Abstract: An electromechanical brake pressure generator for a hydraulic braking system of a vehicle. The electromechanical brake pressure generator includes at least one threaded drive system for converting a drive-side rotary motion into a translatory motion for the brake pressure generation. The threaded drive system includes a rotatable spindle nut, and a spindle cooperating with a thread of the spindle nut so that the spindle is axially displaceable with a rotation of the spindle nut. The threaded drive system includes a drive wheel, which is non-rotatably situated on the spindle nut and via which the spindle nut is connected to the electric motor, the drive wheel and the spindle nut being designed as separate plastic components, including a plurality of mutually corresponding connecting structures which, in the assembled state, engage one another in a form-locked manner in such a way that a torque required for rotating the spindle nut is transmittable.

Abstract: A control device and corresponding method for controlling a transfer device on a harvesting machine are disclosed. The transfer device is arranged at a distance adjacent to a housing part so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and, to alter the height setting, elevatable about a horizontal axis. The control device includes a rotation range limiting means that limits the maximum permitted pivot range of the transfer device as a function of the height setting of the transfer device.

Abstract: A large capacity, self-propelled walk-behind power tool, such as a lawn mower, employs gear-operated transmissions for independently driving each drive wheel. The transmission output shafts connect directly with the drive wheels, and clutch elements for use with the respective transmissions operably engage an input pulley to the transmission rather than an output pulley. The drive wheels are directly connected to the transmissions and the location of the clutching elements is within the periphery of the respective belts. The drive assembly is enclosed by the drive deck.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower adapted to separately power an auxiliary apparatus includes a platform, front and rear wheels attached to and supporting the platform, a cutting blade, an engine connected to the platform and a converter mechanism connected with the engine for separately transferring power from the engine to the cutting blade and to the auxiliary apparatus. The converter mechanism includes a frame connected to the engine and dual coupling device for coupling the engine with the cutting blade and for separately coupling the engine with the auxiliary apparatus. When the dual coupling device is in a first position, the engine shaft is coupled to drive the cutting blade for movement thereof and is not positioned for coupling with the auxiliary apparatus for movement thereof. When the dual coupling device is in a second position, the engine shaft is coupled with the auxiliary apparatus for movement thereof and is not positioned for coupling with the cutting blade for movement thereof.

Abstract: The combination comprises a non-riding, power lawnmower having a housing mounted on fourwheels and a front mounted rake attachment for attachment to one of the opposite side walls of the housing for sweeping, scraping and thatching the area in the forward path of movement of the power lawnmower. The rake attachment comprises a generally U-shaped frame member having a bight portion and two leg portions each having a free distal end that extends rearwardly for attachment to one of the opposite side walls of the housing and first and second clamps mounted at each free distal end of each leg portion and each clamp including a U-shaped bracket which is wide enough to extend about one of the opposite side walls and which comprises a bottom plate, an elongate outer plate forming one leg of the bracket and a shorter inner plate forming the other leg of the bracket both inner and outer plates a bottom plate and extending upwardly about the housing and releasably fixed thereto with three hand manipulatable screws.

Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is suitably attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.

Abstract: A deck for a rotary cutter includes upper and lower deck walls configured together with vertical aprons and wheel support plates at the opposite sides of the deck to form a box structure. Three gear box supports are welded within three pairs of vertically aligned holes respectively provided in the upper and lower deck walls. The upper deck wall is shaped generally convex in fore-and-aft, vertical cross section and is free of ledges formed from framework of stringers so that debris tends to fall off and water tends to run off the deck.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of mowing meadows and the like, a method of composting cuttings, a mowing machine and a cuttings processing apparatus. A mowing machine according to the invention includes a driven rotating cutting member 4, a cuttings conveyor device 12 for transporting the cuttings into a compacting device 15, a chopping device 16 for the cuttings, a subsequent dehydrating device 17 and a liquid collecting and discharging device 19, 20 for the liquid extracted from the cuttings in the dehydration procedure.

