Abstract: The mower front independent suspension assembly in some embodiments of the present invention includes a first suspension arm connected to the front of the lawn mower frame and a second suspension arm connected to the side of the lawn mower frame. In some embodiments, the first suspension arm is connected to the front of the frame at or near the longitudinal center of the frame, while the second suspension arm is connected to the side of the frame a distance from the front of the frame. Also, in some embodiments the cutter deck of the lawn mower is connected to the front independent suspension assemblies for movement therewith.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. The front wheel suspension system includes upper and lower suspension struts that are pivotably connected between a main frame of the lawn mower and a longitudinal suspension strut that is connected to a front wheel. A spring is connected between an extension of the upper suspension strut and a front transverse member of the main frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes upper and lower links that are pivotably connected between vertical struts that are connected between upper and lower frame members of the main frame and a motor mount. A spring is connected between a spring bracket extending from the upper frame member and either the motor mount or a motor mounted in the motor mount. In order to prevent scalping while turning, a floating cutter deck is suspended from the front and rear wheel suspension systems rather than from the main frame or chassis of the mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. A load compensation adjuster is employed as part of the rear wheel suspension system that compensates for riders having significantly differing weights, as well as for weight changes occurring during the mowing operation, such as from grass clippings accumulating in a grass catcher bag.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. The front wheel suspension system includes upper and lower suspension struts that are pivotably connected between a main frame of the lawn mower and a longitudinal suspension strut that is connected to a front wheel. A spring is connected between an extension of the upper suspension strut and a front transverse member of the main frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes upper and lower links that are pivotably connected between vertical struts that are connected between upper and lower frame members of the main frame and a motor mount. A spring is connected between a spring bracket extending from the upper frame member and either the motor mount or a motor mounted in the motor mount. In order to prevent scalping while turning, a floating cutter deck is suspended from the front and rear wheel suspension systems rather than from the main frame or chassis of the mower.

Abstract: A riding mower or other like four-wheel vehicle has the two front wheels mounted off the cantilever end of a subframe which is pivotably attached to the underside of the main frame of the vehicle by two spaced part pivots lying along the vehicle length axis. A cutter deck is suspended from the main frame beneath the subframe. The subframe construction resists bending forces, due to front-to-back and vertical forces on the dropped-down front wheels, when they encounter obstacles or depressions. The main frame is made of steel tubing, and provides a generally rectangular space just forward of the driver's seat, suitable for placement of the driver's feet. Preferably, the subframe also has a generally rectangular opening, nominally aligned with the main frame opening, to also accommodate the driver's feet. The elevation of the driver's seat can thus be desirably lowered, to maintain a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. A load compensation adjuster is employed as part of the rear wheel suspension system that compensates for riders having significantly differing weights, as well as for weight changes occurring during the mowing operation, such as from grass clippings accumulating in a grass catcher bag.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. The front wheel suspension system includes upper and lower suspension struts that are pivotably connected between a main frame of the lawn mower and a longitudinal suspension strut that is connected to a front wheel. A spring is connected between an extension of the upper suspension strut and a front transverse member of the main frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes upper and lower links that are pivotably connected between vertical struts that are connected between upper and lower frame members of the main frame and a motor mount. A spring is connected between a spring bracket extending from the upper frame member and either the motor mount or a motor mounted in the motor mount. In order to prevent scalping while turning, a floating cutter deck is suspended from the front and rear wheel suspension systems rather than from the main frame or chassis of the mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. A load compensation adjuster is employed as part of the rear wheel suspension system that compensates for riders having significantly differing weights, as well as for weight changes occurring during the mowing operation, such as from grass clippings accumulating in a grass catcher bag.

Abstract: A lawn mower has drive wheels which are independently spring-suspended from the chassis. In one embodiment two rear wheels are independently driven for directional control, two front wheels are mounted at opposing ends of a center pivoting front axle, and the cutter deck is suspended between the front and rear wheels. In another embodiment the front wheels are drive wheels, the rear wheels are steerable, and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front of the chassis. Wheel assemblies are attached to the chassis by a suspension system comprised of upper and lower link assemblies and a coil spring, preferably one in which the link assemblies are parallel and of equal length.

Abstract: A riding mower or other like four-wheel vehicle has the two front wheels mounted off the cantilever end of a subframe which is pivotably attached to the underside of the main frame of the vehicle by two spaced part pivots lying along the vehicle length axis. A cutter deck is suspended from the main frame beneath the subframe. The subframe construction resists bending forces, due to front-to-back and vertical forces on the dropped-down front wheels, when they encounter obstacles or depressions. The main frame is made of steel tubing, and provides a generally rectangular space just forward of the driver's seat, suitable for placement of the driver's feet. Preferably, the subframe also has a generally rectangular opening, nominally aligned with the main frame opening, to also accommodate the driver's feet. The elevation of the driver's seat can thus be desirably lowered, to maintain a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower has wheels which are spring suspended from the chassis and a floating-type cutter deck hangs from the chassis. When a wheel moves upwardly relative to the chassis, as occurs when the wheel goes across a bump or when the chassis leans in a turn, a nearby portion of the cutter deck is lifted upwardly in response. In one embodiment, the drive wheels are independently spring suspended rear wheels and the cutter deck is mounted between the front and rear wheels. On each side of the machine a chain runs from a lifting bracket attached to each rear wheel motor mount and runs down to the rear end of the deck. So, when a wheel moves upwardly the deck is moved upwardly. In another embodiment, the front wheels are the spring suspended drive wheels and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front end of the machine. The rear end of the cutter deck is lifted upwardly upon upward wheel motion.

