Abstract: A stern drive for a marine vessel, the stern drive having a powerhead, a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the propulsor being powered by the powerhead. The drive assembly comprises a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, the gearcase being steerable relative to the driveshaft housing, and a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the drive assembly comprising a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, wherein the drive assembly is trimmable relative to the marine vessel about a trim joint, a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing, and a pump configured to pump a hydraulic fluid to and/or from the steering actuator via the trim joint.

Abstract: A system for steering a marine vessel includes first and second marine drives connected by a mechanical link such that they are steered in parallel, a first steering actuator configured to rotate the first marine drive and a first steering position sensor configured to measure a steering position thereof. A second steering actuator configured to rotate the second marine drive. The control system is configured to receive a steering command and a current steering position from the first steering position sensor. A first steering instruction is then determined for the first steering actuator based on the steering command and the current steering position such that the first steering actuator bears a first portion of a total steering load to effectuate the steering command. A coordinated steering instruction is determined for the second steering actuator such that the second steering actuator bears a remaining portion of the total steering load.

Abstract: A method of controlling steering for a marine vessel includes sensing at least one position of at least one drive assembly on the marine vessel, wherein each drive assembly includes a marine drive, a mounting assembly configured to pivotably support the marine drive, and a steering assembly configured to pivot the marine drive about its respective steering axis. The method further includes determining a minimum clearance between the drive assembly and an obstruction based on the at least one sensed position and setting at least one operational parameter for the steering assembly based on the minimum clearance, wherein setting the at least one operational parameter includes setting a maximum pivot speed for pivoting the marine drive about its steering axis and a maximum actuation force for pivoting the marine drive about its steering axis. The steering assembly is then controlled based on the at least one operational parameter.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

Abstract: A method for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel. The method includes operating a variable operating device according to an original setting, measuring an actual system voltage for the marine vessel, and comparing the actual system voltage measured to a target system voltage. The method further includes adjusting the operation of the variable operating device from the original setting based on the comparison of the actual system voltage to the target system voltage, where adjusting the operation changes the electrical power usage in the marine vessel.

Abstract: A stern drive for a marine vessel, the stern drive having a powerhead, a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the propulsor being powered by the powerhead. The drive assembly comprises a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, the gearcase being steerable relative to the driveshaft housing, and a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing.

Abstract: A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel. The marine drive has a drive assembly configured to support a propulsor for generating a thrust force in water, the drive assembly comprising a driveshaft housing and a gearcase suspended from the driveshaft housing, wherein the drive assembly is trimmable relative to the marine vessel about a trim joint, a steering actuator configured to steer the gearcase relative to the driveshaft housing, and a pump configured to pump a hydraulic fluid to and/or from the steering actuator via the trim joint.

Abstract: A mower deck belt tensioning arm having a sheet metal body with an idler pulley rotatably mounted to a first end of the body. A spring is connected to a second end of the body biasing the idler pulley against a belt on a mower deck rotating a plurality of blade pulleys. An integrally formed in bushing is between the first end and the second end of the body, the bushing having a straight section length greater than the thickness of the sheet metal body and pivotably mounted around a spindle secured to the mower deck.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a transom clamp bracket configured to be supported on a transom of a marine vessel and a swivel bracket configured to be supported by the transom clamp bracket. A propulsion unit is supported by the swivel bracket, the propulsion unit comprising a head unit, a midsection below the head unit, and a lower unit below the midsection. The head unit, midsection, and lower unit are generally vertically aligned with one another when the outboard motor is in a neutral tilt/trim position. The propulsion unit is detachable from the transom clamp bracket.

Abstract: A method for preserving electrical power in a marine vessel having a marine propulsion device. The method includes operating a variable operating device according to an original setting, measuring an actual system voltage for the marine propulsion device, and comparing the actual system voltage measured to a target system voltage. The method further includes adjusting the operation of the variable operating device from the original setting based on the comparison of the actual system voltage to the target system voltage, where adjusting the operation changes the electrical power usage in the marine propulsion device.

Abstract: A steering system for a trimmable outboard motor. The steering system includes a hydraulic steering device that upon actuation changes a steering angle of the outboard motor. A pump communicates a hydraulic fluid with the hydraulic actuator to cause actuation thereof, where the pump operates at a pump speed, and where the pump speed impacts a change rate for the hydraulic steering device changing the steering angle. A reservoir is fluidly coupled to the pump and configured to retain the hydraulic fluid. A tilt sensor detects a trim angle of the outboard motor. A control system is operatively coupled with the pump and receives requests for changing the steering angle. The control system controls the pump speed of the pump based at least in part on the trim angle of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A mower deck belt tensioning arm having a sheet metal body with an idler pulley rotatably mounted to a first end of the body. A spring is connected to a second end of the body biasing the idler pulley against a belt on a mower deck rotating a plurality of blade pulleys. An integrally formed in bushing is between the first end and the second end of the body, the bushing having a straight section length greater than the thickness of the sheet metal body and pivotably mounted around a spindle secured to the mower deck.

Abstract: A multi-blade mower deck with mulch/side discharge conversion includes a mulch gate mounted under the mower deck and connected to a vertical hinge under the mower deck. The mulch gate extends to the right and rearwardly around a portion of a perimeter of the right cutting chamber. A mulch gate lever on top of the mower deck is connected to the vertical hinge and pivots the mulch gate between the mulching position and a side discharge position. A baffle is removably attached under the mower deck and blocks a portion of a flow passage through the side skirt at the right of the right cutting chamber.

Abstract: A multi-blade mower deck with mulch/side discharge conversion includes a mulch gate mounted under the mower deck and connected to a vertical hinge under the mower deck. The mulch gate extends to the right and rearwardly around a portion of a perimeter of the right cutting chamber. A mulch gate lever on top of the mower deck is connected to the vertical hinge and pivots the mulch gate between the mulching position and a side discharge position. A baffle is removably attached under the mower deck and blocks a portion of a flow passage through the side skirt at the right of the right cutting chamber.