Abstract: A golf tee marker moving assembly is positioned on the front of a conventional tees mower with a universal mount. The moving assembly includes a pivoting lift arm and a golf tee marker capture assembly located at the free end of the pivoting lift arm. The pivoting arm is coupled to a motor mounted on the universal mount and is controlled by a manual switch to raise or lower the pivoting arm. The motor is coupled to the mower battery. A tee marker with a base and spherical top, separated from the base with a neck, is adapted to be captured by the golf tee marker capture assembly. Once captured, the tee marker is raised out of the path of the mower by pivoting the arm upward. The mower operator can then remove the tee marker from the golf tee marker capture assembly, mow the tee area and then replace the tee marker.

Abstract: A removable battery tray for an electric bunker rake. The battery tray fits on the frame of the bunker rake during operation, and can be easily removed by a hoist or other method so that the bunker rake can continue to operate with another charged set of batteries. The battery tray also has a central power connector that is used for charging and is the only electrical disconnect required when changing the battery tray.

Abstract: A lawn mower-mounted weed trimmer is provided including a lawn mower with a weed trimmer assembly hingably coupled about a horizontal axis to one of the side faces of the mower portion of the lawn mower adjacent to a front face thereof. The horizontal axis is in line with movement of the lawn mower. The weed trimmer assembly has a flexible line dispenser for trimming weeds adjacent to the lawn mower when rotated. Next provided is a driving mechanism for selectively rotating the flexible line dispenser.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower is provided that has an engine, a device that requires control and a vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the device. The vacuum actuated control mechanism includes a vacuum actuator having first and second chambers separated by a movable membrane, first connecting means for operatively connecting the vacuum actuator to the device, vacuum means for providing a vacuum to the vacuum actuator, activating means for selectively activating the vacuum actuator and securing means for securing the vacuum actuator in place. The securing means also secures the device in place.

Abstract: A mower deck is disclosed that utilizes an auxiliary source of pressurized air in order to avoid clipping buildup under the mowing deck, most particularly at the trailing edge of the discharge chute.

Abstract: An auxiliary edge trimmer apparatus is attached to a lawnmower and includes a flywheel drive wheel portion connected to the lawnmower drive shaft. An attachment assembly is connected onto portions of the lower housing wall of the blade housing of the lawnmower. A trimmer assembly is attached to the attachment assembly and includes a bearing portion connected to the attachment assembly, a rotatable shaft assembly received by the bearing portion, a driven wheel connected to a proximal end of the rotatable shaft assembly, and a trimmer blade connected to a distal end of the rotatable shaft assembly. In accordance with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the invention, a manually actuatable control cable is attached to the drive shaft supported on the lawnmower housing between the drive wheel and the auxiliary trimmer apparatus to control engagement and disengagement thereof.

Abstract: In a scattered objects collector, air which has inducted scattered object is extracted and treated to minimize the release of dust into the ambient. The scattered objects collector has a power source driving an induction fan, a scattered objects induction portion through which scattered objects are inducted by the fan, a scattered objects collection vessel, and an air discharge duct through which, for enhanced induction efficiency, extracted air is directed from the collection vessel back to the induction portion. A cutter can be installed at the induction fan.

Abstract: A weed remover includes a pivoting arm connected to a wheeled chassis, and a rotary wire brush attached to the forward end of the pivoting arm. A belt is positioned to encircle a wire brush pulley coaxial with the wire brush, and a drive pulley driven by a motor. The wire brush can be raised off the ground or lowered to engage it by moving a lever connected to the pivoting arm. When the wire brush is in the raised position, the pulleys are close together and the belt is relaxed, so that the belt is disengaged from the pulleys, and the wire brush is deactivated. When the wire brush is in the lowered position, the pulleys are moved apart, and the drive belt is pulled taut therebetween, so that drive is transferred to the wire brush. The wire brush is spun at high speed to remove weeds growing from cracks on a hard ground surface, such as a sidewalk or driveway. The wire brush is stiff enough to remove the weeds flush to the ground surface, but compliant enough to not harm the ground surface.

