Abstract: A mower may include a frame, a cutting deck suspended from the frame, and a cut height adjustment system configured for raising and lowering the cutting deck to a plurality of cut height positions. The cut height adjustment system may include a rotatable, stepped cylinder having a plurality of steps wherein each of the plurality of steps corresponds to one of the plurality of cut height positions, and a pawl may be configured for engagement with the plurality of steps in order to set the cutting deck at a desired cut height position. The stepped cylinder may be mounted to a rotatable base plate, and a knob may be attached to an upper end of a shaft connected to the base plate. Each of the plurality of cut height positions may be manually selectable by rotation of the knob.

Abstract: A gearbox for an engine-driven mechanism comprises a gearbox housing having opposing walls. A first bearing bore is defined in one of the opposing walls and adapted for receiving an input shaft. A second bearing bore is defined in the other opposing wall and aligned with the first bearing bore. Each bearing bore mounts a bearing for supporting the input shaft which extends through the first bearing bore and into the gearbox. The second bearing bore includes an associated transparent and/or translucent lens to define a sight window for monitoring the level of oil in the gearbox. A sight window of this nature is particularly well suited for retrofitting older gearboxes which lack a sight window.

Abstract: A gearbox for an engine-driven mechanism comprises a gearbox housing having opposing walls. A first bearing bore is defined in one of the opposing walls and adapted for receiving an input shaft. A second bearing bore is defined in the other opposing wall and aligned with the first bearing bore. Each bearing bore mounts a bearing for supporting the input shaft which extends through the first bearing bore and into the gearbox. The second bearing bore includes an associated transparent and/or translucent lens to define a sight window for monitoring the level of oil in the gearbox. A sight window of this nature is particularly well suited for retrofitting older gearboxes which lack a sight window.

Abstract: A gearbox for an engine-driven mechanism comprises a gearbox housing having opposing walls. A first bearing bore is defined in one of the opposing walls and adapted for receiving an input shaft. A second bearing bore is defined in the other opposing wall and aligned with the first bearing bore. Each bearing bore mounts a bearing for supporting the input shaft which extends through the first bearing bore and into the gearbox. The second bearing bore includes an associated transparent and/or translucent lens to define a sight window for monitoring the level of oil in the gearbox. A sight window of this nature is particularly well suited for retrofitting older gearboxes which lack a sight window.

Abstract: A gearbox for an engine-driven mechanism comprises a gearbox housing having opposing walls. A first bearing bore is defined in one of the opposing walls and adapted for receiving an input shaft. A second bearing bore is defined in the other opposing wall and aligned with the first bearing bore. Each bearing bore mounts a bearing for supporting the input shaft which extends through the first bearing bore and into the gearbox. The second bearing bore includes an associated transparent and/or translucent lens to define a sight window for monitoring the level of oil in the gearbox. A sight window of this nature is particularly well suited for retrofitting older gearboxes which lack a sight window.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided which has a CVT drive unit. A housing for the drive unit provides an enclosure for the CVT drive components and defines an air flow path. An inlet port associated with the CVT housing includes a fan assembly which provides a source for filtered ambient air flow into the CVT housing. An outlet port associated with the CVT housing provides an exit for the air flow path and equalizes pressure within the enclosure. The interior of the housing is pressurized with ambient air in order to cool the CVT components therein. The pressurized air also creates an air curtain which prevents moisture and debris from intruding into the housing. Preferably the fan is powered separately from the engine of the utility vehicle to ensure positive air flow into the CVT housing even when the engine is in idle mode.

Abstract: A mulching mower is provided for mowing and mulching turf vegetation in order to reduce the size of the cut vegetation and more evenly distribute the vegetation once thus cut. Counterrotating, coaxial mowing blade and mulching tool assemblies are provided. The mowing blade assembly is driven by a central shaft rotatably mounted through a drive barrel which drives the mulching tool. The mulching tool assembly includes a plurality of blades, typically pivotally mounted, at least one of the mulching blades being in a lower mulching plane, and at least one other of the mulching blades being in an upper mulching plane.

Abstract: A mower or similar device for cutting ground foliage or for surface conditioning is provided which has an improved deck construction that includes detachably engaged deck members that define housing areas which can substantially enclose pulley assemblies suitable for driving and being driven, the pulley assemblies being straddle-mounted by bearings or the like within said housing areas.

Abstract: A five section implement uses a pair of folding mechanisms to fold primary and secondary wing sections above a central main section. The folding mechanisms are disposed mainly on the top side of the primary wing sections thereby providing adequate space on the top of the main section for mounting containers for dispensing liquid agricultural chemicals. Each folding mechanism includes a lost motion connection permitting floating of the implement sections, automatic lock-out structure for the lost motion connection which operates during fold-up of the implement and an automatic gravity operated latch which insures a proper sequence of unfolding of the wing sections. Each folding mechanism is operated by a single hydraulic actuator and a transport locking bar disposed alongside each actuator is provided with a slide pad to prevent damage to the actuator and other parts during operation of the associated folding mechanism.

Abstract: An articulated plow is provided with a laterally swingable pull bar (31) and steerable intermediate support wheels (46, 47) which are controlled by a hydraulic system providing correlated movement through parallel connected hydraulic jacks (37, 66). A latch mechanism (86) for releasably securing the pull bar (31) in its plowing position of adjustment is operated by the pull bar control jack (37) through an operating lever (41) having a lost motion connection with a spring loaded latch pin (87). A locking plate (131) is provided to automatically lock the latch pin (87) in its retracted position when the pull bar (31) is moved to its transport position.

Abstract: The horizontal diagonal angle (z) of the rear frame (16) of an articulated plow (11) is greater than the horizontal diagonal angle (y) of the front frame (14), thus providing a lead angle (x) between the frames (14, 16). This construction reduces the overcut by the plow bottoms (17) that would otherwise occur due to the lateral flexing of the rear frame (16). The lead angle (x) can be adjusted between predetermined minimum and maximum values by moving an eccentric (51) between predetermined positions of pivotal adjustment. The eccentric (51) is part of a pivot joint (33) which together with a pivot joint (32) establishes the transverse pivot axis (31) between the articulated plow sections (12, 13).

Abstract: An articulated plow has a front section 12 supported at its front end by a ground engaging furrow wheel 19, a rear section 13 supported at its rear end by a ground engaging furrow wheel 22, pivot joints 32, 33 interconnecting the diagonally disposed frames 14, 16 of the end-to-end front and rear sections 12, 13 on a transverse articulation axis 31 and central support wheels 23, 24 which contact the ground forwardly of the articulation axis 31 to produce a counter moment acting on the rear section 13 to counteract the tendency of the rear plow bottoms to operate at a reduced plowing depth.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for locking the front furrow wheel of a plow when the plow frame is in its lowered plowing position. The latch mechanism is inoperative when the plow frame is raised to its transport position, thus permitting the castered furrow wheel support to freely rotate about the vertical spindle pivot axis. A latch is pivoted to the upper end of the vertical spindle about a horizontal axis and has a downwardly extending finger adapted to drop into a recess in a flat ramp on the upper link of a parallel lift linkage for the castered furrow wheel.