Abstract: A mower including a handle assembly, a grip moveable relative to the handle assembly, a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the handle assembly, a drive assembly, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the drive assembly. The controller receives the output signal and controls the drive assembly according to the output signal.

Abstract: A control handle for a lawn mower includes a first lever and a second lever facing the first lever. Each lever is configured to actuate between an extended position and a depressed position. A controller is operatively associated with each of the first lever and the second lever so as to determine a position of the first lever with respect to the depressed position or the extended position of the first lever, and a position of the second lever with respect to the depressed position or the extended position of the second lever. Also, the first lever defines an interior having an opening facing the second lever such that the interior of the first lever is configured for receiving the second lever when at least one of the first lever and the second lever are actuated toward the respective depressed position.

Abstract: A fixed head walk reel mower has a frame supported for rolling over the ground. A reel cutting unit comprising a rotatable reel and a cooperating bedknife has a fixed orientation on the frame. The frame pivotally carries a ground engaging pivotal rear traction drum that can be selectively disposed in two different mowing positions when cutting grass at lower or higher height of cut ranges, respectively. This allows a single mower to cut grass at lower heights of cut on golf course greens as well as at higher heights of cut on tee boxes while minimizing degradation in cutting or power performance.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a walk-behind, powered device operably couples an engine of the powered device to a mobility assembly to provide mobility of the powered device responsive at least in part to operation of the engine. The drive assembly includes a transmission shaft and a short turning assembly. The transmission shaft selectively receives drive power operably coupled from the engine to drive a first drivable component and a second drivable component of the mobility assembly. The first and second drivable components are disposed substantially at opposite sides of the powered device. The short turning assembly is configured to cause both disengagement of drive power and activation of braking to the first drivable component while drive power is provided to the second drivable component.

Abstract: A walk-behind, self-propelled machine includes a clutch having a driving state where a motor drives wheels to rotate and an unlocked state where the wheels freely rotate relative to the motor. The clutch includes a movable member and a driving member. The movable member is capable of moving between a locked position where the clutch is in the driving state and an unlocked position where the clutch is in the unlocked state. The driving member transfers power to the wheels by means of friction.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first transmission, a second transmission and at least one flexible driving member. The first transmission is operably coupled to a first set of wheels to provide drive power to the first set of wheels responsive to engagement of the first transmission. The second transmission is operably coupled to a second set of wheels to provide drive power to the second set of wheels responsive to engagement of the second transmission. The at least one flexible driving member is operably coupled to a remote actuator and a drive shaft of the walk-behind outdoor power equipment device. The at least one flexible member selectively engages one of the first transmission or the second transmission to switch a walk-behind outdoor power equipment device between all wheel drive operation and another drive mode via the remote actuator.

Abstract: A speed control mechanism for controlling selective engagement of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease.

Abstract: A combine harvester (102) drive system switches between a first isochronous operating curve (622) and a second isochronous operating curve (628) of an isochronously governed engine (126) when a load on the combine harvester engine (126) reaches one or more threshold load conditions.

Abstract: A mower for cutting grass comprises a traction frame that is self-propelled over the ground by a power source carried on the traction frame. The mower includes a thumb wheel throttle control that progressively increases and decreases the power output of the power source as the thumb wheel is rotated in one direction or an opposite direction. The thumb wheel has a plurality of tabs that define grooves on an arcuate rim on the thumb wheel for receiving a thumb or index finger of one of the operator's hands.

Abstract: A forage harvester is provided with a chopping arrangement and a reworking device downstream from the chopping arrangement. The reworking device having two rolls between which the harvested crop chopped by the chopping mechanism can be passed through and whose spacing and/or compressive force is adjustable by a unit that is actuated by an external force and is connected with a control device. The control device is acted upon by information with regard to the cut length of the chopping arrangement and directs the unit as a function of the cut length.

