Abstract: A differential drive train for driving two laterally opposite axially aligned driven units, for example wheel hubs, in the same rotational direction has a motor with a motor housing and motor shaft, with a shaft affixed to the housing so as to rotate in a direction opposite from the motor shaft. A planetary gear cluster is mounted adjacent an outer end of each of the shafts so as to provide a gear reduction between the shaft and an output gear. One of the planetary gear clusters drives its output gear, which is fixed to the driven unit, in a direction opposite from its input shaft. The input shafts extend through their respective planetary gear clusters so as to mount their respective driven units on bearings on the input shaft and drive the planetary gear cage. Between the motor and the planetary gear clusters, the input shafts extend through stationary tubes to which the stationary gears are affixed.

Abstract: This invention relates to high reduction planetary transmissions that do not use internal ring gears and particularly planet gears that are the support for the planet carrier and in some cases the planet carrier may be used as a support bearing for the input shaft relative to the stationary and output gears with which they mesh. The floating is accomplished by providing means to let the carrier move radially in response to unbalanced forces from the planet gears. The floating of the planet gears improves the alignment between the intermeshing gears and the balancing of the load between the planet gears. A speed reducing device placed between the input shaft of the transmission and the drive means is used to decrease the speed of the input shaft to decrease the centrifugal force on the planetary pinions as they rotate around the sun and output gears.

Abstract: A riding or walk-behind self-propelled lawn mower has pivoted rear axles so that the mower is steerable to a low turning radius as measured off a lateral edge of the mower deck. The rear wheels are supported on a crossbar which is fixed at its middle to the main frame, supports at its ends double universal joints, each of which drives one of the rear wheels, and together with the frame provides spaces into which the rear wheels may pivot during a minimum radius turn. The front wheels may be steerable or free pivoted casters.

Abstract: This invention relates to high reduction planetary transmissions that do not use ring gears and particularly planet gears that are the support for the planet carrier. The planet carrier is entirely supported by the planet gears meshing with their respective sun and output gears. The planet gears can move in a radial direction to improve tooth alignment between the meshing gears and equalize the distribution of the torque load between the planet gears. In some cases the planet carrier may act as one of the support bearings for the input shaft.

Abstract: A riding mower chassis frame comprises a pair of identical beams extending along the chassis at its opposite sides. A one-piece channel-shaped member bridges the beams near the rear of the chassis to give the frame rigidity, provide for laterally swingable connection to the frame of a rear axle on which steerable wheels are mounted, and serve as a pan in which movable weights are carried. A platform mounted on the rear of the frame, for carrying interchangeable accessories, is swingable to and from a horizontal load carrying position about a transverse axis at the rear of the frame. An automatically engaging releasable latch on the platform cooperates with another frame member that bridges across the beams.

Abstract: The riding mower chassis of this invention has laterally spaced front traction wheels, attachment fittings for a mower that rides in front of those wheels, and laterally spaced rear wheels that can float up and down to accommodate terrain irregularities, For such floating a rear axle has at its midpoint a pivot connection with the frame whereby its ends can swing up and down, and the rear wheels are mounted on its ends for rotation and for swiveling relative to it. Swiveling of the rear wheels is controlled by an operator seated on the chassis from a steering wheel at its front. A pair of cable stretches that have their front ends connected with the steering wheel shaft extend rearwardly at the underside of the chassis frame to connections with a steering linkage on the rear axle.

Abstract: A unitized frame for a self-propelled lawn mower and fabricated from stamped sheet steel and steel beams welded together. The frame includes a stamped sheet steel component having a forward end that includes an upwardly and forwardly inclined portion which forms an operator's footrest and having a pair of downwardly extending side portions formed integrally therewith to form front wheel axle supports. The sheet steel component also forms an intermediate stepped portion that forms a transmission mounting, and it also has a rearward stepped portion forming an engine mounting. The unitized frame also includes a rear wheel mounting member welded to and between the rear ends of the pair of steel beams; the rear wheels mounting member is of generally U-shaped cross-section fabricated sheet steel and on which can be pivotally mounted a pair of rear steerable wheels about a fore-and-aft extending axis.

Abstract: A rotary power mower in which the cutter blade is fixed to the bottom of a cup-shaped rotor, freely rotatably suspended from a carriage that is slidably mounted for fore and aft movement beneath the deck of the mower chassis. The carriage is spring-urged to a position in which the outer face of the side wall of the cup-shaped rotor is frictionally engaged with a brake shoe fixedly carried by the mower chassis, to hold the cutter blade against turning; and a deadman control mounted on the handle of the mower and operatively connected with the carriage enables the operator to move the carriage against the force of the spring to a position in which the inner face of the side wall of the cup-shaped rotor is tangent to and frictionally engaged with the periphery of a drive wheel fixed to the engine drive shaft.

Abstract: In a tractor having front and rear pairs of wheels and an engine mounted over one of said pairs of wheels, the engine, said one pair of wheels, and implement hitch fittings comprise one module. The rest of the vehicle, including an operator's seat and steering wheel, comprises another module, connected with the first module by resilient vibration absorbing elements. In the first module the engine is rigidly mounted on a subframe to which the resilient elements are connected. The subframe and an axle for said pair of wheels can tilt relative to one another about a fore-and-aft extending axis, but such tilting is frictionally retarded to dampen vibratory engine movements about said axis.