Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a grass collector to the discharge chute of a power lawn mower. A lower front portion of a ring around the receiving mouth of the collector is hooked over a detent at the bottom side of the chute and pivoted upwardly until an upper portion of the ring rests in a nest formed by a pair of upper tabs and a lower tab extending outwardly from a pivoted safety door. The door is biased toward a closed position across the discharge opening of the chute, and is opened by a hook extending from an over-center latch, between the upper tabs. The hook extends around the nested upper portion of the ring, and when the latch is manually operated to its closed position the hook pulls against the ring portion to move it and the upper part of the door forwardly. This clamps the collector mouth to the chute, at the same time opening the safety door. The collector cannot be removed until the safety door has been returned to its closed position by manually operating the latch to its open position.

Abstract: A bagger for a front mount mower including a bagger support attached to the drive vehicle at a point intermediate the operator's seat and the rear wheel. A pair of bag support rims are releasably attached to the bagger support and a pair of L-shaped bags are suspended on and depend from the respective rims. The L-shaped bags are supported over the mid-portion of the drive vehicle forward of the rear wheel. Each bag is contoured to provide a large capacity to receive clippings while being disposed in close proximity to the top and sides of the drive vehicle.

Abstract: A hand-held wild-seed reaping apparatus and method having a motor mounted on a frame for driving a cutting mechanism which is surrounded by a containment box with an open front and rear end. A cutting collector attached to the open rear end of the containment box is provided to retain cut seed which has been selected by the user for harvesting and which is removably attached to the frame of the invention. As a result, users can harvest seed wherever walking is possible, even in steep, rocky or brushy territory. Further, they are enabled to be very selective in cutting, therefore harvesting only selected species and avoiding unwanted species.

Abstract: A universal mower deck discharge boot is formed by rotational molding into two sections which telescope one over the other and each of which is formed with a blank forwardly or side facing wall portion, which wall portions together are adapted to be cut out and formed with an opening which closely conforms to the discharge chute of a mower deck. The forward section is otherwise generally closed at the sides and the top and the bottom and is formed with a curved forward wall to resist catching on obstructions, while the rear section is formed with a discharge spout adapted to receive a flexible conduit. The sections telescope one relative to the other to conform to the dimensions of a wide variety of mower deck discharge chutes.

Abstract: An impeller is mounted above the top wall of the housing of a mower carried by a riding vehicle, near the side of the mower at which it has its clipping outlet. The rotor of the impeller rotates on a vertical axis that is between the clipping outlet and the vertical axis of the mower blade nearest that outlet and is driven by a belt engaging a pulley on the spindle for that blade. Flat paddle-like blades of the rotor have a portion of their orbit in an upwardly and rearwardly extending passage defined by the front portion of a clipping duct that communicates the mower clipping outlet with a receptacle at the rear of the vehicle. The impeller draws air and clippings out of the mower housing and propels them rearward through the duct.

Abstract: A grass/lawn debris handling system for a lawn mower having a side grass discharge duct includes a rigid hopper mounted on the side of the mower proximate tha grass discharge duct. A substantially vertical chute mounted on the discharge duct communicates at its lower end with the duct and at its upper end with the front end of the hopper. Relative movement of the chute and the hopper as well as the selective disconnection and reconnection thereof is made possible by an oversized opening in the hopper for receiving the chute upper end and flexible seal means in the opening for sealing the space between the hopper and chute end. The hopper is supported on a lift arm pivoted at the rear of the mower. A cylinder provides selective pivotal movement of the lift arm to rotate the hopper into an elevated dumping position. A hinged hopper door of air-permeable material opens automatically when the hopper is elevated to its dumping position to permit discharge of the hopper contents.

Abstract: A grass collecting bag for a lawn mower comprises a bag member opened at its one end and a cover member attached to the bag member so as to cover the open end of the bag member, the cover member being completely separable from the bag member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailer (24) with a universal mounting hitch (26) for use with a garden tractor (22). The multi-purpose trailer (24) includes two U-shaped front ends (36) having horizontally aligned apertures (40) therein to enable two point pivotal attachment to the garden tractor (22). The trailer (24) is supported above the surface of the ground by a single, pivotal wheel (46) and further includes a trailer box (30) which is pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis proximate the back end of the trailer. The universal mounting hitch (26) includes a U-shaped bracket (151) including two spaced apart vertically extending legs (152) including a plurality of apertures (164) therein. The vertically extending legs (152) are interconnected by a horizontally extending member (154) including a plurality of apertures (158). The apertures (158) enable attachment of the U-shaped bracket (151) to the draw bar of the garden tractor (22).

