Abstract: A linkage adjustment system adapted to adjust a linkage, and a vehicle incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the linkage adjustment system adjusts a linkage operatively connecting an input (e.g., operator control lever of a lawn mower) to an output (e.g., drive system of a first drive wheel associated with a first (e.g., left) side of the mower). An adjustment device may adjust the linkage so that the first drive wheel rotates at the same speed as a second drive wheel (e.g., on the right side of the mower) when the control levers associated with both drive wheels are in a maximum forward position. A range setting arm of the system may adjust the total output of the first drive wheel (total forward and reverse output) to match the total output of the second drive wheel.

Abstract: A linkage adjustment system adapted to adjust a linkage, and a vehicle incorporating the same. In one embodiment, the linkage adjustment system adjusts a linkage operatively connecting an input (e.g., operator control lever of a lawn mower) to an output (e.g., drive system of a first drive wheel associated with a first (e.g., left) side of the mower). An adjustment device may adjust the linkage so that the first drive wheel rotates at the same speed as a second drive wheel (e.g., on the right side of the mower) when the control levers associated with both drive wheels are in a maximum forward position. A range setting arm of the system may adjust the total output of the first drive wheel (total forward and reverse output) to match the total output of the second drive wheel.

Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit, such as a mower, includes a foot platform for supporting a standing operator who operates the unit while standing atop the foot platform. The foot platform can be pivoted upwardly from a substantially horizontal orientation into a substantially vertical, folded up orientation against the rear of the traction vehicle. A thigh pad engages against the thighs of the operator and is pivotally linked to the foot platform to pivot on the traction vehicle with the pivotal motion of the foot platform. When the foot platform is horizontal, the thigh pad is pivoted to be angled downwardly and rearwardly relative to the rear of the traction vehicle. When the foot platform is folded up, the thigh pad is pivoted inwardly relative to the rear of the traction vehicle to be sandwiched between the rear of the traction vehicle and the folded up foot platform.

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has a roller striper along a rear side thereof. The roller striper comprises a pivotal frame that rotatably journals a roller made from a plastic roller body. Torsion springs surround the pivots for the frame. The springs put enough downforce on the plastic roller body to lay the cut grass over in a rearward direction as the cutting deck moves forwardly over the ground. The roller striper can be selectively moved into and out of engagement with the ground by a pivotal handle that can be manipulated by an operator from a seat of the lawn mower on which the cutting deck is installed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powered vehicles (e.g., lawn mowers) and, more particularly, to a velocity control system for use with such a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine and one or more drive control levers incrementally movable between a neutral position and a maximum velocity position. The system may also include a velocity adjustment member and associated mechanism that permits changing of a ratio between control lever movement and velocity of associated drive members or wheels. Thus, the system may limit a maximum ground velocity of the vehicle while the drive control lever(s) are positioned in the maximum velocity position and while an output level of the power source is maintained at a constant level.

Abstract: An outdoor power equipment unit, such as a mower, includes a foot platform for supporting a standing operator who operates the unit while standing atop the foot platform. The foot platform can be pivoted upwardly from a substantially horizontal orientation into a substantially vertical, folded up orientation against the rear of the traction vehicle. A thigh pad engages against the thighs of the operator and is pivotally linked to the foot platform to pivot on the traction vehicle with the pivotal motion of the foot platform. When the foot platform is horizontal, the thigh pad is pivoted to be angled downwardly and rearwardly relative to the rear of the traction vehicle. When the foot platform is folded up, the thigh pad is pivoted inwardly relative to the rear of the traction vehicle to be sandwiched between the rear of the traction vehicle and the folded up foot platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powered vehicles (e.g., lawn mowers) and, more particularly, to a velocity control system for use with such a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine and one or more drive control levers incrementally movable between a neutral position and a maximum velocity position. The system may also include a velocity adjustment member and associated mechanism that permits changing of a ratio between control lever movement and velocity of associated drive members or wheels. Thus, the system may limit a maximum ground velocity of the vehicle while the drive control lever(s) are positioned in the maximum velocity position and while an output level of the power source is maintained at a constant level.

Abstract: A stand-on riding mower has a support platform at the rear thereof for supporting an operator who stands during operation of the mower. The support platform is pivotally connected to the traction frame of the mower by a suspension that includes pivotal support plates at each side of the platform. At least one spring is arranged to push against the pivotal support plates in a direction causing the platform to rise such that the weight of the operator atop the platform causes the platform to lower until increasing biasing force in the spring balances the operator's weight. The spring ensures that impact shocks and the like on the traction frame of the mower are cushioned before reaching the operator's platform. In addition, the operator's platform is pivotal relative to the support plates to allow the operator's platform to be disposed in both a vertical stowed position and a horizontal deployed position.

