Abstract: A lawnmower cutter deck is fitted with a side-to-side deck locator comprises first and second laterally spaced bearings that are disposed longitudinally between the cutter deck and the lawnmower frame. Each of the bearings is laterally spaced from a corresponding stop when the deck is centered relative to a longitudinal centerline the frame and permits limited lateral movement of the cutter deck relative to the frame through a stroke corresponding to the width of the space. Each of the bearings is movable vertically along the corresponding stop so as to permit uninhibited vertical movement of the cutter deck relative to the frame and pivoting of the cutter deck about longitudinal and lateral axes. A fore and aft locator may also be provided and be connected to the cutter deck and to the frame to at least substantially prevent fore and aft movement of the cutter deck relative to the frame.

Abstract: A control system for a lawnmower includes a handlebar connected to the lawmnower for controlling direction and speed of travel of the lawmower based on a position of the handlebar relative to the lawnmower. The control system is connected to a drive system of the lawnmower such that changing the elevation of the handlebar adjusts operation of a number of wheel drive units and turning of the handlebar relative to the lawnmower adjusts operation of one wheel drive unit relative to another wheel drive unit.

Abstract: A roller assembly for attachment to a lawnmower. The roller assembly generally includes a tow arm having first and second links. The first link is configured to be supported at least indirectly on the lawnmower frame. The second link is connected to a shaft mounted with one or more rollers. A spring is disposed between the first and second links and configured to bias the second link downwardly relative to the first link, thereby biasing the rollers against a ground surface. The roller assembly further includes a quick connect assembly for rapid attachment and detachment of the roller assembly to the lawnmower. The roller assembly yet further includes a latch assembly configured to hold the second link and shaft of rollers in a raised position relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: An roller assembly for attachment to a lawnmower. The roller assembly generally includes a tow arm having first and second links. The first link is configured to be supported at least indirectly on the lawnmower frame. The second link is connected to a shaft mounted with one or more rollers. A spring is disposed between the first and second links and configured to bias the second link downwardly relative to the first link, thereby biasing the rollers against a ground surface. The roller assembly further includes a quick connect assembly for rapid attachment and detachment of the roller assembly to the lawnmower. The roller assembly yet further includes latch assembly configured to hold the second link and shaft of rollers in a raised position relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A side-to-side leveler couples a chain of a suspended cutter deck assembly to the associated cutter deck or, alternatively, to the associated lawnmower frame, so that the height of one side of cutter deck can be adjusted relative the other side while all chains remain under tension. The leveler preferably comprises a bell crank mechanism including a crank that is pivotally attached to one of the cutter deck and the lawnmower frame and that receives an end of the chain. A threaded adjuster cooperates with the crank to drive the crank to pivot and alter the spacing between the side of the cutter deck and the lawnmower frame.

Abstract: A roller assembly for attachment to a lawnmower. The roller assembly generally includes a tow arm having first and second links. The first link is configured to be supported at least indirectly on the lawnmower frame. The second link is connected to a shaft mounted with one or more rollers. A spring is disposed between the first and second links and configured to bias the second link downwardly relative to the first link, thereby biasing the rollers against a ground surface. The roller assembly further includes a quick connect assembly for rapid attachment and detachment of the roller assembly to the lawnmower. The roller assembly yet further includes a latch assembly configured to hold the second link and shaft of rollers in a raised position relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A mulching assembly for a mower deck that has one or more cutting chambers includes a channeling plate in each cutting chamber. The channeling plate is configured to optimize air and clipping flow through the cutting chamber for mulching and dispersal of the clippings without disrupting airflow and consequently creating obstructions in the high-pressure outer region of the cutting chamber. Each channeling plate is spaced from the outer perimeter of the cutting chamber, extends in a generally non-radial direction generally parallel to the bottom surface of the cutter deck, and is mounted to the deck directly above the cutting blade in each cutting chamber.

Abstract: An adjustable baffle assembly that can be moveably coupled to a front flow control baffle of a lawnmower cutting deck. The adjustable baffle assembly includes a first wall that is securable to the front flow control baffle in at least a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the adjustable baffle also includes at least one flange that extends generally rearwardly from a bottom edge of the first wall into a generally triangularly shaped space defined between adjacent cutting circles.

Abstract: An adjustable baffle assembly that can be moveably coupled to a front flow control baffle of a lawnmower cutting deck. The adjustable baffle assembly includes a first wall that is securable to the front flow control baffle in at least a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the adjustable baffle also includes at least one flange that extends generally rearwardly from a bottom edge of the first wall into a generally triangularly shaped space defined between adjacent cutting circles.

Abstract: A hopper for a lawn tractor. The hopper includes a plurality of walls. The walls together define an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space. A door is movably coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls and is movable between a closed position, in which the door substantially covers the opening, and an open position, in which, the opening is at least partially uncovered. A sweep assembly is movable within the interior space when the door is moved between the closed and open positions. Preferably, the sweep assembly includes a frame coupled to the door and a sweep coupled to the frame. The sweep is preferably a flexible member that engages at least one of the plurality of walls. Preferably, the hopper also includes a latching mechanism coupled to the at least one of the plurality of walls.

