Abstract: A mower deck includes at least one cutting chamber with a spindle-mounted rotary cutting blade. The cutting chamber includes an upper wall and a sidewall. The sidewall presents a discharge opening. A cut-off baffle extends between the spindle and the sidewall discharge opening. The cut-off baffle adjusts between an open position in which the discharge opening is at least partially unobstructed and a closed position in which more of the discharge opening is obstructed. A spreader plate lies over the upper corner of the cutting chamber near the discharge opening opposite the cut-off baffle. The spreader plate adjusts between a first retracted position spaced away from the discharge opening and a second extended position closer to the discharge opening. The cut-off baffle and the spreader plate may be adjusted to control the discharge of grass clippings from the cutting chamber.

Abstract: A mower deck includes at least one cutting chamber with a spindle-mounted rotary cutting blade. The cutting chamber includes an upper wall and an outer extent bounded at least partially by a side wall. The side wall presents a discharge opening. A cut-off baffle extends between the spindle and the outer extent of the cutting chamber. The cut-off baffle adjusts between an open position in which the discharge opening is at least partially unobstructed and a closed position in which more of the discharge opening is obstructed. A spreader plate lies over the upper corner of the cutting chamber near the discharge opening. The spreader plate adjusts between a first retracted position spaced away from the discharge opening and a second extended position closer to the discharge opening. The cut-off baffle and the spreader plate may be adjusted to control the discharge of grass clippings from the cutting chamber.

Abstract: An improved counterweight apparatus for vehicles includes a counterweight support structure, a set of separately installable and removable counterweights and a retaining plate. Each counterweight is shaped to be received by the counterweight support structure and each counterweight has at least one retaining plate surface. The retaining plate is retained adjacent to the counterweight support structure and can be moved between a retracted position and an advanced position. The retaining plate has a first surface located to register with the retaining plate surface of each counterweight. When a counterweight is placed in the counterweight support structure and the retaining plate is moved to the advanced position, the first surface of the retaining plate engages the retaining plate surface of the counterweight to secure the counterweight support structure. A counterweight can be removed from the counterweight support structure if the retaining plate is moved to the retracted position.