Abstract: A monitoring system for an outdoor power implement. The monitoring system comprises an accelerometer, a GPS receiver, a processing module, and a storage device. The accelerometer collects impact force data of the outdoor power implement. The GPS receiver collects position data of the outdoor power implement. The processing module is coupled to the accelerometer and the GPS receiver and has a filter module operable to receive the impact force data from the accelerometer, filter the impact data, and provide filtered impact data. The filter module comprises a resistor capacitor filter circuit having a cutoff frequency at 50 Hz. The processing module also has a data extraction module operable to receive the positioning data from the GPS receiver. The storage device is coupled to the processing module and is operable to record the filtered impact data and the positioning data. The outdoor power implement may include a lawnmower.

Abstract: A lawnmower comprising a frame, an engine supported by the frame, a mower deck supported by the frame, a rotating cutting blade disposed below the mower deck. A PTO is coupled to the engine and the cutting blade to rotationally drive the cutting blade. A drive system is connected to the frame and coupled to the engine to drive or propel the lawnmower. The lawnmower includes a tilt sensor for sensing a tilt angle representing the orientation of the lawnmower with respect to a horizontal level plane. An signal indicator may provide a notice signal when the tilt angle exceeds a pre-determined check angle. The PTO may be disengaged from the engine to stop rotation of the cutting blade when the tilt angle exceeds a pre-determined limit angle. The drive system generally remains operable to drive the lawnmower when the PTO is disengaged to stop rotation of the cutting blade.