Abstract: A yard vacuum unit includes a deck including upper and lower housing members that form a discharge outlet and a nozzle operatively connected to the deck. An engine is, mounted to the deck and includes a drive shaft. An impeller assembly is used to draw yard debris in through the nozzle and out through the discharge outlet and is positioned between the upper and lower housing members. The impeller assembly includes an impeller plate, a hub fixedly connected to the impeller plate, and a plurality of fan blades each having first and second ends and first and second sides. Each fan blade first end is fixedly connected to the hub all along the first end and each fan blade first side is fixedly connected to the impeller plate all along the first side. In this way, a continuous airtight seal is formed along the entire first end of each fan blade with the hub and along the entire first side with the impeller plate. Each second end extends to the outer periphery of the impeller plate.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises a frame, a motor, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly and an endless drive member. The motor is mounted to the frame and has a motor shaft powered by the motor. The first wheel assembly includes a first axle, a first drive wheel and a first riding wheel. The first axle extends generally transversely from the frame and is journalled for rotation relative to the frame. A proximal end of the first axle is operatively connected to the motor shaft in a manner so that rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the first axle. The first axle is operatively connected to the frame in a manner so that a distal end of the first axle is moveable in a generally vertical arcuate path relative to the frame about a first pivot axis. The first drive wheel and the first riding wheel are both mounted to the first axle. Similarly, the second wheel assembly includes a second axle, a second drive wheel and a second riding wheel.

Abstract: A dynamic drive and brake system is provided. To accelerate the mower in a forward direction, the operator depresses the acceleration pedal, overcoming the biasing force of the acceleration spring. This causes the double idler pulley system to pivot from an inoperative or de-clutched condition to an operative condition. The farther the accelerator pedal is depressed, the more the double idler pulley system pivots and, correspondingly, the more tension is applied to the first belt. The increased tension in the first belt causes the middle pulley member to move in a downward direction and therefore decreases the diameter of the first belt about the double pulley shaft. The movement of the middle pulley member simultaneously increases the diameter of the second belt about the double pulley shaft. This increases the tension in the second belt which tension is absorbed by the idler spring that permits the idler pulley to pivot in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 2-3.

Abstract: There is provided a mower having a high pressure fluid pump powered by a mower engine and communicated to a fluid jet assembly. The pump receives associated fluid from a mower reservoir. An output fluid stream is discharged from a fluid jet under sufficient pressure to sever associated vegetation and impact upon a mower diffusing device.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower includes a frame, a drive wheel having a drive axle and a mower deck supported by the frame. The mower also includes a discharge chute used in transporting cut vegetation from the mower deck to a grass bag. A drive system includes a transmission and is used in driving the drive wheel. The transmission is positioned in line with the drive axle. The inventive arrangement of this rear discharge mower provides for a direct chute having a large cross-sectional area and yet including transmission that is in line.

Abstract: A tiller assembly includes a tine assembly that is rotatably connected to a tiller body and the tine assembly includes at least one tine for use in tilling associated soil. A hydraulic system is operatively connected to the tine assembly and includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor for use in rotating the tine assembly in first and second directions, a control valve, and hydraulic hose for use in communicating hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor, and the control valve. The control valve may be positioned on-the-go into a first position thereby causing the tine assembly to rotate in a first direction and into a second position thereby causing the tine assembly to rotate in a second direction. The tiller assembly may also include a roller assembly that has a roller frame pivotably connected to the tiller body. The roller assembly also includes a roller that is rotatably connected to the roller frame and a spring for use in maintaining the roller against the soil.

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

Abstract: A water driven impulse turbine has a barrel rotatably mounted upon an axle, with a plurality of runner blades extending tangentially from said barrel. Side plates secure the runner blades on opposite sides thereof. A breastplate is maintained in concentric juxtaposition with the wheel so defined. A penstock is interposed between a water source and the breastplate to pass water into the runner blades. The turbine may consist of a plurality of axially interconnected wheel sections of similar or dissimilar nature to optimize performance.

Abstract: A method of supplying water from a well is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a supply apparatus is provided that includes a container having first and second ends and a first chamber extending to a first opening in the second end. The supply apparatus also has a first fluid conduit with a first branch for use in transporting the water from the first chamber. Next, at least a portion of the second end of the container is submerged within the water in the well such that the first chamber contains a quantity of air. Then, at least a portion of the quantity of air from the first chamber is removed by an air compressor thereby drawing a vacuum within the first chamber. The vacuum in turn draws a quantity of water from the well into the first chamber through the first opening. Next, the removal of air from the first chamber is stopped when the water has obtained a first predetermined level within the first chamber. The first opening is then closed.

Abstract: A tine assembly for a cultivator includes a first tine member having a plurality of radially extending non-planar tines. At least two tines on each tine member differ in shape from the remaining tines. The tine assembly may include a second tine member which is shaped like a mirror-image of the first tine member. When assembled on a shaft, the second tine member is off-set from the first tine member so that tines on alternating tine members contact the ground as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A snow thrower is provided a pair of wheels on each side. The snow thrower includes two laterally spaced wheel drive assemblies for independently supplying power from the engine to each pair of wheels. Each wheel drive assembly includes a drive sprocket, which receives input from the engine, and front and rear driveable sprockets, which are operably associated with front and rear wheel axles to drive one pair of wheels. Each wheel assembly may be operated independently to provide power steering control.

