Abstract: Selectively powered caster wheels for a maintenance apparatus are described. A motor attached to the caster wheel(s) can be selectively powered to apply force to the caster wheel. This force can be selected to overcome another force sensed at the maintenance apparatus, or to steer the maintenance apparatus on a desired course or direction. The caster wheels can be configured to orient along a direction of motion of the maintenance apparatus, in response to power from the motor or in response to the motion of the maintenance apparatus itself. In further embodiments, the motor(s) can be selectively activated or deactivated by an operator of the maintenance apparatus, in response to a remote control signal, or in response to an onboard or offboard controller of the apparatus.

Abstract: Mechanical infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) and vehicles employing such IVTs are discussed. The IVT can comprise a planetary gearset with a sun gear driven based on an input angular velocity and an annulus gear driven based on a combination of the input angular velocity and a variable gear ratio of a pulley system, wherein the variable gear ratio of the pulley system can be electrically controlled by an actuator. A drive element can be driven based on a carrier of the planetary gearset.

Abstract: Provided is a gearbox for an actively driven caster wheel system, comprising: a housing defining a set of operational surfaces which is its own mirror image, has an input shaft aperture, and has an output shaft aperture; and a transmission engaged with the operational surfaces. The transmission has an input shaft assembly and an output shaft assembly. The input shaft assembly has an input shaft, a set of input shaft bearings, and an input gear. The output shaft assembly has an output shaft, a set of output shaft bearings, and an output gear. The input shaft assembly is installed in the input shaft aperture with the input gear adapted to rotate. The output shaft assembly is installed in the output shaft aperture such that the output gear is adapted to rotate. The input gear is engaged with the output gear such that work is transmitted during operation.

Abstract: Provided is a bottom side conveyor comprising a housing and a conveyor. The housing has a right side and a left side offset in a width direction; a front and a back offset in a depth direction; a top and a bottom offset in a height direction; a front enclosure adapted to receive a flow of cuttings generated by a mowing operation, and a rear enclosure adapted to receive the flow of cuttings from the front enclosure. The conveyor has a first shaft elongated in the width direction, a second shaft elongated in the width direction, and a first belt loop extending around the first shaft and the second shaft, the first belt loop presenting a first conveyor surface which faces in both the front direction and the top direction.

Abstract: A pressure washer apparatus can have multiple output capacities defined by distinct water flow or pressurization paths. An operator can switch between flow or pressurization paths to vary pressurized water output, or combine multiple flow or pressurization paths to further vary pressurized water output. Different pressurized water outputs can have different fluid pressures, differing fluid flow rates, or the like, or a suitable combination of the foregoing. Some pressure washer apparatuses can achieve multiple output capacities while preserving a high power efficiency. Such an apparatus can be suitable for an electric powered device having relatively low power consumption yet favorable washing performance.

Abstract: Mechanical infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) and vehicles employing such IVTs are discussed. The IVT can comprise a planetary gearset with a sun gear driven based on an input angular velocity and an annulus gear driven based on a combination of the input angular velocity and a variable gear ratio of a pulley system, wherein the variable gear ratio of the pulley system can be electrically controlled by an actuator. A drive element can be driven based on a carrier of the planetary gearset.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise rearward discharge housings and lawn maintenance apparatuses comprising or employing such rearward discharge housings. One example embodiment is a rearward discharge housing, comprising: an intake interface that defines a first opening in the housing and is configured to couple with a discharge port of the mow deck, wherein the intake interface is configured to receive material from the mow deck at a first horizontal angle that is at least 55° away from a rear direction relative to the mow deck; an inner surface configured to redirect material received via the intake interface to a second horizontal angle that is within 45° of the rear direction; and an output configured to expel the material from the housing.

Abstract: Mechanical infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) and vehicles employing such IVTs are discussed. The IVT can comprise a planetary gearset with a sun gear driven based on an input angular velocity and an annulus gear driven based on a combination of the input angular velocity and a variable gear ratio of a pulley system, wherein the variable gear ratio of the pulley system can be electrically controlled by an actuator. A drive element can be driven based on a carrier of the planetary gearset.

Abstract: Provided is a ground following trimmer having a frame, a trimmer, and a height adjustment suspension. The trimmer extends between the frame right side and the frame left side. The height adjustment suspension has a slider-crank mechanism engaged with the frame and having a crank and a slider. The crank defines a height adjustment axis about which the crank is rotatably engaged to the frame, and a roller axis offset from the height adjustment axis by a fixed crank distance. The slider has a first slider end engaged to the frame, and a second slider end engaged to the crank to transmit work from the slider to the crank to rotate the crank with respect to the frame about the height adjustment axis. Rotation of the crank about the height adjustment axis changes the position of the roller axis in the height direction.

Abstract: Provided is an articulated mower apparatus, comprising a first deck and a second deck. The first deck has a right, left, front, back, top and bottom, a first blade and a first caster. The first blade is rotatable with the first deck and operable to contribute to mowing. The first caster is adapted to support the first deck above a surface. The second deck is engaged with the first deck at a side by a linkage defining an articulation axis. The linkage is adapted to permit the second deck to rotate about the first articulation axis with respect to the first deck. The second deck has: a rotatable blade and is adapted to contribute to mowing; a second caster adapted to support the second deck above the surface; and a drive roller. Also provided are related mower systems.

