Underslung Yieldable Rotary Mower Patents (Class 56/DIG22)
  • Patent number: 4903467
    Abstract: Lawn mower characterized in that the rear drive wheels (4) are mounted on a rear interconnecting member (6) in the form of a portico permitting mounting of a receptacle (7) for receiving cut grass directly on the outlet opening of the ejection channel of the cutter housing (5) between the rear wheels (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Etesia
    Inventor: Pierre Wolf
  • Patent number: 4893456
    Abstract: A mowing machine having a cutting path laterally positionable with respect to the path on which the mowing machine travels. A cutting deck is suspended beneath a tractor or other vehicle, on lateral tracks permitting a range of lateral movement across the longitudinal centerline of the tractor. Displacing the cutting deck from the normal position centered on the centerline displaces the cutting path to one side of the tractor, permitting mowing beneath obstacles or along other areas inaccessible to the mowing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: Robert H. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4882898
    Abstract: A connecting link structure for connecting a grass cutting unit to a position between front and rear wheels of a riding type lawn mower. The link structure comprises parallel front links and parallel rear links each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a vehicle body and at the other end to the grass cutting unit. A curved bracing auxiliary link extends from the pivotal connection between the vehicle body and one of the rear links, along this rear link, and then perpendicular to the other rear link to be secured to the other rear link at a point offset from the pivotal connection between the other rear link and the grass cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Samejima, Hironori Tsuchihashi, Tsuyoshi Sato, Toshihiko Hamada, Hideo Kida, Kiyoto Kasamatsu
  • Patent number: 4876846
    Abstract: The mower 10 has a rearwardly positioned power unit 11 and a forwardly positioned cutter unit 12 which are pivotably connected together by pivot mount 40. Tandem pumps 24, 25 and 26 are mounted to internal combustion engine 15 and extend parallel to the pivot axis 41 and project into the space above the arc of rotation of the cutter unit 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Kut Kwick Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Torras
  • Patent number: 4869057
    Abstract: A mower deck height and angle adjustment means is disclosed which utilizes adjustment to the length of a bolt extending between a mower deck suspension mechanism part and an in-line located flange to vary the relationship between the mower deck and the mower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Siegrist
  • Patent number: 4817728
    Abstract: Implements designed for attachment to a lawn and garden tractor include elongate attaching frames having the implement tool connected to first ends of the frames and transport wheels located so that the weight of the implement is distributed approximately half on opposite sides of the wheel axes so that the implement may be easily pushed about on the wheels during mounting and dismounting the implement to and from the tractor frame. Attachment brackets and lift links of the implements are engageable with attachment pins and lift crank arms of the tractor without necessitating any lifting of the implement. Also with driven implements, the drive belts are arranged on or stored with the implements so that the tractor drive may be easily and correctly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Schmid, Larry D. Hining, Frank K. O'Toole
  • Patent number: 4813215
    Abstract: A transmission for a multi-blade mower has a belt trained around a driving pulley and successively around driven pulleys for the blades. For driving, an idler pulley of a tensioner engages a portion of the belt that is "downstream" from the last driven pulley and "upstream" from the first one. When the tensioner idler is disengaged from the belt for slippage of the driving pulley relative to it, blade braking is effected by opposing stationary and movable brake members mounted at opposite sides of the belt at a normally straight stretch of it that is "downstream" from the tensioner and driving pulley and "upstream" from the first driven pulley, the movable brake member then cooperating with the stationary one to clampwise engage the belt and confine it in a groove in one of those members. Manual shifting of an actuator towards an "on" position tensions a spring that engages the tensioner with the belt, and such tension, through a toggle connection, tends to maintain the actuator in that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Chase, Michael T. Prevost
  • Patent number: 4807904
    Abstract: A riding mower chassis frame comprises a pair of identical beams extending along the chassis at its opposite sides. A one-piece channel-shaped member bridges the beams near the rear of the chassis to give the frame rigidity, provide for laterally swingable connection to the frame of a rear axle on which steerable wheels are mounted, and serve as a pan in which movable weights are carried. A platform mounted on the rear of the frame, for carrying interchangeable accessories, is swingable to and from a horizontal load carrying position about a transverse axis at the rear of the frame. An automatically engaging releasable latch on the platform cooperates with another frame member that bridges across the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Kamlukin, Donald G. Penkoske, John W. Schanz