Abstract: A grass collection bag suited for use with a walking operator type lawn mower having a cutting blade and a steering handle extending rearwardly, which grass collection bag is removably attached to the steering handle to extend in a fore-and-aft direction of the lawn mower. The grass collection bag comprises a tubular main body portion defining a grass inlet at a forward end thereof and a grass outlet at a rear end thereof, and a lid member attached to the main body portion to be vertically swingable about an axis adjacent a lower rear edge of the main body portion for opening and closing the grass outlet. The main body portion includes a first engagement member extending along an upper rear edge thereof, and the lid member includes a second engagement member extending along a free end edge thereof. One of the first and second engagement members defines a slit which is vertically directed when in an engaged position, and the other defines a projection engageable with the slit.

Abstract: A light weight portable hand-held apparatus for cutting and trimming vegetation, hedges, trees and the like and is provided with a rotatable blade housing have a plurality of cutting blades, said blades being square-shaped or U-shaped in configuration. A shroud designed for efficient transfer of cuttings and for providing protection from flying debris which may result by the cutting action of the blades. The cutting apparatus is provided with a receptacle for collecting the vegetation and branches after being cut and trimmed, said receptacle being designed for easy removal and for easy emptying. The blades used herein result in the cuttings being cut to a fine residue which increases the collecting capacity of the collection receptacle.

Abstract: A grass catcher is provided for mounting to a lawn mower. The grass catcher includes a generally frustum shaped side wall and opposed front and rear walls. An entry chute is provided adjacent the front wall. The front wall is angled relative to the axis of the grass catcher. The side wall is provided with an array of large apertures extending around the lower portion of the grass catcher, and an array of small apertures extending around the top. The rear wall of the grass catcher is hingedly attached to the side wall to facilitate emptying of the grass clippings therefrom.

Abstract: A removable grass catcher for a rotary lawn mower that includes a relatively rigid housing for the collection of grass clippings. The housing includes a top wall with at least one downwardly extending flange, at least a part of which top wall is spaced apart from the upper edges of at least one of the rear and side walls of the housing to provide air gaps therebetween that serve as air vents for the housing during the accumulation of grass clippings therein.

Abstract: A bag support for a riding lawn mower grass collector includes a rectangular framework (2) attached to a mower (10) with grass directing hood (4). A grass bag (6) has a resilient frame (8) extending substantially around bag opening (40). A much larger leaf bag (80) has a resilient frame (82) extending substantially around bag opening (40'). Frames (8, 82) include three continuous coplanar sides and a fourth side with a central open space (44, 86) bounded by a pair of handles (12, 12') extending perpendicularly outward from frame (8, 82). The sections of the fourth side adjacent open space (44, 82) are at an acute angle to the plane of the three coplanar sides. Frames (8, 82) are configured to match separate portions of framework (2). Framework (2) includes transverse brackets (14) and (16) at locations to correspond with alternate sizes of bag (6) or (80). Handle retaining brackets (18) are attached to rear of framework (2) to receive handles (12, 12').

Abstract: There is disclosed a mowing machine comprising at least a grass cutting blade, rotating about an axis substantially perpendicular to the ground and housed within a casing, open at the bottom and communicating with a cut grass conveying duct 15 for discharging the cut grass which comprises a movable wall 17 at the bottom tiltable towards the inlet mouth of a cut grass collecting vessel 3 effective to be associated with the cut grass discharging mouth of the conveying duct.

Abstract: A closed-loop lawn mower vacuum apparatus which utilizes the centrifugal forces created by a rotating grass cutting blade to impel grass clippings and other solid debris through an exhaust chute to be automatically deposited in a fully enclosed, rigid, one-piece grass catcher. The grass clippings and other solid debris are entrained in a flow of air which is forced into the grass catcher. The air within the grass catcher is returned beneath the mower through a return chute, and recirculated through the closed loop system to remove any debris still entrained in the air flow. The inlet port of the return chute and the grass catcher are shaped so that solids will automatically be removed from the air flow within the grass catcher. Also, the discharge port of the return chute, located beneath the lawn mower deck, is partially enclosed by a shroud which directs the flow of solids out of the grass catcher so as to be recirculated through the system, and not left uncollected on the lawn surface.

