Abstract: A mowing mechanism having a spindle rotatively driven by a power source, a blade having a radially inner portion coupled for rotation with the spindle and a radially outer portion for cutting vegetation, a housing within which the blade rotates, and a disc operatively carried within the housing for rotation with the blade and having a radially outer portion spaced above the blade. The disc includes an inner portion extending radially inwardly from the outer portion to a position proximate the blade, the inner and outer portions of the disc serving to confine air and clippings near the outer portion of the blade. The rotating disc prevents accumulation of the grass clippings beneath the disc and housing, and enhances airflow within the housing due to viscous drag or friction between the disc and the air within the housing. Deflectors carried by the disc are designed to further enhance airflows and generally deflect clippings back toward the blade for mulching.

Abstract: A mowing mechanism having a spindle rotatively driven by a power source, a blade having a radially inner portion coupled for rotation with the spindle and a radially outer portion for cutting vegetation, a housing within which the blade rotates, and a disc operatively carried within the housing for rotation with the blade and having a radially outer portion spaced above the blade. The disc includes an inner portion extending radially inwardly from the outer portion to a position proximate the blade, the inner and outer portions of the disc serving to confine air and clippings near the outer portion of the blade. The rotating disc prevents accumulation of the grass clippings beneath the disc and housing, and enhances airflow within the housing due to viscous drag or friction between the disc and the air within the housing. Deflectors carried by the disc are designed to further enhance airflows and generally deflect clippings back toward the blade for mulching.

Abstract: A mechanism including a plurality of baffles positioned within a mower housing between the mower blades and a rear discharge outlet, including a first wall adjacent the edge of a respective blade and which acts to define the chamber within which the blade rotates, a second wall extending rearwardly from the first wall and defining chutes which extend between the chambers and the rear discharge outlet, and third surfaces which act to enclose the space between the first and second walls to thereby prevent air and clippings from accumulating there. The chutes generally converge at the rear outlet. Ramps are positionable within the chutes for changing the mower to a mulching mode, and include a fourth wall or surface positioned in the entrance to the chute for partially blocking air and clippings from entering the chute. A fifth surface extends rearwardly from the edge of the fourth surface to the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A mulching mower apparatus for use in a mover having a housing that includes a discharge outlet. A guide mechanism is provided for guiding air and vegetation clippings radially inwardly and downwardly towards the blade for re-cutting, and a blocking mechanism is provided for partially blocking the housings discharge outlet to thereby allow a portion of the air circulating within the housing to escape and increase the lifting of the vegetation to be cut.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a wheel to a mower deck having a mounting arm carrying a bolt. First bushings fitted within the wheel rotate about a sleeve fixed to the bolt. Second bushings adjacent the first bushings transfer axial forces from the wheel to the mounting arm. The second bushing is recessed within the first bushings in one embodiment, and within the wheel in another embodiment. Seals are formed between the second bushing and the first bushing in one embodiment, and between the second bushing and the wheel in the other embodiment in order to keep dirt and debris from coming between the contacting surfaces during operation.

Abstract: A mechanism for suspending an implement from a vehicle, such as a lawn and garden tractor. The mechanism includes front and rear supports between the vehicle and implement, the supports being adapted for quick and easy connection. The rear supports include spring-loaded J-pins connectable with the tractor lift linkage. The front support includes a U-shaped member, the base of which is receivable in upwardly opening jaws carried on the implement. The sides of the U-shaped member serve as draft links and are adjustably coupled with a cross member that is receivable in similar jaws carried by the tractor. A latch handle is connected to a bell crank which is provided on the cross member for tensioning the draft links and securing them in their tensioned configuration.

Abstract: A mower having a belt tensioner that includes a belt engaging primary pulley swingably supported by a primary arm. A rod coupled to the arm carries a spring that acts to push the pulley into engagement with the belt. The rod acts to pull the pulley away from the belt to release the tension in the belt for removal of the belt. A handle attached to the rod is turned by the operator to positively swing the pulley away from the belt. The handle may also be gripped by the operator's hand to lift that portion of the deck during operation to avoid gouging irregular ground conditions or striking obstructions.

Abstract: A belt driven rotary mower spindle and sheave assembly having a plurality of bushings, spacers and bearings compressed with the sheave on the spindle between a nut and a support or shoulder portion of the spindle. Rotational movement of the belt driven sheave is thereby frictionally transferred to the spindle. The assembly is carried within a housing on a mower deck, and a rotary cutting device is fixed to the lower end of the spindle.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission with a shift mechanism which selectively couples at least a forward and a reverse gear operatively positioned on a shaft. The shift mechanism is disposed entirely within the transmission housing and includes a shift key arranged for sliding movement of the key in the shaft. An improved neutral collar is positioned on the shaft between the forward and the reverse gears. The neutral collar has its widest cross section centrally located thereto. From this widest central cross section, the neutral collar profile tapers along the inside surface thereof to relatively narrow cross section at each end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a resilient knob by injection molding.

