Abstract: A lawn mower or stand-on powered drivable machine has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the engine or motor. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric (TEC) elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.

Abstract: A lawn mower or stand-on powered drivable machine has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the engine or motor. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric (TEC) elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.

Abstract: A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.

Abstract: The present disclose provides a combination of a piece of landscaping equipment moveable over a terrain, a laser, and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to engage the laser to the piece of landscaping equipment. The laser is selectively operably to emit a laser beam across a portion of terrain that is located in front of the piece of landscaping equipment as the piece of landscaping equipment moves over the terrain. The mounting assembly is operable to adjust a position of the laser relative to the piece of landscaping equipment.

Abstract: A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.

Abstract: A mower having a supplemental battery charging station mounted thereon is provided. The mower utilizes a flywheel/alternator arrangement to output a selected voltage. The voltage is directed to the supplement battery charging station. The supplemental batteries are thereby charged at the charging station as the mower is driven forward or in another direction. The lawn mower also includes a rack (which may be in the form of a hook) to carry a battery powered supplemental lawn maintenance tool, such as a weed trimmer, hedger, edger, or leaf blower, amongst others.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of securing attachments to a utility vehicle, particularly to a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The disclosure further relates to a method and apparatus for raising and lowering a mower deck on the mower. A mounting apparatus is provided to selectively engage landscaping attachments to the mower. A deck hanging assembly secures the mower deck to the mower frame. The same connectors secure a part of the deck hanging assembly and a part of the mounting apparatus to the mower frame. An adjustment assembly is operable to move the deck hanging assembly and thereby to raise or lower the mower deck. A hydraulic cylinder is actuated to pivot the mounting apparatus in order to raise or lower the landscaping attachment. The mounting apparatus pivots relative to the mower frame about the same connectors that secure the deck hanging assembly to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of securing attachments to a utility vehicle, particularly a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The apparatus includes an A-shaped mounting assembly having a base with first and second ends and a tubular member extending outwardly from the first end. The tubular member defines a bore that receives a shaft extending from the attachment. The mounting assembly is positioned vertically above a mower deck on an opposite side of the frame of the mower relative thereto. The second end of the mounting assembly and part of the mower deck are secured to the frame using the same connectors. A hydraulic actuator engages a forwardmost end of the assembly and is actuatable to raise or lower the assembly relative to the frame, pivoting the assembly about the connectors. The attachment and mower deck are substantially simultaneously operable to perform separate landscaping tasks while the mower moves across a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of securing attachments to a utility vehicle, particularly a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The apparatus includes an A-shaped mounting assembly having a base with first and second ends and a tubular member extending outwardly from the first end. The tubular member defines a bore that receives a shaft extending from the attachment. The mounting assembly is positioned vertically above a mower deck on an opposite side of the frame of the mower relative thereto. The second end of the mounting assembly and part of the mower deck are secured to the frame using the same connectors. A hydraulic actuator engages a forwardmost end of the assembly and is actuatable to raise or lower the assembly relative to the frame, pivoting the assembly about the connectors. The attachment and mower deck are substantially simultaneously operable to perform separate landscaping tasks while the mower moves across a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for raising or lowering a mower deck on a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The apparatus is a mower that includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston which are selectively engaged with a deck hanging assembly used to secure the mower deck to the mower's frame. The deck hanging assembly includes a pivot rod from which one or more tabs extend. The piston is selectively engaged with the one or more tabs. When extended from the cylinder, the piston rotates the tabs and thereby the pivot rod in a first direction and lowers the mower deck. When retracted into the cylinder the piston rotates the tabs and thereby the piston in a second direction and raises the mower deck. When the hydraulic system is disengaged from the mower deck, the deck may be manually raised or lowered.

Abstract: A light-weight portable hydraulic system for engagement with equipment requiring hydraulic fluid to operate. The system includes a reservoir; a pump and an oil filter engaged with each other. One or more handles are provided on the system so that the system may be carried by a single individual or may be lifted onto or off of a supporting unit upon which the system is mountable. A suitable supporting unit may be a zero-turn stand-on mower. An input shaft for the pump is operatively engaged with the engine of the mower and the pump is powered by that engine. The system is selectively connected to the equipment requiring hydraulic fluid for operation, such as a mower attachment, by way of hydraulic hoses that quick connect to ports on the pump. The system may be engaged with or disengaged from the mower in around thirty seconds and without tools.

