Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.

Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide an independent suspension system coupled to a main-frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.

Abstract: A tractor mower with an enhanced turning radius comprising steerable left and right front wheels; left and right rear wheels; an engine for providing power to drive said rear wheels; an independent rear braking system capable of applying a braking force to said left and right rear wheels independently of one another; and a steering system coupled to said front steerable wheels and said independent rear braking system. The steering and braking systems may be configured such that when the tractor mower is steered in a first direction the front wheels are turned to the right and a braking force is applied on the right rear wheel. Alternatively, when the tractor mower is steered in a second direction the front wheels are turned to the left and a braking force is applied on the left rear wheel.

Abstract: A lawnmower includes a chassis; a seat supported on the chassis for permitting an operator to sit or stand on the chassis; a pair of drive wheels for supporting the chassis above a ground surface; an engine and a pair of transmissions for driving the drive wheels; and a pair of manually-moveable handle assemblies for controlling the transmissions. Each handle assembly includes a substantially vertically-extending control handle, wherein the control handles are mounted outboard of opposite sides of the seat so as not to block the operator's ingress or egress from the seat.

Abstract: A stand on mower includes a left foot pedal and a right foot pedal. Each foot pedal is spaced from the other and is dimensioned to support one of the operator's feet. Each foot pedal is biased to a neutral position generally parallel to a horizontal surface of a foot platform located generally between or behind a pair of traction drive wheels. The left foot pedal and the right foot pedal pivot independently forwardly and rearwardly to forward and reverse traction drive positions, and are connected to a pair of wheel motors respectively that rotate each of the traction drive wheels in either forward or reverse based on the traction drive positions of the foot pedals.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering system steers vehicle wheels in response to the operation of an operation member for steering a vehicle. The system includes a rutted road judging unit which judges whether the vehicle is driving on a rutted road or not, and a steering enhancement control unit which enhances steering of vehicle wheels in response to operation of the operation member when the rutted road judging unit judges that the vehicle is driving on a rutted road than when the rutted road judging unit judges that the vehicle is not driving on a rutted road.

Abstract: A dual steering system for zero turning radius lawn mowers is provided which enables those without effective use of their arms to drive and steer such lawn mowers. The system hereof may include respective left and right control pedals which are shiftably mounted to respective pedal supports coupled to the mower for use by the operator's legs, and respective linkages which operatively connect the pedals to left and right control levers operatively connected to the mower's drive wheels for causing the drive wheels to move in forward or rearward drive directions. By operating the control pedals alone or in combination with the control levers, the operator may move the zero turning radius mower forward, rearward, or steer it in a desired manner.

Abstract: A method and system are described for calibrating speed controls for a vehicle having a pair of drive means on opposite sides of the vehicle driven by independent speed controls and where relative speed of the drive means is used to direct the vehicle. In one aspect, angular motion of the vehicle is detected using at least one of a gyroscopic angular sensor and a pair of accelerometers to determine a rate of yaw; a speed control output for controlling the relative speed is adjusted so that the rate of yaw is lower than a threshold when speed control inputs for controlling the relative speed are equal; and one or more speed control adjustment parameters are determined and stored for use during operation for controlling the relative speed of the drive means. A microcontroller may be used to receive sensor outputs (e.g. from the gyroscope and/or accelerometers) and speed control inputs and to determine the speed control adjustment.

Abstract: Steering control apparatuses and methods for a vehicle are provided. A steering control apparatus can include a steering shaft drivingly linked to a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. A movable steering handle can also be provided and disposed about the steering shaft, with the steering handle being capable of selectively turning the pair of front wheels to direct the movement of the vehicle. A first and second brake clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging first and second drive wheels, respectively, can be provided. First and second brake clutch control levers can selectively control the first and second brake clutch mechanism, respectively, to engage and disengage the first and second drive wheels. The steering handle can include a coupling base.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a vehicle having a chassis and an engine supported by the chassis, the engine coupled to a drive train useful for propelling the vehicle. The vehicle may include a steering indexing assembly useful for positioning a steering control between a first steering position having the steering control positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a second steering position having the steering control positioned laterally of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive work vehicle includes an engine, a pair of right and left steerable wheels rotatably driven by receiving power from the engine via a differential mechanism, a pair of right and left non-steerable wheels rotatably driven by receiving power from the engine via right and left side clutches and a pivotal cam mechanism for operating a clutch operating member for controlling the side clutch based on a steered displacement of the steerable wheels. The pivotal cam mechanism includes a cam member which is displaced based on the steered displacement and a cam follower member operably associated with the cam member.

Abstract: A transmission control device which receives steering inputs and speed inputs, and produces an input for a steer transmission and an input for a drive transmission in order to control the direction and speed of a vehicle. The transmission control device, coupled to a steering assembly, coordinates the steering inputs with the speed inputs. The steering assembly which includes an elongated force transmitter operatively coupled to a steering device. The force transmitter, which is operatively coupled to a plurality of front wheels, has a fore-aft path of movement for pivoting the front wheels clockwise or counterclockwise. The present invention enhances the user's control and maneuverability of vehicles.