Abstract: A skid shoe assembly for use on a snow thrower includes a bracket having a mounting portion configured to couple to the snow thrower and a support portion extending generally perpendicular from the mounting portion. The skid shoe assembly also includes a replaceable insert composed of a plastic material. The insert includes an elongated body extending generally parallel to the support portion and configured to engage a ground surface.

Abstract: A bag assembly for a utility machine includes a bag for collecting lawn debris and a frame supporting the bag. The frame defines a mouth configured to receive the lawn debris from the utility machine. The frame is expandable to vary a size of the mouth.

Abstract: A skid shoe assembly for use on a snow thrower includes a bracket having a mounting portion configured to couple to the snow thrower and a support portion extending outwardly from the mounting portion. The skid shoe assembly also includes an insert including an annular body having a central aperture and a linear section configured to engage a ground surface. The central aperture receives the bracket so that the annular body is disposed around the mounting portion of the bracket. A portion of the annular body is configured to be captured between the support portion of the bracket and the snow thrower to secure the insert to the snow thrower.

Abstract: A system for mounting a mulching insert to a lawn mower includes a cutting deck configured to receive the mulching insert and a spindle extending from the cutting deck. The spindle is configured to support a cutting blade for rotation relative to the cutting deck. The system also includes a spindle housing mounted to the cutting deck and surrounding the spindle. The system further includes a mounting member coupled to the spindle housing. The mounting member is configured to support the mulching insert within the cutting deck.

Abstract: A utility machine including a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, a drive disk coupled to the prime mover to be driven by the prime mover, and a friction disk assembly. The friction disk assembly includes a friction disk in engagement with the drive disk for transmitting rotation of the drive disk to the pair of wheels, and a carrier disk coupled to the friction disk for rotation therewith. The utility machine also includes a shifter mechanism including a bearing disposed directly between the friction disk and the carrier disk. The shifter mechanism is operable to move the friction disk assembly with respect to the drive disk to selectively vary a drive speed of the pair of wheels.

Abstract: A deck lifting assembly for a lawn mower includes first and second lifting brackets and a biasing member interconnecting the first and second lifting brackets or to biasing brackets separate from the lifting brackets. The biasing member imparts a biasing force on each of the lifting brackets or biasing brackets to cause each lifting bracket to rotate in a direction that raises the mower deck.

Abstract: A chute rotation mechanism for a snow thrower having a frame and a chute rotatably mounted to the frame includes a ring gear configured to be mounted to the chute, a drive gear engaging the ring gear, and a handle assembly configured to pivot relative to the frame. The chute rotation mechanism also includes a first cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a first direction to tension the first cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding first direction. The chute rotation mechanism further includes a second cable extending between the drive gear and the handle assembly. The handle assembly is pivotable in a second direction to tension the second cable and rotate the drive gear, thereby rotating the ring gear in a corresponding second direction.

Abstract: A transport lock assembly for the mower deck of a lawn mower automatically engages when the deck is lifted to a clearance height. The transport lock assembly includes a transport lock that is biased into a locking position by a biasing member. The transport lock engages a surface of a deck prop that is also used in the lawn mower's height-of-cut assembly. The transport lock assembly includes a transport lock actuator that is used to disengage the transport lock, and also includes a transport lock disabling mechanism that prevents the transport lock from automatically engaging.

Abstract: A pivotable operator support platform is provided for a standing lawn mower. The pivotable operator support platform is part of a platform assembly. A deck lift foot lever is actuable by the foot of an operator on the support platform to raise the cutting deck of the lawn mower. The deck lift foot lever is pivotable with the operator support platform, and about the same pivot axis, between an operating position and a stored position. A latching assembly automatically deflects as the operator support platform is moved into the stored position, and is biased to engage a latch pin to retain the operator support platform in the stored position.

Abstract: A deck lifting and height of cut assembly for a lawn mower, in which the deck lifting assembly includes at least one movable component and the height of cut assembly includes a height adjustment mechanism having a plurality of stop surfaces. A prop extends between the movable component of the deck lifting assembly and a first stop surface of the height adjustment mechanism to prevent the cutting deck assembly from lowering below a first height. The height adjustment mechanism is adjustable to place a second stop surface in engagement with the prop so that the cutting deck assembly is prevented from lowering below a second height different from the first height. The prop may also be used to maintain the cutting deck assembly in the full-up position during travel of the lawn mower between work areas.