Abstract: A wheeled weed trimmer support system is provided including a pair of wheel assemblies each having a frame with at least two wheels rotatably mounted thereon. Next provided is a support assembly mounted between the wheel assemblies and further adapted to support a wheel trimmer therebetween.

Abstract: A blade drive clutch and brake for a lawn mower including an engine having a drive shaft extending downwardly therefrom and which has a drive sheave thereon. A clutch arm is movably mounted below and rearwardly of the engine drive shaft sheave and supports a vertically disposed, rotatable jackshaft thereon. An upper sheave is mounted on the upper end of the jackshaft and is connected to the engine drive shaft sheave by an upper belt. A lower sheave is mounted on the lower end of the jackshaft and has a drive belt extending therearound which is connected to the sheaves on the cutting blades located in the mower deck. A lever is connected to the clutch arm for moving the clutch arm between engaged and disengaged positions. When the clutch arm is in its disengaged position, the blade drive belt pulls the clutch arm and jackshaft forwardly so that the upper belt is in a non-driving position.

Abstract: In a transmission (10) comprising a casing (12), a vertical input shaft (13) having an upper end which extends upwardly of the casing and carries an input pulley (14), and a horizontal wheel axle (18) for driving a pair of mower-drive wheels (3), the input shaft intersects the wheel axle at a location in close proximity to the axle and is supported by top and bottom walls (12a, 12b) of the casing. The vertical shaft and horizontal axle are connected by a hypoid gearing (26) having a hypoid pinion (27) mounted on the shaft and a larger hypoid gear (29) mounted on the axle. The transmission has a compact configuration while the input shaft is supported in a stable manner and while the transmission efficiency between the shaft and axle is kept high. Preferably, the larger hypoid gear is rotatably mounted on the axle and a frictional clutch (32) is disposed between the gear and axle.

Abstract: An end shaft mounted clutch which is inexpensive to produce, maintain, and install, even on an existing belt driven lawn mower.

Abstract: A transmission for a self-propelled walking lawn mower is disclosed, the transmission comprising:i) a casing;ii) input and output shafts supported by the casing, the output shaft driving ground engaging wheels of the mower and the input shaft receiving drive force from an engine of the mower wherein the input shaft extends substantially perpendicular to the output shaft and is located almost directly above the output shaft;iii) a drive gear secured on the input shaft;iv) a driven gear rotatably mounted on the output shaft and meshing with the drive gear; andv) a clutch for transmitting the rotation of the driven gear to the output shaft.

Abstract: A utility expansion system (100) to be retrofitted onto a ground vehicle (10) is provided. The utility expansion system (100) expands the range of ground working functions that may be performed with the aid of the given ground vehicle (10) by enabling various ground working equipment (20) to be operably coupled to the ground vehicle (10) for concurrent operation therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus towed behind a conventional farm tractor has a vacuum section ahead of a conventional mowing section so that litter and other debris are vacuumed into a rear hopper before entering into the mowing section. A conventional power take-off unit on the tractor distributes power via a transmission unit to a pair of centrifugal fans for the vacuuming stage and power to three mower blades. The apparatus may optionally have a sorting section in the discharge tube from the centrifugal fans to separate heavier recyclable debris from lighter debris such as grass clippings.

Abstract: A belt driven auxiliary blower is provided for use with rotary mower decks used in wet and difficult cutting conditions. The blower is pivotally and slidably attachable to the deck for ease of installation and removal. It includes a quick release latch mechanism that allows it to swing open for cleanout or service. A lockable tensioner is provided that permits clean out of the impeller, quick replacement of the belt or removal of the blower when its use is not desired. The blower impeller also rotates in a direction that complements the flow of the cut material being discharged to minimize blockages in the impeller chamber.

