Abstract: The utility vehicle that includes a frame carrying a prime mover and extending between a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction. The vehicle also includes ground engaging members operatively attached to the frame. At least one of the ground engaging members is powered by the prime mover to propel the frame over a ground surface. Also, the vehicle includes a control tower (supporting operator controls) located at or near a rear end of the frame, a tank positioned lateral to the control tower, and a support pad connected to the control tower and configured to contact a leg of an operator. Further, a pad surface of the support pad is configured to align with a portion of an angled surface of the tank. Therefore, an operator leaning against the pad surface and angled surface of the tank experiences a smooth transition therebetween.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to a battery housing having a casing with a plurality of sidewalls defining an installation opening and a battery cavity configured to receive a battery. The plurality of sidewalls has a first sidewall having a tab receptacle. A cover extends across the installation opening, the cover has a first end, a second end, and an engagement tab towards the second end. The engagement tab is configured to removably extend through the tab receptacle from outside the casing towards the battery cavity. The engagement tab defines an engagement surface that is configured to frictionally engage the first sidewall in the battery cavity. An adjustable compression mechanism couples the first end of the cover to the casing and defines an axial distance between the casing and the cover. The adjustable compression mechanism is configured to adjustably compress the cover and the casing together across the axial distance.

Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle has an implement coupled to a vehicle frame. Some aspects relate to a height selection tool configured to change a vertical position of the implement relative to the frame. The height selection tool has a first pivotable shaft, a first bell crank rigidly coupled to the first shaft, a second bell crank pivotably coupled to the frame, and a first rigid linkage coupling the first bell crank and the second bell crank. A first spring has a first end fixed to the frame and a second end fixed to the first rigid linkage. Other aspects relate to a height selection tool that has a latch and a latch release. Yet other aspects relate to a bracket that pivotably couples two shafts to the vehicle frame, where the bracket allows pivoting of each of the shafts and fixes the locations of the shafts relative to each other.

Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to a battery housing having a casing with a plurality of sidewalls defining an installation opening and a battery cavity configured to receive a battery. The plurality of sidewalls has a first sidewall having a tab receptacle. A cover extends across the installation opening, the cover has a first end, a second end, and an engagement tab towards the second end. The engagement tab is configured to removably extend through the tab receptacle from outside the casing towards the battery cavity. The engagement tab defines an engagement surface that is configured to frictionally engage the first sidewall in the battery cavity. An adjustable compression mechanism couples the first end of the cover to the casing and defines an axial distance between the casing and the cover. The adjustable compression mechanism is configured to adjustably compress the cover and the casing together across the axial distance.

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: 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 rotary mower cutting deck has a downwardly opening space and rear discharge opening. A center blade and a first side blade rotating in one direction and a second counter-rotating side blade are within the space. A front flow control baffle has a first V-shaped apex located between the unidirectional blades and a second V-shaped apex between the center blade and the counter-rotating side blade. A first V-shaped flow deflector mounted to the first apex points downwardly to cause many grass clippings from the first side blade to be directed to the rear discharge opening without passing to the center blade. A second V-shaped flow deflector mounted to the second apex points upwardly to disrupt the convergence of the air flows and clipping streams from the center and second side blades to maintain the quality of cut and reduce blow out.

Abstract: A rotary mower cutting deck has a downwardly opening space and rear discharge opening across a rear end thereof. Three cutting blades are located within the space with a center blade and a first side blade rotating in one direction and a second side blade counter-rotating in the opposite direction. A front flow control baffle has a first, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex located between the unidirectional blades and a second, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex between the center blade and the counter-rotating side blade. A first V-shaped flow deflector is mounted to the first apex with the first flow deflector pointing downwardly to cause many grass clippings from the first side blade to be directed to the rear discharge opening without passing to the center blade.

Abstract: A rotary mower cutting deck has a rear discharge opening across a rear end thereof and a center blade and a first side blade rotating in one direction and a second side blade counter-rotating in the opposite direction. A front flow control baffle has a first, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex located between the unidirectional blades and a second, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex between the center blade and the counter-rotating side blade. A first V-shaped flow deflector is mounted to the first apex with the first flow deflector pointing downwardly to cause many grass clippings from the first side blade to be directed to the rear discharge opening without passing to the center blade. A second V-shaped flow deflector is mounted to the second apex with the second flow deflector pointing upwardly to disrupt the convergence of the air flows from the center and second side blades.

Abstract: A rotary mower cutting deck has a downwardly opening space and rear discharge opening across a rear end thereof. Three cutting blades are located within the space with a center blade and a first side blade rotating in one direction and a second side blade counter-rotating in the opposite direction. A front flow control baffle has a first, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex located between the unidirectional blades and a second, rearwardly facing V-shaped apex between the center blade and the counter-rotating side blade. A first V-shaped flow deflector is mounted to the first apex with the first flow deflector pointing downwardly to cause many grass clippings from the first side blade to be directed to the rear discharge opening without passing to the center blade.

Abstract: A mower includes a zero turn radius (ZTR) traction unit carrying a front mounted cutting deck. The cutting deck is suspended beneath a carrier frame by a height of cut adjustment system comprising a plurality of pivot links and suspension chains extending between the carrier frame and the cutting deck. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to one of the pivot links can simultaneously lift the chains or permit the chains to lower to change the height of the cutting deck relative to the carrier frame. This same cylinder can also fold the carrier frame and the cutting deck relative to the traction unit about a fold pivot axis when a fold latch is selectively released by the operator. The carrier frame includes a center step for helping the operator mount or dismount the traction unit. The center step has a front view-port for allowing an operator who is seated on the traction unit to view the front edge of the cutting deck.