Abstract: Dual lever steering controls with control stops are provided for a zero turning radius mower. Each control arm is mounted to a neutral position lever that is pivotable between a full forward drive position and a full reverse drive position. Each control stop is mounted to block the control arm and neutral position lever from pivoting to a position under a minimum forward speed. Each control stop may be biased to the minimum forward speed position, and also may be pivotable between an operating position and a non-operating position.

Abstract: Dual lever steering controls with control stops are provided for a zero turning radius mower. Each control arm is mounted to a neutral position lever that is pivotable between a full forward drive position and a full reverse drive position. Each control stop is mounted to block the control arm and neutral position lever from pivoting to a position under a minimum forward speed. Each control stop may be biased to the minimum forward speed position, and also may be pivotable between an operating position and a non-operating position.

Abstract: An improved drive structure is provided for use between a lawn and garden type vehicle and a vertically adjustable belt driven, belly-mounted implement such as a rotary mower. The structure is usable with a standard length engine crankshaft which is mountable to project below the vehicle chassis and power the belt driven mower. It includes a stub shaft extension that is adapted to carry an electric clutch as well as a pulley for driving a belt entrained around the mower spindle pulleys. The extension permits positive power transmission to the drive pulley and also allows for it to be mounted substantially horizontal with the implement pulleys as they are shifted vertically in response to height of cut adjustments and/or variation in terrain. The extension further eliminates the need for jacksheave power relay arrangements commonly used to reduce the angles of drive belt entry and exit into and out of drive and driven pulleys.

Abstract: Structure is provided for joining and bonding together two halves of a plastic upper body member which in turn are joined and bonded to a fiber reinforced lower member to comprise a monocoque vehicle assembly. The joint designs facilitate side-to-side and fore-and-aft alignment for quick and easy assembly of the upper body member to the lower member. Spacer surfaces are provided for controlling adhesive reservoirs between adjoining surfaces to facilitate positive bonding.

Abstract: A plastic monocoque body useful with small vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors. A lower fiberglass reinforced plastic frame member is bonded to two upper body members to form a monocoque body. The assembly incorporates attaching, pivot and support structures for the engine, transaxle and drive wheels, steerable front wheels, steering mechanism, clutch and brake pedals and control linkages, shift and throttle controls and linkages, adjustable mower deck, adjustable seat and battery. Through utilizing the net shape manufacturing process, no metal skeleton is required, thereby reducing the expense and complexity of manufacture, assembly and paint operations.

Abstract: A mechanism usable with a vehicle having a compartment for carrying a battery. The mechanism includes a cover shiftable in a first direction for generally enclosing the compartment. The cover includes latching member for securing the cover in a compartment enclosing position, and also includes an abutment structure for abutting the battery as the cover shifts in the first direction to enclose the compartment. The cover can be deflected further in the first direction to become latched in the compartment enclosing position with the battery in abutment with the abutment member. The latched and deflected cover acts to resiliently bias and press the battery into secure fixed position within the compartment.

Abstract: A horizontally extending plate-like member having a power source, transaxle and belt arrangement coupled thereto. The member mounts the power source, transaxle, and belt arrangement to a vehicle frame, and establishes a lever arm between first and second coupling means for transferring relatively small concentrated loads to the vehicle frame. The power source, transaxle, belt arrangement and member can be removed from the vehicle frame for service as a single unit or module.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling vehicle components to a vehicle frame made of a plastic material. A bolt is received by generally aligned openings defined by the frame and the component, and a first nut threaded onto the bolt securely presses the frame and component together. A spacer or second nut carried by the bolt between the first nut and the component is positioned within the opening in the frame. The spacer is slightly smaller in depth than the frame member, and allows the frame to become slightly compress. The spacer limits the travel of the nut on the threads, thereby preventing the frame from being compressed beyond the elastic range of deflection. A module plate having the vehicle engine thereattached is carried between the second nut and the vehicle component. The second nut keeps the module plate and the component securely coupled together when the first nut is removed from the bolt, such that the module plate, the engine and the vehicle component can be removed from the frame as a single unit.

Abstract: A seat mechanism including a deflectable latch flap mechanism formed integrally with a first seat pan member. The latch flap engages an indexing means for selectively securing the seat in a desired longitudinal position. A guide mechanism is provided for longitudinally guiding foot portions coupled with the seat mechanism during seat position adjustment. Mating portions are provided that generally prevent the guide mechanism from shifting laterally with respect to the seat mechanism under the weight of the operator.

