Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle has a vehicle frame defining a column opening having a first end and a second end. An implement is coupled to the vehicle frame. A height adjustment column has a base and distal end, where the base is fixed to the implement. The distal end of the height adjustment column extends through the column opening from the first end beyond the second end. The height adjustment column defines a first locking structure and a plurality of height setting locations. A height selection tool is couplable to the height adjustment column and is translatable to each of the plurality of height setting locations. A second locking structure is coupled to the vehicle frame, where the second locking structure is configured to releasably engage the first locking structure such that the plurality of height setting locations are positioned beyond the second end of the column opening.

Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle has a vehicle frame defining a column opening having a first end and a second end. An implement is coupled to the vehicle frame. A height adjustment column has a base and distal end, where the base is fixed to the implement. The distal end of the height adjustment column extends through the column opening from the first end beyond the second end. The height adjustment column defines a first locking structure and a plurality of height setting locations. A height selection tool is couplable to the height adjustment column and is translatable to each of the plurality of height setting locations. A second locking structure is coupled to the vehicle frame, where the second locking structure is configured to releasably engage the first locking structure such that the plurality of height setting locations are positioned beyond the second end of the column opening.

Abstract: A push-pull cable system including a cable assembly, a stabilizing element, and a guide member. The stabilizing element and guide member may maintain alignment of a wire of the cable assembly as it pushes against a mechanism resistive force that is not aligned with the wire itself. As a result, the cable system may be utilized in applications wherein space constraints prevent alignment of the wire with the resistive force vector of the mechanism.

Abstract: A push-pull cable system including a cable assembly, a stabilizing element, and a guide member. The stabilizing element and guide member may maintain alignment of a wire of the cable assembly as it pushes against a mechanism resistive force that is not aligned with the wire itself. As a result, the cable system may be utilized in applications wherein space constraints prevent alignment of the wire with the resistive force vector of the mechanism.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus including a jack mount, the apparatus for use with a vehicle such as a riding lawn mower. The jack mount is, in one embodiment, configured to be attached to and removed from the vehicle without the use of tools. In one embodiment, the jack mount includes two jaws that effectively clamp to a frame of the mower. The clamping force is generated by the weight of the mower acting against a jacking force applied to the jack mount by an extensible jacking device.

Abstract: A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A jacking apparatus including a jack mount, the apparatus for use with a vehicle such as a riding lawn mower. The jack mount is, in one embodiment, configured to be attached to and removed from the vehicle without the use of tools. In one embodiment, the jack mount includes two jaws that effectively clamp to a frame of the mower. The clamping force is generated by the weight of the mower acting against a jacking force applied to the jack mount by an extensible jacking device.

Abstract: A mower has a frame that supports a rotary cutting deck. The frame includes a pair of side rails that each extend from a front end in advance of the cutting deck to a rear end substantially behind the cutting deck. The front ends of the side rails support a pair of front caster wheels. The rear ends of the side rails have a raised, upwardly extending arch at which a hydraulic pump/motor assembly is mounted. The pump/motor assembly has an L-shaped configuration with the motor being located towards the bottom of the arch and outboard of the side rail and with the pump extending upwardly and inwardly from the motor to be located inboard of the side rail and within the vertical profile of the arch. The hydraulic motors drive a pair of rear drive wheels to propel the frame over the ground. A cross frame extends between the motors in the pump/motor assemblies to join the assemblies together. The deck is propelled from the frame by a plurality of struts extending between the cross frame and the deck.

Abstract: A flow control baffle for a turf mower having a plurality of mower blades carried within a mower deck. The flow control baffle includes a foot wall section which extends from near a side discharge opening into the cutting chamber. The foot wall may be curved and may be movable to define a volute section of variable width. In one embodiment, the flow control baffle includes a panel wall and a foot wall, which are connected together and movable relative to other portions of the mower deck. In one embodiment, the flow control baffle is movable and selectively positioned within the cutting deck in order to optimize mower performance in view of location operating conditions. In one embodiment, the air flow control baffle defines sacrificial wear surfaces within the mower deck at locations of otherwise high wear.

Abstract: A mower has a frame that supports a rotary cutting deck. The frame includes a pair of side rails that each extend from a front end in advance of the cutting deck to a rear end substantially behind the cutting deck. The front ends of the side rails support a pair of front caster wheels. The rear ends of the side rails have a raised, upwardly extending arch at which a hydraulic pump/motor assembly is mounted. The pump/motor assembly has an L-shaped configuration with the motor being located towards the bottom of the arch and outboard of the side rail and with the pump extending upwardly and inwardly from the motor to be located inboard of the side rail and within the vertical profile of the arch. The hydraulic motors drive a pair of rear drive wheels to propel the frame over the ground. A cross frame extends between the motors in the pump/motor assemblies to join the assemblies together. The deck is propelled from the frame by a plurality of struts extending between the cross frame and the deck.