  • Patent number: 4787646
    Abstract: The riding mower chassis of this invention has laterally spaced front traction wheels, attachment fittings for a mower that rides in front of those wheels, and laterally spaced rear wheels that can float up and down to accommodate terrain irregularities, For such floating a rear axle has at its midpoint a pivot connection with the frame whereby its ends can swing up and down, and the rear wheels are mounted on its ends for rotation and for swiveling relative to it. Swiveling of the rear wheels is controlled by an operator seated on the chassis from a steering wheel at its front. A pair of cable stretches that have their front ends connected with the steering wheel shaft extend rearwardly at the underside of the chassis frame to connections with a steering linkage on the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Kamlukin, John W. Schanz
  • Patent number: 4779406
    Abstract: A mower deck assembly which inverts to enable servicing of the mower blade and underside of the deck from above without removal of the assembly from the power unit. Deck support arms are pivotally connected to the power unit and deck and can be elevated to permit tilting of the deck beyond a perpendicular to the terrain. Terrain engaging deck support outboard of the deck pivot connections develop a gravity moment retaining the tilted position when they are engaged with terrain outboard of the pivot connections. Drive coupling is maintained by a continuous loop link between drive shafts coaxial with the pivot connections at the drive unit and at the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Walter J. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 4760687
    Abstract: An improved mower clutch control is disclosed that transforms part of the upward height control movement of a mower deck into a forward declutching movement by angularly deflecting the mower deck in an arc through use of a pivotally connected lost motion lockout bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Siegrist
  • Patent number: 4760686
    Abstract: A device for attaching a working implement to the front of a running vehicle for performing work while following the ground comprises a pair of opposite inflexible links pivoted at their rear ends to the front of the vehicle. These inflexible links are movable upwardly or downwardly and each link has a front end for movably supporting the front portion of the implement about a lateral pivot. A pair of opposite suspenders are each mounted on a longitudinally intermediate portion of each link for suspending the rear portion of the implement, each of the suspenders including a rod assembly pivotally connectable to the implement's rear portion and a resilient member. The rod assembly is inserted in an upstanding state through the link and is movable axially thereof to thereby permit upward or downward movement of the implement's rear portion due to the movement of the implement about the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Kubota Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Samejima, Teruo Shimamura, Takao Sakatsuji, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Masatami Fukuda, Hideo Kida
  • Patent number: 4747255
    Abstract: An agricultural mower including a parallel linkage suspension mechanism for the cutter assembly, the suspension mechanism including swing arms which in the use position are substantially vertically oriented, enabling the cutter assembly, upon striking an object, to respond by moving quickly rearwardly relative to the forwardly traveling main frame, and then, as the pendulum action continues, to elevate the cutter assembly above the obstruction to a clearing height. In the use position, the cutter bar and guards are directed down and forward defining the lowest and leading part of the cutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Thomas V. Roden
  • Patent number: 4736575
    Abstract: An improved ride-on rotary lawnmower comprises a cutter device having one or more blades rotating about an axis substantially perpendicular to the ground and contained in a downwardly open casing provided with a rear duct for the discharge of cut grass. The casing of the cutter device of the lawnmower is mounted between front wheels and rear wheels. The bottom of the rear duct of the cutter casing is closed by a wall pivoted about the rear lower side of the duct. A rear grass box is carried either by the casing of the cutting device or by the frame of the lawnmower. A roller is located in the space between the two rear wheels and always in contact with the ground independently from the height from the ground of the cutter casing. The roller occupies the entire space between the rear wheels but does not extend laterally of the rear wheels. The axis of the roller lies in the vertical plane which passes through the axis of the rear wheels and is not displaced to any substantial extent from this axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Siag S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luisa Fedeli
  • Patent number: 4737067
