Abstract: A zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle is provided with a mainframe and an engine supported on the mainframe to output rotational power. Transaxle systems are provided with each being connected to the engine and to a respective driving wheel such that each transaxle system is configured to translate the rotational power from the engine to the driving wheel. One or more speed control actuators are provided, each being operatively connected to a transaxle system and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The speed of a driving wheel is infinitely variable through movement of the speed control actuator. A speed-range control actuator is operatively connected to the transaxle systems and configured to designate one of selectable speed-ranges within which the speed control actuators are permitted to operate. The speed of each driving wheel is determined by a combination of the designated speed-range and a position of the speed control actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis, and a jack stand having an extended portion and a support portion. The extended portion has a longitudinal axis. The support portion is located at a longitudinal end of the extend portion. The jack stand is arranged on the chassis to be slidable with respect to the chassis in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis for movement between a deployed position, wherein the support portion is located vertically below a bottom surface of each wheel, and a stowed position, wherein the support portion of the jack stand is located vertically above the bottom surface of each wheel.

Abstract: A multi-axis adjustable machine handle may comprise a handle assembly and a handle mounting assembly. The handle mounting assembly may comprise a clamping assembly including an elongate clamp with first and second sides rotatably engaging the handle assembly and first and second cup-shaped members slidably engaging the elongate clamp. The handle mounting assembly may further comprise a locking assembly extending through the first cup-shaped member, second cup-shaped member, and elongate clamp to selectively prevent relative movement. Finally, the handle mounting assembly may also comprise a support brace engaging the second cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A mower deck includes a top deck, a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall and a first side wall. The first side wall extends between the front and rear walls. A front baffle assembly extends downwardly from the top deck. The front baffle assembly extends from the first side wall toward a discharge opening that is positioned between the front and rear walls at a discharge side of the top deck. The front baffle assembly is configured to urge cut grass and debris toward the discharge opening. A discharge baffle is positioned proximate a rear end of the discharge opening and extends downwardly from the top deck. The discharge baffle and the rear wall define a discharge gap. The discharge gap is positioned on an opposite side of the discharge baffle from the discharge opening. The discharge gap is configured to allow airflow into the mower deck.

Abstract: An external cooling circuit for an integrated transaxle includes an integrated transaxle having a casing and a motor and a pump contained within the casing. The pump is connected to and actuable by an input shaft extending from the casing. The motor is connected to an output shaft extending from the casing. Hydraulic fluid is circulated in the casing by the pump to drive the motor. First and second ports are formed in the casing and a charge pump is contained within the casing. A reservoir is external to the casing. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the first and second ports of the casing such that the charge pump is configured to create a vacuum at the second port to cause hydraulic fluid to exit the casing through the first port, enter the reservoir, and re-enter the casing through the second port.

Abstract: A tension control mechanism includes a drive wheel and a jack wheel rotatably mounted with respect to a chassis of a self-propelled power tool. An idler arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis and carries an idler wheel. A flexible drive member entrains the drive wheel and the jack wheel and drives the idler wheel. First and second bias members bias the idler arm in opposing rotational directions, which move the idler wheel toward or away from the flexible drive member to respectively increase or decrease tension. A ratchet arm is attached to the idler arm has a hook. A ratchet head is fixed to the chassis and has ratchet teeth for engaging the hook to permit relative motion between the hook and the ratchet teeth to increase tension, and to limit relative motion between the hook and the ratchet teeth to prevent an excessive decrease in tension.

Abstract: In an aerator including a chassis mounted on wheels, a tine depth stop mechanism includes a base mounted on the chassis. A side wall is fixed to the base and has a plurality of apertures therein. A stop arm is movably mounted with respect to the side wall and has an abutment. The abutment has a periphery. A tine weldment is attached to the stop arm, and a tine wheel is rotatably mounted to the tine weldment. A pin passes through one of the apertures of the side wall and engages the periphery of the abutment of the stop arm. Upon a downward movement of the tine wheel, the stop arm moves with respect to the side wall until the pin abuts the periphery of the abutment, thus adjusting a maximum depth of the tine wheel below the chassis.

Abstract: A device comprises a collection bin and a stationary front plate pivotably coupled with the bin via a hinge mechanism. The bin is rotatable relative to the front plate between a first position, wherein the bin's front end is closed by the front plate, and a second position, wherein the front end is spaced from the front plate for releasing debris out of the bin. An actuator is operatively connected to the hinge mechanism, which includes a bar interconnected between the bin and front plate. The bar is attached to the front plate and the bin. Actuator actuation rotates the bar and the bin in an arcuate motion from the first to the second position, and retraction of the actuator returns the bar and bin to the first position. Rotation of the bin defines a center of rotation on the opposite side of the front plate from the bin.

Abstract: A device comprises a collection bin and a stationary front plate pivotably coupled with the bin via a hinge mechanism. The bin is rotatable relative to the front plate between a first position, wherein the bin's front end is closed by the front plate, and a second position, wherein the front end is spaced from the front plate for releasing debris out of the bin. An actuator is operatively connected to the hinge mechanism, which includes a bar interconnected between the bin and front plate. The bar is attached to the front plate and the bin. Actuator actuation rotates the bar and the bin in an arcuate motion from the first to the second position, and retraction of the actuator returns the bar and bin to the first position. Rotation of the bin defines a center of rotation on the opposite side of the front plate from the bin.

