Abstract: A cutter-deck leveling fine adjustment is for a lift assembly from which a lawn mower cutter deck is suspended, the lift assembly enabling coarse height adjustment of the cutter deck. The fine adjustment includes a lift-assembly support. A vertically elongated slot extends entirely through the lift-assembly support. A linear arrangement of gear teeth is adjacent the slot. A shaft is slideably and rotateably disposed in the slot. A gear is on the shaft and is meshed with the arrangement of gear teeth. A link connects the shaft to the cutter deck. Rotation of the gear moves the cutter deck in vertical translatory motion.

Abstract: A zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle is provided with a mainframe and an engine supported on the mainframe to output rotational power. Transaxle systems are provided with each being connected to the engine and to a respective driving wheel such that each transaxle system is configured to translate the rotational power from the engine to the driving wheel. One or more speed control actuators are provided, each being operatively connected to a transaxle system and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The speed of a driving wheel is infinitely variable through movement of the speed control actuator. A speed-range control actuator is operatively connected to the transaxle systems and configured to designate one of selectable speed-ranges within which the speed control actuators are permitted to operate. The speed of each driving wheel is determined by a combination of the designated speed-range and a position of the speed control actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis, and a jack stand having an extended portion and a support portion. The extended portion has a longitudinal axis. The support portion is located at a longitudinal end of the extend portion. The jack stand is arranged on the chassis to be slidable with respect to the chassis in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis for movement between a deployed position, wherein the support portion is located vertically below a bottom surface of each wheel, and a stowed position, wherein the support portion of the jack stand is located vertically above the bottom surface of each wheel.

Abstract: A zero-turn vehicle is provided. The zero-turn vehicle includes a frame, an engine supported on the frame and configured to output rotational power, two or more driving wheels rotatably mounted to an underside of the frame, and a guard having a first end and a second end. The first end of the guard is fixedly secured to the frame by a hinge mechanism, and the second end of the guard is configured to engage the frame by a latching mechanism. In a first position, the second end of the guard is engaged with the frame by the latching mechanism, such that the engine is covered by the guard. In a second position, the second end of the guard is disengaged from the frame by the latching mechanism, such that the guard is rotatable about the hinge mechanism so as to expose the engine from the guard.

Abstract: A multi-axis adjustable machine handle may comprise a handle assembly and a handle mounting assembly. The handle mounting assembly may comprise a clamping assembly including an elongate clamp with first and second sides rotatably engaging the handle assembly and first and second cup-shaped members slidably engaging the elongate clamp. The handle mounting assembly may further comprise a locking assembly extending through the first cup-shaped member, second cup-shaped member, and elongate clamp to selectively prevent relative movement. Finally, the handle mounting assembly may also comprise a support brace engaging the second cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A cutter-deck leveling fine adjustment is for a lift assembly from which a lawn mower cutter deck is suspended, the lift assembly enabling coarse height adjustment of the cutter deck. The fine adjustment includes a lift-assembly support. A vertically elongated slot extends entirely through the lift-assembly support. A linear arrangement of gear teeth is adjacent the slot. A shaft is slideably and rotateably disposed in the slot. A gear is on the shaft and is meshed with the arrangement of gear teeth. A link connects the shaft to the cutter deck. Rotation of the gear moves the cutter deck in vertical translatory motion.

Abstract: A zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle is provided with a mainframe and an engine supported on the mainframe to output rotational power. Transaxle systems are provided with each being connected to the engine and to a respective driving wheel such that each transaxle system is configured to translate the rotational power from the engine to the driving wheel. One or more speed control actuators are provided, each being operatively connected to a transaxle system and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The speed of a driving wheel is infinitely variable through movement of the speed control actuator. A speed-range control actuator is operatively connected to the transaxle systems and configured to designate one of selectable speed-ranges within which the speed control actuators are permitted to operate. The speed of each driving wheel is determined by a combination of the designated speed-range and a position of the speed control actuator.

Abstract: A multi-axis adjustable machine handle may comprise a handle assembly and a handle mounting assembly. The handle mounting assembly may comprise a clamping assembly including an elongate clamp with first and second sides rotatably engaging the handle assembly and first and second cup-shaped members slidably engaging the elongate clamp. The handle mounting assembly may further comprise a locking assembly extending through the first cup-shaped member, second cup-shaped member, and elongate clamp to selectively prevent relative movement. Finally, the handle mounting assembly may also comprise a support brace engaging the second cup-shaped member.