Abstract: An improved knob for attachment to a lever or the like having a knob body with a cavity formed therein, an extension operatively attached to the body and being biased toward the cavity. Operatively attached to the extension is a projection for engaging a mating portion on the lever and a tapered portion for enabling the knob to be easily removed from the lever. The preferred knob has the extension connected to the knob body so that the extension does not project very far below the cavity entrance. The knob of the present invention is preferably manufactured by injection molding in a single step operation. Once cured, the knob is removed from the mold in condition for assembly on an appropriate lever or the like. To effectuate assembly, an assembler simply places the knob on the lever or the like until the projection engages a mating portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved vehicle control system for a vehicle having an engine which produces output torque through an output sheave and a transaxle mounted to the vehicle's frame, the transaxle being selectively operational in forward, neutral and reverse modes in response to a mode selection link operatively connected to the transaxle. The transaxle functions as a gear box having a single gear ratio between the input sheave and the drive axles in both the forward and reverse operating modes, a transaxle and a brake. The output sheave of the engine is in communication with the input sheave through a first and second belt drivingly mounted to a plurality of sheaves and a variator such that an increase in tension on a first belt causes the variator to increase the rate of rotation of a second belt. A speed range sheave mounted to an arm is operatively connected to the first belt.

Abstract: An improved coupler or hitch assembly of the latch plate type. Angled jaws on the coupler act together with ramps or angled arms on the equipment secured by the coupler to forgive vertical or horizontal misalignment during the coupling operation. The assembly has an automatically engaging latch plate which is held in a closed position by a lock pin. The lock pin also provides frictional restraint for holding the plate in an open position. A lock pin holding mechanism allows relatively unresisted movement of the latch plate from an open to a closed position. Movement of the latch plate is also controlled by a limit tab on the coupler to prevent the lock pin from interfering with the coupler operation.

Abstract: A vehicle has a forward end portion which extends above a portion of an implement mounted to the front of the vehicle by a pair of hydraulically controlled lift arms. A latch link is connected to one and has a hook engageable with the other of the vehicle forward end portion and the implement when the implement is in a raised, inoperative position.

Abstract: A tractor hitch assembly including clamps mounted to the lower frame portion of a tractor. Each clamp comprised of a lug having a plurality of vertically elongated seats, and a clip pivotally mounted to the lug and having a plurality of vertically aligned C-shaped recesses. Each C-shape recess is cooperatively positioned with a respective seat to capture a pin associated with an implement support assembly.

Abstract: A rotary tiller having a housing defining a hydraulic fluid reservoir and rotatably support a tine shaft. A hydraulic motor is mounted to the housing in driving communication with the tine shaft. A pump unit is remotely located on an associated tractor. The reservoir received spent hydraulic fluid from the motor, cools the fluid, and surrenders the cooled fluid to the pump unit.

Abstract: A hitch structure includes a pair of arms each having their opposite ends vertically pivotally connected to a vehicle and an implement. The arms each include first and second sections pivotally inter-connected to each other at a location between the vehicle and an adjacent end of the implement. A stop block is carried by each first section and limits the flexure of the sections about their pivotal inter-connection. The remote end of the implement is supported on a pair of caster wheels and flexible members support the adjacent end of the implement from the arms. Lift actuators are connected to the arms and are operable to lower the first sections of the arms to the extent that the adjacent end of the implement rests on the ground.

Abstract: A shield for a rotary mower blade drive is received on locating dowels fixed to the blade housing and are retained thereon by a pair of U-shaped latch rods that are either vertically pivotally mounted to the shield or vertically pivotally mounted to the housing. In the case where the rods are carried by the shield, they are located beneath gauge wheel support members which are fixed to the housing and have recesses which receive the rods when the latter are in upright, resiliently deflected conditions wherein they bias the shield against the blade housing. In the case where the rods are carried by the housing, the shield has raised portions which define recesses which receive the rods when the latter are in upright, resiliently deflected conditions wherein they bias the shield against the blade housing. In both cases, the shields are properly located by dowels or pins fixed to the housing.

Abstract: A front-mounted rotary mower is coupled to a vehicle by a pair of vertically swingable lift arms coupled between the vehicle and mounting brackets located in a central portion of the mower blade housing. A lift mechanism includes a pair of linkages respectively coupled between the pair of lift arms and the rear of the blade housing. Each linkage includes one link which carries a roller at one end disposed for engagement with the vehicle frame as the lift arms are swung upwardly, which action causes the one link to pivot to effect elevation of the rear end of the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle includes hydraulically actuated lift arms which are pivotally connected to central locations of the top of a mower blade housing and are operative for moving the mower vertically between working and transport positions. When the mower is in its working position, a pair of caster wheels suppports the front of the blade housing while the rear of the housing is supported from the lift arms by a pair of suspension assemblies. Each of the suspension assemblies includes a fore-and-aft extending adjuster screw which is operable for effecting selected fore-and-aft movement of an adjuster bracket, which is connected to an associated lift arm by a chain, so as to cause the rear end of the housing to be adjusted vertically. These suspension assemblies cooperate with adjustment mechanisms associated with the caster wheels to place the mower at different cutting heights.