Abstract: A rotary cutting deck for a mower includes a cutting deck supported by wheels at three of the four corners of the deck. The other corner of the cutting deck, namely a corner of the deck that is close to the mower, is supported by a corner suspension that lifts upwardly with a biasing force sufficient to elevate that corner of the deck above the ground. This corner suspension takes the place of the caster wheel that would normally support this corner of the deck, and thus permits the deck to be moved closer to the side of the mower, thus reducing overall mower width without decreasing the width of the cutting swath.

Abstract: A sulky for a self propelled, outdoor power equipment unit, such as a wide area mower or WAM, comprises independent left and right foot platforms to support a standing operator. A ground engaging caster wheel is carried on each foot platform to allow the foot platforms to roll over the ground during operation of the mower. The foot platforms are mounted to the mower by an axle with each foot platform being pivotally carried on the axle using a separate pivot hub. Thus, the foot platforms can pitch up and down separately from one another during operation of the mower over uneven terrain. Latches are provided for selectively holding the foot platforms in raised transport positions.

Abstract: A mower includes a plurality of cutting units carried on a traction vehicle in a staggered and overlapped orientation to provide a cutting swath. The cutting units are rotary type cutting units having cut-outs at each front corner thereof to eliminate or reduce streaking between adjacent cutting units. In addition, each cutting unit has two spaced, ovately shaped ground engaging rollers adjacent each front corner. The ovately shaped rollers are positioned so that a tapered outer end of each roller points to the outside of the cutting unit with the broader, basal end of the roller being positioned closer to the longitudinal centerline of the cutting unit. Such rollers support the front of the cutting unit and allow the front of the cutting unit to roll over the ground.

Abstract: Jacking apparatus for use with ground maintenance vehicles and methods of using such apparatus are provided. In general, the jacking apparatus includes a jacking member which may pivotally couple to the frame of the vehicle. The jacking member is preferably positionable in a stored position, a jacking position, or a jacked position wherein the stored and jacking positions correspond to the vehicle being in an operating configuration while the jacked position corresponds to the vehicle being in an elevated, maintenance configuration. During operation, the driving power of the vehicle may be used to propel the vehicle up and onto the jacking member, thereby elevating a first portion of the vehicle relative to a second portion. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a latching device to permit latching of the jacking member in both the stored position and the jacked position.

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has a rear grass discharge outlet formed by a cut-away portion of the peripheral wall of the cutting chamber located in one or more rear quadrants of the cutting chamber. An annular grass discharge channel is formed between an inner concentric shroud and the peripheral wall of the cutting chamber with the rear grass discharge outlet opening into this channel. A grass deflecting ramp is located within the grass discharge channel with a front end of the ramp located in advance of the entrance to the rear grass discharge outlet and a rear end of the ramp located in one of the rear quadrants of the cutting chamber to be adjacent some portion of the rear discharge outlet. The grass deflecting ramp progressively lowers between its front and rear ends to deflect grass clippings generally downwardly towards the rear discharge outlet. The ramp can have a downwardly extending divider vane to promote more even side-to-side distribution of the grass clippings.

Abstract: An improved single-stage snow thrower including a wheeled frame assembly for supporting the snow thrower upon a ground surface and a driven impeller capable of being placed in ground contact to forwardly propel the snow thrower across the ground surface. A handle assembly including a user interface is further provided to permit the operator to selectively control the normal force associated with the driven impeller, and thus selectively control the propulsive drive force of the snow thrower. A bail control assembly may be provided upon the handle to permit the operator to selectively control a downward movement of the impeller to selectively control the degree of impeller ground contact.

Abstract: This invention relates to an outdoor equipment unit such as a walk-behind utility loader. The loader has a tracked traction system in which endless tracks are entrained around a rear drive support member and a front support member. The front support member is spring biased forwardly, but can move rearwardly against the spring bias to allow debris that is caught between the front support member to clear itself to help prevent the track from detracking. A single control handle proximate to a fixed grab bar assembly can be rotated and/or twisted to control the traction system. Return to neutral systems ensure that the control handle will return to a centered, neutral position upon release of the control handle by the operator.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A rotary brush assembly that is mounted to a traction vehicle, such as a skid steer type vehicle. The brush assembly is allowed to move relative to the traction vehicle within three degrees of freedom including yaw, roll, and up and down linear motion. The degrees of freedom reduce brush wear and facilitate more effective cleaning over uneven surfaces. Up and down linear motion is accommodated by a linear sliding joint. The sliding joint is further equipped with markings that indicate to the operator where, in the range of up and down motion, the brush is located. The brush assembly is also equipped with a mounting mechanism that translates motion of a skid steered vehicle implement arm joint into yaw motion of the brush. This eliminates the need for additional hydraulic cylinders or controls to actuate yaw motion.

