Abstract: A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

Abstract: A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

Abstract: A multi-function key system and method is provided that includes key identification system, a first key, and a second key. The multi-function key system is in communication with an item of power equipment, and comprises first and second sensors for detecting magnetic fields. The first key is configured to interact with the key identification system, the first key comprises a first magnet generating a first magnetic field. The second key is configured to interact with the key identification system. The second key comprises a second magnet generating a second magnetic field. Wherein the first and second sensors differentiate between the first and second key based upon the first and second magnetic fields. The key identification system initiates a first functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the first key, and initiates a second functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the second key.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure can include an electronic signal processing system and method used in a control system (e.g., for hour meter functionality, intelligent start/stop functionality, etc.). The system can include a rectifier component to receive a voltage input from an operation source during use. The voltage input can indicate that an engine is running. The rectifier component to convert the voltage input to a positive voltage input. The system can also include a constant current component to receive the positive voltage input from the rectifier circuit and to control a current based on the positive voltage input. The system can also include an optical component to provide an output based on the current and to communicate the output to a microcontroller during use of the operation source. For example, electronic signal processing methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that can provide a fleet management solution for a fleet of power equipment and other power equipment machines. The fleet management solution can include receiving a wireless signal corresponding to a power equipment machine according to a wireless protocol. The fleet management solution can also include determining a status information corresponding to the power equipment machine based on the wireless signal. The fleet management solution can also include performing an action related to the power equipment machine based on the corresponding status information.

Abstract: A switch assembly and method for use with power equipment, the switch assembly comprises a housing assembly for having an actuator opening, the opening defining spaced first and second internal housing positions and a removably located actuator for selectively positioning within the opening of the housing assembly for altering the operation of power equipment. The switch assembly further includes a first switch corresponding to the first housing position to selectively provide power to one or more components of the power equipment and a second switch corresponding to the second housing position such that the second switch is spaced away from the first housing position, the second switch for detecting the presence and position of the actuator such to further alter the operation of power equipment.

Abstract: A switch assembly and method of using same comprises a switch assembly for operating a power take off unit on a lawn tractor, the switch assembly further includes a housing supporting a selectively locatable activation knob facilitated by an actuation assembly and an internal switch arrangement coupled to a printed circuit board within the housing. The internal switch arrangement comprises a microcontroller and switch for determining the relative position of the selectively locatable activation knob and provides a digital output signal for enabling or disabling a power take off unit based on the digital output signal.

Abstract: A switch assembly and method of operation comprises a housing having top and bottom ends spaced about a longitudinal axis and a selectively movable knob coupled to a plunger arrangement having a shaft that extends from inside the housing to couple to the knob. The switch assembly also comprises a printed circuit board having at least one wiper for engaging a contact extending from the plunger arrangement. A step shaft projects from the shaft of the plunger arrangement such that when a maintained mode of operation is desired by the switch assembly, the step shaft engages a retaining assembly formed by a portion of the housing, and when a momentary mode of operation is desired by the switch assembly the step shaft is positioned such that is free from engaging the retaining assembly.

Abstract: A plunger switch assembly and method of operation comprises a housing having an interior cavity for locating electronic components, a contact support movably located within the interior cavity. The contact support holds and moves at least one electrical contact that engages a corresponding contact located on a printed circuit board. The plunger switch assembly further includes an actuating member for moving the contact support and at least one electrical contact within the interior cavity of the housing, a carriage cover located over the housing for guiding the actuating member, and an active sealing arrangement for preventing debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: A switch assembly and method of operation comprises a housing for supporting a plunger arrangement for moveable positioning of a plunger relative to the housing and plunger arrangement. The plunger arrangement comprises a retainer support for fixedly holding at least one terminal member within a retainer groove having a transverse channel passing from a first end to a second end of the retainer support.

Abstract: A rocker switch assembly and method includes a housing having an interior cavity for locating electronic components and a plunger member movably located during actuation within the interior cavity of the housing. The plunger member is coupled to at least one contact support. The switch assembly further comprises at least one terminal fixed within the housing. The at least one terminal corresponding with the at least one contact that engages or disengages with the terminal during actuation. A lever structure is pivotly coupled to the housing by a fulcrum fixedly attached to the housing. The lever structure comprises a lever having an upper side for receiving an external force and a lower side for engaging a head on the plunger member to generate actuation of the rocker switch during pivotal rotation of the lever.

