Abstract: An improved vehicle control system for a vehicle having an engine which produces output torque through an output sheave and a transaxle mounted to the vehicle's frame, the transaxle being selectively operational in forward, neutral and reverse modes in response to a mode selection link operatively connected to the transaxle. The transaxle functions as a gear box having a single gear ratio between the input sheave and the drive axles in both the forward and reverse operating modes, a transaxle and a brake. The output sheave of the engine is in communication with the input sheave through a first and second belt drivingly mounted to a plurality of sheaves and a variator such that an increase in tension on a first belt causes the variator to increase the rate of rotation of a second belt. A speed range sheave mounted to an arm is operatively connected to the first belt.

Abstract: A weight transfer control for a front mount mower including a foot pedal actuated mechanical linkage to selectively transfer a portion of the mower weight to the drive vehicle. The operator can easily and quickly engage and disengage the weight transfer control as the mowing conditions and terrain dictate. The foot pedal, through a series of control links, actuates or winds a torsion spring which will transfer a large portion of the mower weight to the drive vehicle.

Abstract: A linkage system riding mower have an operator station located lever positionable between a first and second position corresponding respectively to a disengaged and engaged state of an attached mower deck. The linkage system cooperated with an interlock switch which shut down the vehicle engine should the vehicle operator disembark the vehicle while the mower deck is engaged.

Abstract: A lawn and garden tractor includes an inclined steering input shaft and a vertical steering output shaft which are both journalled for oscillation in a support plate and which converge downwardly. Respectively axially shiftably keyed or splined on the input and output shafts at respective desired working positions just below the support plate are a straight bevel gear and a gear sector. The gear and gear sector are biased to their desired working positions by a pair of coil springs.

Abstract: A lawn and garden tractor includes an air-cooled engine having a vertical crankshaft and a shroud which defines an upwardly opening inlet and a downwardly opening outlet. Air is channeled to the inlet from a zone extending behind and at the opposite sides of a pedestal located at the forward end of an operator's station by means of walls of the pedestal, a hood overlying the engine and joining the top of the pedestal, and a U-shaped baffle extending forwardly and along opposite sides of the shroud inlet.

Abstract: The brake-clutch interlock includes a latch having a groove sized to receive a plurality of pins co-linerally aligned within the groove. The groove is shaped such that the latch cannot receive nor release either pin singularly. One of the pins is in linked communication with the vehicle clutch actuating means. The other pin is in linked communication with the vehicle parking brake actuating means. When both pins are properly aligned to be locked in place by the latch, the vehicle clutch is disengaged and the vehicle parking brake is engaged. The latch restrains the pins in such a manner that neither pin can be singularly released.