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 handle can be pivoted between first and second positions to thereby pivot the gate between the open and closed positions thereof. The handle and gate are arranged so that at least some portion of the handle extends in directions relative to the mower that are the same as the directions the gate extends relative to the discharge opening so that an operator can simply position the handle by observation of the handle portion to position the handle portion in an orientation corresponding to a desired orientation of the gate.

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 handle can be pivoted between first and second positions to thereby pivot the gate between the open and closed positions thereof. The handle and gate are arranged so that at least some portion of the handle extends in directions relative to the mower that are the same as the directions the gate extends relative to the discharge opening so that an operator can simply position the handle by observation of the handle portion to position the handle portion in an orientation corresponding to a desired orientation of the gate.

Abstract: A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn vehicle, e.g., a lawn mower. The striping apparatus may include a frame assembly operatively coupled to the vehicle, e.g., to a cutting deck of the vehicle, and a wiper member extending along a rear side of the cutting deck. The wiper member may include an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and an unsupported lower edge adjacent a grass surface. The wiper member may be made from a flexible material. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism that permits height adjustment of the wiper member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute of a lawn mower. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame is disclosed. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute is provided which has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

Abstract: A mower deck having a plurality of cutting blades carried within a cutting chamber and having a plurality of flow control baffles positioned within the cutting chamber including a first flow control baffle being movably connected to the mower deck. The first flow control baffle being selectively movable between a pair of orientations within the cutting chamber during a mowing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the first flow control baffle may be positioned between the pair of orientations without access to the cutting chamber.

Abstract: A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn vehicle, e.g., a lawn mower. The striping apparatus may include a frame assembly operatively coupled to the vehicle, e.g., to a cutting deck of the vehicle, and a wiper member extending along a rear side of the cutting deck. The wiper member may include an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and an unsupported lower edge adjacent a grass surface. The wiper member may be made from a flexible material. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism that permits height adjustment of the wiper member.

Abstract: A resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute for a lawn mower deck. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

Abstract: A mower deck having a plurality of cutting blades carried within a cutting chamber and having a plurality of flow control baffles positioned within the cutting chamber including a first flow control baffle being movably connected to the mower deck. The first flow control baffle being selectively movable between a pair of orientations within the cutting chamber during a mowing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the first flow control baffle may be positioned between the pair of orientations without access to the cutting chamber.

Abstract: A resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute for a lawn mower deck A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.

Abstract: A combination tow and pressure relief valve for use in a hydraulic fluid circuit used in a hydraulically driven wide area lawn mower. The valve includes a cylindrical valve body having a hexagonal head. A slideable valve tip with a shank and a valve head has its shank slidably mounted within the valve body. The valve tip is biased by a spring to move in a direction away from the hex head. In operation, the valve is inserted into a suitable chamber placed in series with a bypass passage. The valve tends to block the bypass passage under steady state conditions. When a surge in hydraulic pressure occurs, as would occur in response to operator input or at startup, the hydraulic fluid overcomes the bias of the spring and urges the valve tip away from the otherwise blocked orifice which links the bypass passage to the chamber. Opening the orifice tends to diminish the magnitude of the pressure peak and helps eliminate jerky starts of the mower.

Abstract: A combination tow and pressure relief valve for use in a hydraulic fluid circuit used in a hydraulically driven wide area lawn mower. The valve includes a cylindrical valve body having a hexagonal head. A slideable valve tip with a shank and a valve head has its shank slidably mounted within the valve body. The valve tip is biased by a spring to move in a direction away from the hex head. In operation, the valve is inserted into a suitable chamber placed in series with a bypass passage. The valve tends to block the bypass passage under steady state conditions. When a surge in hydraulic pressure occurs, as would occur in response to operator input or at startup, the hydraulic fluid overcomes the bias of the spring and urges the valve tip away from the otherwise blocked orifice which links the bypass passage to the chamber. Opening the orifice tends to diminish the magnitude of the pressure peak and helps eliminate jerky starts of the mower.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a cutting chamber formed in a metallic liner having front and rear aprons. A plastic deck, molded in one-piece, is screwed to the liner to enclose and hide the liner. The deck/liner combination is inexpensive but strong and durable, the metallic liner being able to resist being chipped or damaged by rocks or other debris being circulated within the cutting chamber provided by the liner. Front and rear axles may be conveniently retained by being trapped or captured between the deck and the front and rear aprons of the liner when the deck and the liner are secured together. A trailing rear shield may be hung from the rear apron of the liner and retained in place by some of the attachment screws used to affix the deck and liner together.