Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A caster wheel assembly for an outdoor power equipment machine includes a wheel mount and provides a double bell-shaped caster wheel including two bell-shaped halves, each bell-shaped half includes a central hub, a smooth transition portion, an outer circumferential rim, and a planar face. A ground contacting tread can be provided by the outer circumferential rims. A ground contacting tread can be provided by a resilient tread ring positioned between the two bell-shaped halves.

Abstract: A low impact turf wheel for significantly reducing the adverse effects of frequent travel over turf by a lawn mower includes a wheel rim having an inner and outer surface, a hub arranged within the wheel rim, wherein the hub includes a central portion for mounting the turf wheel, and a plurality of spaced apart stems extending perpendicularly outward from the outer surface of the wheel rim. The stem includes a stem surface extending perpendicularly to the stem and a lug extending radially outward from the stem surface. The lug includes a lug face parallel to the stem surface, wherein the combination of the stem surface and lug face provide a ground contacting tread.

Abstract: A method for autonomous mower navigation includes receiving a return-to-zero encoded signal including a pseudo-random sequence, transforming the received signal to a non-return-to-zero representation, digitally sampling the non-return-to-zero signal representation in a time domain, filtering the sampled signal utilizing a reference data array based on the return-to-zero encoded signal to produce a filter output, and determining a location of the autonomous mower relative to a defined work area based on an evaluation of the filter output.

Abstract: A method of removing debris from an area of turf grass can include providing a grass treatment system including a comb having a leading edge comprising a plurality of comb teeth, wherein the comb is mounted transversely to a direction of travel, and a substantially cylindrical brush positioned above the comb and configured to engage at least a portion of a top surface of the comb, wherein the brush rotates relative to the comb. The method can include positioning the grass treatment system closely adjacent to the turf grass such that the comb engages debris on and around the turf grass surface, and moving the grass treatment so that (i) the comb engages the debris, (ii) the rotating brush removes at least a portion of the debris from the surface of the comb, and (iii) the rotating brush does not come into contact with the turf grass.

Abstract: An automated steering device is provided usable in conjunction with power equipment machines. By way of example, the automated steering device can provide user-assisted steering for a power equipment machine to maintain tight parallel paths. The user-assisted steering can be defined relative to an initial vector traversed through user directed operation of the power equipment machine, independent of or at least in part independent of a predefined area of operation for the power equipment machine. Position location data refined by local terrestrial positioning system correction devices, or onboard rotational correction devices can be provided to obtain high positioning accuracy, and minimal path deviation. As a result, highly accurate pathing can be provided by way of the disclosed automated steering devices.

Abstract: A sealing system for an electronics enclosure includes an enclosure having a first enclosure half and a second enclosure half, the first enclosure half including at least one sidewall, a multi-lip radial sealing member having a plurality of lip elements, the lip elements extending perpendicularly to the side wall, the radial sealing member being positioned between the first enclosure half and the second enclosure half such that the radial sealing member remains flush against the enclosure, and the lip elements form continuous points of contact around the perimeter of the enclosure.

Abstract: A lawnmower, and in particular a robotic lawnmower, can include a passive cleaning assembly for removing detritus from the lawnmower housing. The passive cleaning assembly can be moveably mounted on the housing. Movement of the lawnmower with respect to the ground can cause a cleaning portion of the passive cleaning assembly to move with respect to the housing, and thereby remove detritus from the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for differential traction drive and steering axis coordination for an autonomous mower or other turf device includes initiating a steering motion based on determining a target forward speed and a steering rotational speed, calculating a left wheel speed and a right wheel speed, and applying the left and right wheel speeds, wherein the steering rotational speed is driven by a steering motor and the traction wheels associated with the autonomous mower, and the left and right wheel speeds are based on the target forward speed, a distance from a steering axle to the center of the respective wheel, and the steering rotational speed.

Abstract: A lawn maintenance device has a transverse center line, a frame, and a power source including an output shaft attached to the frame. The lawn maintenance device further includes a rotating cutting blade. A left side is located on one side of the transverse center line and a right side located on a second side of the transverse center line. A plurality of ground engaging members are attached to the frame enabling movement of the lawn maintenance device along an associated driven surface. The ground engaging members on the left side are located at a first distance from the transverse center line that is different from a second distance that those on the right side are located from the transverse center line. Another example includes ground engaging members on opposite sides of the lawn maintenance device being located at different distances from a central axis of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A high-efficiency blade for a lawn maintenance tool includes a central axis and a mounting portion located on the central axis. The high-efficiency blade includes a cutting blade and a cutting blade sharpened leading edge. A cleaning blade is vertically offset from the cutting blade and is configured to mulch the associated clippings from vegetation and reduce an associated accumulation of clippings on an underside of an associated mower deck. The lawn maintenance tool can also include a deck having a separation distance between the cleaning blade and an underside of the deck. The deck can include an elevation change to vary the separation distance. The deck and high-efficiency blade can also include a forward or rearward tilt.

Abstract: A demarcating system for indicating the boundary of an area to an object (for example a robot, such as a robotic lawnmower), which has a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals. The system includes a control system, a wire loop, a signal generator, and current sensing circuitry. The wire loop can be arranged by a user along a path, so as to indicate the path to the object as part of a boundary of the area. The signal generator is electrically connected to the wire loop in order to apply voltage signals thereto, such signals causing the emission of corresponding electromagnetic boundary indicating signals from the wire loop that may be received by the receiver of the object. The signal generator is under the control of the control system with the voltage signals applied by the signal generator to the wire loop being controlled by the control system. The current sensing circuitry senses current signals present within the wire loop and the processors of the control system analyse such current signals.

Abstract: A low-energy blade system having a quick-change attachment for a lawn maintenance tool is provided. The low-energy blade system requires a reduced amount of energy to rotate the blade system. The blade system includes a shell, a mounting plate attached to the shell, a plurality of quick-attach mechanisms, and a separate cutting blade attachable to each of the quick-attach mechanisms. Each quick-attach mechanism allows a cutting blade to be attached to the mounting plate without the need for external tools, such as screwdriver, wrench, ratchet, or the like.

Abstract: A method for autonomous mower navigation includes performing a training operation for an area including identifying a GPS signal associated with a training apparatus, iteratively recording data associated geolocations of the training apparatus as the training apparatus moves along a trajectory through the area, smoothing the geolocation data associated with the trajectory, and storing the smoothed geolocation data. The method can include subsequent to the training operation, performing a greens association process including establishing a link between the autonomous mower and an RTK-GPS base, receiving by the autonomous mower correction data from the RTK-GPS base, and determining an approach angle to a work area, wherein the path the autonomous mower travels to the work zone is defined by the approach angle.

Abstract: A track drive for outdoor power equipment has a support frame with a centerline and a hub bearing attached to the support frame. A drive sprocket having a nesting interior half and exterior half is attached to the hub bearing, which enables the drive sprocket to rotate relative to the support frame. The drive sprocket is attached to an associated drive hub of a piece of outdoor power equipment. Drive sprocket teeth are spaced radially about the drive sprocket, with a first set of drive teeth attached to the interior half sprocket and located on an interior side of the support frame. A second set of drive teeth are attached to the exterior half sprocket and located on an exterior side of the support frame. The drive sprocket transmits a rotational force to an endless track to rotate the endless track and propel the outdoor power equipment.