Abstract: A thatching attachment for lawn mowers that uses a pair of nylon bristle brushes that mount to a power mower. These soft brushes tend to vibrate the turf rather than tear it. Because the bristles are soft, compared to metal tines, there is no possibility that the turf can be torn up, even at high mower speeds or if the mower is stopped in one place for a short time. A second embodiment of the device uses a "U" shaped mounting bar to mount the brushes. This mounting bar allows the regular mower blade to be used as a vacuum to pick up debris and grass pulled out by the thatching process. The regular mower blade pulls the debris up and disposes of it through the discharge chute on the mower where it can be bagged and subsequently discarded.

Abstract: Apparatus is provide for the fabrication of fiber composites composed of a fiber-reinforced vitreous or glass-ceramic matrix by winding fibers preimpregnated with constituents of the matrix onto a mandrel. The apparatus includes a furnace into which a winding mandrel can be introduced; elements for driving the mandrel in rotation around its axis inside the furnace; transit elements including a slot parallel to the axis of the mandrel positioned in the wall of the furnace for delivering fibers into the furnace; elements including a head for delivering fibers from supply spools positioned outside the furnace to the mandrel inside the furnace via the transit elements; and elements for actuating and controlling delivery of fibers and driving in rotation of the mandrel comprising elements for actuating and controlling the elements for driving the mandrel and the head for delivering the fibers as a function of winding parameters.

Abstract: A mulching device which includes a mulching plate formed by a disk provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings disposed inwardly of the periphery of the disk. A cutting blade edge is located forward of a trailing edge of each opening, the cutting edges being axially spaced from a top surface of the disk. The mulching plate can be used in a lawn mower for replacing the conventional mower blade. A mulching adapter includes a hopper having a base for attachment to a top deck of a mower housing, the hopper having a lower tubular portion adapted to project through an opening in the deck, the tubular portion having a lower outlet end for positioning slightly above the path of travel of the cutting edges. The mulching plate is safer than conventional mower blades and achieves effective mulching of even coarse lawn and garden debris by using the power of the small engine of the conventional mower.

Abstract: An improved lawnmower mulching attachment for comminuting grass clippings cut by the mower is provided having a housing defining a mulching chamber, a rotatable mulching impeller within the chamber and a duct intercommunicating the housing and the mower deck, wherein the attachment effectively utilizes the momentum of the laterally discharged grass clippings and suction pressure created by the mulching impeller to transfer the clippings from the mower deck to the mulching chamber. The housing includes an outlet for discharging the comminuted grass clippings and a bottom wall having an inlet leading to the mulching chamber. The housing is mounted above the mower deck of the mower such that the upright axis of the mulching impeller is laterally offset from the upright axis of the cutting element. Further, the duct is connected between the inlet of the housing and the lateral discharge of the mower deck for transferring grass clippings from the deck to the chamber.

Abstract: An attachment or auxiliary mowing unit for riding mowers of all types having a centrally mounted mower deck. The auxiliary unit consists of a separate mower deck that is pivotly attached to the main mower deck near a front corner of the main deck, preferably the left front corner. The auxiliary deck is attached on pivots with horizontal axes that allow the auxiliary deck to pivot freely upwardly and downwardly about that axis. The auxiliary deck is powered directly from the main deck or by a separate hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A remotely controlled mower which can be easily converted to an edger, a trimmer and a blower with replaceable kits. The mower is battery powered with two drive motors (16A & B) having gear reducing means to provide rotational energy for propulsion and steering which enables the mower to turn with unlimited angles. Cutting devices for mowing, edging, trimming and blowing device are molded integrally with assemblies for easier attachment. The multiple holes on the assemblies provide a simple way to change cutting heights. Angle drives (54A & B) are used to convert the rotating directions for trimming, edging and mowing. The mower produces no air pollution with low operating noise. The combination of various functions in one remotely controllable mower not only makes lawn maintenance tasks easier but saves homeowners money to purchase and to service different equipments with less space required for storage.

