Abstract: A friction drive transmission includes a drive pulley having an engaging face, a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley, and a friction ring that drives an axle. The friction ring may contact the engaging face of the drive pulley and may be moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation. When the friction ring moves into a reverse rotation position for reverse rotation of the axle, the tip plate may pivot, with the drive pulley, about the pivot axis from a first position into a second position. The first position may be different from the second position.

Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle (10) may include a frame (60, 130) to which wheels (31, 32) of the riding lawn care vehicle (10) may be attachable, a seat (20, 110, 310) which an operator of the riding lawn care vehicle (10) may utilize when operating the riding lawn care vehicle (10), a seat mounting structure (120, 320) to which the seat (20, 110, 310) may be mounted, an isolation assembly (140, 340) which may provide vibration isolation between the frame (60, 130) and the seat mounting structure (120, 320), and a hinge assembly (150, 350) which may enable the seat (20, 110, 310) to pivot via the seat mounting structure (120, 320). The isolation assembly (140, 340) may include a motion ratio adjustment assembly (160, 360) which may define a motion ratio of the isolation assembly (140, 340) independent of an amount of pre-loaded compression.

Abstract: A friction drive transmission includes a drive pulley having an engaging face, a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley, and a friction ring that drives an axle. The friction ring may contact the engaging face of the drive pulley and may be moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation. When the friction ring moves into a reverse rotation position for reverse rotation of the axle, the tip plate may pivot, with the drive pulley, about the pivot axis from a first position into a second position. The first position may be different from the second position.