Exmark Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Exmark Mfg. Co., Inc.

The Toro Company

Clark S Papke

Justin L Pryor

Gary L Nicholson

Daniel G Jameson

Garry W Busboom

Patrick D Sands

David Michael Cook

Alex W Buhr

Peter M Arendt

James W Lancaster

Merle W Gaedy

Stanton L Mapson

Sang Pheng

Tim D Andre

A ground working vehicle having a vehicle frame () is disclosed. An implement () is coupled to the vehicle frame () and extends between a first implement end and a second implement end. The implement () is adjusted to alter the rake angle between the first and second implement ends, to modify internal dimensions of the implement (), and/or to include a kick-down baffle. Further, the implement () may be adjusted manually, remotely, or automatically. For example, one or more actuators () can be coupled to the implement () to adjust as desired by the user. Further, one or controllers () can automatically adjust the implement (). Specifically, the implement () is adjusted to optimize operating parameters such as, e.g., runtime of the vehicle and/or quality of cut.

Ground working vehicle with adjustable implement

A soil penetrating apparatus having an automatic tool (e.g., aerator tine) depth control system and method. The system includes an actuator that sets and controls tine depth, a sensor that monitors tine depth, and a controller that controls the actuator in response to the sensor. In some embodiments, the actuator is a hydraulic actuator, wherein once tine depth is set, flow to the actuator is bypassed. A relief may be provided to allow the tines to lift to a shallower depth temporarily when soil hardness exceeds a threshold. The system may then automatically return the tines to the pre-selected depth once soil conditions permit.

Soil penetrating apparatus with depth control

A powered material broadcast spreader apparatus. The apparatus may include a granular material hopper having one or more upwardly extending walls that partially enclose an interior volume of the hopper. A first wall may define an opening passing outwardly from the interior volume. The apparatus may also include a motor surrounded by the one or more walls, and a motor cover having a contact surface congruent with a mating inner surface of the first wall. The motor cover is configured to form a motor compartment adapted to effectively isolate the motor from the interior volume, while permitting access to the motor from outside the hopper via the opening in the first wall.

Motorized material broadcast spreader apparatus

A push-pull cable system including a cable assembly, a stabilizing element, and a guide member. The stabilizing element and guide member may maintain alignment of a wire of the cable assembly as it pushes against a mechanism resistive force that is not aligned with the wire itself. As a result, the cable system may be utilized in applications wherein space constraints prevent alignment of the wire with the resistive force vector of the mechanism.

Control cable system incorporating stabilizer guide

A grounds maintenance vehicle such as a stand-on spreader/sprayer and a steering system for use with the same. In one embodiment, the steering system includes a laterally swinging control handle accessible by an operator standing on a platform of the vehicle. The handle controls movement of one or more steerable wheels such that lateral swinging of the control handle toward a left side results in a corresponding left turn, while lateral swinging of the control handle toward a right side results in a corresponding right turn.

Steering system and utility vehicle incorporating same

A jacking apparatus including a jack mount, the apparatus for use with a vehicle such as a riding lawn mower. The jack mount is, in one embodiment, configured to be attached to and removed from the vehicle without the use of tools. In one embodiment, the jack mount includes two jaws that effectively clamp to a frame of the mower. The clamping force is generated by the weight of the mower acting against a jacking force applied to the jack mount by an extensible jacking device.

Jack mount/system and vehicle incorporating same

A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever.

Control system and vehicle incorporating same

A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.

A mower includes a zero turn radius (ZTR) traction unit carrying a front mounted cutting deck. The cutting deck is suspended beneath a carrier frame by a height of cut adjustment system comprising a plurality of pivot links and suspension chains extending between the carrier frame and the cutting deck. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to one of the pivot links can simultaneously lift the chains or permit the chains to lower to change the height of the cutting deck relative to the carrier frame. This same cylinder can also fold the carrier frame and the cutting deck relative to the traction unit about a fold pivot axis when a fold latch is selectively released by the operator. The carrier frame includes a center step for helping the operator mount or dismount the traction unit. The center step has a front viewport for allowing an operator who is seated on the traction unit to view the front edge of the cutting deck.

Front rotary cutting deck having center step with front viewport

A mower includes a zero turn radius (ZTR) traction unit carrying a front mounted cutting deck. The cutting deck is suspended beneath a carrier frame by a height of cut adjustment system comprising a plurality of pivot links and suspension chains extending between the carrier frame and the cutting deck. A hydraulic cylinder coupled to one of the pivot links can simultaneously lift the chains or permit the chains to lower to change the height of the cutting deck relative to the carrier frame. This same cylinder can also fold the carrier frame and the cutting deck relative to the traction unit about a fold pivot axis when a fold latch is selectively released by the operator. The carrier frame includes a center step for helping the operator mount or dismount the traction unit. The center step has a front view-port for allowing an operator who is seated on the traction unit to view the front edge of the cutting deck.

Front rotary cutting deck having folded service/storage positions

Multiple belt mule drive apparatus and systems for use with ground maintenance vehicles are provided. The apparatus may include two endless belts each engageable with a drive sheave of a prime mover and a driven sheave of a cutting deck. Each drive belt may further contact a guide pulley and an idler pulley on a tension side and a slack side of the belt, respectively. In one embodiment, the drive sheave has an axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Preferably, the guide pulley and the idler pulley associated with the first endless belt are, when the vehicle is in an operating configuration, located on a first side of a vertical plane passing through the drive sheave axis, while the guide pulley and idler pulley associated with the second endless belt are located on a second side.

Growing community of inventors

Cortland, NE, United States of America

Clark S Papke