Abstract: A blower/vacuum having an air inlet cover and a blower tube, both of which attach to a blower housing for operation in a blower mode. The air inlet cover is preferably able to removably attach to the blower housing and the blower tube. Blower/vacuums of the present invention may generally prohibit operation unless both the blower tube and the air inlet cover are first installed. The blower/vacuum is further adapted to operate in a vacuum mode by removing the air inlet cover and blower tube and replacing the same with a vacuum tube assembly and a vacuum collection container, respectively.

Abstract: Vegetation trimmers and methods for reconfiguring a trimmer are provided. A coupling mechanism permits reconfiguration of the trimmer between a first, e.g., trimming, configuration and a second, e.g., edging, configuration. The coupling mechanism may, in one embodiment, be used to couple a handle assembly with an extension tube. By rotating the handle assembly relative to the extension tube, the trimmer is moved between the trimming and edging configurations. In one embodiment, the mechanism may apply a biasing force to the handle assembly relative to the extension tube. The biasing force tends to bias the trimmer towards and retain the trimmer in the desired configuration. To switch the trimmer between configurations, the operator may impart a twisting force between the handle assembly and the extension tube where the twisting force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force. Optionally, a longitudinal force may also be applied before or during the application of the twisting force.

Abstract: A blower/vacuum having an air inlet cover and a blower tube, both of which attach to a blower housing for operation in a blower mode. The air inlet cover is preferably able to removably attach to the blower housing and the blower tube. Blower/vacuums of the present invention may generally prohibit operation unless both the blower tube and the air inlet cover are first installed. The blower/vacuum is further adapted to operate in a vacuum mode by removing the air inlet cover and blower tube and replacing the same with a vacuum tube assembly and a vacuum collection container, respectively.

Abstract: A sprocket is disclosed for driving a chain with a plurality of chain rollers. The sprocket may be used to drive a material removal chain of a trencher. The sprocket has various cut-aways or reliefs on each face thereof to more effectively clear particulate debris from beneath chain rollers during cutting or digging operations. The sprocket also has asymmetrical teeth designed to help minimize changes in pitch diameter due to debris entrained beneath chain rollers. Reducing changes in pitch diameter greatly reduces premature wear of the sprocket and its chain. Reducing changes in pitch diameter also greatly reduces the tendency for the chain to bind.

Abstract: A turf maintenance equipment unit, such as a riding mower having two side cutting units and a front cutting unit operatively connected to a traction frame. A hydraulic traction system is provided for propelling the traction frame in forward and reverse. This traction system includes a pair of front drive motors and a rear drive motor connected in parallel to a pump. A pressure reducing device limits fluid pressure to the rear drive motor when the traction frame is moving in reverse to increase the climbing ability of the traction frame in reverse.

Abstract: A mower comprises a frame having a cutting deck which is tiltable relative to the frame. The cutting deck has a substantially horizontal operating position and a generally upright transport or service position, the cutting deck tilting to move between the horizontal and upright positions. A blower is carried on the frame and a plenum connects the blower and the cutting deck. A grass discharge outlet on the cutting deck is telescopically inserted into the front of the plenum as the cutting deck is moved into its operating position. A guide pin is received in a slot having a V-shaped portion and a straight portion to correct misalignment between the cutting deck and the plenum as the two are telescoped together. The rear of the plenum can be manually attached to or released from the blower inlet without using tools.

Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.

Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.

Abstract: A riding mower having two side cutting units and a front cutting unit operatively connected to a traction frame. Each side cutting unit can pivot about a substantially vertical axis relative to the traction frame when impact shocks occur on the outer sides of the cutting units. A shock absorber cushions and absorbs such impact shocks, and resists the pivoting motion of the side cutting units, in a bi-directional fashion to be effective during forward or reverse motion of the traction frame. The mower also includes a front cutting unit. The cutting units, both the side cutting units and the front cutting unit, have multiple cutting blades and a single drive motor mounted on the cutting unit for driving all the cutting blades contained on that cutting unit. The drive motor is mounted coaxially on the blade spindle of one of the cutting blades and adjacent blades on the cutting unit are driven by one or more drive belts arranged in straight belt runs.

Abstract: A 6×4 utility vehicle utilizes a middle axle (21) which is suspended to the frame of the vehicle by means of a suspension assembly (22). The suspension assembly (22) allows the vehicle (10) to have a better ride quality, ride predictability, increased traction and better maneuverability.