Abstract: Mechanical infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) and vehicles employing such IVTs are discussed. The IVT can comprise a planetary gearset with a sun gear driven based on an input angular velocity and an annulus gear driven based on a combination of the input angular velocity and a variable gear ratio of a pulley system, wherein the variable gear ratio of the pulley system can be electrically controlled by an actuator. A drive element can be driven based on a carrier of the planetary gearset.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus can be (removably) secured to a turf maintenance machine and efficiently transport turf clippings out from a mowing implement of the turf maintenance apparatus. An opening in the conveyor apparatus defines an input that is positioned adjacent to a discharge port of a mow deck when secured to the turf maintenance machine. The input therefore receives turf clippings ejected by the turf maintenance machine. A driven element within the conveyor apparatus propels the turf clippings along an interior length to an output. The conveyor apparatus can be operable with a bagging mode of the turf maintenance machine, and can be removed and replaced with a discharge chute to implement a side discharge mode for the turf maintenance machine.

Abstract: Presented is a selective active caster steering apparatus for a maintenance apparatus having a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The selective active caster steering apparatus may comprise a caster wheel frame defining a caster swivel axis and a caster spin axis; a caster wheel operationally engaged with the caster wheel frame such that the caster wheel is adapted to be steered about the caster swivel axis; and a first caster steering unit adapted to selectably apply an amount of active torque to the caster wheel about the caster swivel axis as indicated by a first formula. The first formula may determine the amount of active torque to output as a first function of one or more measured parameters.

Abstract: A turf maintenance apparatus with an auger for transporting turf clippings out from a mowing implement of the turf maintenance apparatus can reduce power consumption for a bagging implementation for an electric-powered machine. In some embodiments, the turf maintenance apparatus can have an electric motor as a prime mover, or an electric motor for powering the mowing implement, or a combination of the foregoing. The auger can be powered by an electric motor and convey turf clippings, leaves, vegetation and other material expelled from a mow deck of the turf maintenance apparatus to a receptacle, bag or the like.

Abstract: An air blowing apparatus having an auxiliary housing and auxiliary air flow output that can be selectively engaged and disengaged is described herein. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the auxiliary housing can comprise an auxiliary fan to generate a second high speed air flow to supplement a high volume air flow of a primary housing. When baffled, the auxiliary fan is isolated from air intake and can be driven with little power consumption. An air blowing apparatus can be a backpack-style apparatus or hand-held air blowing apparatus. As examples, one airflow can have a relatively high volumetric flowrate relative to another airflow, or can have a high air speed relative to another airflow, or can have a high energy relative to another airflow, and so forth.

Abstract: Selectively powered caster wheels for a maintenance apparatus are described. A motor attached to the caster wheel(s) can be selectively powered to apply force to the caster wheel. This force can be selected to overcome another force sensed at the maintenance apparatus, or to steer the maintenance apparatus on a desired course or direction. The caster wheels can be configured to orient along a direction of motion of the maintenance apparatus, in response to power from the motor or in response to the motion of the maintenance apparatus itself. In further embodiments, the motor(s) can be selectively activated or deactivated by an operator of the maintenance apparatus, in response to a remote control signal, or in response to an onboard or offboard controller of the apparatus.

Abstract: An outdoor power equipment with steering and/or speed controlled via foot-based inputs is discussed. One example embodiment is an outdoor power equipment, comprising: a frame; a plurality of drive elements coupled to the frame; a prime mover configured to provide power to the plurality of drive elements; one or more controls configured to receive foot-based inputs from an operator of the outdoor power equipment; and a control system configured to control a steering and a speed of the outdoor power equipment based on the foot-based inputs. Various foot-based embodiments and control systems can be employed based on the embodiment.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile work system (20) includes a drive wheel (34) that is connected to a frame (24) and a rotating blade assembly (36). The rotating blade assembly (36) includes a blade assembly axis of rotation (38) and is connected to the frame (24) within a housing (26). The mobile work system (20) further includes a single motor (40) operably connected to the blade assembly (36). The motor (50) includes a motor output shaft (44) and the motor output shaft (44) includes an output shaft axis of rotation (46). The mobile work system (20) still further includes a gear box (50) operably connected to the drive wheel (34) and the motor output shaft (44). The single motor (50) urges rotation of both the rotating blade assembly (36) and the drive wheel (34). The gear box (50) can include a planetary gear set (104) including a ring gear (110) defining cavities (120) at its outside diameter (124). A locking shaft (126) can rotate between an engaged position and a disengaged position with one of the cavities (120).

Abstract: An autonomous mobile work system (20) includes a drive wheel (34) that is connected to a frame (24) and a rotating blade assembly (36). The rotating blade assembly (36) includes a blade assembly axis of rotation (38) and is connected to the frame (24) within a housing (26). The mobile work system (20) further includes a single motor (40) operably connected to the blade assembly (36). The motor (50) includes a motor output shaft (44) and the motor output shaft (44) includes an output shaft axis of rotation (46). The mobile work system (20) still further includes a gear box (50) operably connected to the drive wheel (34) and the motor output shaft (44). The single motor (50) urges rotation of both the rotating blade assembly (36) and the drive wheel (34). The gear box (50) can include a planetary gear set (104) including a ring gear (110) defining cavities (120) at its outside diameter (124). A locking shaft (126) can rotate between an engaged position and a disengaged position with one of the cavities (120).

Abstract: A vertical tine tiller having vertically oriented tine assemblies that are configured to rotate about vertical axes is provided. The tiller includes a power source that drives a horizontally-aligned driveshaft, which can selectively drive a transmission assembly. Horizontal rotation of the driveshaft is directly transferred into vertical rotation of a pair of drive rods to which the tine assemblies are attached.