    Abstract: A pair of mount members extending longitudinally of the body of a tractor are fixedly provided at opposite sides of the tractor body. A pair of projecting brackets positioned toward the front from the steps of the tractor extend laterally outward from front portions of the pair of mount members and are provided with a pair of opposite mount portions for a front loader and with a pair of opposite front mount portions for a working implement of the mid-mount type. A pair of opposite rear mount portions for the implement are provided at opposite sides of longitudinally intermediate portions of the mount members or of a longitudinally intermediate portion of the tractor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Samejima, Akio Hamada, Hironori Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 4733522
    Abstract: This invention relates to a riding mower comprising a chassis supporting a driving unit intended to propell the wheels of the mower as well as a cutting attachment which is provided on the mower. The cutting attachment is movably fastened to the chassis and can by means of an operating device be brought from a lower cutting position to an upper non cutting position. The mower has a movable part shaped as a guard (58) which joins the chassis (10) and at least partially hides the cutting attachment (11) the guard being connected to the cutting attachment in order to follow its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Husquarna Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Rolf A. G. Johansson
  • Patent number: 4679382
    Abstract: A riding type mower includes steered front wheels and driven rear wheels arranged in the front and rear parts of a vehicle body, respectively, a mowing cutter mechanism disposed under the vehicle body, a driver's seat disposed on the vehicle body, and an engine for driving the rear wheel and the mowing cutter mechanism. The driver's seat is disposed substantially at the longitudinally central part of the vehicle body, the engine is disposed below the driver seat, a fuel supply system of the engine is disposed at one side of the engine, and an exhaust system of the engine is disposed at the other side of the engine. Power of the engine is transmitted through a pulley belt to an input shaft of a transmission gearing for the rear wheels, with the transmission gearing being disposed behind a rear axle, and concurrently from the input shaft through another pulley belt to the cutter mechanism which is level-adjustably disposed substantially in the longitudinal central part of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Saruhashi, Masato Ara, Takanori Suzuki, Gunji Saito, Atsushi Kojima
  • Patent number: 4663923
    Abstract: A self-propelled mower having a forwardly projected power unit containing a motor and mowing assembly, the deck is rotatably mounted on the axle of the machine so that the mower assembly can be raised and lowered in reference to the ground. The mower contains a riding unit mounted behind the axle. A linear actuator is secured to the riding unit that has an extendable rod which is coupled to the power unit by a pivoted link. The power unit is placed in a mowing position when the rod is extended and in an elevated position when the rod is retracted. The actuator is driven by a reversible electric motor that is controlled by a switch mounted upon the steering control of the mower so that the operator can raise and lower the mower without releasing the steering control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Ferris Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Boice
  • Patent number: 4621699
    Abstract: In a riding lawn tractor having a parallelogram front wheel suspension, a rigid support member on the tractor frame is of inverted U-shaped cross-section, with downwardly projecting front and rear walls, and the wheel brackets are pivoted to its opposite ends. A tubular bushing has one end portion received in a closely fitting hole in one of those walls; a flange secured to the bushing near its other end flatwise overlies the other wall and is bolted to it. A power takeoff shaft is rotatably housed in the bushing and has end portions that project forwardly and rearwardly beyond it for connection to a front-mounted implement and an underslung mower, one of those end portions also supporting a pulley for a belt connection between the shaft and the tractor engine. The bushing also serves as a trunnion for a tiltable mower hitch support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Slazas
  • Patent number: 4577455
    Abstract: A grass cutting height indicator in a combination of a lawn mower and a power-driven tractor having an operator's seat, including a lawn mower unit suspended from a tractor frame of the tractor, an adjusting lever disposed adjacent to the operator's seat, and a link mechanism operatively connected between the adjusting lever and the lawn mower unit for adjusting the height of the lawn mower unit above ground in response to operation of the adjusting lever. The indicator comprises an indicator member mounted on the link mechanism and having indicia for indicating grass cutting heights, and an indicator window defined in a tractor body adjacent to the operator's seat, the indicator member being positioned so that the indicia has at least a portion thereof facing the indicator window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Amano, Kazuhiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4563019
    Abstract: A vehicle has a forward end portion which extends above a portion of an implement mounted to the front of the vehicle by a pair of hydraulically controlled lift arms. A latch link is connected to one and has a hook engageable with the other of the vehicle forward end portion and the implement when the implement is in a raised, inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John B. Kuhn, Lloyd A. Wykhuis, David K. Stricker