Abstract: Bag attachment apparatus is provided for enabling a plastic or similar type of trash, leaf, or lawn clippings-receiving bag to be removably attached to a lawn mower or other apparatus whereby trash, leaves, lawn clippings or the like are easily introduced into the bag. The full plastic bag can then be quickly and easily removed from the bag attachment apparatus for disposal. Additional lawn mower attachment apparatus are provided for attachment to lawn mowers for supporting a leaf or lawn clippings-receiving bag, which bag may be attached to the lawn mower by means of the bag attachment. The lawn mower attachment apparatus elements can be assembled into a variety of multi-purpose devices.

Abstract: A vehicle is controllably powered to be steerably moved over an area. Mountable on the front is a cutter assembly. Also mounted on the vehicle is a hopper. Mowed cuttings are delivered by a conduit from the cutter to the hopper. That hopper is positioned atop the vehicle and coupled to the delivery end of the conduit. Moreover, the hopper is movable with respect to the vehicle into another position wherein the hopper is disengaged from the conduit and at which latter position cuttings may be easily removed.

Abstract: A grass bag attachment for a lawn mower mounted on and disposed below a tractor having a chassis. The grass bag attachment includes a pair of spaced brackets adapted to be mounted on a rear end of the chassis, a support post composed of a pair of spaced, substantially vertical portions and a cross portion joining the vertical portions at upper ends thereof, the vertical portions having respective lower ends detachably connected to the brackets, respectively, by pins, and a plurality of grass bags having front central portions supported on the support post.

Abstract: A collecting box for collecting debris from a garden tool, for example a lawn mower or a lawn raker, has a lightweight, self-supporting collecting box body and, on each side of the body, a tubular fastening member for fastening the collecting box to the garden tool. The fastening members extend at least one third of the way along the sides of the body with a view to preventing the body being subjected to high stresses, and the ends of the fastening members project from the body and can be inserted into sockets in the tool. An intermediate length of each fastening member is exposed to provide a handle for carrying the box.

Abstract: A grass catcher for receiving grass clippings and leaves from a rotary deck mower towed by a tractor. A fan driven by the mower forces the clippings through a flexible hose leading to a large capacity hopper. The hopper is mounted on a carriage having a single wheel. A parallel arm linkage permits the hopper to float up and down independently of the mower. When the rope is pulled from the tractor seat, the hopper is dumped to unload its contents. A rear door on the hopper is automatically opened when the hopper is dumped and is closed when the hopper is returned to its running position by pulling on another rope from the tractor seat.

Abstract: An improvement for a lawn mower of the type that propels clippings and a stream of air from its cutting area which improvement allows it to collect the clippings in a horizontally disposed plastic trash bag is disclosured. Transfer means, a plate with an opening sized to the mower discharge chute, is releasably mounted on the mower against the chute to receive the clipping and stream of air and pass them through it in one direction. The plate defines a vent opening to allow air to vent in the opposite direction and has means for releasably affixing the disposable bag's opening's marginal areas in a generally vertical plane such that the bag encloses both the vent and clipping openings, so that clipping and air air propelled into the horizontally disposable bag and air is vented from it.

Abstract: Lawn clippings are pelletized and distributed back onto the lawn directly, for example, as part of a mowing operation. For this purpose the lawn clippings are supplied into the top of a chamber wherein compression rollers press the clippings through a stationary apertured plate for extruding the clippings in the form of compressed strands. A rotating distribution disk is arranged below the plate for breaking up the strands into pellets and for throwing or distributing the pellets over the lawn as it is being mowed. The pressure applied to the grass clippings is adjusted to be sufficient for the extrusion, but insufficient for squeezing the natural juices out of the grass clippings. To avoid clogging and positive extrusion at all times during the operation, the compression rollers are preferably driven positively by a double drive system for rotation about a vertical and horizontal axis.