Abstract: A plunger switch and method comprises a multi-action plunger arrangement having first and second plungers in axial alignment such that the first plunger is centrally located about the second plunger. The second plunger has an annular wall for supporting at least one conductive wiper contact. The plunger switch further comprises first and second biasing members having differing load constants, such that the first and second plungers are actuated at different loads during use and a plurality of terminals for communicating an electrical path. The switch also comprises a housing having a central opening for supporting the plunger arrangement. The second plunger and second second biasing member cooperate with the conductive wiper contact such that compressing of the second biasing member from a normal position to a first actuated position results in a change of state of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A dash cluster system and a method for securing and/or interconnecting a dash cluster to power equipment. The dash cluster system includes a housing having a connecting assembly including at least one peripheral connector positioned along a peripheral surface of the housing. The dash cluster system further comprises a bezel having a front side and a rear side. The bezel also comprises a connecting arrangement formed from at least one extending connector, extending from the rear side. The dash cluster system also comprises a securing connection formed between the housing and the bezel by the interlocking of the peripheral connector of the connecting assembly with the extending connector of the connecting arrangement.

Abstract: An hourmeter system and method for monitoring engine operation in power equipment. A programmable controller monitors and updates an indication of the running times of an engine. An interface circuit is coupled to the programmable controller and also coupled to a power source for starting the engine. The interface circuit includes a detector circuit for detecting presence of a periodic noise signal whose presence is indicative of operation of the engine. The programmable controller is programmed to accumulate times of engine operation in a memory and communicate those times of engine operation for display.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a housing having an interior chamber for supporting a portion of a shaft body. The shaft body has a portion extending from the housing coupled to a pull knob such that the shaft body and pull knob are selectively located from a first position to a second position. The shaft body further comprises spaced first and second legs having a securing arrangement disposed within a channel formed by the legs, the securing arrangement comprises a restricted region formed about a portion of the legs in the channel and a securing pin fixedly attached to the housing, such that the securing pin engages the restricted region when the shaft body and pull knob transition from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A plunger switch assembly and method of operation comprises a housing having an interior cavity for locating electronic components, a contact support movably located within the interior cavity. The contact support holds and moves at least one electrical contact that engages a corresponding contact located on a printed circuit board. The plunger switch assembly further includes an actuating member for moving the contact support and at least one electrical contact within the interior cavity of the housing, a carriage cover located over the housing for guiding the actuating member, and an active sealing arrangement for preventing debris from entering the housing.

Abstract: A connection system for securing electrical components to a wiring harness includes a body connector having a first opening interconnected to a second opening by a transverse channel, the transverse channel supports a contact assembly along a first plane parallel with said first opening and is transverse to the second opening. The connection system also includes an annular seal surrounding a circular perimeter of a head formed on said body connector.

Abstract: A switch assembly and method of using same comprises a switch assembly for operating a power take off unit on a lawn tractor, the switch assembly further includes a housing supporting a selectively locatable activation knob facilitated by an actuation assembly and an internal switch arrangement coupled to a printed circuit board within the housing. The internal switch arrangement comprises a microcontroller and switch for determining the relative position of the selectively locatable activation knob and provides a digital output signal for enabling or disabling a power take off unit based on the digital output signal.

Abstract: A fuel sensing system and method of measuring and monitoring an amount of fuel in a storage tank for power operated equipment. The method comprises the steps of positioning a fuel sensor assembly within a storage tank that supports fuel provided to the power operated equipment during operation and generating a pulse width modulated output signal with a pulse width modulation generating circuit. The pulse width modulated output signal provides a signal width proportional to the fuel level in the storage tank. The method also comprises processing the pulse with modulated output signal with non-transient computer readable medium by one or more processors internal to a microcontroller to form an output value indicating the amount of fuel in the storage tank and displaying the output value on an indicator display mounted on the power equipment.