Abstract: A seat mechanism including a switch flap mechanism formed integrally with a first seat pan member made of a plastic material. When an operator sits on the first seat pan member, the switch flap deflects downwardly under the weight of the operator. The switch flap deflects downwardly to engage a plunger switch mounted with a second seat pan member. When the plunger switch is depressed the vehicle components are shifted to an operative mode. An operator presence function is thereby served.

Abstract: A mower deck within which a blade coupled with a vertical shaft rotates for cutting vegetation. The deck includes a generally horizontal central portion, and side walls downwardly extending from the central portion. The central portion and side walls form a compartment within which the blade rotates to cut vegetation. A vertically extending and generally cylindrical portion is formed integral with the central portion for operatively supporting the vertical shaft for rotation during mowing operation. Two bearings are positioned within the cylindrical portion for rotatably supporting the vertical shaft. A radially inwardly extending portion is formed within the cylindrical portion and is positioned between the bearings for vertically locating the bearings within the cylinder. The inwardly extending portion is formed integral with the cylindrical portion. The radially inwardly extending portion includes a plurality of vertically extending support ribs for vertically locating the bearings within the cylinder.

Abstract: An engine-transaxle-belt drive configuration is provided for a lawn and garden rear engine vehicle. The transaxle housing has been adapted to receive the engine drive pulley and electric clutch in order to lower the engine mounting and vehicle center of gravity. A releasable fastening structure is provided to facilitate clutch movement and removal of the transmission and implement drive belts.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively adjusting the cutting height of a mower deck. A pivotal lift handle has a laterally extending first end portion for engagement with both of the operator's hands, and the lift handle is coupled with the deck for shifting the deck vertically as the lift handle pivots. A support member having a plurality of laterally spaced and vertically offset steps engagable with the lift handle is slidably carried by the vehicle frame and is selectively shiftable laterally by the operator to support the lift handle at a plurality of heights corresponding to respective lateral positions of the support member. A pivot rod member is pivotally coupled with the vehicle and is coupled with the support member for guiding the support member through a laterally extending arc. The pivot member is engagable by the thumbs of the operator to cause lateral shifting of the support member as the operator grasps and lifts the lift handle.

Abstract: A wheel hub and detachable wheel weight structure is provided for traction vehicles, such as lawn and garden tractors. The plastic hub includes a plurality of wedge shaped compartments formed in each side with adjacent compartments opening transversely to opposite sides of the hub. Separate weights are provided for the inside and outside of the hub, the weights having complementarily shaped wedge members receivable in the compartments opening to that side of the hub. Threaded fasteners secure the weights together for rotation with the hub.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering mechanism for use with a vehicle having a frame, an operator station and steerable ground engaging wheels. The mechanism provides a steering wheel, a steering column, a pinion gear coupled with the steering column, and a rack gear plate member having an opening for receiving the pinion gear. The opening has a laterally extending toothed portion engagable with the pinion gear, and has laterally outward end portions engagable with the pinion gear for limiting the lateral shifting of the rack gear plate member. A support plate is coupled with the frame and is abuttable with the rack gear plate member for securing the rack gear plate member between the support plate and frame for maintaining the rack gear teeth in operative engagement with the pinion gear.

Abstract: A mechanism for use with a vehicle having a power source and a transmission coupled with the power source. A shift lever coupled with the transmission is shiftable in a first direction within a first slot for selectively shifting the transmission between a neutral mode and driving modes. The shift lever is shiftable in a second direction within a second slot for blocking a brake mechanism in an engaged mode. An abutment mechanism is formed in a brake linkage and is abuttable with a portion of the shift lever when the shift lever has shifted into the second slot for blocking the brake linkage and brake mechanism from shifting into the disengaged mode.

Abstract: A unitized engine transaxle combination preferably having a variable speed transmission such as a hydrostatic or continuous variable transmission for utilization in a work vehicle, the combination including a specific arrangement of components parts inside the transaxle housing and the connection of the engine thereto to provide the engine transaxle combination unit. In the preferred embodiment, a hydrostatic pump is connected to the engine and the hydrostatic motor is positioned inside the transaxle housing on the same side thereof in relation to the left or right side of the combination. In close proximity to the hydrostatic motor, a speed reduction unit is also housed inside the transaxle housing. The other end of the transaxle housing houses a differential unit. The hydrostatic pump is driven by a cam gear mechanism which is contained within the engine housing and interconnects with the engine crankshaft and the hydrostatic pump input shaft so that the hydrostatic pump is driven thereby.