Abstract: A hopper for a lawn tractor. The hopper includes a plurality of walls. The walls together define an interior space and an opening communicating with the interior space. A door is movably coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls and is movable between a closed position, in which the door substantially covers the opening, and an open position, in which, the opening is at least partially uncovered. A sweep assembly is movable within the interior space when the door is moved between the closed and open positions. Preferably, the sweep assembly includes a frame coupled to the door and a sweep coupled to the frame. The sweep is preferably a flexible member that engages at least one of the plurality of walls. Preferably, the hopper also includes a latching mechanism coupled to the at least one of the plurality of walls.

Abstract: An adjustable baffle assembly that can be moveably coupled to a front flow control baffle of a lawnmower cutting deck. The adjustable baffle assembly includes a first wall that is securable to the front flow control baffle in at least a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the adjustable baffle also includes at least one flange that extends generally rearwardly from a bottom edge of the first wall into a generally triangularly shaped space defined between adjacent cutting circles.

Abstract: A lawnmower includes a cutter assembly having a cutter deck and at least three cutter blades disposed respectively in first, second and third cutting zones within the cutter deck. The cutter blades are coupled to a power source by a power transmission assembly. A first opening is formed in one side of the cutter deck adjacent the second cutting zone and a closure member is removably mounted on the cutter deck for closing the first opening. A second opening is formed in the cutter deck adjacent the second cutting zone and a conduit is coupled at one end to the second opening and at its other end to a hopper for conducting grass clippings from the cutter assembly to the hopper. A plurality of baffles define portions of the first, second and third cutting zones and are configured to direct clippings from the first cutting zone to the third cutting zone and from the third cutting zone to the second cutting zone.

Abstract: A tool for removing a lawn mower cutter blade from a shaft to which it is attached by a threaded member and disposed in a cutter deck having a skirt portion which surrounds the cutter blade and having different portions disposed at different distances from the ends of the cutter blade as the cutter blade rotates. The tool includes a sleeve portion having open opposite ends and adapted to be telescopically received over the end of the blade and a stop disposed intermediate the ends of the sleeve portion for engaging one end of the blade to limit the extent to which the tool can move inwardly toward the center of the blade so that a portion of the tool extends from the end of the blade toward the skirt portion, whereby when one end of the tool is received on a cutter blade and the blade is rotated, the other end of the tool jams against the inner surface of the skirt portion so that the threaded member can be threaded on or removed from the shaft without further rotation of the blade.

Abstract: A lawn mower having a chute disposed within a hopper for receiving clippings from a cutter assembly and a motor for oscillating the chute to distribute the clippings. A sensor is connected to the motor energizing circuit for measuring the current flowing to the motor as a measurement of the resistance to chute oscillation resulting from the accumulation of clippings. The sensor is operative to actuate an alarm and disable a clutch which couples the mower's engine to its cutter assembly when the motor energizing current reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a cutter deck for enclosing a cutter blade, an engine for driving the cutter blade, a discharge assembly coupled to the cutter deck and having first and second outlets, a hopper coupled to the first outlet a discharge chute coupled to the second outlet, and a gate mounted on the discharge assembly and movable between a first position covering the first outlet whereby the discharge assembly communicates with the discharge chute and a second position covering the second outlet whereby the discharge assembly communicates with the hopper.

Abstract: A power transmission and steering apparatus for vehicles includes an engine coupled for rotating a pair of coaxial, spaced-apart driver wheels formed of a low durometer plastic material. A pair of discs are positioned in an opposed, spaced apart relation and adjacent to the peripheries of the driver wheels and one being on each of the opposite sides thereof. The discs are each coupled to a different one of the vehicle drive wheels, and each disc is mounted for rotation on a pivotable shaft. Independent control levers are coupled to each disc for independently tilting the same into engagement with a selected one of the driver wheels for rotation in one direction upon engagement with a first drive wheel and for rotation in the opposite direction upon engagement with the other driver wheel, the speed of rotation being controlled by the pressure between the disc and the driver wheel.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a riding and a steering frame pivotally connected to an engine and cutter assembly which includes an engine and transmission mounted on an engine deck and cutter blades driven by the engine and mounted below the cutter deck. The steering frame is pivotally attached to the engine deck and supports a rider seat and a steering assembly. A shock absorber extends between the pivotally connected engine and riding and steering frame.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a hydraulic motor mounted on each drive wheel and each motor is independently driven by a separate pump. Each pump includes a control lever for regulating fluid pressure and flow direction so that each wheel may be driven independently in the forward and reverse directions and at varying speeds. The control levers are independently connected to two speed control levers mounted on the mower's hand grips. A speed control index is mounted on each hand grip for releasably maintaining the speed control levers in a plurality of forward speed positions so that it is not necessary for the operator to exert hand pressure on the control levers in order to maintain a desired forward speed. A neutral control assembly returns the pump control levers to a neutral position when the control levers are moved into neutral.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a hydraulic motor mounted on each drive wheel and each motor is independently driven by a separate pump. Each pump includes a control lever for regulating fluid pressure and flow direction so that each wheel may be driven independently in the forward and reverse directions and at varying speeds. A speed control index is mounted on one side of the mower for releasably setting and maintaining the speed control levers in a plurality of equal forward speed positions so that the operator can preset the maximum forward speed. In addition, an individual speed control lever is mounted on each handgrip and each is independently coupled to one of the control levers for individually adjusting each wheel for speeds less than the preset maximum or for setting either wheel drive pump in neutral or reverse. A neutral control assembly returns the pump control levers to a neutral position when the control levers are moved into neutral.