Abstract: A mower assembly for cutting, trimming, and edging a lawn. The inventive device includes a mower assembly having a blade rotating within a horizontal plane for cutting grass. A trimmer assembly extends laterally of the mower assembly for trimming grass. An edger assembly similarly projects laterally of the mower assembly and includes an edging blade rotating in a vertical plane for cutting grass adjacent a solid object.

Abstract: A combination self-propelled lawn mower and wheeled cart for receiving and storing mower clippings. The mower is connected to the cart by an arm which turns a vertical drive shaft centrally located within the cart. This drive shaft is, in turn, geared to an axle attached to two wheels. As the mower moves, it circles the cart, and simultaneously rotates the drive shaft, and hence the axle. The cart is thus propelled forwardly, the mower simultaneously circling or orbiting about the cart. A chute attached to the mower receives clippings, and discharges the same into a receptacle located on the cart. One manual control located on the cart disengages the motive power to the cart wheels. A second manual control disengages motive power to the mower wheels. The mower and cart each have a combination of fixed and caster wheels, to stably and smoothly negotiate terrain.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with wheel support, a housing, and a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below a motor-driven disc for rotation about a vertical axis, which disc is capable of chipping branches because of a knife on one side and of moving air because of blades on the other side. A circumfirentially extending screen within the housing is supported in a vertical orientation relative to the ground, which screen is formed of at least two segments, both of which are supported radially inwardly and spaced from the sidewalls of the housing. The air and entrained debris are drawn into and enters the housing through an inlet extending to a centrally disposed axial opening whereby the entrained air and debris are driven against the screen to be broken up into smaller pieces.

Abstract: The new yard-care machine includes features of a mower, a mulching mower and a branch chipper. Such machine has a cutting blade in an enlarged lower blade chamber and a fan and a chipper plate in an enlarged upper fan chamber. A restriction separates the chambers and a leaf and grass-comminuting mulching blade is interposed in the restriction between the blade and the plate. The machine shroud has an exhaust port equipped with an optional diffuser for spreading finely-divided mulch on a lawn. The shroud also has an opening through which branches can be introduced to the chipper plate. The resulting branch chips are exhausted into a collection bag. Manual and self-propelled ("walk behind" or riding) versions and various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A convertible lawn mower of the zero turning radius type is disclosed for use in a riding mode and a walking mode. A control member attached to a control head is rotatable between a first position where the control head is proximate to a seat and a second position where the control head is disposed generally behind the lawn mower. Control levers attached to concentric rotatable upper tubes are rotationally coupled to concentric rotatable lower tubes by loop means, for control of variable speed reversible transmissions coupled to rear wheels.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved lawnmowing and edging apparatus wherein a generally conventional gasoline powered push mower or walk-behind mower is provided with an edger mounted on the front of the deck of the mower slightly outside of the track of one of the front wheels, the edger having a high speed rotating blade which lies in a vertical plane and which can be raised to an inoperative position or lowered to an operative position. The edger is provided with a very simple belt and pulley drive which causes the edger to be powered only in its lowered position and which derives its motive power from a power-take-off extending outward from the lawnmower engine substantially at right angles to the direction of travel of the mower. The power-take-off shaft is thereby substantially parallel to the shaft of the edger and a simple trouble free and safe power drive mechanism can be provided for the edger.

Abstract: With a limited separating spacing immediately upstream of a mowing implement rotating in a horizontal plane, a lawnmower has an upward extraction implement rotating in the same direction as the advance direction about a horizontal transverse axis and which is located in a common casing, but in a separate casing chamber. The upward extraction implement is disengagingly driven by means of a gear by the drive motor of the mowing implement and is essentially located between the front wheels, which are vertically adjustable for the joint setting of the working height of the two implements. Thus, it is possible to in each case separately and also jointly and simultaneously work with the two implements, so that numerous use possibilities exist.