  • Patent number: 4502271
    Abstract: The rotary mower has a blade housing supported on wheels for travel along the ground and including a top deck, a front wall and opposed side walls depending from the top deck, a rear wall depending from the top deck and extending transversely between the rear portions of the side walls, and a plurality of cutter blades which are mounted inside the blade housing and are rotated in the same direction about laterally spaced vertical axes. A flexible flap extending transversely generally coextensively with the rear wall and extending substantially vertically down to engage the mowed grass forms an effective air seal substantially across the rear of the blade housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Loren F. Hansen, John E. Hicks
  • Patent number: 4490966
    Abstract: A hitch structure includes a pair of arms each having their opposite ends vertically pivotally connected to a vehicle and an implement. The arms each include first and second sections pivotally inter-connected to each other at a location between the vehicle and an adjacent end of the implement. A stop block is carried by each first section and limits the flexure of the sections about their pivotal inter-connection. The remote end of the implement is supported on a pair of caster wheels and flexible members support the adjacent end of the implement from the arms. Lift actuators are connected to the arms and are operable to lower the first sections of the arms to the extent that the adjacent end of the implement rests on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John B. Kuhn, Lloyd A. Wykhuis
  • Patent number: 4442660
    Abstract: A front-mounted rotary mower is coupled to a vehicle by a pair of vertically swingable lift arms coupled between the vehicle and mounting brackets located in a central portion of the mower blade housing. A lift mechanism includes a pair of linkages respectively coupled between the pair of lift arms and the rear of the blade housing. Each linkage includes one link which carries a roller at one end disposed for engagement with the vehicle frame as the lift arms are swung upwardly, which action causes the one link to pivot to effect elevation of the rear end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: John B. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4441306
    Abstract: A vehicle includes hydraulically actuated lift arms which are pivotally connected to central locations of the top of a mower blade housing and are operative for moving the mower vertically between working and transport positions. When the mower is in its working position, a pair of caster wheels suppports the front of the blade housing while the rear of the housing is supported from the lift arms by a pair of suspension assemblies. Each of the suspension assemblies includes a fore-and-aft extending adjuster screw which is operable for effecting selected fore-and-aft movement of an adjuster bracket, which is connected to an associated lift arm by a chain, so as to cause the rear end of the housing to be adjusted vertically. These suspension assemblies cooperate with adjustment mechanisms associated with the caster wheels to place the mower at different cutting heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: John B. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4429515
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improved lawn mowing machine with a forward mounted mower deck including a plurality of rotary cutters. The blades or cutters rotate in opposite direction on opposite sides of the deck to bring the grass clippings to a deck mounted central vacuum. The mower blades are driven by a belt drive to eliminate expensive drive shafts and gearboxes. Applicant's 45.degree. twist belt drive geometry provides increased life to the belt over prior art 90.degree. twist belt drive geometries.The mower deck includes novel side mower wings. A combined clutch and brake mechanism disengages the drive belt to the wing blade spindle and simultaneously brings the blade to a stop within one second when the wing is raised beyond its cutting range. The wing deck is attached to the mower central deck by a depressed hinge substantially close to the elevation of the mower blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Inventors: Robert D. Davis, Jr., James S. Schucker
  • Patent number: 4416109
    Abstract: A mower hitch support (103) pivoted to the front of a tractor (11) has a connection (126, 128, 132) with an axle link (46) interconnecting front wheels (17, 18) mounted individually on the tractor frame (12) to cause an underslung mower to tilt laterally in response to the front wheels encountering undulations in the ground thereby substantially avoiding scalping of the lawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Slazas
  • Patent number: 4395865
    Abstract: The invention comprises an improved lawn mowing machine for large expanses of grass around apartment complexes, commercial facilities and golf courses. The mower is self propelled with a forward mounted mower deck including a plurality of rotary cutters. The blades or cutters rotate in opposite directions on opposite sides of the deck to bring the grass clippings to a deck mounted central vacuum. The mower blades are driven by a belt drive to eliminate expensive drive shafts and gearboxes. Applicant's 45.degree. twist belt drive geometry provides increased life to the belt over prior art 90.degree. twist belt drive geometries.The mower deck includes novel side mower wings. A combined clutch and brake mechanism disengages the drive belt to the wing blade spindle and simultaneously brings the blade to a stop within one second when the wing in raised beyond its cutting range. The wing deck is attached to the mower central deck by a depressed hinge substantially close to the elevation of the mower blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Inventors: Robert D. Davis, Jr., James S. Schucker
