Abstract: A mower with one or more wing decks that includes one or more manual lifting mechanisms for the one or more wing decks. The manual lifting mechanism may shift between retracted and extended positions, where in the extended position a handle can be positioned further away from the wing deck. When the handle is in the extended position, a user can manually engage the handle and lift the wing deck from a lowered configuration to a raised configuration, using less force than would be required if the handle was in the retracted configuration.

Abstract: A mower may have a frame, a cutting deck coupled to the frame, a side discharge opening on a lateral side of the cutting deck, a discharge chute coupled to the lateral side of the cutting deck, a mounting frame coupled proximate the discharge opening, the discharge chute movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A distal end of the discharge chute is spaced away from the side discharge opening in the extended position. The distal end of the discharge chute being positioned such that the top edge of the discharge chute is substantially parallel (e.g., +/?10 degrees) to the mounting frame in the retracted position.

Abstract: A mower with one or more wing decks that includes one or more manual lifting mechanisms for the one or more wing decks. The manual lifting mechanism may shift between retracted and extended positions, where in the extended position a handle can be positioned further away from the wing deck. When the handle is in the extended position, a user can manually engage the handle and lift the wing deck from a lowered configuration to a raised configuration, using less force than would be required if the handle was in the retracted configuration.

Abstract: A mower may have a frame, a cutting deck coupled to the frame, a side discharge opening on a lateral side of the cutting deck, a discharge chute coupled to the lateral side of the cutting deck, a mounting frame coupled proximate the discharge opening, the discharge chute movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A distal end of the discharge chute being spaced away from the side discharge opening in the extended position. The distal end of the discharge chute being positioned such that the top edge of the discharge chute is substantially parallel (e.g., +/?10 degrees) from the mounting frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting grass collection bags to a riding lawn mower includes a mounting assembly fixed to a riding lawn mower frame and a lid assembly for carrying removable grass clippings collection bags. The mounting assembly includes slotted brackets that are adapted to receive transverse base pins that are fixed to the lid assembly. An operator may hang the lid assembly by its transverse base pins on the mounting assembly slotted brackets in a hanging position and then rotate the lid assembly up into a raised, operating position. As the lid assembly is rotated to the raised, operating position, a releasable latch mechanism connected to the mounting assembly receives and captures the lid assembly latch pins. With this grass clippings collection unit, a single operator can install or remove the lid assembly, making it possible to rapidly reconfigure the mower for collecting clippings or for not collecting clippings.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting grass collection bags to a riding lawn mower includes a mounting assembly fixed to a riding lawn mower frame and a lid assembly for carrying removable grass clippings collection bags. The mounting assembly includes slotted brackets that are adapted to receive transverse base pins that are fixed to the lid assembly. An operator may hang the lid assembly by its transverse base pins on the mounting assembly slotted brackets in a hanging position and then rotate the lid assembly up into a raised, operating position. As the lid assembly is rotated to the raised, operating position, a releasable latch mechanism connected to the mounting assembly receives and captures the lid assembly latch pins. With this grass clippings collection unit, a single operator can install or remove the lid assembly, making it possible to rapidly reconfigure the mower for collecting clippings or for not collecting clippings.

Abstract: An improved counterweight apparatus for vehicles includes a counterweight support structure, a set of separately installable and removable counterweights and a retaining plate. Each counterweight is shaped to be received by the counterweight support structure and each counterweight has at least one retaining plate surface. The retaining plate is retained adjacent to the counterweight support structure and can be moved between a retracted position and an advanced position. The retaining plate has a first surface located to register with the retaining plate surface of each counterweight. When a counterweight is placed in the counterweight support structure and the retaining plate is moved to the advanced position, the first surface of the retaining plate engages the retaining plate surface of the counterweight to secure the counterweight support structure. A counterweight can be removed from the counterweight support structure if the retaining plate is moved to the retracted position.

Abstract: A conveyor side rail consisting of a rack and pinion assembly; a first side rail section having lateral sides, having a longitudinal end, and having a hollow space between the lateral sides, the rack and pinion assembly being housed within the hollow space, the hollow space opening laterally for application of torque for pinion rotation, the hollow space further opening longitudinally for alternate rack extension and retraction; a second side rail section having a longitudinal end; a telescoping slide channel and slide ridge assembly interconnecting the first and second side rail sections, the slide channel and slide ridge assembly aligning the first and second side rail sections so that the hollow space's longitudinal opening faces the second side rail section's longitudinal end; and a releasable lock further interconnecting the first and second side rail sections.

Abstract: A conveyor side rail consisting of a rack and pinion assembly; a first side rail section having lateral sides, having a longitudinal end, and having a hollow space between the lateral sides, the rack and pinion assembly being housed within the hollow space, the hollow space opening laterally for application of torque for pinion rotation, the hollow space further opening longitudinally for alternate rack extension and retraction; a second side rail section having a longitudinal end; a telescoping slide channel and slide ridge assembly interconnecting the first and second side rail sections, the slide channel and slide ridge assembly aligning the first and second side rail sections so that the hollow space's longitudinal opening faces the second side rail section's longitudinal end; and a releasable lock further interconnecting the first and second side rail sections.