Abstract: A mower deck is convertible between a discharge configuration wherein grass clippings are discharged from the deck and a mulching configuration wherein grass clippings are mulched within the deck. The deck has a housing with a discharge port for discharging grass clippings from the housing when the deck is in the discharge configuration. Spindles are rotatably mounted to the housing and coupled to a drive mechanism. A cutting blade is attached to each spindle. A removable shroud can be attached to and removed from the housing. The mulching configuration of the deck corresponds to when the removable shroud is attached to the housing and the discharge configuration of the deck corresponds to when the removable shroud is detached from the housing. A fixed shroud is attached to the housing and partially enshrouds the cutting path of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for attachment to hand-held devices such as trimmers, edgers, blowers, metal detectors and the like includes a wheeled frame having a clamp arranged to be freely secured to the wand of a device for rotation of the wand therein. Stop members engage the wand on each side of the clamp to prevent relative longitudinal sliding movement of the wand and the clamp. The wheel assembly is thus able to be mounted on and retained in a desired position on the wand while still permitting the wand to be rotated as desired to orient the working end of the device, as for example with a string trimmer device, between a mowing orientation and an edging orientation.

Abstract: A multiple purpose agricultural power tool is provided which consists of a removable cover to fit over an open top of a housing, a wheel assembly which is rotatable and mounted to the housing, so that it can travel along the ground and a pair of legs affixed to a rearward bottom edge of the housing for stabilizing the housing when not traveling along the ground. A power source is carried within the housing for producing rotary motion and a mechanism is carried within the housing for converting the rotary motion to a reciprocating motion. A shank coupled to the converting mechanism extends downwardly at an angle from a front wall of the housing. A detachable implement is coupled to the shank for performing a garden task on the ground. The power tool is also provision to supply power to alternative connectable auxiliary power implement.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement of the vertical shaft rotary lawn mower so that it can, besides cut grass, also vacuum and sweep lawns, driveways, and other hard-surfaced areas and to shred leaves and other shreddable materials. The improvement includes a rotatable sweeper brush in its own housing, a shredder with a number of uniformly twisted angularly radiating blades, and an inverted truncated conically shaped blower. Both shredder and blower are attached respectively near the top extremity and to the lower extremity of a rotatable spindle. In the sweeping and/or vacuuming operation, the sweeper brush, the spindle, the blower, and the mower blade revolve and leaves and other debris are sucked up into the brush housing by the rotating brush and by the rushing air, torn into small pieces by the revolving shredder, and the debris thrown upwardly sideward by the blower into the upper corner above the baffles, whirled, and thrown upward into the discharge chute and into the grass bag.

Abstract: A combination blade assembly is designed for use with a riding type lawn mower and the like. The combination blade assembly modifies the riding type lawn mower into a mulcher and chipper without prohibiting the lawn mower from being used for cutting grass. The combination blade assembly is permanently installed on the riding type lawn mower which eliminates the need for additional equipment. Due to the nature of the riding type lawn mower, the combination blade assembly creates a very mobile mulcher and chipper.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing snow and other particulate material comprises one or a pair of arms mounted for rotation within the housing of a conventional rotary lawnmower or equivalent, as a substitute for the conventional grass-cutting blade. This enables the lawnmower to be used for clearing snow during the winter, when it cannot be used for cutting grass. The rotatable arm comprises an elongated blade member having upper and lower vanes extending upwardly and downwardly respectively from the blade member. The lower vanes act as knives to cut the snow or material to facilitate removal. The lower vanes are inclined obliquely to the blade axis so as to direct material that is below the blade member inwardly towards the axis of rotation. The upper vanes are inclined obliquely to a blade axis extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation to direct material above the blade outwardly through a discharge opening of the housing.