  • Patent number: 4341059
    Abstract: There is provided a coupling section which comprises a main planar body having an aperture at one end. Extending from the main planar body on a first side is a rod. Secured to the end of this rod is a depending flange having an aperture coaxial with the aperture in the main body. An extending tab is secured to the vehicle body and is aligned between the flange and the main body. The tab has an aperture which, when aligned with the apertures in the flange and main body, provide a pivot point when a suitable pin or bolt is inserted through the apertures. The other side of the planar body contains a box-like housing having an extending rod to which a movable piston associated with a hydraulic cylinder is coupled. The cylinder body is rigidly secured to the vehicle chassis. The front end of the planar body has a transverse flange to which one end of a cutting head support beam is coupled. The other end of the beam is coupled to one side of a cutting head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: LeHara Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gerzanich
  • Patent number: 4325211
    Abstract: A riding mower (2) includes a cutting unit (6) suspended from a traction unit (4). Cutting unit (6) is suspended from a forwardly extending frame (8) by four suspension units (40-43). Each suspension unit includes an upwardly opening saddle member (44) in which a pin (51) carried on cutting unit (6) is received. At least some of the pins (51) are longitudinally constrained in the saddle members (44) to longitudinally couple cutting unit (6) to frame (8). This allows cutting unit (6) to move upwardly relative to frame (8) at each of the suspension units to allow the cutting unit (6) to tilt or float relative to frame (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Witt, Walter J. Petersen
  • Patent number: 4321783
    Abstract: A mid-mounted mower disposed below the body of a tractor is suspended from the tractor body upwardly or downwardly movably by a pair of opposed flexible link assemblies each flexible about an axis extending longitudinally of the tractor body. During mowing the mower is movable up and down following rises and falls of the ground, while when running on a road or the like, the mower is lifted in a substantially horizontal position by a hydraulic cylinder connected between the pair of link assemblies, or by a hydraulic unit in a rear portion of the tractor body through wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kawasaki, Hirofumi Sadakane
  • Patent number: 4317324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for motor-driven ride-on lawn mowers of the type where the cutting assembly is placed in front of the front axle, in which the front wheels are adapted as driving and braking wheels and the rear wheels as steering wheels. The new feature is that the brake mechanism acting upon the front wheels is provided with a modulation apparatus which, independently of the power exerted by the driver on the brake pedal or the like, prevents the braking power acting upon the wheels from reaching the amount where the wheels would be locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Stiga AB
    Inventors: Gunnar Malmberg, Roger Andersson, Kjell Pettersson
  • Patent number: 4317325
    Abstract: A belt tension and timing adjustment mechanism particularly for the timing belt of a lawn mower or the like having a plurality of rotary cutting blades. One rotary blade is mounted to the mower deck by a mounting plate having a plurality of bolts. The deck includes an aperture which closely receives one of the bolts, which defines a pivot axis, and the remaining bolts are received in elongated slots for pivotal movement of the rotary blade assembly to adjust the tension in the belt. The plate is rotated on the pivot axis by an adjustment bolt assembly having a bolt received through integral tabs on the adjustment plate and deck. The plate is spring biased by a spring and spacer assembly on the bolt against the tension of the belt, wherein the correct belt tension is indicated by the space between the adjustment bolt head and the plate tab, making belt tension adjustments simple and accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: J. I. Case Comany
    Inventor: John H. Marto
  • Patent number: 4316356
    Abstract: A rotary blade type cutting system for cutting grass or the like at a uniform height either on a flat surface, an inclined surface, or along the border adjacent a surface depression. The system is especially useful for cutting the bordering grass around golf course sand traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Inventor: Eugene J. Planeta
  • Patent number: 4313295