Abstract: A discharge chute assembly for a turf mower having a resilient deflector and a frame connecting the deflector to a mower deck proximate to a side discharge outlet. The frame includes one or more extension elements which engage the deflector. In one embodiment the extension elements are captured within pockets defined within the deflector. The pivoting frame mass facilitates a quick recovery to a guarded condition after the deflector rises in contact with an obstruction. Additionally, the frame mass allows the deflector to maintain an upright, unguarded orientation without additional biasing forces which is useful, for example, during a machine loading operation.

Abstract: A mower has a rotary cutting deck with a discharge opening covered by a discharge chute. A pivotal gate is placed beneath the discharge chute to pivot relative to the discharge opening between a closed position in which the gate blocks the discharge opening and an open position in which the gate opens the discharge opening, thereby providing discharge and non-discharge modes of operation respectively. A pivotal foot pedal can be depressed by the operator against the force of a biasing spring to move the gate between the closed and open positions thereof. When the gate reaches its open position corresponding to a fully depressed foot pedal, an over center linkage has reached an over center orientation in which the force of the spring now serves to lock the pivotal gate in the open position thereof. Another over center linkage also locks the pivotal gate in the closed position thereof when the foot pedal is in a non-depressed starting position.

Abstract: A mower has a frame that supports a rotary cutting deck. The frame includes a pair of side rails that each extend from a front end in advance of the cutting deck to a rear end substantially behind the cutting deck. The front ends of the side rails support a pair of front caster wheels. The rear ends of the side rails have a raised, upwardly extending arch at which a hydraulic pump/motor assembly is mounted. The pump/motor assembly has an L-shaped configuration with the motor being located towards the bottom of the arch and outboard of the side rail and with the pump extending upwardly and inwardly from the motor to be located inboard of the side rail and within the vertical profile of the arch. The hydraulic motors drive a pair of rear drive wheels to propel the frame over the ground. A cross frame extends between the motors in the pump/motor assemblies to join the assemblies together. The deck is propelled from the frame by a plurality of struts extending between the cross frame and the deck.

Abstract: A mower carrying a rotary cutting deck has a height of cut system for adjusting the vertical position of the deck relative to the mower frame for changing or adjusting the height of cut. The height of cut system comprises a pair of parallel cross shafts that carry a plurality of pivotal suspension linkages that connect to the deck, the cross shafts and linkages pivoting jointly with one another and with a pivotal control lever. One of the cross shafts carries a torsion spring to counterbalance the weight of the deck. The control lever is maintained in a plurality of adjusted pivotal positions by a height selection bracket fixed to the frame with the height selection bracket being capable of having its position changed or adjusted relative to the frame by a single adjustment bolt. Each suspension linkage has its effective length adjusted by turning a threaded adjuster carried at the upper end of a connecting rod that is part of each linkage to allow the deck to be leveled relative to a reference plane.

Abstract: A mower has a rotary cutting deck with a discharge opening covered by a discharge chute. A pivotal gate is placed beneath the discharge chute to pivot relative to the discharge opening between a closed position in which the gate blocks the discharge opening and an open position in which the gate opens the discharge opening, thereby providing discharge and non-discharge modes of operation respectively. A pivotal foot pedal can be depressed by the operator against the force of a biasing spring to move the gate between the closed and open positions thereof. When the gate reaches its open position corresponding to a fully depressed foot pedal, an over center linkage has reached an over center orientation in which the force of the spring now serves to lock the pivotal gate in the open position thereof. Another over center linkage also locks the pivotal gate in the closed position thereof when the foot pedal is in a non-depressed starting position.

Abstract: A flow control baffle for a turf mower having a plurality of mower blades carried within a mower deck. The flow control baffle includes a foot wall section which extends from near a side discharge opening into the cutting chamber. The foot wall may be curved and may be movable to define a volute section of variable width. In one embodiment, the flow control baffle includes a panel wall and a foot wall, which are connected together and movable relative to other portions of the mower deck. In one embodiment, the flow control baffle is movable and selectively positioned within the cutting deck in order to optimize mower performance in view of location operating conditions. In one embodiment, the air flow control baffle defines sacrificial wear surfaces within the mower deck at locations of otherwise high wear.

Abstract: A discharge chute assembly for a turf mower having a resilient deflector and a frame connecting the deflector to a mower deck proximate to a side discharge outlet. The frame includes one or more extension elements which engage the deflector. In one embodiment the extension elements are captured within pockets defined within the deflector. The pivoting frame mass facilitates a quick recovery to a guarded condition after the deflector rises in contact with an obstruction. Additionally, the frame mass allows the deflector to maintain an upright, unguarded orientation without additional biasing forces which is useful, for example, during a machine loading operation.

Abstract: An operator control system for a self-propelled vehicle such as a lawn mower is provided wherein the control system includes two opposing and preferably upwardly extending and converging hand grips each having a corresponding drive control lever associated therewith. Each drive control lever may have at least a portion that is parallel to a grip axis of its respective hand grip. Further, each drive control lever may have a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the corresponding grip axis such that the drive control lever remains substantially parallel to its respective hand grip throughout its travel. In some embodiments, a neutral lock is provided to permit locking of each drive control lever in at least one position, e.g., a neutral position. Secondary levers such as operator presence control (OPC) levers may also be included. In one embodiment, an OPC lever is associated with each hand grip.