Abstract: A starter motor that includes an integrated solid state switching device. The solid state switching device is mounted within the outer housing of the starter motor such that the entire starter motor can be installed as a single unit. In one embodiment, the solid state switching device includes a MOSFET positioned on the low side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device opens and closes to control the flow of current through the starter motor. In another embodiment, the solid state switching device is positioned on the high side of the starter motor. The solid state switching device can include a speed sensing circuit to prevent operation of the starter motor when the internal combustion engine is operation, a crank limiting circuit that limits the amount of time the starter motor can operate without starting the internal combustion engine and/or a thermal limiting circuit to prevent operation during overheating of the starter motor.

Abstract: An electric starting system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The starting system includes a rechargeable battery, a battery receiver, and a starter motor. The rechargeable battery including a battery housing, internal circuitry housed within the battery housing, two voltage output terminals, and an enable terminal. The battery receiver includes a battery receptacle configured to receive the rechargeable battery, two voltage output terminals, and the enable terminal. The starter motor is configured to start the internal combustion engine. The internal circuitry is coupled to the enable terminal and configured to enable and disable an internal switch to provide power to one of the two voltage output terminals, the internal circuitry monitoring at least one internal condition of the rechargeable battery for a fault condition. The internal circuitry disables the internal switch upon detection of the fault condition.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment with a plurality of transaxle assemblies supported by a suspended subframe, and a frame supported on a pair of front wheels at one end that is coupled to and pivotably suspends the subframe. Some embodiments include a power source with a drive pulley supported by the frame at an opposite end. Some embodiments include a belt coupling the drive pulley to a driven pulley of the transaxle assemblies. In some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies can be driven from the drive pulley by at least a portion of the belt. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies include a first and second transaxle assembly each coupled to a separate rear wheel. The first and second transaxle assemblies are suspended from the subframe, and can be pivoted together about the frame, and the at least one drive pulley.

Abstract: A standing ride on mower comprises a frame; a right drive wheel supporting the frame; a left drive wheel supporting the frame; a prime mover supported by the frame; a cutting deck assembly supported by the frame, the cutting deck assembly comprising a cutting deck at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotatable under influence of the prime mover; a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing; a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing; and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses include a prime mover, a pump driven by the prime mover, and a sprayer receiving a flow of water from the pump. The sprayer includes a sprayer housing, a first fluid reservoir coupled to the sprayer housing, a second fluid reservoir coupled to the sprayer housing, a chemical selector coupled to the sprayer housing and movable between a first chemical position and a second chemical position, a high pressure selector coupled to the sprayer housing and movable between a high pressure position and a chemical spray position, and a nozzle assembly in communication with the chemical selector and the high pressure selector.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing spark generation in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine at low rotational speeds of the flywheel. The method and system monitor the rotational speed of the flywheel and, when the rotational speed of the flywheel is below a threshold rotational speed, the system and method supplies voltage pulses to the primary winding. The timing of the voltage pulses supplied to the primary winding are triggered off of voltage transitions in pulses induced in the primary winding upon rotation of the flywheel. Once the internal combustion engine has started, the switching device transitions into a second condition to disconnect the electrical storage device from the primary winding. The spark generation system of the present disclosure allows for starting of an internal combustion engine upon slower rope pull starting or upon discharge of a starter battery.

Abstract: An engine includes an air filter assembly having a filter element and a case. A base of the case includes multiple clips, multiple pins, and a catch. The clips are configured to engage a bottom wall of the filter element. A cover of the case includes multiple hinge wings, a hook, and a guide structure. Each of the hinge wings is coupled with a corresponding pin of the base to allow the cover to rotate about the pins. The hook is configured to fasten to the catch of the base for securing the case in a closed configuration. The guide is configured to facilitate placement of the hook and prevent lateral slipping of the hook from the catch of the base. The base and the cover define an interior volume of the air filter assembly sized to receive the filter element.

Abstract: An engine including a fuel tank, a carburetor, a speed control lever, and a transport valve. The carburetor includes a throttle valve movable between a first throttle position and a second throttle position. The speed control lever is coupled to the throttle valve and is movable between a first position corresponding to the first throttle position and a second position corresponding to the second throttle position. The transport valve is fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and includes a valve element moveable between an open valve position allowing fuel flow between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and a closed valve position preventing fuel flow between the fuel tank and the carburetor. Movement of the speed control lever to the second position moves the valve element to the closed valve position to stop fluid flow between the fuel tank and the carburetor.