Abstract: An improved pool cleaner is provided of the type for submerged random travel generally along the floor and sidewalls of a swimming pool to dislodge and collect debris. The pool cleaner comprises an hydraulically contoured housing consisting of a limited number of shell shaped housing portions designed for rapid assembly about an integrated drive assembly having a water-powered drive train encased within the housing and rotatable wheels outside the housing for supporting and driving the pool cleaner. Water under pressure is supplied through a water supply mast detachably mounted on the housing for flow into a pressure manifold from which individual water flows are coupled through appropriately sized nozzles to drive a water turbine of the drive train and through a plurality of jet pump orifices opening generally upwardly about the inner diameter of an open central suction mast through which debris is drawn upwardly into a collection bag.

Abstract: Apparatus is mounted on the rear of a riding lawn mower for utilizing a large supply of large size plastic sheet tubing to form plastic bags as needed for receiving the grass cuttings being discharged from the lawn mower, so that the mower operator need not leave his seat on the lawn mower in order to seal the plastic bag after it is full of cuttings, and to discharge the bag away from the lawn mower. This apparatus is vertically mounted. The grass cuttings are blown to the top of the apparatus into a first air-release funnel. Beneath this funnel is a supply of large plastic sheet tubing folded lengthwise into an annular cartridge. A throttle section is positioned beneath the cartridge for collapsing the sheet tubing into a rope-like formation. Then a pair of vertically-spaced sealing tape dispensers serve to seal the rope-like formation at two locations. Then a cutter severs the plastic to complete sealing the top of a filled bag and for sealing the bottom of the next plastic bag to be filled.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in lawn and garden maintenance, in which a chassis having a pair of axially aligned and independently operable drive wheels carries a central reel mower mounted with the rotational axis of the mower and the drive wheels lying in the same vertical plane. A pair of outer reel mowers may be mounted on the chassis on each side of the path of the central reel mower. A cultivator mounted on a chassis with a pair of axially aligned drive wheels has the frame of the cultivator projecting laterally and aligned with the axis of the drive wheels, the frame of the cultivator being preferably extensible. A lawn trimmer swivelly mountable vertically on a motor driven chassis comprises an articulated arm with a trimming device mounted on the free end of the arm, the arm comprising two pivotally joined parallelogram units and a handle for manipulation of the arm.

Abstract: A grass catching receptacle for a lawn and garden mowing machine having fixed and movable clamshell portions forming a hopper that is opened at the bottom to dump accumulated clippings. A dumping handle is fixed to the movable clamshell portion and carries a control lever for releasing a cable-operated latch that secures the bottoms of the clamshell portions in their closed position. The movable clamshell portion and a flip-up lid are pivoted around a common axis across the back of the mowing machine, the lid pivoting upwardly and forwardly when the movable clamshell portion is pivoted for a dumping operation, and also pivoting upwardly and forwardly when lifted for access to the hopper through a top opening. A wire frame is disposed across the top opening for holding disposable bags in an open and upright position when a bagging operation is desired.

Abstract: The disclosed grass catcher cooperates with a rotary mower carried under a riding vehicle and having a clipping outlet from which a duct extends upward and rearward along the side of the vehicle for discharge into upwardly opening bags supported side-by-side at the rear of the vehicle, each carried on an upwardly and rearwardly projecting hook that enables quick and easy removal and remounting of the bags. Clippings issue from the duct in a trajectory that tends to carry them across the width of the vehicle, but they are deflected downward to fill the bags successively. Such deflection is effected by a cover that overlies the bags and the discharge portion of the duct and has a baffle projecting down from its top wall which defines a divergent air channel leading from the duct outlet and under which air blown up through the duct from the mower is diverted in flowing to a screened rear air outlet in the cover. The outlet portion of the duct is readily removably held in place by an elastic band.

Abstract: A rear bagging receptacle for a power lawn mower has a lift-off collection bag and a flip-top lid. The collection bag has a frame sewn into a flexible fabric around its mouth, the frame allowing the bag to be rested on the laterally spaced, rearwardly extending legs of a handlebar frame. The flip-top lid has an integral, stiff, recessed member and yieldable, opposing fingers at a back end of the member to pivotably and detachably mount the lid to a crossbar of the handlebar frame. There, the lid pivots forwardly and downwardly to close over the mouth of the collection bag and exit of a discharge chute extending on the front edge of the collection bag. The lid also pivots upwardly and rearwardly to allow access to the collection bag and lift-off removal of the collection bag or disposable liner bag.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a blade rotating in a plane parallel to the ground and a casing, mounted at the front whereof on wheels and at the rear whereof on a roller, whereon an engine is mounted effective to drive the grass cutting blade and cause the apparatus to advance on the ground, an inlet chamber being further provided for sucking the cut grass and conveying it to a collecting hopper associated with the casing.The front portion of the collecting hopper is so designed as to be superimposed over the rear roller, at least partially, in such a way as to provide a main path for the cut grass flow and prevent the cut grass from obstructing the outlet portion of the screw.