Abstract: A turf maintenance vehicle all-wheel drive traction control system includes a primary wheel propelling the vehicle. A first motor rotates the primary wheel. A traction control system has a first portion communicating with the first motor to monitor either a first motor current demand or a rotational speed of the primary wheel or the first motor and generates a traction control value. A secondary wheel rotated by a second motor steers the vehicle in a vehicle non-slip condition. A traction control system second portion determines a secondary wheel steering angle value. A speed threshold limit stored in the traction control system compared to the traction control value generates a slippage occurrence message indicative of a primary wheel traction loss event. A second motor drive signal created by comparing the steering angle value and the slippage occurrence message energizes the second motor during the traction loss event.

Abstract: A mower for cutting grass comprises a traction frame that is self-propelled over the ground by a power source carried on the traction frame. The mower includes a thumb wheel throttle control that progressively increases and decreases the power output of the power source as the thumb wheel is rotated in one direction or an opposite direction. The thumb wheel has a plurality of tabs that define grooves on an arcuate rim on the thumb wheel for receiving a thumb or index finger of one of the operator's hands.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a traveling power take-off shaft clutch connected to a drive motor, in a case of known wheel or vehicle speed, the speed of rotation of the power take-off shaft, electronically evaluated through the speed of rotation of the motor, can be made to agree in ratio with the wheel speed.

Abstract: A grass treatment device is provided, which comprises a motor configured to provide a power, a grass treatment tool configured to interact with and treat a grass surface, a drive mechanism configured to propel the device relative to the grass surface and a transmission operably positioned between the motor, the tool and the drive mechanism. The transmission is configured to transmit power from the motor independently to the tool and to the drive mechanism. The transmission is further configured to transform a constant output from the motor into independent variable powering of the tool and the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A lawn mower having selectively drivable wheels, includes steerable front wheels, rear wheels, a body frame, an engine supported by the body frame, a mower unit supported by the body frame, a change speed device, a front wheel driving device for transmitting drive from the change speed device to the front wheels, left rear and right rear wheel driving devices, and rear wheel clutches for selectively connecting and disconnecting drive. The rear wheel clutches are operable by an interlocking mechanism to disconnect drive transmission to one of the rear drive wheels moving along an inner track while turning the vehicle body. The interlocking mechanism has a link mechanism operatively connecting a steering mechanism for steering the front wheels to each of the rear wheel clutches.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the speed of a combine harvester (10) comprises one or more sensors (48) each generating one or more signals that correspond during use of the combine harvester to variables of a harvesting process; a processor; and one or more control devices operatively connected in a feedback arrangement comprising two loops in a first of which a first said signal (28) corresponding to the ground speed of the combine harvester (10) is fed back as an input to a first said control device (42) that is capable of adjusting the said ground speed relative to a set value; and in a second of which the said first signal (28) is fed together with a second said signal (34) indicative of the flow rate of crop through the combine harvester to a second said control device (32) that generates as a third signal (31) the said set value, the third signal being input to the first said control device (42).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for removing dust particles from air circulating within a mowing machine, such as a lawn mowing machine, including a housing, a handle attached to the housing, a prime mover attached to the housing, and a grassbag employing a cyclonic separator. A grassbag apparatus can be provided that can include a grass clippings chamber for collecting blades of grass that have been cut and a dust collection chamber for removing and collecting dust-filled air from the air circulating within the lawn mowing machine. The dust collection chamber can include a cyclonic separator and a dust collection receptacle, wherein the cyclonic separator can be configured to remove dust particles from air circulating within the grassbag apparatus.

Abstract: A walk-behind lawn mower includes at least one of: (a) a latch assembly for receiving a folded-up sulky for storage during transport and the like; (b) inboard mounted control rods extending downwardly from a handle control assembly area of the mower, so that actuator shafts for the hydraulic pumps are located on inboard sides of the pumps so as to oppose one another; (c) a handle control assembly for allowing the mower to be operated in an efficient manner with operator comfort during turns and the like; and/or (d) a pump lock-out system including a lever(s) for actuating both a braking force to be applied to at least one wheel of the mower and a pump lock-out system for causing the pumps to be locked in a neutral position.

