft via a mower transmission shaft 23 having a respective end provided with a universal joint 23a, 23b. As a result, the power transmission from the engine to the rotary mowing unit is simplified while the mown grass is disposed smoothly from the outlet duct 26.

Abstract: A mower deck having a plurality of cutting blades carried within a cutting chamber and having a plurality of flow control baffles positioned within the cutting chamber including a first flow control baffle being movably connected to the mower deck. The first flow control baffle being selectively movable between a pair of orientations within the cutting chamber during a mowing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the first flow control baffle may be positioned between the pair of orientations without access to the cutting chamber.

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: A resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute for a lawn mower deck A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

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 lawnmower is convertible between a bagging mode and a mulching mode. The convertible lawnmower includes a cutter housing having a discharge opening, an engine mount centrally positioned on the cutter housing, a prime mover supported on the engine mount, a rotary mulching blade coupled to the prime mover to rotate in a cutting plane about a rotation axis within the cutter housing, a cover and a fin extending from the cover toward the cutting plane. The cover is movably mounted within the cutter housing in a plane parallel to the cutting plane and between a fill bagging position where the discharge opening is unobstructed by the cover and a full mulching position where the cover obstructs the discharge opening.

Abstract: A lawnmower is convertible between a bagging mode and a mulching mode. The convertible lawnmower includes a cutter housing having a discharge opening, an engine mount centrally positioned on the cutter housing, a prime mover supported on the engine mount, a mulching blade coupled to the prime mover to rotate in a blade circle within the cutter housing, a mounting ring rotatably mounted in the cutter housing, and a plate connected to the mounting ring. The plate translates along an arcuate path in the cutting chamber between a full bagging position where the plate is laterally spaced from the discharge opening and a full mulching position where the plate obstructs the discharge opening.

Abstract: A cutting implement which includes a baffle for directing the flow of air and vegetation caused by the rotation of cutting blades of the implement. The baffle serves to intercept the flows of air and vegetation of adjacent chambers to accelerate the discharge of cut material. Further, the baffle directs cut material above the cutting plane of the blade to permit the blade to raise and cut vegetation in its path when that vegetation has previously been matted down by at least one of the tires on the tractor on which it is carried.

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 direction changing feature for lawnmower discharge that allows the operator of a lawnmower to spontaneously select which side of a lawnmower the discharge of grass clippings exits. The device is made up of two hinged flaps that are each connected by linking rods to a shift rod. Each flap is shaped and dimensioned to cover one of two openings on opposite sides of a lawnmower housing. When the shift rod is at rest in one of its two positions, one of the flaps covers an opening while the other flap is positioned such that the second opening is unobstructed. When the shift rod is shifted into its second position, the flap covering an opening is lifted thereby exposing that opening while the other flap closes over the second opening. A new lawnmower can be manufactured with the device incorporated into its housing, or an existing lawnmower can be retrofitted with the device.

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: An industrial grade mower that has a cutting blade rotating in horizontal plane under an inverted dish like housing that has a cuttings discharge opening in a side wall of the housing, and a door moveably mounted on the housing selectively to cover and uncover the discharge opening respectively to mulch and discharge the cuttings. A multi link linkage system is mounted on the mower so the operator can controllably move the discharge door from one position to the other selectively to cover and uncover the discharge opening without interrupting the mowing operation. There is an actuator in proximity of the operator that is connected to a series of interconnected links and members with crank arms.

Abstract: The discharge chute opening and closing apparatus for lawn mowers comprises a vertical bar fixedly attached to a pivot bar, rotatably mounted between first and second pivot stanchions; a pivot arm fixedly attached to said pivot bar at a first end and engaged with a cam pin at a second end; a cam plate comprising a cam pin and a drive pin, rotatably attached to a third pivot stanchion; a lift plate rotatably attached to the third pivot stanchion and fixedly attached to a chute door being operably engaged by the cam and drive pins; a second lift plate fixedly attached to a fourth pivot stanchion further comprising a spring attachment; a spring attached at a first end to the spring attachment of the lift plate and attached at a second end to a spring mounting bracket wherein the spring assists in maintaining the position of the chute door.