Abstract: The hoop adapter assembly (8) is adapted to be easily attached to a lawn mower (12) about an exit opening (20) of a discharge duct (18) to enable one easily to fit a disposable trash bag (14) on the hoop adapter (10) of the assembly (8) for picking up leaves. The hoop adapter (10) is oval in shape and is held to the frame or housing portion (44, 47) by wire ties (46) or shock cords (49) and the disposable bag (14) is held to the hoop adapter (10) by pinch clamps (15). The spaces (40, 42) between the discharge duct (18) and the hoop adapter (10) provide exit vents for the air that flows from the undercarriage of the lawn mower (12) carrying leaves and debris into the bag (14).

Abstract: A leaf and lawn debris lift and bagger apparatus comprising a wheeled container having a debris scooper assembly pivotally secured to the outer periphery thereof, the scooper assembly being movable between a collapsed storage position against the outer periphery of the container to a scooping position adjacent the surface of the lawn or the like wherein debris has accumulated. The debris may be swept into the interior of the extended scooper assembly, and the scooper assembly may be pivoted to a discharge position whereby the debris contained therein may fall by gravity into the interior of the container.

Abstract: A storage box for the clippings of a lawnmower consisting of a normally covered box adapted to be mounted on the mower vehicle and to receive grass cuttings and the like of the mower until it is full, and a power mechanism operable when actuated to first raise the box until its pouring lip is higher than the receiving box of a disposal vehicle, such as the bed of a pick-up truck, and transport it horizontally until its pouring lip is over the truck bed, and then to uncover the box and tilt it to pour its contents over its lip into the truck bed.

Abstract: A lawnmower with rotating cutting blades has a central handle (1) provided with a hook (2) for mounting a grass collecting receptacle (3). The central handle (1) is so shaped and arranged as to permit easy lateral access during removal and replacement of the receptacle (3). The receptacle (3) is provided with a metal bail (4) for securement to the hook (2) of the handle (1). The base (6) of the central handle (1) pivotally supports a deflector (5) held in operative position by means of a strap (24) secured to the hook (2) of the central handle (1).

Abstract: A lawn debris collection system includes a collection box coupled to the outlet of a lawn mower by duct work including an assist blower. The box is mounted for tilting about a pivotal connection between the bottom of the box and a support frame carried at the rear of a vehicle carrying the mower. A manually operable linkage is mounted on the box for selectively releasing a box and door latch members, which respectively hold the box in an upright fill position and the door closed, when it is desired to tilt the box rearwardly to a dump position.

Abstract: A device for automatically bagging lawn clippings in disposable plastic bags comprises a frame having a bag compartment mounted thereon for automatically feeding the plastic bags to a bag clamping unit positioned in communication with the discharge conduit of the power lawn tool. A moveable discharge conduit unit is provided and is moveable between a first bag loading position and a second operating position wherein the discharge conduit communicate with the discharge of the power lawn tool for delivering the lawn clippings to the plastic lawn bag.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a grass catcher for a rotary lawn mower, which catcher comprises a frame including a first frame portion defining a mouth adapted to receive grass clippings from a lawn mower and a second frame portion extending from the first frame portion and defining an area removably coverable to facilitate clippings accumulation in and discharge from the catcher, and a bag on the frame including a pair of spaced side walls extending from the first and second frame portions, a rear wall located in spaced relation from the first frame portion, extending from the second frame portion and between and connected to the side walls, an additional wall extending from the first frame portion in opposing relation to the area, extending between and connected to the side walls, and connected to the rear wall, a cover extending from the mouth and being locatable in covering relation to the area, and an elastisized member for releasably retaining the cover in covering relation to the area.

