Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a soil moisture sensor for interrupting an irrigation schedule of an irrigation controller. The moisture sensor comprises a relatively flat body with two lower electrodes and two lower anchoring barbs. A receiver receives moisture readings from the sensor and compares moisture data to a predetermined moisture interrupt value or limit, over which irrigation is interrupted.

Abstract: A snowplow blade articulator assembly includes a mounting frame for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle chassis. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir are attached to the mounting frame, the hydraulic reservoir supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. An articulating assembly is attached to the mounting frame for moving the snowplow blade when the snowplow blade is attached to the mounting frame, the articulating assembly is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and the articulating assembly includes a lift cylinder and a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic manifold includes a downforce circuit that fluidly isolates the lift cylinder from the hydraulic pump when a first control valve is closed and the downforce circuit fluidly connects a lift chamber of the lift cylinder with a lower chamber of the lift cylinder to maintain equal hydraulic pressure in the lift chamber and in the lower chamber.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp for mounting an auxiliary tool onto a loader bucket is provided. The adjustable clamp includes a first clamping member possessing a first clamping surface and a second clamping member possessing a second clamping surface. The second clamping member is slidably connected to the first clamping member such that the second clamping surface is movable along an angled path toward the first clamping surface to clamp the loader bucket between the first and second clamping surfaces. Also provided is a snow plow assembly including a snow plow and an adjustable clamp. A method of mounting a snow plow onto a loader bucket by way of an adjustable clamp is also provided.

Abstract: An irrigation control module is described that adjusts a watering schedule for a connected irrigation controller based on weather data provided by a local weather station. The irrigation control module can add additional weather-based irrigation schedule adjustments to an irrigation controller that may otherwise lack the hardware (e.g., wireless transmitter, sufficient memory) and software (e.g., evapotranspiration algorithms) to store and interpret weather data from a weather station.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to powered vehicles (e.g., lawn mowers) and, more particularly, to a control system for use with such a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine and one or more drive control levers incrementally movable between a neutral position and a maximum velocity position. The system may also include a velocity profile control system having an adjustment member that permits altering a ratio between control lever movement and velocity of an associated drive member or wheel. Thus, the system may alter a maximum potential velocity of the vehicle while the drive control lever(s) are positioned in the maximum velocity position without varying an output level of the power source.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, irrigation software is provided for an irrigation system. The irrigation software may include a hierarchical watering plan display, water pump adjustment, water pump efficiency profile use, a soil moisture interface, a historical flow interface, a demand ET interface, an instant program interface, an instant program interface, a manual irrigation interface, a precipitation management group interface, a rain schedule adjustment algorithm, a map-to-monitor button, a universal start time shift interface, and a conditional screen saver.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.

Abstract: Evaluating ground surface hardness for a site involves using a mobile data collection device to automatically drop an object including an accelerometer onto a ground surface at sample locations spaced at regular intervals within the site. The acceleration of the object is detected with the accelerometer as the object impacts the ground surface at the sample locations. A value is generated representative of ground surface hardness for each of the sample locations. Evaluation using a handheld hardness measurement device is also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a helical restrictor insert for a sprinkler nozzle. The helical thread of the insert imparts a helical swirl into the water stream which changes the flow and distribution pattern of the water leaving the nozzle. The position of the end of the helical thread can be adjusted to direct a portion of the water stream downward, close to the sprinkler head without adversely affecting the nearby turf.

Abstract: A reel mower has a double A arm suspension that lowers a reel cutting unit into a cutting position in a tail down orientation and that levels the reel cutting unit out as it lifts the reel cutting unit into a transport position. The reel cutting unit yaws during turns about a substantially vertical axis having a negative caster angle. The suspension has clamps that can be flipped open or closed to quickly attach or detach the reel cutting unit. A drive motor can be quickly attached or detached to the reel cutting unit using a pivotal wire form. An active counterbalance system automatically offsets the increasing weight of a grass basket on the reel cutting unit to maintain quality of cut. The grass basket maintains a constant spacing relative to the reel cutting unit when the reel cutting unit pitches to improve clipping collection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating individual sprinkler head performance within a turf irrigation system are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, irrigation software is provided for an irrigation system. The irrigation software may include a hierarchical watering plan display, water pump adjustment, water pump efficiency profile use, a soil moisture interface, a historical flow interface, a demand ET interface, an instant program interface, an instant program interface, a manual irrigation interface, a precipitation management group interface, a rain schedule adjustment algorithm, a map-to-monitor button, a universal start time shift interface, and a conditional screen saver.