Abstract: A fuel delivery injector includes a housing, an end cap including an inlet port fluidly coupled to a cavity to direct fuel vapor and liquid fuel into the cavity and an outlet port fluidly coupled to the cavity to direct fuel vapor and liquid fuel out of the cavity, a magnetic assembly fixedly positioned within the cavity, and a pumping assembly including a bobbin and a piston. A return spring is coupled to the pumping assembly to bias the pumping assembly to a home position and a valve assembly including a biasing spring is positioned between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The end cap includes a protrusion extending therefrom and terminating at an end face, the end face proximate the magnetic assembly and the protrusion is configured to redirect fuel vapor toward the outlet port.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses include an engine including a fuel tank, a carburetor including a throttle valve movable between a first throttle position and a second throttle position, a governor system configured to move the throttle valve, and a speed control system including a control lever defining a first actuation distance, and a bellcrank movable between an idle position and a high speed position and coupled to the governor system. The bellcrank defining a second actuation distance that is different than the first actuation distance.

Abstract: A standby generator includes an engine including an output shaft, an alternator, and an enclosure including a base and a number of walls extending from the base including a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The output shaft extends toward the alternator and the left wall. The standby generator includes an intake opening configured to allow air to be drawn into the enclosure and an exhaust opening configured to allow heated air and exhaust gases to be expelled from the enclosure. The intake opening is provided on the rear wall and the exhaust opening is provided on the front wall.

Abstract: A transfer switch and load controller that can be plugged into an existing utility meter socket and electrically positioned between the meter socket and a distribution panel to allow switching between utility power and standby power. The plug-in transfer switch functions to transfer the power supplied to a home between the utility power source and the generator power source upon loss of power from the utility power source. The transfer switch components are contained in an enclosed housing of a meter socket adapter that is mounted directly to the meter socket of a meter housing. The meter socket adapter is prewired to a standby generator such that the standby generator can be connected to a home power system by plugging the meter socket adapter into the meter socket.

Abstract: A starting circuit for providing electric power to a starter motor of an internal combustion engine of outdoor power equipment is shown and described. The starting circuit includes a battery receptacle mounted on the outdoor power equipment and a starter battery that is received within the battery receptacle. The starter battery includes a battery controller and a series of battery cells contained within an outer housing. A plurality of high current pins provide electric power to the starter motor and auxiliary devices on the tractor/mower while a plurality of low current pins receives signals from the tractor/mower related to operation of the tractor/mower. A wireless transceiver is used to communicate information from the battery controller to a wireless device. The wireless device displays the received information to a user. The battery receptacle can be configured to include a dipstick receiver that receives an oil dipstick.

Abstract: An electric starting system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The starting system includes a rechargeable battery including two voltage output terminals and an enable terminal, a battery receiver including a battery receptacle configured to receive the rechargeable battery, two voltage output terminals, and an enable terminal, a starter motor configured to start the internal combustion engine, and a continuous duty electrical load. The voltage output terminals of the lithium-ion battery and the battery receiver are configured to connect to complete a circuit between the rechargeable battery and the continuous duty electrical load when the rechargeable battery is attached to the battery receptacle.

Abstract: A zero turn radius (ZTR) mower that includes an electric powertrain. The electric powertrain of the ZTR mower includes one or more electric storage batteries, a plurality of electric wheel drive motors that each drives one of the rear wheels of the ZTR mower and a plurality of electric blade motors that each drives one of the plurality of cutting blades mounted to a mower deck. The electric powertrain includes a master controller operable to selectively control the supply of electric power from the electric storage battery to the pair of electric wheel drive motors and the plurality of electric blade motors. The master controller controls the speed and direction of movement of the ZTR mower through user inputs. The master controller is able to separately control the operational speed of each of the electric blade motors based upon the direction and speed of movement of the ZTR mower.

Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.

Abstract: An engine control system includes an engine, crankshaft, and a flywheel. The flywheel is coupled to the crankshaft of the engine and includes a number of magnets arranged axially along a first side. The system further includes a printed circuit board including a number of coils integrated into the circuit board. The printed circuit board is positioned such that a first face of the printed circuit board is positioned parallel to the first side of the flywheel. Power is generated by the flywheel rotating and causing the magnetic fields associated with the magnets to induce a current though the coils integrated into the printed circuit board.