Abstract: An improved riding lawn mower includes a vehicle frame having a front end, a rear end, and a rear motor deck that is secured to the rear end of the frame. A drive motor is mounted above the motor deck while a rear wheel assembly engaged with the motor, is connected to the bottom of the rear motor deck. The mower also includes a front wheel assembly connected to the front end of the vehicle frame. A vehicle body and driver's seat are attached to vehicle frame. A steering column is cooperatively connected at its lower end to the front wheel assembly and includes at its upper end, a steering wheel positioned within reach of the operator seated on the mower. A steering mechanism is linked between the lower end of the steering column and the front wheel assembly. The steering mechanism is positioned above the front wheels of the mower and turns the front wheels asynchronously so that the lawn mower can be driven along an arc path having a radius approximately half the length of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An improved vehicle frame and cutter assembly lifting mechanism for a riding lawn mower. The frame includes a pair of oppositely opposed support rails extending along a substantial portion of the vehicle frame, a rear support member fixedly secured to the rear end of each of the support rails, a front support member fixedly secured to the front end of each of the support rails, a rear motor deck rotatably connected to the rear support member, a front wheel assembly connected to the front support member, a rear wheel assembly connected to said rear motor deck, an articulating pantograph type lifting mechanism for supporting a mower cutter assembly, and an actuator connected to the articulating pantograph type lifting mechanism for extending and retracting the mower cutter assembly between a cutting position proximate ground level and a fully retracted position.

Abstract: An extra-wide self-propelled lawn mower employs twin hydrostatic transmissions to power the left and right rear drive wheels that are situated behind a forward moving deck. Hydrostatic drives have infinitely variable adjustment speed from reverse through neutral, to a maximum forward speed. There are also independent left and right control levers mounted adjacent the hand grips that are coupled through linkages to control levers for the respective hydrostatic transmissions. An engine has its center of gravity situated behind the drive wheel axles to balance the weight of the moving deck. Spring returns associated respectively with the two hydrostatic transmissions return the same to the neutral position when an operator releases the respective control levers.

Abstract: An extra-wide self-propelled lawn mower employs twin hydrostatic transmissions to power left and right drive wheels situated behind a forward mowing deck. There are left and right primary speed control levers adjacent hand grips on the mower hand assembly. These have linkages that include a common pivot shaft and respective spring couplings to control the actuator arms of the hydrostatic transmissions. Secondary speed control levers, in the form of brake levers, are mounted adjacent the right and left hand grips and are non-resiliently coupled to the hydrostatic transmission actuators arms. The secondary levers are squeezed to override the primary speed control and slow the respective transmission for braking or to effect a turn, pivoting about the inside wheel. Squeezing the secondary control lever completely will cause the wheel on that side to reverse, effecting a pivoting at the center of the mower.

Abstract: A self-propelled lawn mower employs a hydrostatic transmission and differential to power rear drive wheels which are situated behind a forward mowing deck. The hydrostatic drive has infinitely variable adjustment of speed from reverse, through neutral, to a maximum forward speed. There are independent disc brakes for the drive wheels, with right and left brake levers situated adjacent the operator hand grips. An engine has its center of gravity behind the drive wheel shaft to balance the weight of the mowing deck. Left and right thumb-operated control levers are rockably mounted on the handle bar assembly, adjacent the inboard side of the right and left hand grips. This arrangement permits one-hand control of the transmission speed with either hand, while actuating the respective brake lever with the same hand, making one-hand brake-turning of the mower possible. The engine output shaft has a pulley connected by belt drives to the blades and to the hydrostatic drive.

Abstract: A self-propelled lawnmower employs a hydrostatic transmission and differential to power rear drive wheels which are situated behind a forward mowing deck. The hydrostatic drive has infinitely variable adjustment of speed from reverse, through neutral, to a maximum forward speed. There are independently actuated disc brakes for the drive wheels, with right and left brake levers situated adjacent the operator hand grips. A vertical shaft engine is situated with its center of gravity behind the drive wheel shaft to balance the weight of the mowing deck. The operator can control the speed and direction of the mower without removing his hands from the hand grips. By selecting actuation of the disc brakes, the machine can be effortlessly turned without a reduction in speed. The engine output shaft has pulleys connected by drive belts to the blades and to the hydrostatic drive.

Abstract: A self-propelled lawnmower having a hydrostatic transmission and a differential mechanism to power the rear drive wheels which are situated behind a forward mowing deck. The hydrostatic drive has infinitely variable adjustment of speed from reverse, through neutral, to a maximum forward speed. There are independently actuated disc brakes for the rear drive wheels, with right and left brake levers situated adjacent the operator hand grips. The engine is situated with its center of gravity behind the drive wheel shaft to balance the weight of the mowing deck. The operator can control the speed and direction of the mower without removing his hands from the hand grips. By selecting actuation of the disc brakes, the machine can be effortlessly turned without a reduction in speed.