Abstract: A snowthrower includes an internal combustion engine and a starter battery pack that provides electrical power to operate an electric starter motor. The starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of the snowthrower and is selectively coupled to the starter motor to initiate operation of the internal combustion engine. The starter battery pack can further include a battery heating circuit that is operable to heat the starter battery pack above ambient temperatures to increase the current output of the starter battery pack. The battery heating circuit includes a controller that utilizes electrical power from the starter battery pack to heat the starter battery pack.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an internal combustion engine including an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft, a throttle body, an electric fan, and an air filter assembly configured to filter incoming air from an air intake and provide cleaned air to a throttle body. The engine block includes a cylinder. The throttle body is configured to throttle incoming air to the cylinder.

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: A snow thrower includes a body, a chute rotatable relative to the body about a vertical axis, wherein the chute is configured to discharge snow from the snowthrower, a chute motor for rotating the chute, and a chute position user interface. The chute motor is electrically controlled to rotate the chute in response to a first input duration to the chute position user interface and to rotate the chute in response to a second input duration to the chute position user interface. The chute motor ceases operation after the first input duration and the chute motor continues operation after the second input duration.

Abstract: A dethatcher includes a frame having front and rear ends, a cover coupled to the frame and configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position, a handle extending from the frame, multiple wheels coupled to the frame, a cutting reel housed in the frame, and an engine for powering a drive mechanism of the shaft. The cutting reel includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, at least one cutting mechanism located between the first end and the second end of the shaft, and the drive mechanism for powering the shaft. When the cover is in the open position, a user may access the cutting reel from a top end of the frame.

Abstract: A ride-on vehicle, such as a zero turn radius lawnmower, includes a main chassis having first and second pivot joints, a in first rocker arm having a caster wheel on a first end portion and a drive wheel on a second end portion, and a second rocker arm having a caster wheel on a first end portion and a drive wheel on a second end portion, wherein the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are independently pivotally coupled to the respective first and second pivot joints of the main chassis at a location between the caster wheels and the drive wheels. The ride-on vehicle may also include a modular mower deck assembly with a plurality of mower deck modules having a blade assembly, an electric blade motor configured to provide rotation to the blade assembly, and an attachment assembly configured to enable attachment between adjacent mower deck modules.

Abstract: A mower deck insert includes a first cutting chamber, a second cutting chamber, and a discharge passage extending adjacent to the first cutting chamber and the second cutting chamber. The first cutting chamber includes a first axial scroll extending about a first vertical axis. The first axial scroll includes a first upper surface having a first start region and a first end region. The second cutting chamber includes a second axial scroll extending about a second vertical axis. The second axial scroll includes a second upper surface having a second start region and a second end region. The first start region is vertically lower than the first end region, and the second start region is vertically lower than the second end region.

Abstract: A battery pack for use in providing starting power for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine and to supply power to one or more auxiliary loads. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells. A control unit is positioned within the outer housing and is connected to at least a starter switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The control unit controls the position of both the starter switching element and the auxiliary switching element to selectively connect the battery cells to the starter motor and the auxiliary loads. The battery pack further includes an ignition input terminal that is connected to the ignition circuit of the internal combustion engine such that the control unit can monitor the operational status of the internal combustion engine. The control unit can selectively ground the ignition coil of the ignition circuit to enable and/or terminate operation of the internal combustion engine.

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: 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 liquid fuel entering the housing through the inlet port flows from the inlet port to the cavity and fuel vapor entering the housing through the inlet port is directed through a conduit to the outlet port.

Abstract: A method of exercising a generator includes detecting a temperature of the generator by a temperature sensor, if the temperature of the generator is above a predetermined temperature, activating, by a controller, a starter motor of the generator, and performing, by the controller, an exercise test, and if the temperature of the generator is below the predetermined temperature, not activating, by the controller, the starter motor.

Abstract: An electrical system is operable to supply power from at least one of a primary power source or a standby power source to multiple electrical loads. The electrical system is configured to be provided between an electricity meter and a meter socket. The electrical system includes a housing, multiple contacts configured to be coupled with the meter socket, and a transfer switch for selectively connecting the primary power source or the standby power source to multiple electrical loads. The standby power source includes a battery bank including multiple storage batteries and a control module connected to the transfer switch.

Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Abstract: An engine operation detection system includes an engine including a spark plug and a spark plug wire, and an engine run sensor including a signal wire including an antenna, the antenna configured to receive a spark plug signal from the spark plug wire, a data acquisition output wire outputting an engine on/off condition signal, a power supply providing power to the engine run sensing circuit, and an engine run sensing circuit configured to transform the spark plug signal into the engine on/off condition signal output via the data acquisition output wire.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a prime mover, a water pump, the water pump including a pump inlet for receiving fluid from a fluid source and a pump outlet for supplying a pressurized primary fluid, a jet pump including a primary fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the pump outlet, a secondary fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, and a spray gun configured to be fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet of the jet pump, the spray gun including a spray gun outlet having a variable effective flow area. Wherein, in operation, in a high pressure operating mode, the pressurized primary fluid flows through the jet pump and exits through the fluid outlet of the jet pump, and in a high flow operating mode, the pressurized primary fluid flows through the jet pump and entrains a secondary fluid supplied through the secondary fluid inlet, resulting in a combined fluid flow.

Abstract: A power management system includes a generator, a meter mounted transfer switch, and a power management module. The generator includes a controller positioned in the housing of the generator. The generator connects to the power management module to provide power to one or more electrical loads. The controller is configured to selectively disconnect at least one of the electrical loads by communicating, via a wireless gateway, to a transfer switch of the power management module to move between first and second positions for connecting the generator to the one or more electrical loads.

Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit having a frame including at least one laterally-extending structural member and at least a pair of opposite, longitudinally-extending side structural members, a first front wheel assembly, and a second front wheel assembly. The unit also includes a first pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the first front wheel assembly to form a first 4-bar linkage arrangement, and a second pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the second front wheel assembly to form a second 4-bar linkage arrangement. The unit further includes at least one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled to the first front wheel assembly and to a first one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members, and at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled to the second front wheel assembly and to a second one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members.

Abstract: A portable generator is disclosed including a mounting arrangement for positioning a wireless communication device on a control panel of the portable generator. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting platform formed from a composite material where the mounting platform is secured to a rear surface of a front panel of the control panel assembly. The front panel includes a transmission cutout. The mounting platform includes a transmission window such that a wireless antenna of the wireless communication device can be aligned with the transmission cutout. The portable generator further includes a fuel sensing device that generates both a visual indication and an output signal indicative of the level of fuel in a fuel tank. The output signal can be transmitted by the wireless communication device to a remote location for remote fuel monitoring.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block including a cylinder and a muffler assembly configured to receive exhaust gases from the cylinder. The muffler assembly includes a housing defining an interior volume and including an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet, and a baffle assembly positioned within the interior volume. The baffle assembly includes a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with each other. The plurality of chambers are in fluid communication with the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet so that the plurality of chambers are configured to cause exhaust gases to be directed through the muffler assembly from the exhaust inlet to the exhaust outlet through four passes in the baffle assembly before exiting through the exhaust outlet.