Abstract: Apparatus for leaf and grass vacuuming and compaction in a bag, although usable independently is shown mounted on a wheeled carriage of a power lawnmower on which are mounted a push-handle, a gasoline engine, a lawnmower blade drivable by the engine, a vacuum chamber enclosing a fan drivable by the engine, and a receptacle bag above which is mounted a compactor having a reciprocably movable ram. The ram is driven either by a belt-drive from the engine, or by an electric motor energized from the engine generator or starter battery, or by a hydraulic pump/motor system driven by the engine. A pick-up hose is attached to the vacuum chamber inlet and a discharge hose is attached to the vacuum chamber outlet whereby material such as leaves and grass clippings entering the pick-up hose are expelled through the discharge hose into the removable bag. As the material fills the bag, the compactor is actuated to cause the movable ram member to repeatedly descend into the bag to compact the material therein.

Abstract: A bagging lawn mower includes a mower blade housing having a discharge outlet, and a material-conveying duct has one end connected for receiving material from the housing and another end connected for depositing conveyed material into the top of a receptacle. The conveyance of material through the duct is assisted by a blower having an inlet coupled for drawing air in from the receptacle and having an outlet coupled to an air duct having an outlet nozzle located in the material-conveying duct at a location just upstream from the housing outlet and operative to cause a vacuum to be created which effects the induction of air from the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus which may be supported by a tractor-lawn mower combination and which includes a collection bin and a vacuum producing impeller driven by a hydraulic motor for collecting grass clippings, leaves and similar refuse is presented herein. The impeller and hydraulic motor are located within the collection bin and provided with ducts to channel exhaust air through the bottom of the bin to muffle operational noise and increase the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower is provided with a grass collection bag arrangement comprising a bag holder having a flexible skirt for supporting a disposable collection bag. The bag holder is mountable on a mounting plate facing rearwardly on the mower housing and close coupled to a grass discharge chute formed on the housing. The bag holder is retained on the mounting plate by a pivotally mounted lever engagable with the bag holder frame and operable in the release position to actuate an ignition grounding switch to ground the ignition system of the mower engine. The mower engine power takeoff shaft is coupled to a rotary blade which is mounted on a hub having a cylindrical brake drum fixed thereto. A spring coil brake band is disposed around the brake drum and pivotally mounted at one end to the mower housing and connected at the opposite end to a flexible cable which is connected to the bag holder retaining lever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motorized lawn-mower, provided with a rigid cut grass collecting vessel, including a removable bag.The lawn-mower comprises a discharging duct thereto there is coupled the collecting vessel, as provided with a grid member for the outflow of the cut grass conveying air stream, by means of double-hinge members.To a wing portion of these latter there is articulated the grid member which is thus effective to be removed and moved away from the vessel.Thus in the vessel a bag may be fitted, being made of a plastics or flexible material, and the top edge or rim portion thereof is turned over on the mouth of the vessel.The cut grass, upon discharging from the lawn-mower, is able of being collected by the bag, which can be easily closed and removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A bagger attachment for a tractor has a bag frame that includes a pair of upright brackets fixed to the rear end of the tractor which support, for vertical sliding action, a pair of plates fixed to respective bag rims. There is provided, on the lawn mower, an upwardly and rearwardly projecting grass duct that has its upper discharge end positioned over the bag rims and which directs the grass clippings in a transverse direction. Flexible bags are provided on each of the rims and depend therefrom. A bagger lid receives the discharge end of the tube. The lid is mounted on an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the duct that extends through the opening in the lid so that as the lid is raised, the duct will slide through the opening. For discharging the bag, the rim may be raised to cause the horizontal plates to slide free of the vertical brackets.

Abstract: A compaction apparatus for use with lawn grooming equipment such as a lawn mower, leaf blower and the like, including a compactor housing having an inlet opening at one end to receive the refuse material picked up from the lawn and a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the housing to transport and compact the received material as it is advanced through the conveyor housing. Perforations in the housing provide outlets for evacuating from the housing, air and moisture separated from the compressed material as it is initially compacted in the housing. A flexible tubular collector casing or hose is extensibly connected to the outlet end of the compactor housing, into which the initially compacted material is continuously advanced.

