Abstract: A rear discharge mower deck has at least two cutting blades mounted on vertical spindles in cutting chambers, a fan in a housing mounted on the deck over the cutting chambers, and an inlet opening between the cutting chambers and the fan housing. The surface area of the inlet opening may be between about 50% and about 80% of the surface area within the fan diameter. A stripper plate may be on one edge of the inlet opening, and each cutting chamber may have an upwardly sloping tunnel to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower deck has at least two cutting blades mounted on vertical spindles in cutting chambers, a fan in a housing mounted on the deck over the cutting chambers, and an inlet opening between the cutting chambers and the fan housing. The surface area of the inlet opening may be between about 50% and about 80% of the surface area within the fan diameter. A stripper plate may be on one edge of the inlet opening, and each cutting chamber may have an upwardly sloping tunnel to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A convertible mower deck having a mulching mode and a discharge mode. The deck is convertible from the mulching mode to the discharge mode by removal of an insert that extends along the rear of the cutting chamber walls of the deck.

Abstract: A rear suspension device for a ride-on mower includes a pivoting assembly coupled to the frame of the ride-on mower by a torsion bar which has a transversely extending back portion that can be trapped between projections on the rear portion of the frame of the mower and a front surface of the pivoting assembly. Portions of the torsion bar extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ride-on mower and have ends that extend through apertures in torsion bar brackets that are coupled to the pivoting assembly. The suspension device is capable of transferring weight from one portion of the ride-on mower to another portion of the ride-on mower, thereby enhancing stability.

Abstract: A steering and suspension system for a ride-on mower. A wheel is connected to a spindle and rotates about a first axis of rotation. The spindle is coupled to a frame and rotates about a second axis of rotation that is inclined from vertical backward substantially along a longitudinal axis of the ride-on mower. A level adjusting device is coupled to a steering component of the ride-on mower and is also coupled to a lawn mower accessory. The level adjusting device offsets vertical displacements caused by the inclined spindles, thereby allowing the accessory to stay level when turning the ride-on mower.

Abstract: A rear suspension device for a ride-on mower that includes a pivoting assembly coupled to the ride-on mower. The pivoting assembly is coupled to a torsion bar and the torsion bar is coupled to a rear portion of the ride-on mower. The coupling to the rear portion is accomplished by insertion of a portion of the torsion bar that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ride-on mower into an aperture coupled to the rear portion. The device is callable of transferring weight from one portion of the: ride-on mower to another portion of the ride-on mower, thereby enhancing stability.

Abstract: A hitch system for connecting utility attachments, such as mower decks, to lawn and garden tractors. A pair of J-shaped hooks are attached to the front axle assembly to the tractor. An elongate hitch bracket, having a handle at its forward end, it pivotally connected to the forward end of the mower deck. A hanger rod extends across the hitch bracket and engages the hooks so that the hitch bracket and mower deck ar trailed behind the front axle of the tractor. A user-releasable latch helps retain the hanger rod within the hooks and can be released while the user grasps the handle. The handle provides a convenient means for manipulating the mower deck as it is connected and disconnected from the tractor.

Abstract: A control linkage for controlling the speed and direction of a hydrostatic transmission in a lawn and garden tractor. A directional control arm, coupled to a dash mounted direction and speed control lever, pivots relative to the hydrostatic transmission in response to movement of the direction and speed control lever. A cam roller on the directional control arm engages a cam plate mounted on the control input shaft of the hydrostatic transmission so as to rotate the control input shaft in response to movement of the direction and speed control lever. A detent adjacent the transmission and engaging the cam plate fixes the position of the cam plate to eliminate backlash and avoid vehicle "creep" when the direction and speed control lever is placed in "neutral." An additional cam, responsive to engagement of a vehicle clutch/brake system automatically places the transmission in "neutral" when the clutch/brake system is engaged.

Abstract: The disclosed grass catcher cooperates with a rotary mower carried under a riding vehicle and having a clipping outlet from which a duct extends upward and rearward along the side of the vehicle for discharge into upwardly opening bags supported side-by-side at the rear of the vehicle, each carried on an upwardly and rearwardly projecting hook that enables quick and easy removal and remounting of the bags. Clippings issue from the duct in a trajectory that tends to carry them across the width of the vehicle, but they are deflected downward to fill the bags successively. Such deflection is effected by a cover that overlies the bags and the discharge portion of the duct and has a baffle projecting down from its top wall which defines a divergent air channel leading from the duct outlet and under which air blown up through the duct from the mower is diverted in flowing to a screened rear air outlet in the cover. The outlet portion of the duct is readily removably held in place by an elastic band.