Abstract: An external cooling circuit for an integrated transaxle includes an integrated transaxle having a casing and a motor and a pump contained within the casing. The pump is connected to and actuable by an input shaft extending from the casing. The motor is connected to an output shaft extending from the casing. Hydraulic fluid is circulated in the casing by the pump to drive the motor. First and second ports are formed in the casing and a charge pump is contained within the casing. A reservoir is external to the casing. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the first and second ports of the casing such that the charge pump is configured to create a vacuum at the second port to cause hydraulic fluid to exit the casing through the first port, enter the reservoir, and re-enter the casing through the second port.

Abstract: A tension control mechanism includes a drive wheel and a jack wheel rotatably mounted with respect to a chassis of a self-propelled power tool. An idler arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis and carries an idler wheel. A flexible drive member entrains the drive wheel and the jack wheel and drives the idler wheel. First and second bias members bias the idler arm in opposing rotational directions, which move the idler wheel toward or away from the flexible drive member to respectively increase or decrease tension. A ratchet arm is attached to the idler arm has a hook. A ratchet head is fixed to the chassis and has ratchet teeth for engaging the hook to permit relative motion between the hook and the ratchet teeth to increase tension, and to limit relative motion between the hook and the ratchet teeth to prevent an excessive decrease in tension.

Abstract: In an aerator including a chassis mounted on wheels, a tine depth stop mechanism includes a base mounted on the chassis. A side wall is fixed to the base and has a plurality of apertures therein. A stop arm is movably mounted with respect to the side wall and has an abutment. The abutment has a periphery. A tine weldment is attached to the stop arm, and a tine wheel is rotatably mounted to the tine weldment. A pin passes through one of the apertures of the side wall and engages the periphery of the abutment of the stop arm. Upon a downward movement of the tine wheel, the stop arm moves with respect to the side wall until the pin abuts the periphery of the abutment, thus adjusting a maximum depth of the tine wheel below the chassis.

Abstract: A tension control mechanism includes a drive wheel and a jack wheel rotatably mounted with respect to a chassis of a self-propelled power tool. An idler arm is pivotally mounted to the chassis and carries an idler wheel. A flexible drive member entrains the drive wheel and the jack wheel and drives the idler wheel. First and second bias members bias the idler arm in opposing rotational directions, which move the idler wheel toward or away from the flexible drive member to respectively increase or decrease tension. A ratchet arm is attached to the idler arm has a hook. A ratchet head is fixed to the chassis and has ratchet teeth for engaging the hook to permit relative motion between the hook and the ratchet teeth to increase tension, and to limit relative motion between the hook and the ratchet teeth to prevent an excessive decrease in tension.

Abstract: In an aerator including a chassis mounted on wheels, a tine depth stop mechanism includes a base mounted on the chassis. A side wall is fixed to the base and has a plurality of apertures therein. A stop arm is movably mounted with respect to the side wall and has an abutment. The abutment has a periphery. A tine weldment is attached to the stop arm, and a tine wheel is rotatably mounted to the tine weldment. A pin passes through one of the apertures of the side wall and engages the periphery of the abutment of the stop arm. Upon a downward movement of the tine wheel, the stop arm moves with respect to the side wall until the pin abuts the periphery of the abutment, thus adjusting a maximum depth of the tine wheel below the chassis.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis, and a jack stand having an extended portion and a support portion. The extended portion has a longitudinal axis. The support portion is located at a longitudinal end of the extend portion. The jack stand is arranged on the chassis to be slidable with respect to the chassis in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis for movement between a deployed position, wherein the support portion is located vertically below a bottom surface of each wheel, and a stowed position, wherein the support portion of the jack stand is located vertically above the bottom surface of each wheel.

Abstract: An external cooling circuit for an integrated transaxle includes an integrated transaxle having a casing and a motor and a pump contained within the casing. The pump is connected to and actuable by an input shaft extending from the casing. The motor is connected to an output shaft extending from the casing. Hydraulic fluid is circulated in the casing by the pump to drive the motor. First and second ports are formed in the casing and a charge pump is contained within the casing. A reservoir is external to the casing. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the first and second ports of the casing such that the charge pump is configured to create a vacuum at the second port to cause hydraulic fluid to exit the casing through the first port, enter the reservoir, and re-enter the casing through the second port.