Abstract: A debris collection system for use with a portable, hand held blower/vac comprises a wheeled cart. A collection bag is releasably carried on the cart. A connecting hose releasably couples the collection bag to the fan outlet of the blower/vac to fill the collection bag with debris picked up by the blower/vac when the blower/vac operates in the vacuum mode. The cart rolls on the ground and trails behind the blower/vac in the manner of a canister vacuum cleaner as a user operates the blower/vac and walks forwardly with the blower/vac. The collection bag may be a reusable fabric bag or a disposable paper bag.

Abstract: A deck assembly for a self-propelled, walk-behind rotary lawn rotary mower is provided. The deck assembly is configurable for either front or rear wheel drive and includes a deck defining a cutting chamber which may house a cutting member. The cutting chamber is bound at least in part by a rear enclosure member. The deck assembly also includes a side discharge port having a side discharge port door. A rear discharge port located on a rear portion of the deck is also provided. Preferably, a duct of substantially rectangular cross section extends through the rear enclosure member between the cutting chamber and the rear discharge port. In one embodiment, the duct has a first, uppermost surface and a second, lowermost surface, wherein the first, uppermost surface and the second, lowermost surface both form substantially horizontal planes.

Abstract: A deck assembly for a self-propelled, walk-behind rotary lawn rotary mower is provided. The deck assembly is configurable for either front or rear wheel drive and includes a deck defining a cutting chamber which may house a cutting member. The cutting chamber is bound at least in part by a rear enclosure member. The deck assembly also includes a side discharge port having a side discharge port door. A rear discharge port located on a rear portion of the deck is also provided. Preferably, a duct of substantially rectangular cross section extends through the rear enclosure member between the cutting chamber and the rear discharge port. In one embodiment, the duct has a first, uppermost surface and a second, lowermost surface, wherein the first, uppermost surface and the second, lowermost surface both form substantially horizontal planes.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved operator control system for a walk-behind, mid-size mower having a prime mover and two or more ground-engaging traction wheels. The control system includes a handle having a hand grip and an upper control lever wherein the latter permits engagement of one or both traction wheels for forward or reverse motion and turning. The system further includes a lower lever easily accessible by one or both hands from the hand grip. The lower lever is coupled to the upper control lever such that squeezing the lower lever towards the hand grip also engages both traction wheels. In addition, when the lower lever is squeezed toward the hand grip, it is then substantially adjacent thereto. This permits the operator to provide better lifting assistance to the mower during curb traversal while maintaining engagement of the drive wheels.

Abstract: A multi-bladed mulching mower is convertible between a mulching mode in which the grass clippings are deposited as mulch or a discharge/collection mode in which the grass clippings are discharged from the housing or are bagged. The mower includes two separate cutting chambers which are staggered forwardly relative to one another but otherwise are arranged side-by-side next to one another. The peripheral wall of the forward cutting chamber has a selectively openable gate which is closed in the mulching mode but is opened in the discharge/collection mode. The rearward cutting chamber is provided with a discharge outlet which can be selectively opened in the discharge/collection mode but is otherwise closed.

Abstract: A multi-bladed mulching mower comprises a cutting deck beneath which a plurality of cutting blades are carried. The cutting blades are shrouded so that each cutting blade is confined within a generally circular cutting chamber. Kicker members are located in each of the cutting chambers to help deflect cut grass particles downwardly into the uncut grass. Thus, a mower is provided suited for mowing relatively large areas which is also capable of dispensing the cut grass clippings into the cut grass path to serve as mulch.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a removable chute assembly (33) for a snowthrower (10). Chute (33) is connected to housing (12) of snowthrower (10) by using a plurality of locking assemblies (52) and a detent assembly (50). Each locking assembly (52) includes a pivoting member (56) which can engage a flange (38) of chute assembly (33) to hold chute assembly (33) in locked engagement with housing (12). Each pivoting member (56) is held in locked position by a detent member (70) which can be manipulated by an ignition key (13) of snowthrower (10), and each pivoting member (56) can be pivoted away from flange (38) to allow for the chute assembly (33) to be removed from housing (12). Preferably, key (13) engages a switch (15) such that key (13) can only be removed from switch (15) when the snowthrower is turned off. Therefore, chute assembly (33) can only be removed when the snowthrower is not operating.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower (2) includes a four cycle internal combustion engine (20) having an elongated dipstick tube (30). Dipstick tube ( (30) is pivotably connected to the engine oil sump (24) for movement between a first position and a second horizontal position. Dipstick tube (30) in the second position thereof easily drains oil from the engine oil sump (24).

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to filament metering apparatus for use with a rotary lawn mower that uses flexible filament as the cutting element. The filament is wound on a spool that is carried by the engine or motor drive shaft in an axially stationary position. The spool is capable of rotation relative to the drive shaft. A drive member is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft, and is axially movable thereon relative to a driven member carried by the spool. The drive member drivingly engages the driven member in each of two axial positions, and actuating means are included for axially shifting the drive member. The drive and driven members are so constructed that, as the drive member moves from one axial position to the other, relative rotational movement occurs therebetween, which movement is utilized to unwind filament from the spool in a discrete amount.