Abstract: Wireless snow plow control methods and systems may include at least three units in mutual wireless communicative connection: a plow control module (PCM), a vehicle control module (VCM), and a remote controller. Each unit may be capable of operating with any one of a plurality of units of another type, with any one of multiple types of vehicles, and with any one of multiple types of snow plows. Three specific units of different types may automatically synchronize for operating a particular snow plow in response to commands from the remote. The VCM may be capable of automatically detecting a connection status of a snow plow, enabling/disabling snow plow lights and vehicle lights based on the connection status, controlling enabled vehicle lights, and wirelessly controlling enabled snow plow lights. The remote may wirelessly transmit commands either directly to the PCM, or to the VCM for forwarding to the PCM.

Abstract: A cord retainer and cord wrap system for use with a portable (e.g., handheld) electric blower, and a blower incorporating the same. The system may allow for storage of the cord onboard the blower when the latter is not in use. Embodiments of the invention may utilize a portion of the blower housing to form one winding surface for the cord. A second winding surface may be provided by a cord retainer that may be secured in place along the extension tube of the blower, e.g., via interference fit. Other embodiments may include two or more nozzles that may be selectively inserted into the extension tube to permit selective tuning of blower performance.

Abstract: A reel mower has a drive and mounting system for easily and quickly installing a turf grooming attachment. A pair of bearing supports on opposite sides of the reel mower frame provides laterally spaced stub shafts between which the through shaft of the attachment can be nested. A pair of identical clamps releasably couples the opposite ends of the through shaft of the attachment to the adjacent stub shafts. Installation and removal of the clamps is sufficient to install or remove the attachment without requiring disassembly or lateral movement of the bearing supports or of the stub shafts rotatably journalled therein.

Abstract: A turf mower has one or more electrically powered cutting units and a traction drive system that is operatively powered by an internal combustion engine. A motor generator is also powered by the engine and is operatively connected to the engine and the traction drive system. A battery pack stores electrical energy and is charged by the motor generator during normal mowing on flat ground. When mowing on hillsides with increased mechanical power requirements above that supplied by the horsepower of the engine, a control system first removes the load imposed by the cutting units by supplying the electrical energy to the cutting units from the battery pack instead of the motor generator. If that is insufficient, the control system then uses energy from the battery pack to power the motor generator as a motor to supply additional mechanical power for use by the traction drive system.

Abstract: A V-blade snowplow having both full moldboard trip and trip edge capabilities. The V-blade has first and second moldboards that not only can pivot against a restoring force of one or more trip springs extending intermediate a pivot frame and a push frame of the snowplow, but the moldboard of each wing of the V-plow has associated therewith a respective cutting edge hingedly secured along a base thereof, the cutting edge biased toward an untripped position in substantial alignment with the base of the moldboard by one or more trip edge springs. The maximum angle of deflection of the cutting edges is preferably about 40°, which is lower than the maximum angle of deflection of cutting edges of V-plows only exhibiting trip edge capability.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle comprises a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and a belt entrained around both pulleys in an opposite manner between the fixed and movable sheaves thereof. One pulley carries a selectively deployable stop that may be placed into position to mechanically limit the range of motion between the fixed and movable sheaves. This establishes an actual maximum transmission ratio that is larger than the nominal minimum transmission ratio but smaller than the nominal maximum transmission ratio achievable by the transmission during normal operation thereof. When such a transmission is used on a utility vehicle attached to a substance dispensing applicator operatively driven by the vehicle's engine, the application rate stays substantially constant despite changes in engine speed when the user keeps the transmission upshifted to the actual maximum transmission ratio set by the position of the deployed stop.