Abstract: A gardening utility machine having a counter-rotation twin shaft system can perform multiple types of work required for gardening (tilling, soil removal, weeding, raking and shredding of leaves), snow/ice removal and for power de-thatching and mowing of lawn grass. This can be done by exchanging attachments on the counter-rotating twin shafts: if tines are installed on the twin shafts, soil tilling, weeding can be done; if auger blades with or without digging bits are in place instead, the machine can simultaneously till and remove soil or can remove ice/snow, or rake and shred leaves; if the front shaft is installed with a spiked roller and the rear shaft, a shearing reel, then the machine can power de-thatch and mow grass at the same time, and additional grass clipping mulching ability can be performed if a fan blower equipped with a mulching fan blade and a retractable bedknife is in place.

Abstract: A lawn mower is provided with a speed control mechanism which is controlled by a single cable. A return spring, floating power transfer shaft, and biasing assembly provide a speed control mechanism which is effective in design and operation.

Abstract: A conventional four wheeled lawn motor carriage having a vertically mounted electric motor with flexible cutting, lines attached to the bottom end of the motor axial drive shaft. A Hand lever is attached to the electric motor enabling the electric motor to rotate from a vertical position to a transverse horizontal position wherein the flexible cutting lines rotate in a vertical plane parallel to and outside of the carriage.

Abstract: A lawn mower for use in a walking mode and a riding mode, having a chassis frame, an engine mounted on a rearward position of the chassis frame, front wheels, driven rear wheels, transmissions for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear wheels after varying speed of the drive, a grass cutting unit suspended from the chassis frame, a driver's seat mounted on the chassis frame, and a handle post supporting control levers for controlling the transmissions. The handle post is pivotable between a first position for the walking mode in which the control levers are disposed rearwardly of the chassis frame, and a second position for the riding mode in which the control levers are disposed adjacent the driver's seat. The handle post includes a vertical post portion extending laterally of the lawn mower, and a horizontal post portion curved from the vertical post portion to extend transversely of the lawn mower. The control levers are provided on the horizontal post portion.

Abstract: A shredding disk for a lawn mower which attaches to the motor shaft and between the mower blade and the lawn mower deck. The shredding disk includes a disk member and a plurality of knives in a serrated fashion located inboard of the circumferential edge of the disk member. A feed tube is positioned on the top of the lawn mower deck and can be closed with a cap during regular mowing. The shredding disk is for shredding branches or twigs, such as those members which fall off trees.

Abstract: A braking system for a rotary mower includes a brake element which is secured to an impeller and is urged by a spring normally into braking engagement with a fixed brake friction member. On start-up of a motor of the mower, rotation of the impeller causes axial movement of the brake element against the spring and out of braking engagement. Movement of the brake element may be assisted by mechanical means, for example by a multiple ball and ramp system or arrangement. In this embodiment, four equally spaced balls are normally located in ramped recesses formed in an upper face of an adaptor element, such that on start-up of the motor, the balls ramp up at least partially out of the recesses, and assist in urging a braking element and a friction element out of braking engagement with one another. This assist stops when the motor is turned off, the balls now moving back into their respective lowest positions in the recesses formed in the upper face of the adaptor element.

Abstract: Lawn and garden maintenance equipment for collecting and shredding debris and chipping branches is provided with a wheel-supported housing having a handle for guiding the apparatus, the housing having a substantially closed bottom wall below the blades and having a portion thereof providing an air and debris inlet opening, a motor mounted on the housing with a shaft extending into housing and supporting a disc for rotation with the shaft within said housing, the disc having a cutter on its top for slicing limbs and a slot adjacent said cutting means to permit sliced material to pass through the disc, downwardly extending blades mounted on the bottom of the disc move air and air entrained debris within the housing to an exit opening in said housing generally opposite the inlet for air and entrained debris, and a top opening in the housing is radially aligned with the cutter to accept limbs and the like to be fed through the opening to be engaged by the cutter.