Abstract: A rear tined tiller having a guiding handle which is readily adjustable vertically and laterally and wherein adjustment of the guiding handle position may be controlled by a handle position control lever attached to the free end of the guiding handle and readily accessible to the operator. The guiding handle is also supported for pivotal movement through a 180.degree. arc about a vertical pivot axis for storage and transport of the machine. The handle position control lever is also connected to the traction drive and the tine drive mechanisms to interrupt power to both the drive wheels and the tiller tines during adjustment of the guiding handle position.

Abstract: A rear tined tiller having a guiding handle which is readily adjustable vertically and laterally and wherein adjustment of the guiding handle position may be controlled by a handle position control lever attached to the free end of the guiding handle and readily accessible to the operator. The guiding handle is also supported for pivotal movement through a 180.degree. arc about a vertical pivot axis for storage and transport of the machine. The handle position control lever is also connected to the traction drive and the tine drive mechanisms to interrupt power to both the drive wheels and the tiller tines during adjustment of the guiding handle position.

Abstract: A snowblower includes an auger having a generally horizontal auger cylinder and at least a pair of spaced apart planar elastomeric auger flights surrounding the auger cylinder. The auger flights extend outwardly from the surface of the auger cylinder and from opposite ends of the cylinder toward each other. The auger also includes an impeller blade extending radially from the auger cylinder surface and having opposite ends, one of the impeller blade ends being connected to one of the auger flights and the other of the impeller blade ends being connected to the other of the auger flights. The auger further includes an auger frame rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and the auger frame includes two frame halves secured together at a parting plane including the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A vertical crankshaft engine is the power source of a snowblower. Two horizontal drive belts extend from a double pulley arrangement on the engine crankshaft. One drive belt extends to the vertical input shaft of the traction gear case to power the snowblower wheels. The other belt extends to the vertical input shaft of a right angle gearbox at one axial end of the collector assembly to transmit rotary motion to the collector assembly. A horizontally pivotal idler pulley selectively tensions the belt providing the motive power for the collector assembly and a clutch assembly is associated with the traction axle assembly to selectively power the snowblower wheels.The right angle gearbox housing is made in two complementary pieces which are held together by a type of snap ring and when assembled is bolted to one end of the housing of the collector assembly.

Abstract: A horizontal extension of a tiller frame supports the engine, gear box, and tine assembly of a tiller. The tiller frame has a portion which defines the tiller handle and includes a one-piece, forked end which provides the horizontal extension and, in addition, provides a generally vertical extension which supports the tiller wheels. At its forked end the tiller frame is generally delta-shaped having a broad, web-like portion extending between and integral with the horizontal and vertical frame extensions and arranged in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A folding tiller handle is made in two pieces connected for limited relative longitudinal and pivotal movement, one piece being a permanent part of the basic tiller assembly. A belt tightening idler sheave is associated with a belt drive which provides the motive forde for rotating the tiller tine assembly. A control, which includes two separable rigid rod members, moves the idler sheave into and out of tightening engagement with the drive belt. The rods are joined through a connection which imparts rotary motion from one rod to the other and which also permits relative longitudinal movement therebetween to separate the rods. The rods are associated with respective pieces of the tiller handle so that when the handle is separated or folded, the control connection to the tightening sheave through the rods is interrupted and the drive belt cannot be tightened to establish the tiller drive.

Abstract: A rotary tiller tine assembly in which a main shift has an end key and a shaft extension has at one end an end socket coupled to the main shaft key and at its other end a socket which receives a plug key with which outboard tines are interlockingly engaged.

Abstract: An assembly of a pulley and shaft and a coupling therebetween. The coupling comprises a clamp having radially deformable jaws embracing the shaft and a jaw actuator for moving the jaws toward the shaft to clamp the pulley to the shaft. The clamp can be incorporated in a pulley having complementary mating stamped half sections. In one embodiment, the stamped pulley half sections have oppositely embossed hub portions forming a pocket in which the clamp is received internally. In another embodiment, the clamp is exposed and is mounted on the outside of one of the pulley half sections.

Abstract: An idler sheave is carried by a bracket pivoted in a mount and fabricated as a part of the gear box housing of the tiller and is movable toward and away from a drive belt extending between two spaced sheaves, one a driven sheave and the other a relatively smaller drive sheave. The mount is located in the joint between die-cast halves of the gear box housing. The idler sheave engages the belt in the area of the larger driven sheave. A tension spring connects the idler sheave bracket to a second bracket which is in turn associated with a control mechanism capable of pivoting the second bracket and, through the tension spring, causing pivotal movement of the first bracket to move the idler sheave against and tension the belt on the drive and driven sheave. When the manipulative force on the control mechanism is released, gravity causes the idler sheave to fall away from the belt, that movement being transmitted through the tension spring to the second bracket and to the control mechanism.

Abstract: A folding tiller handle is made in two pieces connected for limited relative longitudinal and pivotal movement, one piece being a permanent part of the basic tiller assembly. A belt tightening idler sheave is associated with a belt drive which provides the motive force for rotating the tiller tine assembly. A control, which includes two separable rigid rod members, moves the idler sheave into and out of tightening engagement with the drive belt. The rods are joined through a connection which imparts rotary motion from one rod to the other and which also permits relative longitudinal movement therebetween to separate the rods. The rods are associated with respective pieces of the tiller handle so that when the handle is separated or folded, the control connection to the tightening sheave through the rods is interrupted and the drive belt cannot be tightened to establish the tiller drive.