Abstract: Various embodiments of a grounds maintenance vehicle are described herein. The vehicle includes a frame and an implement connected to the frame. The implement includes a housing, a first spindle pulley, and a second spindle pulley. The vehicle further includes a power system having a prime mover and an implement drive system. The implement drive system includes a drive pulley connected to the prime mover, an idler pulley, and an endless belt engaging the drive pulley, the idler pulley, the first spindle pulley, and the second spindle pulley. A first longitudinal distance between an idler pulley axis and a drive pulley axis is greater than a second longitudinal distance between a first spindle pulley axis and the drive pulley axis and a third longitudinal distance between a second spindle pulley axis and the drive pulley axis.

Abstract: A stand-up grounds maintenance vehicle including a chassis, a control tower, an implement, and a cover. The chassis is supported upon a ground surface by a plurality of ground-engaging members and extends along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end. The control tower is coupled to the chassis proximate the rear end. The implement is attached to the chassis and is positioned at least partially forward of the control tower. The implement includes an implement drive. The cover extends over the implement drive and is pivotally coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: A low-profile liquid storage tank and vehicles incorporating same. An exemplary low-profile liquid storage tank may define an interior volume having an upper surface that defines an access port, and a lower surface that includes a fluid impingement portion positioned below the access port. The impingement portion may include two or more undulations formed in or on the lower surface of the tank, the undulations adapted to assist with reducing splash-back of fluid added to the tank through the access port.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a grounds maintenance vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes a frame and a control tower disposed at or near a rear end of the frame. The control tower includes a support structure that defines an interior space of the control tower and a nonplanar removable skin connected to the support structure. The removable skin includes a front side disposed over a front side of the support structure and a lateral side disposed over at least one of a left side or a right side of the support structure. A portion of at least one of the front side or lateral side of the removable skin is disposed above an uppermost surface of the prime mover. Further, the removable skin is adapted to be at least partially removed from the support structure to facilitate additional access to the interior space of the control tower.

Abstract: A stand-up grounds maintenance vehicle including a chassis, a control tower, an implement, and a cover. The chassis is supported upon a ground surface by a plurality of ground-engaging members and extends along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end. The control tower is coupled to the chassis proximate the rear end. The implement is attached to the chassis and is positioned at least partially forward of the control tower. The implement includes an implement drive. The cover extends over the implement drive and is pivotally coupled to the chassis.

Abstract: An operator support for a grounds maintenance vehicle, the operator support including a platform, one or more isolator arms, and an isolator element. The platform includes a platform body and a platform arm extending from the platform body. The platform arm is pivotally coupled to a chassis of the grounds maintenance vehicle and configured to pivot about a platform pivot axis. The isolator element is coupled to the chassis of the grounds maintenance vehicle and configured to attenuate vibration transmitted from the chassis to the platform body through the one or more isolator arms. The one or more isolator arms are configured to isolate the platform.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a grounds maintenance vehicle are described herein. The vehicle includes a frame and an implement connected to the frame. The implement includes a housing, a first spindle pulley, and a second spindle pulley. The vehicle further includes a power system having a prime mover and an implement drive system. The implement drive system includes a drive pulley connected to the prime mover, an idler pulley, and an endless belt engaging the drive pulley, the idler pulley, the first spindle pulley, and the second spindle pulley. A first longitudinal distance between an idler pulley axis and a drive pulley axis is greater than a second longitudinal distance between a first spindle pulley axis and the drive pulley axis and a third longitudinal distance between a second spindle pulley axis and the drive pulley axis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a grounds maintenance vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes a frame and a control tower disposed at or near a rear end of the frame. The control tower includes a support structure that defines an interior space of the control tower and a nonplanar removable skin connected to the support structure. The removable skin includes a front side disposed over a front side of the support structure and a lateral side disposed over at least one of a left side or a right side of the support structure. A portion of at least one of the front side or lateral side of the removable skin is disposed above an uppermost surface of the prime mover. Further, the removable skin is adapted to be at least partially removed from the support structure to facilitate additional access to the interior space of the control tower.

Abstract: A low-profile liquid storage tank and vehicles incorporating same. An exemplary low-profile liquid storage tank may define an interior volume having an upper surface that defines an access port, and a lower surface that includes a fluid impingement portion positioned below the access port. The impingement portion may include two or more undulations formed in or on the lower surface of the tank, the undulations adapted to assist with reducing splash-back of fluid added to the tank through the access port.

Abstract: Vehicles including a power system incorporating dual drive shafts. An exemplary power system may include an engine having a vertically-oriented crankshaft that extends outwardly both below the engine (lower drive shaft) and above the engine (upper drive shaft). The lower drive shaft may power an implement of the vehicle via an implement drive system, while the upper drive shaft may power drive wheels of the vehicle via a traction drive system. In another embodiment, the second drive shaft may be formed by a jackshaft adjacent the engine.

Abstract: Vehicles including a power system incorporating dual drive shafts. An exemplary power system may include an engine having a vertically-oriented crankshaft that extends outwardly both below the engine (lower drive shaft) and above the engine (upper drive shaft). The lower drive shaft may power an implement of the vehicle via an implement drive system, while the upper drive shaft may power drive wheels of the vehicle via a traction drive system. In another embodiment, the second drive shaft may be formed by a jackshaft adjacent the engine.

Abstract: Coupling systems and methods enable adjustable utilization of counterweights and other components on vehicles, such as riding lawn mowers. A mounting bracket and pivoting locking plate are operable to releasably secure a component, such as a counterweight, to a vehicle without the use of tools. Responsive to insertion of the component into the mounting bracket, the locking plate pivots to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle.

Abstract: Coupling systems and methods enable adjustable utilization of counterweights and other components on vehicles, such as riding lawn mowers. A mounting bracket and pivoting locking plate are operable to releasably secure a component, such as a counterweight, to a vehicle without the use of tools. Responsive to insertion of the component into the mounting bracket, the locking plate pivots to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle.