Abstract: A mulching insert for use with a lawn mower having a frame and a cutting deck supported by the frame, includes a molded, single-piece body configured to be received in the cutting deck. The body includes an attachment portion that is configured to be engaged by a portion of the lawn mower to removably mount the body to the cutting deck. The body defines a mulching chamber within the cutting deck that provides clearance for a cutting blade of the lawn mower.

Abstract: A triplex greensmower open foot platform provides an opening in front of an operator seat providing visibility from the operator seat to a center reel cutting unit. The opening has sufficient dimensions for removal or installation of the center reel cutting unit or a grass catcher therethrough. A pair of platform sections provides a perimeter at least partially around the opening. Each of the platform sections including a footrest and a rearwardly extending coupling that is manually removable from the triplex greensmower. A flexible cover may be removably attached to the platform and extend over the opening and at least part of the center reel cutting unit.

Abstract: The mower blade system provides one or more blades, preferably two, secured to a housing that is attached to the mower. The blades provide a cutting edge that is sharpened for mowing the yard, lawn, field, or other area. The blade attaches to an attachment arm via a locking body and retention body. A pivot aperture of the blade is placed upon a pivot finger of the attachment arm that secures the blade on the attachment arm. The locking body abuts the pivot finger to secure the blade on the pivot finger. The retention body then slides over the locking body to further secure the blade on the pivot finger.

Abstract: A multi-blade lawnmower includes a cutting deck with generally adjacent cutting chambers. The cutting chambers each include a cutting blade. The cutting chambers have at least one of the following: (a) a side discharge opening and (b) a rear discharge opening. Each side discharge opening either communicates with the next cutting chamber or, as in the case of the last cutting chamber, discharges grass from side of the cutting deck. When a side discharge opening is present, a side discharge baffle plate is available for either blocking the side discharge opening or being stored in a non-blocking inactive position inside the cutting deck. When a rear discharge opening is present, a rear discharge baffle plate is available for either blocking the rear discharge opening or being stored within the cutting deck in non-blocking inactive position inside the cutting chamber.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments of this invention, the lawn mower includes one or more of: (a) cutter deck baffle teeth for improving cutting performance; (b) a trim divider edge portion of the cutter deck for improving cutting performance; (c) a trim vacuum structure portion of the cutter deck for improving cutting performance; and/or (d) a center vacuum structure portion of the cutter deck for improving cutting performance.

Abstract: A rotary mower cutting deck has a downwardly opening space and rear discharge opening. A center blade and a first side blade rotating in one direction and a second counter-rotating side blade are within the space. A front flow control baffle has a first V-shaped apex located between the unidirectional blades and a second V-shaped apex between the center blade and the counter-rotating side blade. A first V-shaped flow deflector mounted to the first apex points downwardly to cause many grass clippings from the first side blade to be directed to the rear discharge opening without passing to the center blade. A second V-shaped flow deflector mounted to the second apex points upwardly to disrupt the convergence of the air flows and clipping streams from the center and second side blades to maintain the quality of cut and reduce blow out.

Abstract: A grass cutting mobile robot includes a body and a blade assembly connected to the body and rotatable about a drive axis. The blade assembly includes blades, a housing to hold the blades, and a spring that connects the blade to the housing. The housing includes a slot in which to mount a blade so that a portion of the blade is movable through the slot towards another blade in response to an impact. The slot slopes upwards in the housing towards the body, thereby enabling the blade to move upwards relative to a ground surface toward the body in response to the impact. The spring is for constraining movement of the blade relative to the housing.

Abstract: An accessory mount comprises: a lateral bar having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first arm connected to the first end of the lateral bar and terminating in a distal end; and a second arm pivotally connected to the second end of the lateral bar and terminating in a distal end. The first and second arms of the accessory mount are configured to engage respective frame portions of a mower or other turf or grounds care equipment, and the pivoting or movement of the second arm relative to the lateral bar adjusts a distance between the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm. A first clamping assembly may be connected to the first arm, and a second clamping assembly may be connected to the second arm to engage the respective frame portions of the article of turf or grounds care equipment.

Abstract: An autonomous robot lawnmower includes a chassis, a drive supporting the chassis above a lawn and configured to maneuver the robot lawnmower about the lawn, and a motorized lawn cutting assembly including one or more blades. The robot lawnmower further includes a first blade guard movably mounted to a first lateral side of the chassis and extending from the chassis toward the lawn, and a second blade guard movably mounted to a second lateral side of the chassis and extending from the chassis toward the lawn.

Abstract: The mower blade system provides one or more blades, preferably two, secured to a housing that is attached to the mower. The blades provide a cutting edge that is sharpened for mowing the yard, lawn, field, or other area. The blade attaches to an attachment arm via a locking body and retention body. A pivot aperture of the blade is placed upon a pivot finger of the attachment arm that secures the blade on the attachment arm. The locking body abuts the pivot finger to secure the blade on the pivot finger. The retention body then slides over the locking body to further secure the blade on the pivot finger.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems and methods related to lawn implements for use in landscaping. Devices including lawn implements such as rollers, stripers, dethatchers, aerators, and lawn spreaders adapted to be selectively coupled to a walk-behind lawn implement, such as a walk-behind lawn mower. A receiver system is provided to be coupled to or as a part of the walk-behind lawn implement. In use, the devices coupled to the walk-behind lawn implement are preferably disposed beneath the handle of the implement.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, a blade, and a deck. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block having a crankcase and a cover. The crankcase surrounds a crankshaft, which powers the blade. The blade spins below the deck during operation of the rotary lawn mower. The deck is integrally formed with the cover.

Abstract: A ride-on lawn mower includes a traveling vehicle body including an operator's seat, and a wheel post for supporting a steering wheel mounted forward of the operator's seat. The lawn mower further includes a mower apparatus connected to a front part of the traveling vehicle body, a roll-over protective structure mounted in a rear part of the operator's seat, and a front guard extending upward from the wheel post and forward of the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for coupling a fuel tank assembly to a combustion engine in which a cover configured for covering at least a portion of the combustion engine can include a recess configured for receiving a fuel tank therein. The recess can include a receptacle positioned against an inner wall of the cover and configured for receiving a protruding ear of the fuel tank, a first protruding tab extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle, and a latch strike extending from the inner wall of the cover at or near the receptacle. A retaining clip with a first retaining portion and a latch arm can be positioned in a blocking position with respect to the receptacle to prevent the protruding ear of the fuel tank from being removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: The rear shield of a walk-behind lawnmower extends downward from a rear end part of a housing and is in the form of an elastic sheet. The sheet has a thin-walled part formed in a central site in a heightwise direction between an upper end part and a lower end part, the upper end part being attached to the rear end part of the housing. The thin-walled part has a thickness set to be smaller than a thickness of other parts.

Abstract: A dust removal system for a riding lawn mower, comprising an engine, a speed change device disposed outside of an engine compartment, and a universal coupling inserted through an opening provided to a separating wall in order to connect an output shaft of the engine and an input shaft of the speed change device. The dust removal system is composed of a perforated board which rotates integrally with the output shaft and around the axis of the output shaft in order to impede grass cuttings from flowing into the engine compartment through the opening, the perforated board having an insertion hole formed in the center to allow the universal coupling to be inserted; and a seal unit for substantially sealing the space between the universal coupling and the peripheral edge of the insertion hole. The seal unit has a radially extending flange formed on the universal coupling, and a ring member in which one end is mounted on the flange and the other end is in contact with the peripheral area around the insertion hole.

Abstract: A device constructed of a material strong enough to withstand the torque of a typical air wrench or cheater bar used by a lawn mower repair shop or a homeowner. One end of the device must have an opening and be of the size as to allow a lawn mower blade to be inserted inside of it. The portion containing the tip of the blade may include a leveler and/or retainer to raise the device to approximately the horizontal plane of the mower blade and the lower edge of the mower deck. The device includes a restriction leg to provide a prop against any protuberance on the side of a single-blade mower deck or on the side or within the deck on a multi-blade mower deck. To provide economics for manufacturing, one size should fit most blades and the device should require a limited quantity of materials and fabrication.

Abstract: A rotary cutting deck has a roller striper along a rear side thereof. The roller striper comprises a pivotal frame that rotatably journals a roller made from a plastic roller body. Torsion springs surround the pivots for the frame. The springs put enough downforce on the plastic roller body to lay the cut grass over in a rearward direction as the cutting deck moves forwardly over the ground. The roller striper can be selectively moved into and out of engagement with the ground by a pivotal handle that can be manipulated by an operator from a seat of the lawn mower on which the cutting deck is installed.

Abstract: A crop header includes a cutter bar carrying rotary cutter disks spaced along a gear case. A support beam extends behind the gear case and carries rock guards side by side along the cutter bar and each extending from the beam forwardly underneath the gear case in front of the gear case. Each rock guard includes a rear bolt fastening to the beam and a second forward bolt fastening arrangement to the beam with and is cantilevered forwardly from the supports for support of the forward end of the gear case. The guards include butting side edges each to the next at positions between the disks so that the curved front edges of the rock guards meet at a recessed front position of the front edges between the disks with a cast notch guard member bridging the front edges of two rock guards.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower having covers for covering the side part of a cutter deck and the side part of a transmission section. The covers have a plurality of small holes formed in a portion facing the side part of the cutter deck. The accumulation of grass clippings on the upper surface of the cutter deck and the transmission section is reduced, and the state of accumulation of grass clippings is confirmed via the small holes.

Abstract: A trimming system for a user-operated ground vehicle capable of performing mowing and trimming operations. The system includes a drive operatively coupled to a drive system of the vehicle having the trimming system mounted thereon, and a trimming unit operatively coupled to the drive for performing edge trimming operations. The drive may include at least one driven pulley operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the vehicle for driving the trimming unit. The drive pulley may be coupled to a mowing unit and the trimming unit to either selectively or simultaneously drive the mowing and trimming units. A guide wheel may be mounted on the vehicle adjacent the trimming unit for maintaining the trimming wires of the trimming unit at a predetermined distance from a stationary object during performance of edge trimming operations.

Abstract: A lawn grooming device is described and which includes a tow bar coupled to an overland vehicle; a drawbar support frame mounted on the tow bar; a first weighted earth engaging roller assembly affixed to the drawbar support frame; a drawbar mounted on the drawbar support frame; a flexible coupling mounted on the drawbar and which is resiliently moveable in either the horizontal or vertical directions; and a second weighted earth engaging roller assembly mounted on the coupling and disposed in trailing relation relative to the first weighted earth engaging roller assembly.

Abstract: A removable cover for attachment to a structure such as a housing. In one embodiment, the cover extends over a mechanical drive system of an implement. The exemplary cover may be used to shield a driven pulley and at least a portion of an associated belt of a lawn mower cutting deck when the cover is attached to the deck. The cover may, at one end, include one or more portions configured to engage the housing. At a second end, the cover may include a resilient lip that, at least in one embodiment, is defined by an opening formed in the cover. The lip may selectively interlock with an anchor attached to the housing to secure the cover relative to the deck.

Abstract: A mulch plate adjustment apparatus for use with lawn mowers. The adjustment apparatus is used to adjust the height of a mulch plate attached to the lawn mower and to secure the mulch plate at the desired height by the use of a handle and handle-locking ratchet mechanism. The adjustment apparatus is affixed to the discharge chute of a lawn mower. The apparatus includes a handle-operated mulch plate raising-and-lowering mechanism that allows the mulch plate to be adjusted to different heights to accommodate different sized lawn mowers and different mowing conditions. The operator of the mulch plate adjustment apparatus can select a desired height for the mulch plate and safely secure the mulch plate at the selected height by simple operation of a handle. Further, the mulch plate apparatus provides a mechanism for allowing the mulch plate to be raised in a storage position without the need to provide extension wires or cables.

Abstract: A curtain for directing severed crop movement in a cutting header in an agricultural harvester. The curtain optimizes crop movement between a cutterbar to a crop conveying auger for lateral movement of the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow. The curtain also reduces the tendency for clogging that occurs when crop approaches conveying augers on both sides of an axial centerline by directing all crop material toward the trailing side of the rotating auger and by preventing airflow generated by the auger from disrupting crop approaching the auger. Crop smoothing by the curtain also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A lawn mower has a striping roller assembly rotatably attaching a striping roller to a mower deck of the lawnmower. The striping roller assembly includes a mounting bracket connected to the mower deck, the bracket having a top arm that extends from the mower deck in a generally horizontal direction. A roller arm is pivotally mounted on the bracket at a pivot connection. A height adjusting rod attaches to the pivoting roller arm to permit the operator to select different height settings for the striping roller assembly, wherein the height adjusting rod passes through an opening in the top arm of the bracket and is slidable relative to the bracket. A U-shaped connection member having upper and lower legs is positioned such that the upper leg is above and the lower leg is below the top arm of the bracket. A spring biases the U-shaped connection member so that the upper leg is forced toward or against the upper surface of the top arm of the bracket.

Abstract: A material-guiding device in a mower-conditioner surrounds an upper front region of a crop processing rotor and is composed of an upstream-situated portion and a downstream-situated portion. The downstream-situated portion is adjustable relative to the upstream situated portion and is connected thereto such that the adjustment of the upstream-situated portion simultaneously leads to an adjustment of the downstream-situated portion, such that an adjustable angle ? present between the two portions is maintained and thus a uniform material flow is enabled.

Abstract: The mower head (1) includes a body (3) with at least one exit hole (9A) for one end of a cutting cord (F) and includes, adjacent to the exit hole of the cutting cord and on at least one side of said hole, a radial projection (11) to protect the cutting cord.

Abstract: A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn vehicle, e.g., a lawn mower. The striping apparatus may include a frame assembly operatively coupled to the vehicle, e.g., to a cutting deck of the vehicle, and a wiper member extending along a rear side of the cutting deck. The wiper member may include an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and an unsupported lower edge adjacent a grass surface. The wiper member may be made from a flexible material. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism that permits height adjustment of the wiper member.

Abstract: A mower head has a deck with at least three sides and at least one side wall depending from the deck. A cutting blade is rotatably mounted to the deck on an axis extending through the deck. The deck is disposed above and generally parallel to the blade. A guard assembly includes an actuating member mounted on the deck. The guard is attached to the actuating member and pivotally attached to the deck via a hinge along two sides of the deck. A flap depends from the guard. A flap also depends from one of the three sides of said deck. A top surface of the guard and a top surface of the deck can be located in the same plane. In a second embodiment, the guard includes a first wall having a plurality of angled sections which matingly interconnect with angled sections of one of the deck sides. In a third embodiment, the top surface of the guard and the top surface of the deck are located in different planes.

Abstract: A grass striping apparatus for use with a lawn vehicle, e.g., a lawn mower. The striping apparatus may include a frame assembly operatively coupled to the vehicle, e.g., to a cutting deck of the vehicle, and a wiper member extending along a rear side of the cutting deck. The wiper member may include an upper edge fixed to the frame assembly, and an unsupported lower edge adjacent a grass surface. The wiper member may be made from a flexible material. The apparatus may also include an adjustment mechanism that permits height adjustment of the wiper member.

Abstract: An adjustable baffle assembly that can be moveably coupled to a front flow control baffle of a lawnmower cutting deck. The adjustable baffle assembly includes a first wall that is securable to the front flow control baffle in at least a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the adjustable baffle also includes at least one flange that extends generally rearwardly from a bottom edge of the first wall into a generally triangularly shaped space defined between adjacent cutting circles.

Abstract: The lawn striping assembly (10, 110) utilizes a C-shaped channel member having a plurality of attachment positions (22, 122). A pair of brackets (46) attach a roller apparatus (16) to the frame (302) of a lawn mower (114). The C-shaped channel member includes a top portion (20, 120) presenting a plurality of attachment positions (22, 122) for retaining a fastener (42, 142, 242) therein. In a more specific sense, the invention utilizes a pair of said C-shaped channel members disposed in back to back relationship with one another.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing, a door and a latching system. The door is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. The latching system includes a latch member that is coupled to one of the housing and the door and a ramp that is coupled to the other one of the housing and the door. Contact between the ramp and the latch member when the door is being closed against the housing causes the latch member to move to an unlatched condition so as to automatically align the latch member to a latch aperture. This permits the door to be fully closed without the need to manually operate the latch member.

Abstract: An adjustable baffle assembly that can be moveably coupled to a front flow control baffle of a lawnmower cutting deck. The adjustable baffle assembly includes a first wall that is securable to the front flow control baffle in at least a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the adjustable baffle also includes at least one flange that extends generally rearwardly from a bottom edge of the first wall into a generally triangularly shaped space defined between adjacent cutting circles.

Abstract: The discharge chute opening and closing apparatus for lawn mowers comprises a vertical bar fixedly attached to a pivot bar, rotatably mounted between first and second pivot stanchions; a pivot arm fixedly attached to the pivot bar at a first end and engaged with a cam pin at a second end; a cam plate comprising a cam pin and a drive pin, rotatably attached to a third pivot stanchion; a lift plate rotatably attached to the third pivot stanchion and fixedly attached to a chute door being operably engaged by the cam and drive pins; a second lift plate fixedly attached to a fourth pivot stanchion further comprising a spring attachment; a spring attached at a first end to the spring attachment of the lift plate and attached at a second end to a spring mounting bracket wherein the spring assists in maintaining the position of the chute door.

Abstract: A shield configuration for a snowthrowing discharge chute, which may be pivoted out of the way for clean-out purposes while reducing the opportunity for the user to extend a body part or other object into the chute while the engine is running. The apparatus makes a clean-out rod readily available to the user just after the shield has been opened.

Abstract: A weed cutter (10) having a protective housing (32) with an air impeller (28), an air diverter (50) and a motor driven rotary cutter element (12, 14, 16, 18). The air impeller creates a vacuum to effectively pull weeds into an inlet opening (42) in the protective housing prior to contact with the cutter element and exhausting the debris through an exhaust outlet (46).

Abstract: An upper hood and a blower housing form an air induction cavity in the side of the mower hood, which draws the ambient air into the air intake and from there into the engine. Two shield members on the blower housing prevent the ambient air from mixing with the hot air of the engine. A method of air induction is also disclosed, including the steps of forming an air induction cavity by connecting the upper hood to the housing, having the lower lip of the air induction cavity lower than the air intake of the blower housing, channeling the air into the air intake via channels on the blower housing, and preventing the hot air of the engine from mixing with the ambient air drawn through the air induction cavity.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a power edger that includes a housing and a door that is coupled to the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. When positioned in the closed position, labyrinth seal members that are formed onto the housing and the door engage one another to form a labyrinth seal that inhibits dirt and debris from being expelled from the housing assembly. The housing assembly also includes a guard for shrouding a rotating blade. The guard includes a confronting portion having a leading end and a trailing end. The confronting portion is defined by an increasing radius relative to the rotary axis of the blade.

Abstract: A tractor having a cutting implement including an attached baffle is provided. The baffle assists as a shield to substantially reduce the amount of vegetation and other debris that may leave or escape the implement. Additionally, the baffle creates an area within the perimeter of the implement in which grass and other vegetation that is to be cut by the blades has an opportunity to straighten after being knocked down by the tractor's tire and prior to being cut by its blades. Accordingly, the baffle assists in maintaining the overall appearance of one's grounds after they have been cut and permits the implement to deliver an increased level of overall cutting performance.

Abstract: A lawn mower roller for bending lawn grass in a striped pattern. A roller is rotatably mounted to a universal mount pivotally mounted to the lawn mower housing or frame. A pair of arms have proximal ends slidably adjustable to receive the lawn mower housing therebetween and have distal ends pivotally mounted to the lawn mower housing.