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 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: A mower deck having movable chamber gate members that permit the deck to selectively operate in either a discharge or mulching mode of operation. The deck includes a control structure that operates the gate members to permit the operator to quickly and easily switch between the discharge mode and the mulching mode while mowing.

Abstract: A plurality of modular-construction hand-operated motorized devices, including a lawn mower, a verticutting implement, a sweeping device, and a device for loosening the soil or taking in and blowing out leaves are disclosed. Each device includes a limited number of differently designed and dimensioned main and additional modules which provide for a wide range of individually adapted types of devices to be constructed.

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.

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has a rear grass discharge outlet formed by a cut-away portion of the peripheral wall of the cutting chamber located in one or more rear quadrants of the cutting chamber. An annular grass discharge channel is formed between an inner concentric shroud and the peripheral wall of the cutting chamber with the rear grass discharge outlet opening into this channel. A grass deflecting ramp is located within the grass discharge channel with a front end of the ramp located in advance of the entrance to the rear grass discharge outlet and a rear end of the ramp located in one of the rear quadrants of the cutting chamber to be adjacent some portion of the rear discharge outlet. The grass deflecting ramp progressively lowers between its front and rear ends to deflect grass clippings generally downwardly towards the rear discharge outlet. The ramp can have a downwardly extending divider vane to promote more even side-to-side distribution of the grass clippings.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower unit (50) with a mower housing (55) defining grass clippings flow paths for directing grass clippings rearward. The mower unit includes a power transmission mechanism for rotating a center blade (58) and a second side blade (60) in one direction and a first side blade (59) in the other direction, a center baffle (63) extending around a rotational axis of the center blade and defining a center flow path (69a) for feeding grass clippings to a grass clippings outlet (66), a first side baffle (64) extending around a rotational axis of the first side blade (59) and defining a first side flow path (69b) for feeding grass clippings to the grass clippings outlet (66), and a second side baffle (65) extending around a rotational axis of the second side blade (60) and defining a second side flow path (69c) for feeding grass clippings to the center flow path (69a).

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has a rear grass discharge outlet formed by a cut-away portion of the peripheral wall of the cutting chamber located in one or more rear quadrants of the cutting chamber. An annular grass discharge channel is formed between an inner concentric shroud and the peripheral wall of the cutting chamber with the rear grass discharge outlet opening into this channel. A grass deflecting ramp is located within the grass discharge channel with a front end of the ramp located in advance of the entrance to the rear grass discharge outlet and a rear end of the ramp located in one of the rear quadrants of the cutting chamber to be adjacent some portion of the rear discharge outlet. The grass deflecting ramp progressively lowers between its front and rear ends to deflect grass clippings generally downwardly towards the rear discharge outlet. The ramp can have a downwardly extending divider vane to promote more even side to-side distribution of the grass clippings.

Abstract: Multifunctional recycling mower replaces separate lawn mowers for mulching, side discharge, and bag collection into one multifunctional lawn mower using a single multifunctional shell. The multifunctional recycling lawn mower consists of a multifunctional shell and a rotational blade and a handle. The multifunctional shell is used for in situ recycling and discharge and bag collection of grass and weed clippings. The shell is moved and controlled by using the handle which is connected to the shell. The multifunctional shell functions as a recycling mower when it is set and moved in one direction and functions as a discharge and bag collection mower when it is set and moved in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A mower comprises a frame having a cutting deck which is tiltable relative to the frame. The cutting deck has a substantially horizontal operating position and a generally upright transport or service position, the cutting deck tilting to move between the horizontal and upright positions. A blower is carried on the frame and a plenum connects the blower and the cutting deck. A grass discharge outlet on the cutting deck is telescopically inserted into the front of the plenum as the cutting deck is moved into its operating position. A guide pin is received in a slot having a V-shaped portion and a straight portion to correct misalignment between the cutting deck and the plenum as the two are telescoped together. The rear of the plenum can be manually attached to or released from the blower inlet without using tools.