Abstract: A cutting blade for use with a lawn mower includes a body having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an end extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The cutting blade also includes a cutting edge formed on the leading edge of the body. The cutting edge includes a radially outermost tip that defines a cutting circumference of the cutting blade. The cutting blade further includes a lift portion coupled to the body and defining at least a portion of the trailing edge. The end of the body at the trailing edge is spaced at least 0.5 inches radially inward from the cutting circumference of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A cutting blade for a lawn mower includes a body defining an aperture for mounting the cutting blade to the lawn mower, a cutting edge formed along at least a portion of the body, and a lift portion extending from the body away from the cutting edge.

Abstract: A system for mounting a mulching insert to a lawn mower includes a cutting deck configured to receive the mulching insert and a spindle extending from the cutting deck. The spindle is configured to support a cutting blade for rotation relative to the cutting deck. The system also includes a spindle housing mounted to the cutting deck and surrounding the spindle. The system further includes a mounting member coupled to the spindle housing. The mounting member is configured to support the mulching insert within the cutting deck.

Abstract: A walk-behind outdoor power machine includes a control that is actuable to control at least one operational aspect the power machine, a handle including a user-graspable portion that is graspable by an operator walking behind the machine, a locking mechanism locking the user-graspable portion of the handle at a desired height, and an actuator incorporated into the control. The control is actuated in a first direction to control the operational aspect of the power machine, and is actuated in a second direction to release the locking mechanism so the height of the user-graspable portion can be adjusted.

Abstract: A walk-behind outdoor power machine includes a control that is actuable to control at least one operational aspect the power machine, a handle including a user-graspable portion that is graspable by an operator walking behind the machine, a locking mechanism locking the user-graspable portion of the handle at a desired height, and an actuator incorporated into the control. The control is actuated in a first direction to control the operational aspect of the power machine, and is actuated in a second direction to release the locking mechanism so the height of the user-graspable portion can be adjusted.

Abstract: A transport lock assembly for the mower deck of a lawn mower automatically engages when the deck is lifted to a clearance height. The transport lock assembly includes a transport lock that is biased into a locking position by a biasing member. The transport lock engages a surface of a deck prop that is also used in the lawn mower's height-of-cut assembly. The transport lock assembly includes a transport lock actuator that is used to disengage the transport lock, and also includes a transport lock disabling mechanism that prevents the transport lock from automatically engaging.

Abstract: A deck lifting assembly for a lawn mower includes first and second lifting brackets and a biasing member interconnecting the first and second lifting brackets or to biasing brackets separate from the lifting brackets. The biasing member imparts a biasing force on each of the lifting brackets or biasing brackets to cause each lifting bracket to rotate in a direction that raises the mower deck.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a mower deck includes a lifting shank having a curved surface following a lifting shank radius of curvature, and a deck lifting link interconnecting the mower deck lifting assembly and the mower deck. Actuation of the mower deck lifting assembly lifts the mower deck through the deck lifting link. The deck lifting link includes a slot having a width of more than twice the lifting shank radius of curvature and a slot end describing an arc having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the lifting shank radius of curvature. The lifting shank is received in the slot end with substantially surface contact between the lifting shank curved surface and the slot end. The lifting shank is freely movable in the slot to accommodate vertical travel of the mower deck with respect to the deck lifting assembly.

Abstract: A deck lifting and height of cut assembly for a lawn mower, in which the deck lifting assembly includes at least one movable component and the height of cut assembly includes a height adjustment mechanism having a plurality of stop surfaces. A prop extends between the movable component of the deck lifting assembly and a first stop surface of the height adjustment mechanism to prevent the cutting deck assembly from lowering below a first height. The height adjustment mechanism is adjustable to place a second stop surface in engagement with the prop so that the cutting deck assembly is prevented from lowering below a second height different from the first height. The prop may also be used to maintain the cutting deck assembly in the full-up position during travel of the lawn mower between work areas.

Abstract: A pivotable operator support platform is provided for a standing lawn mower. The pivotable operator support platform is part of a platform assembly. A deck lift foot lever is actuable by the foot of an operator on the support platform to raise the cutting deck of the lawn mower. The deck lift foot lever is pivotable with the operator support platform, and about the same pivot axis, between an operating position and a stored position. A latching assembly automatically deflects as the operator support platform is moved into the stored position, and is biased to engage a latch pin to retain the operator support platform in the stored position.