    Abstract: The riding lawn mower includes a prime mover supported on wheels for movement over the ground, a blade housing carrying one or more cutter blades and having leading and trailing end portions, one or more ground engaging wheels partially supporting the blade housing for gaging the distance the leading end portion of the blade housing travels above the ground, and a suspension system mounting the trailing end portion of the blade housing on the front end of the prime mover and arranged to transfer a portion of the weight of the blade housing to the prime mover so that the prime mover front wheels gage the distance and trailing end portion of the blade housing travels above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Loren F. Hansen, Ronald M. Stolley
  • Patent number: 4310997
    Abstract: A two point hitch for a mowing implement towed by a two point hitch tractor. The hitch structure includes a pair of upstanding plates which are pivotally pinned to the hitch arms of the tractor. A pair of support arms projecting from the implement underlie the hitch arms. When the hitch arms are raised, the support arms come into contact with them and the implement is thereafter raised in unison with the hitch arms to an elevated transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventor: Paul Streicher
  • Patent number: 4304141
    Abstract: In a tractor power take-off system in which first and second PTO shafts are disposed in the transmission case, the transmission case has at the bottom wall thereof an opening for taking off power to the second PTO shaft and there is disposed a PTO gear speed-change mechanism commonly used for both the first and second PTO shafts. The PTO gear speed-change mechanism has a PTO speed-change shift gear meshed all the times with a large-width speed-change gear for transmitting power to the second PTO shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatsugu Tone, Yasuhisa Matsushita
  • Patent number: 4300332
    Abstract: In a power-driven riding lawn mower, a safety control is provided for auttically disengaging and stopping the cutting blade when the operator leaves the lawn mower or raises his feet while seated on the lawn mower. The control is operated through a foot bar engageable by the operator's feed to permit the cutting blade to rotate during a cutting operation but when the operator raises his feet from the foot bar or dismounts from the mower, the control will activate mechanisms for disengaging the drive and applying a positive brake to the cutting blade. While the control will permit the operator to manually disengage the drive and apply a brake to the cutting blade while the foot bar is depressed by the operator's feet, the control will not permit the operator to reengage the drive while the foot bar is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: McDonough Power Equipment, Division of Fuqua Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Harold P. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4297830
    Abstract: An improved bean harvester comprising a frame attachable to a tractor, the frame having a transverse mounting shaft between the front and rear tractor wheels, and a plurality of cutting blades each pivotally mounted to the shaft and each having a presetting height adjustment and cutting angle adjustment and blade cleaning scraper, each cutter blade being independently hydraulically powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Inventor: Donald E. Dufner
  • Patent number: 4291522
    Abstract: A mower comprising a mower frame attached to the bottom of a vehicle body, cutting blades rotatably supported by vertical shafts on the mower frame, a drive assembly on the frame for rotating the blades, arms supported on the frame and pivotally movable upward or downward, gauge members supported by the free ends of the pivotal arms, an operating member operatively connected to the pivotal arms for pivotally moving the arms, and locking means for disengageably holding the operating member. The mower frame is upwardly or downwardly movable by the movement of the pivotal arms with the gauge members in engagement with the ground to position the cutting blades at the desired level. The blades are retainable at this level by the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Kubota Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kawasaki, Hirofumi Sadakane
  • Patent number: 4263977
    Abstract: A vehicle, its frame, with a driver's seat, mounted on two rear wheels and a single steerable front wheel, is made to enable a wheel-mounted motor-driven rotary mower to be removably installed with its rear wheels between those of the vehicle, its front wheels behind the vehicle's front wheel. A drive to the vehicle's front wheel is releasably connectible to the drive shaft of the mower's motor, and means are provided for automatically lifting the mower's front wheels above the ground when the vehicle's front wheel is turned to steer to one side or the other, so as to prevent the mower wheels from being dragged sideways across the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Paul E. Willett
  • Patent number: 4231215
    Abstract: A single V-belt power transmission is provided for a three-spindle rotary mower without the belt crossing over itself or being subject to severe twists. The three spindles of the mower are disposed on vertical axes to form a triangular pattern with the lead or apex angle being forwardly of the other two spindles which are spaced laterally of one another. A swingable clutch idler and a fixed axis idler engage the flat backside of the V-belt and are so positioned on the mower housing that the single V-belt has a large arc of contact with the pulley on the central lead spindle and with a drive pulley positioned forwardly of the lead spindle. The idler pulleys also serve to so position the belt that there will be no contact between runs of the belt. The invention is illustrated in an underslung mower attachment for a riding tractor and includes an automatic brake, a manually operated height adjusting mechanism and a manual control for raising the mower to a transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Klas