Abstract: A hybrid electric lawnmower is described which includes an electric motor operating the blade and the ability to drive the motor from either 120 VAC line voltage or from a battery pack. There is a user selectable power selection switch for switching between DC or AC power and also a boost and conserve feature which allows for increased speed of the blade as necessary. Running the mower at the conserve setting prolongs battery pack duration per charge.

Abstract: A lawncare machine 100 has a powered rotary raking or scarifying reel 5 together with a powered vacuum collector 8 whereby material thrown up by the reel is immediately drawn into the collection chamber 8. During removal of the vegetation material, it is drawn into the chamber 8 due to a suction created by a fan 2. The material is normally held in the box by means of a perforated screen 10 situated between the box and fan entry. The chamber 8 may be emptied by moving the screen 10 so that the material is discharged through the fan 2. Alternatively the chamber 8 may be emptied by means of flap valves 19, 21, 23 which cause a reversal of the airflow through the chamber so that the collected material never passes through the fan.

Abstract: A mower includes an engine-driven transmission for driving a pair of wheels at rate that varies according to the position of a transmission setting control selected by an operator. The transmission setting control positions a member that has a stop surface proximate to a transmission speed input on the transmission. The transmission speed input is adjusted by one or more levers on the mower. The transmission setting control is adjusted to define a home position of the stop surface relative to the transmission speed input and define a range of travel of the transmission speed input before it contacts the stop surface. The member is spring biased toward the home position but is moveable away from the home position. The position of the transmission speed input when it contacts the stop surface defines a first rate of travel of the transmission. An operator applies a first amount of force to the lever until the transmission speed input contacts the stop surface.

Abstract: A hydrostatic power train includes a hydraulic pump, which is connected, via a first main pipe and a second main pipe, to a first hydromotor unit driving a front axle and to a second hydromotor unit driving a rear axle. The first and second hydromotor units can be adjusted in terms of their displacement via a first and second variation device. A direction of travel is defined as forward movement (F) or reverse movement (R) by a position of an operating lever. The first and the second variation devices are controlled by a control valve which takes up a first control position upon a forward movement (F) determined by the position of the operating ever and which takes up a second control position upon reverse movement (R) determined by the position of the operating lever and which takes up a second control position upon reverse movement (R) determined by the operating lever.

Abstract: A walk behind mower includes an engine-driven transmission for driving a pair of wheels at rate that varies according to the position of a transmission setting control selected by an operator. The transmission setting control positions a member that has a stop surface proximate to a transmission speed input on the transmission. The transmission speed input is adjusted by one or more levers on a handle of the mower. The transmission setting control is adjusted to define a home position of the stop surface relative to the transmission speed input and define a range of travel of the transmission speed input before it contacts the stop surface. The member is spring biased toward the home position but is moveable away from the home position. The position of the transmission speed input when it contacts the stop surface defines a first rate of travel of the transmission. An operator applies a first amount of force to the lever until the transmission speed input contacts the stop surface.

Abstract: A working machine has an operation switching lever mounted on a handle in the vicinity of a handle grip and is arranged to be manipulated by one of the hands of the operator to transmit or interrupt a driving force outputted from the drive source to the working tool. A drive switching lever is mounted on the handle and is arranged to be manipulated by one of the hands of the operator to operate a continuously variable transmission to switch driving wheels from a halt condition to a high-speed advancement condition. A disc is mounted on the handle for undergoing rotational movement relative to the drive switching lever. A control member positions the disc at a preselected angular position relative to the drive switching lever to regulate an amount of pivotal movement of the drive switching lever for adjusting a rotational speed of the driving wheels.

