Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle including a cover positioned over at least a portion a frame of the vehicle and a method of attaching the cover to the portion of the frame. The cover defines an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and an opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces. The vehicle also includes a retention apparatus operably coupled to the frame and corresponding to the opening. The retention apparatus includes a head portion and a biasing member. The biasing member is configured to be biased towards the head portion. The retention apparatus extends through the opening such that the head portion and the biasing member apply force to each of the opposite surfaces to restrict movement of the cover relative to the frame.

Abstract: A removable cover for attachment to a structure such as a housing. In one embodiment, the cover extends over a mechanical drive system of an implement. The exemplary cover may be used to shield a driven pulley and at least a portion of an associated belt of a lawn mower cutting deck when the cover is attached to the deck. The cover may, at one end, include one or more portions configured to engage the housing. At a second end, the cover may include a resilient lip that, at least in one embodiment, is defined by an opening formed in the cover. The lip may selectively interlock with an anchor attached to the housing to secure the cover relative to the deck.

Abstract: Provided is a self-calibrating system which self-calibrates for operation regardless of the particular reservoir or expansion tank, which further detects when a hydraulic fluid system adapted to a turf care machine has developed a leak and which warns the machine operator of such a leak before an appreciable amount of hydraulic fluid is allowed to leak from the system. The system includes a reservoir for holding a quantity of hydraulic fluid. The reservoir is connected via a connecting tube or hose located at the upper-most portion of the reservoir and connected to an expansion tank mounted substantially adjacent to the reservoir. The expansion tank includes a fitting having an elongated tube extending down into the expansion tank. The end of this tube is maintained substantially below the level of hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank during operation of the turf care machine to which it is attached.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid lead detection system which self-calibrates for operation regardless of the particular reservoir or expansion tank. A reservoir stores a quantity of hydraulic fluid and is connected via a connecting tube or hose located at the upper-most portion of the reservoir and connected to an expansion tank mounted substantially adjacent to the reservoir. An elongated tube extends down into the expansion tank. The end of this tube is maintained substantially below the level of hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank during operation of the turf care machine. During operation, the hydraulic fluid expands with rising temperatures, and the connecting tube communicates the expanding fluid to the expansion tank. A float type fluid level sensor measures the level of hydraulic fluid within the expansion tank and outputs an electronic signal corresponding to the fluid level in the expansion tank to the microcomputer based monitoring unit, which also senses the fluid temperature.

Abstract: A system such as one for detecting when a hydraulic fluid system adapted to a turf care machine, has developed a leak and to warn the machine operator of such a leak before an appreciable amount of hydraulic fluid is allowed to leak from the system. The system includes a reservoir for holding a quantity of hydraulic fluid. The reservoir is connected via a connecting tube or hose to an expansion tank mounted adjacent to the reservoir. The expansion tank includes a fitting having an elongated tube extending down into the expansion tank. The end of this tube is maintained substantially below the level of hydraulic fluid in the expansion tank during operation of the turf care machine to which it is attached. As the machine is operated, the hydraulic fluid expands with rising temperature, and the connecting tube communicates the expanding fluid to the expansion tank. When operation of the machine is discontinued the hydraulic fluid contracts as it cools.

Abstract: A machine for gathering and collecting particles from a ground surface or the like includes an upwardly inclined conveyor or elevator mounted on the side of a transport vehicle and having a lower receiving end cooperative with forwardly diverging gathering arms which guide particles on the ground surface to the receiving end of the conveyor for transfer to an upper conveyor end where the particles are discharged into a receptacle. The conveyor is supported on the transport vehicle by a rigid truss frame arrangement including upper and lower pivot arms having ball joint connection to the conveyor so as to allow rotation of the conveyor substantially about its longitudinal axis in response to changes in ground contour. The conveyor is movable between lowered operating and raised transport positions. Counterbalance springs limit the contact force of the conveyor acting on the ground surface during operation.