Abstract: A system and method for detachably securing an attachment to a zero-turn utility vehicle such as a zero-turn, stand-on mower. The system includes a mounting assembly provided on a hydraulically operated support member on the utility vehicle's frame; and a connector assembly provided on the attachment. The mounting assembly includes a pivotable plate member that is inserted into the complementary shaped connector assembly. The plate member includes a locking rod at an upper end. The connector assembly has side walls and a top wall that surround the plate member when the mounting assembly is engaged with the connector assembly. The top wall overhangs and captures the locking rod between the top wall and a back wall of the attachment. A locking mechanism secures the mounting assembly and connector assembly together. Moving the attachment is accomplished by actuating the hydraulic system on the utility vehicle to move the support member.

Abstract: A utility vehicle with adjustable wheel assemblies to accommodate different weight attachments selectively engageable with the vehicle. Adjustment assemblies are provided to engage each of the front wheel assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide plate, a first arm of a first length and a second arm of a second length. The operator will select the appropriate one of the first and second arms to secure to the guide plate and to one of the front wheel assemblies. The guide plates include holes therein for locking the selected one of the arms in a particular orientation. This is accomplished by inserting a pin through an aperture in the selected first or second arm and one of the holes in the guide plate. A first end of the selected first or second arm is secured to the guide plate and a second end thereof is engaged with the associated wheel assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of securing attachments to a utility vehicle, particularly a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The apparatus includes an A-shaped mounting assembly having a base with first and second ends and a tubular member extending outwardly from the first end. The tubular member defines a bore that receives a shaft extending from the attachment. The mounting assembly is positioned vertically above a mower deck but on an opposite side of the mower frame. The second end of the mounting assembly and part of the mower deck are secured to the frame using the same connectors. A hydraulic actuator engages a forwardmost end of the assembly and is actuatable to raise or lower the assembly relative to the frame, pivoting the assembly about the connectors. The attachment and mower deck are substantially simultaneously operable to perform separate landscaping tasks while the mower moves across a surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mower having a removable mower deck, and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment may be configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the mower.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of securing attachments to a utility vehicle, particularly a stand-on, zero-turn mower. The apparatus includes an A-shaped mounting assembly having a base with first and second ends and a tubular member extending outwardly from the first end. The tubular member defines a bore that receives a shaft extending from the attachment. The mounting assembly is positioned vertically above a mower deck but on an opposite side of the frame of the mower. The second end of the mounting assembly and part of the mower deck are secured to the frame using the same connectors. A hydraulic actuator engages a forwardmost end of the assembly and is actuatable to raise or lower the assembly relative to the frame, pivoting the assembly about the connectors. The attachment and mower deck are substantially simultaneously operable to perform separate landscaping tasks while the mower moves across a surface.

Abstract: A mower may have a removable mower deck and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper.

Abstract: A system and method for detachably securing an attachment to a zero-turn utility vehicle such as a zero-turn, stand-on mower. The system includes a mounting assembly provided on a hydraulically operated support member on the utility vehicle's frame; and a connector assembly provided on the attachment. The mounting assembly includes a pivotable plate member that is inserted into the complementary shaped connector assembly. The plate member includes a locking rod at an upper end. The connector assembly has side walls and a top wall that surround the plate member when the mounting assembly is engaged with the connector assembly. The top wall overhangs and captures the locking rod between the top wall and a back wall of the attachment. A locking mechanism secures the mounting assembly and connector assembly together. Moving the attachment is accomplished by actuating the hydraulic system on the utility vehicle to move the support member.

Abstract: A utility vehicle with adjustable wheel assemblies to accommodate different weight attachments selectively engageable with the vehicle. Adjustment assemblies are provided to engage each of the front wheel assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide plate, a first arm of a first length and a second arm of a second length. The operator will select the appropriate one of the first and second arms to secure to the guide plate and to one of the front wheel assemblies. The guide plates include holes therein for locking the selected one of the arms in a particular orientation. This is accomplished by inserting a pin through an aperture in the selected first or second arm and one of the holes in the guide plate. A first end of the selected first or second arm is secured to the guide plate and a second end thereof is engaged with the associated wheel assembly.

Abstract: A utility vehicle with wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different weight attachments that are selectively engaged with the vehicle. The vehicle has a frame with a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheel assemblies spaced a first distance longitudinally from the rear wheels and a second distance laterally from each other. One or both of the front wheel assemblies are selectively adjustable so as to vary one or both of the first distance and the second distance. This adjustment is made to change the balance between the weight of an overhung load due to different weight attachments and the weight of the rest of the vehicle with the operator. The adjustment of one or both of the right and left front wheel assemblies simultaneously adjusts the first and second distances while maintaining the operational height of the vehicle's frame relative to the ground.