Abstract: A two speed shift mechanism for a belt drive that includes a rotatable shaft with a first pulley, and a tube concentric with the shaft and rotatable therearound. The tube includes a shift hub supporting a second pulley in axially spaced relation to the first pulley for concentric rotation about the shift hub. The mechanism further includes a collar mounted around the shift hub for rotation with the fit hub and for axial movement between a position adjacent the first pulley and a position adjacent the second pulley. In a first position, the collar and the first pulley include elements engageable for connecting the collar to the first pulley for rotation of the collar, the shift hub and the tube. In a second position, the collar and the second pulley include elements engageable for connecting the collar to the second pulley for rotation of the collar, the shift hub, and the tube.

Abstract: Control section determines necessary acceleration of a transporting section in accordance with an actual transporting speed, and also determines a correction coefficient corresponding to the number of rotations of an engine from among correction coefficients having a characteristic of becoming closer to a value of one as the number of rotations of the engine increases. The control section multiplies the necessary acceleration by the correction coefficient to thereby provide corrected necessary acceleration, and controls rotation of a transporting drive motor in accordance with the corrected necessary acceleration. When the amount of electric power to be generated by a power generator driven by the engine has increased, the control section controls the opening of a throttle valve.

Abstract: A dual power path drive for rotatably driving a threshing rotor of an agricultural combine. The drive includes a planetary gear arrangement having an output connected to the rotor for rotation therewith, a rotatable input connected in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable output of a rotatable power source such as a fluid motor of a hydro-static drive controllably operable for variably rotating the output of the fluid motor, and the gear arrangement including an input connectable by engagement of a device such as an engine-to-ring clutch in rotatably driven relation to a rotatable output of an engine of the combine, the clutch including faces connected in rotatably driven relation to the engine and to the ring gear for rotation therewith, respectively.

Abstract: A vegetation mower incorporating a drive train using two mechanical transmissions to selectively drive the ground engaging wheels at different speeds. The drive train incorporates a single pulley belt to transfer power from the mower engine to the drive wheels.

Abstract: A variable speed, reversible drive for rotating elements of a feeder and a header of an agricultural combine including a first rotatable power input, a second rotatable power input, and a planetary gear arrangement or set including a first rotatable input, a second rotatable input, and a rotatable output, the rotatable elements of the feeder and the header being connected to the rotatable output of the planetary gear arrangement for rotation thereby.

Abstract: A self-propelled power equipment unit having a frame with a handle having a general U-shaped rear end; a drive located on the frame and connected to a drive wheel by a transmission; and a user actuated control connected to the transmission. The user actuated control comprises a speed control lever pivotably connected to the handle proximate the U-shaped rear end and an operator presence lever pivotably connected to the speed control lever.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a detachable implement such as draper platform for a combine utilizes a platform-mounted pump supplied with return oil from the existing reel drive motor. The system utilizes the existing combine hydraulic connection for the reel drive to supply oil to the draper belt drive motors. Oil from the combine powers the reel drive motor and then flows into a manifold block (mixing chamber) before entering the inlet of the draper belt drive pump. This pump is sized to provide sufficient oil flow to power the draper belt drive motors, arranged in series. Return oil from the belt drive motors is routed back to the manifold block where it can mix with incoming oil from the reel drive pump before returning to the combine reservoir or being recirculated to the belt drive motors. The hydraulic system avoids the need to equip the platform with a complete hydraulic system and avoids the need to modify the existing hydraulic system of the combine.

Abstract: A system for controlling the header speed of a windrower to a set point includes a variable displacement pump producing a variable outflow of hydraulic fluid for driving the header via two hydraulic motors, the system being characterized in that the pump is driven by a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having a duty cycle that is dependent on the speed and the acceleration of the header. When the header speed falls outside a window or range of speeds centered at the set point, header speed is used to modify the duty cycle of the PWM signal and bring the header speed back within the window. In addition, the duty cycle of the PWM signal is decremented if the acceleration of the header exceeds a threshold and the header includes disk type cutters.