Abstract: A dual ergonomic platform truck includes a frame assembly having a pair of first and second segments, a pair of guide rods each having a first end connected to one of the first segments and a second end connected to one of the second segments. A pair of platform assemblies are moveable along the pair of guide rods respectively. Each platform assembly includes a deck guide that receives the guide rod and a platform that is connected to the deck guide and is constructed to hold items. Each platform assembly also includes a first linear bearing that is received within the deck guide and a spring support bracket connected to the deck guide. A pair of springs are used to lift the pair of platform assemblies respectively. Each spring is connected to the first and second segments of the frame assembly. The platform truck may also include a self-aligning platform assembly.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for detecting leaks in tires used on lawn mowers. The tire testing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a roughing pump, a hi-vac pump, an airtight seal, and a spectrometer. The roughing pump and hi-vac pump evacuate the air from the vacuum chamber, creating a vacuum. The pressure sensor detects the level of vacuum in the vacuum chamber and reports this information to the PLC. A method of detecting leaks in tires using the tire testing apparatus is also provided. The method includes the steps of inflating the tire with a mixture of air and 10% helium by volume, placing the tire in the vacuum chamber, sealing the vacuum chamber and removing the air creating a vacuum, then detecting the amount of helium in the chamber, and removing the tire from the chamber and placing it either in the rejected conveyor, or the acceptable conveyor.

Abstract: A lighter than air airship is disclosed that has an internal weight supporting structure. The weight supporting structure allows the airship to enjoy the advantages of both static and dynamic lift. The airship disclosed herein is lifted by both lighter than air gasses as well as wings attached to the internal weight supporting structure. A cargo container for use with the airship is also disclosed.

Abstract: A riding mower has a deck attachment mechanism for use in attaching a mower deck to the mower frame and a deck lift mechanism for use in lifting the mower deck. The deck attachment mechanism forms a four-sided parallelogram and includes a first side formed of a first link and a second side formed of second and third links. The second and third links together form a split link and the third link may be pivoted about the second link into first and second positions. The first link has an effective length L1 and the split link has an effective length L2 when the third link is positioned into the first position and an effective length L1 when the third link is positioned into the second position. The effective length L2 is less than the effective length L1. The deck attachment mechanism also includes a lock bracket and a lock lever to lock the third link into the second position. The deck lift mechanism includes a lift cylinder mounted to the frame and connected to the third link.

Abstract: A lawn edger having a deflector to deflect debris when the edger is in use. The deflector includes a frame extension and a deflector assembly carried on the frame. The deflector assembly preferably comprises a rigid V-shaped mounting member and a flexible member. The V-shaped mounting member is mounted to the frame at a mounting site that includes a first surface co-planar with the frame extension and a second surface parallel to the top surface of the frame. Upon mounting the flexible member to the frame, the flexible member re-forms from a planar configuration to a mounted configuration wherein an upper portion is angled outwardly from the frame. This angled portion comprises between 20-80% of the area of the flexible member. A trailing edge of the flexible member directly contacts the associated surface on which the lawn edger travels. The deflector is preferably used upon a vertical drive shaft lawn edger.

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

Abstract: An implement attachment apparatus is provided for use with a lawn and garden tractor and an implement. The implement has first and second attachment brackets having first and second holes and first and second slots respectively. The lawn and garden tractor includes a frame having first and second surfaces with first and second openings respectively. The tractor also includes a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the frame, an engine for use in providing locomotion to the plurality of wheels and, first and second extension members extending from the first and second surfaces of the frame. The implement attachment apparatus includes first and second pins as well as securing apparatus for securing the first and second pins in place. The first and second slots of the implement receive the first and second extension members respectively. The first and second holes of the implement and the first and second openings of the frame selectively receive the first and second pins respectively.

Abstract: A method of exchanging a first implement for a second implement on a mower is disclosed. First, the first implement is disconnected from the mower and then the mower is adjusted to accommodate the second implement. The second implement is then operatively connected to the mower. The mower comprises frame receiving brackets and side frame members that are moved with respect to one another to adjust the mower to accommodate the second implement. A method of exchanging castor wheels is also included. The castor wheels, initially connected to an axle member, are disconnected from the axle member. Then, the position of the axle member with respect to the frame is adjusted, such as by being rotated approximately 180°. finally, different castor wheels are connected to the axle member.

Abstract: A drive system for a grounds care device using two identical final drives in combination with two identical power units to provide directional drive to the wheels. The final drives and power units are assembled to each other differently for use on each side to provide the required relative reverse rotation of each drive wheel while maintaining the same direction of control movement for forward (or reverse) movement of each drive wheel (in regards to machine movement). Additionally, the drive belt for the cutting unit is routed between the power units (rather than under or over) to allow a lower center of gravity for increased stability.