Abstract: The grass catcher includes a disposable perforated catcher bag for connection to the discharge chute of a lawn mower. A catcher housing supports and surrounds the perforated bag in a manner which protects the mower operator and bystanders from being hit by projectiles which may pierce the bag. The housing includes a solid base pan which hooks onto the mower rear axle and a vertical shield which is hinged to the base and hooks onto a portion of the mower handle. A hood is hinged to the mower housing in a manner allowing it to cover the base pan and bag or be swung forward on the mower to expose the catcher bag. The shield can be unhooked and laid flat to provide greater exposure to the catcher bag. The mounting for the catcher allows for some vertical movement brought about by contact between the catcher base pan and the ground caused by the mower traversing rough or uneven terrain.

Abstract: A hover-type lawn mower being provided with a cover which fits over the shroud or housing for the rotatable blade. The cover is provided with openings so that the air flow therethrough forms an air cushion and also transports cut grass and leaves to a collecting area in the cover. The cover is further provided with releasable fastening means to the shroud, so that the cover can be removed when it is desired to empty the collected cut grass and leaves therein.

Abstract: A vacuum grass collecting apparatus for a tractor-type lawnmower having a rear discharge opening in its cutting deck and a rear power-take-off. A refuse container and a blower are independently mounted on the rear of a tractor-type lawnmower. The blower consists essentially of a housing having an intake opening and a discharge opening, a rotatable drive shaft having a plurality of impeller blades mounted thereon and a support bearing for the rotatable drive shaft. An articulated duct is positioned under the rear axle of the tractor-type lawnmower and interconnects the rear discharge opening in the cutting deck and the intake opening in the housing of the blower. Another duct interconnects the discharge opening in the housing of the blower and an intake opening in the refuse container. The entire apparatus is positioned between the two imaginary parallel vertical planes which contain the outer extremities of the tractor-type lawnmower.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower is provided with a grass collection bag arrangement comprising a bag holder having a flexible skirt for supporting a disposable collection bag. The bag holder is mountable on a mounting plate facing rearwardly on the mower housing and close coupled to a grass discharge chute formed on the housing. The bag holder is retained on the mounting plate by a pivotally mounted lever engagable with the bag holder frame and operable in the release position to actuate an ignition grounding switch to ground the ignition system of the mower engine. The mower engine power takeoff shaft is coupled to a rotary blade which is mounted on a hub having a cylindrical brake drum fixed thereto. A spring coil brake band is disposed around the brake drum and pivotally mounted at one end to the mower housing and connected at the opposite end to a flexible cable which is connected to the bag holder retaining lever.

Abstract: A grass collection bag which can be removably supported on a lawn mower comprises a main body portion having a first access opening which can be connected to the grass discharge outlet of the lawn mower and a second access opening which serves as an outlet through which accumulated grass clippings can be dumped from the bag. Foldable first and second end panels are joined along one edge to each other and attached to the main body portion of the bag adjacent to the second access opening. A cord member is connected to each of the end panels. The cord members are joined to effect simultaneous folding of each end panel upon itself and back along the main body portion of the bag to bring the junction of the end panels into a position overlying and closing the second access opening.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower 2 includes a housing 4 having a side discharge port 54 located downstream of a rear discharge port 52. A downwardly opening tunnel 32 is tilted from front to back to define a grass circulating passageway. Discharge ports 52 and 54 may be blocked so that tunnel 32 operates as an improved mulcher with the grass clippings being discharged therefrom in a substantially downward direction. Lawn mower 2 includes a grass receiving means 12 having a chute 140 which may be releasably coupled on rear deck 21 of housing 4. Chute 140 has an open mouth with an area which is much larger than the cross-sectional area of the chute to more easily empty a bag 126 attached to the chute. In addition, dispersal attachment 180 can be alternatively coupled to rear deck 21 for dispersing the cut grass clippings in a pattern behind housing 4.

Abstract: In a mower equipped with a grasscatcher, the grasscatcher is attached easily by means projecting upwardly from a deck of the mower, means being integral to a rigid portion of the grasscatcher and embracing the projecting means when the grasscatcher is mounted to the deck, and a block which cooperates with an upper lip on the rigid portion so as to restrain the grasscatcher from being detached unintentionally from the deck if the grasscatcher happens to be bumped from beneath, but so as to enable the grasscatcher to be detached easily.