Abstract: A weight transfer system for a tractor includes a front lift arm pivotably mounted to the tractor and a front accessory mounted to the front lift arm. The front accessory is located forward of a front of the tractor. A mounting bracket is secured to a frame of the tractor. An electric linear actuator includes a forward end and a rear end. The forward end is mounted to a spring and the rear end is mounted to the mounting bracket. The linear actuator is actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. The forward end is spaced a first distance from the front of the tractor in the extended position and a second distance from the front of the tractor in the retracted position. The first distance is less than the second distance.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a spark-ignition motor with a vapor intake port has a tank body having a tank wall enclosing a tank volume. A filler port in a first upper portion of the tank wall establishes a liquid fill-level limit for the tank volume. A vapor dome formed by a second upper portion of the tank wall subtends a vapor space above the liquid fill-level limit. A vapor vent valve is mounted in the vapor dome and is connectable to the vapor intake port. The vapor dome has a shape and size allowing the tank body to tilt from about a horizontal position to about thirty degrees in any direction from the horizontal position before a liquid filling the tank volume to the liquid fill-level limit contacts the vapor vent valve.

Abstract: A weight transfer system for a tractor includes a front lift arm pivotably mounted to the tractor and a front accessory mounted to the front lift arm. The front accessory is located forward of a front of the tractor. A mounting bracket is secured to a frame of the tractor. An electric linear actuator includes a forward end and a rear end. The forward end is mounted to a spring and the rear end is mounted to the mounting bracket. The linear actuator is actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. The forward end is spaced a first distance from the front of the tractor in the extended position and a second distance from the front of the tractor in the retracted position. The first distance is less than the second distance.

Abstract: A device for creating a trench in a ground surface includes a frame, an axle and a platform. A wheel is mounted to the axle and a motor is mounted to the platform. The motor is configured to rotate a drive shaft. A primary blade is removably mountable to the drive shaft. The primary blade has a first radius measured from a geometric center of the primary hub to a free end of a largest of the at least three primary tines. A second blade is removably mountable to the primary hub. The secondary blade has a second radius measured from a geometric center of the secondary hub to a free end of a largest of the at least three secondary tines. The first radius is greater than the second radius. A blade guard is mounted to the platform and generally covers the primary and secondary blades in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: A device for cultivating soil or brushing debris includes a frame supporting a transmission and a motor. The transmission defines a housing. A drive shaft, which is at least partially surrounded by the housing, is driven by the motor. The drive shaft is a worm having a first set of threads on an exterior surface thereof and a second set of threads on the exterior surface thereof. The first set of threads are spaced-apart from and angled with respect to the second set of threads. A first gear, a second gear, and a third gear are all supported at least partially within the housing. External teeth of the second gear are in constant engagement with external teeth of both the first and third gears. A shaft is fixedly attached to the second gear and an assembly is removable attached to the shaft.

Abstract: An assembly for an earthworking machine includes a head portion, a frame secured to the head portion, a handle assembly, an enclosure which houses at least a portion of a plurality of components for driving the earthworking machine, a first plate secured to a first side of the enclosure and a second plate secured to a second side of the enclosure, and a first set of isolating members. The first and second plates extend from the enclosure along at least a portion of the length of the frame. One of the first set of isolating members is positioned between the frame and the first plate, and another one of the first set of isolating members is positioned between the frame and the second plate.

Abstract: A device for cultivating soil or brushing debris includes a frame supporting a transmission, a motor, and a shaft rotatably supported by a transmission housing and driven by the motor through the transmission. A distal end of the shaft includes a passageway therethrough. A fastener is at least partially received within the passageway. A tine assembly may be removably attached to the shaft and includes a first pair of two laterally spaced-apart tine disks. The first pair of tine disks being laterally positioned on the shaft between the fastener and the housing. A brush attachment may be removably attached, and includes a tube, which has a wheel rotatably attached to a first end thereof and a first gear fixedly attached to an opposing second end thereof. At least a portion of the fastener extends through at least a portion of the tube to fixedly attach the tube to the shaft.

Abstract: A device for cultivating soil or brushing debris includes a frame supporting a transmission, a motor, and a shaft rotatably supported by a transmission housing and driven by the motor through the transmission. A distal end of the shaft includes a passageway therethrough. A fastener is at least partially received within the passageway. A tine assembly may be removably attached to the shaft and includes a first pair of two laterally spaced-apart tine disks. The first pair of tine disks being laterally positioned on the shaft between the fastener and the housing. A brush attachment may be removably attached, and includes a tube, which has a wheel rotatably attached to a first end thereof and a first gear fixedly attached to an opposing second end thereof At least a portion of the fastener extends through at least a portion of the tube to fixedly attach the tube to the shaft.

Abstract: A device for creating a trench in a ground surface includes a frame, an axle and a platform. A wheel is mounted to the axle and a motor is mounted to the platform. The motor is configured to rotate a drive shaft. A primary blade is removably mountable to the drive shaft. The primary blade has a first radius measured from a geometric center of the primary hub to a free end of a largest of the at least three primary tines. A second blade is removably mountable to the primary hub. The secondary blade has a second radius measured from a geometric center of the secondary hub to a free end of a largest of the at least three secondary tines. The first radius is greater than the second radius. A blade guard is mounted to the platform and generally covers the primary and secondary blades in an assembled configuration.