Abstract: A guard and dolly for mounting a line trimming apparatus and maintaining the rotating spool or cutting element of the line trimming apparatus in a selected orientation with respect to the ground, in order to cut grass at a selected height above the ground regardless of the contour of the terrain, trim the grass adjacent to a structure such as a fence and edge along fixed structures such as a driveway or sidewalk. In a first embodiment a guard is provided with a tab-and-slot opening for receiving and mounting a corresponding motor coupling flange attached to the line trimming apparatus motor or frame. In a second embodiment a universal dolly is characterized by a frame provided with front, rear and side wheel receptacles for receiving two or three wheels at selected receptacle locations and supporting the dolly frame in rolling relationship in a horizontal plane on a lawn for operation of the line trimmer in mowing, trimming and edging configurations.

Abstract: A spatial guide and support for attachment to a line trimmer includes a rotatable cutter head having a lawn cutting string mounted thereon and a main shaft extending upward therefrom, a moving member mounted on the main shaft of the cutter head for moving the cutter head and having a fastener secured on the main shaft of the cutter head, an auxiliary member mounted on the main shaft of the cutter head and having a mounting bracket rotatably mounted on the fastener of the moving member, a guide track secured on the mounting bracket, and an auxiliary moving wheel adjustably mounted on the guide track, and an adjusting member mounted on the mounting bracket of the auxiliary member for releasably securing the mounting bracket on the fastener of the moving member.

Abstract: An implement for cutting grass or weeds or the like wherein a Weedeater type cutting head is provided on which a cutting line or blade or the like cutting element is mounted for rapid whirling motion, wherein protective shielding is provided on the implement and interposed between the cutting element and the normal position of the operator, and a skirt-like mat of tough, resilient, flexible plastic filaments are provided on the implement for extending downwardly toward and preferably into contact with a terrain surface when the implement is in its operative posture, the filaments being sufficiently flexible to readily conform to the terrain surface when brought into contact therewith to thereby afford greatly enhanced protection against flying debris while providing substantially unhindered freedom of motion to the cutting head.

Abstract: A circular saw head for use as a boom mounted head attachment is disclosed for agricultural trimming. The blades can cut as much as four inches of material. An adjustable head piece is provided that is also reversible allowing for exposure of more or less of the blades. Safety aprons are provided to deflect cut material away from the operator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a 360 degree rotatable trimmer assembly 10 mounted on the side of a conventional lawn tractor 12 having a plurality of cutting members 26, 92 mounted onto a platform 70 being connected to a motorized rotatable shaft 50 by a plurality of belts 32 and pulleys 34. A bumper guard ring is 28 provided above each cutting member 26, 92 to act as a guide around obstacles such as trees and poles 16. A multiple lobed cam member 56 having a communicating cam roller 78 is provided for properly re-positioning the platform 70 following rotation of the platform around an object 16. A gasoline motor 24 and alternatively a hydraulic motor 104 are disclosed for providing power to the rotatable shaft 50.

Abstract: A lawn edger having a deflector to deflect debris when the edger is in use. The deflector includes a frame extension and a deflector assembly carried on the frame. The deflector assembly preferably comprises a rigid V-shaped mounting member and a flexible member. The V-shaped mounting member is mounted to the frame at a mounting site that includes a first surface co-planar with the frame extension and a second surface parallel to the top surface of the frame. Upon mounting the flexible member to the frame, the flexible member re-forms from a planar configuration to a mounted configuration wherein an upper portion is angled outwardly from the frame. This angled portion comprises between 20-80% of the area of the flexible member. A trailing edge of the flexible member directly contacts the associated surface on which the lawn edger travels. The deflector is preferably used upon a vertical drive shaft lawn edger.

Abstract: A mower head has a deck with at least three sides and at least one side wall depending from the deck. A cutting blade is rotatably mounted to the deck on an axis extending through the deck. The deck is disposed above and generally parallel to the blade. A guard assembly includes an actuating member mounted on the deck. The guard is attached to the actuating member and pivotally attached to the deck via a hinge along two sides of the deck. A flap depends from the guard. A flap also depends from one of the three sides of said deck. A top surface of the guard and a top surface of the deck can be located in the same plane. In a second embodiment, the guard includes a first wall having a plurality of angled sections which matingly interconnect with angled sections of one of the deck sides. In a third embodiment, the top surface of the guard and the top surface of the deck are located in different planes.