  • Patent number: 4187924
    Abstract: A right side discharge mower mounted on a tractor having a rear, clockwise-turning power take off shaft is provided with a belt drive including a drive pulley on the power take off shaft, a pair of upper idlers above the drive pulley, a pair of lower idlers below the drive pulley and an endless belt entrained about the lower side of the drive pulley and having its advance and return runs extending upwardly around the upper idlers, downwardly rearward of the drive pulley to the lower idlers, and forwardly to loop around the clockwise-turning mower input pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventor: Joseph P. Deschamps
  • Patent number: 4159613
    Abstract: The mower attachment includes a drive subassembly which is adapted to be detachably connected to the front axle of the tractor. Specifically, the drive subassembly is adapted to be connected to downwardly opening channel members rigidly secured to transverse, oscillating front axle member. The mower attachment also includes a mower subassembly which is connected to the drive subassembly by a draft link structure. The drive subassembly includes a clutch pulley rotatably mounted on a clutch pulley support bracket which is in turn pivotally connected to a frame part of the drive subassembly so that it may swing between clutching and declutching positions. The clutch pulley support bracket is connected to a clutch control lever on the tractor by a disconnectable clutch control linkage. The drive subassembly also includes an idler pulley disposed on an oblique axis forwardly of the clutch pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventors: Henry T. Knudson, Kenneth H. Klas
  • Patent number: 4120136
    Abstract: Linkage for supporting a mower beneath a tractor, having first and second pairs of interconnected links and with the first pair pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the front axle of tractor and rockable about a fore and aft horizontally disposed axis. The second pair of links is connected to the frame of the tractor. Foot pedal means connected to the linkage adjusts height of mower in opposition to force of spring means attached to linkage and frame which tends to urge linkage into folded condition beneath tractor frame. Rocking action of front axle through linkage causes mower to follow ground contour to provide an even cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Massey-Ferguson Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Howard Rose
  • Patent number: 4106269
    Abstract: Side-to-side leveling of a mower is facilitated by a two part lever connected to a ground roller axle. The ground rollers are rotatably mounted on a single horizontal transverse axle which in turn is connected to the rear of the mower housing through a pair of laterally spaced arms secured to a transverse rock shaft. One of the arms includes a first part rigidly secured to the transverse rock shaft and a second part which is pivotally connected to the transverse rock shaft and connected to the first part by a bolt and nut. The part rigidly secured to the rock shaft includes a slot through which the bolt extends which permits the second arm part to be angularly adjusted about the rock shaft axis relative to the first arm part. This permits one end of the roller axle to be adjusted vertically relative to the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventor: Henry T. Knudson
  • Patent number: 4102114
    Abstract: An implement for a tractor is provided with a height adjusting mechanism, including a control lever swingable in a horizontal plane about a fixed vertical axis and operably coupled with an articulate linkage for translating the horizontal swinging of the lever to vertical movement of the implement without creating a force moment thereacross. The articulate linkage spans a pivotal coupling between the main frame of the implement and a mounting bracket secured to the tractor such that the linkage operates to swing the bracket and frame toward and away from one another causing the pivotal coupling to move up and down. A belt drive on the implement is maintained in constant, substantially uniform tension by a shiftable idler pulley operably coupled with the control lever for automatic belt-tension adjustment in response to raising and lowering of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Estes, Gerald D. Williams
  • Patent number: 4099366
    Abstract: Streaking is eliminated in a rear discharge twin-bladed grass cutter by a baffle between the two blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: AMF Incorporated
    Inventor: Clifford D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4041678
    Abstract: A "short turn" vehicle having front and rear, centerline mounted, power driven, steerable wheels, and a pair of outrigger stabilizing wheels that are mounted on a rigid frame which is restrained against all but vertical movement relative to the frame. The vehicle is capable of zero radius turns under full load. The vehicle is ideally suited as a conveyance of rotary mowers since the vehicle's wheels "guard" the rotary mowing unit and three preferred arrangements thereof are shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventors: Ray Owen Chaney, Emsley M. Chaney