The Toro Company

Daniel E Peterson

Walter J Petersen

Dana R Lonn

Rex R Bergsten

Gaylord M Pahl

Randall J Bischel

John F Klos

Dale A Atkinson

A mower, such as a riding mower, has two side cutting units and a front cutting unit operatively connected to a traction frame. Each side cutting unit can pivot about a substantially vertical axis relative to the traction frame when impact shocks occur on the outer sides of the cutting units. A shock absorber cushions and absorbs such impact shocks, and resists the pivoting motion of the side cutting units, in a bi-directional fashion to be effective during forward or reverse motion of the traction frame.

Rotary side cutting unit for mower with bi-directional shock absorber for cutting unit

The present invention relates to an improved mechanism (100) for attaching a ground-engaging surface maintenance implement, preferably a front-mounted rotary sweeper (300), to a traction vehicle (200). The mechanism includes a four-bar linkage (102) to 'yaw' the implement from an initial position, where the sweeper brush axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the traction vehicle (200), to a first or second position, characterized by the brush axis assuming an angled (i.e., non-perpendicular) orientation, the first and second positions being equal but opposite to one another. The mechanism further includes a central pivot (104) which permits the implement to 'roll' or rotate preferably about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the brush axis such that the sweeper (300) can maintain ground contact across its lateral width when traversing laterally uneven terrain. The preferred mechanism also includes a force-producing device (148), selectively activated by the operator, to translate the implement from its initial position to the first or second position or anywhere in-between. Finally, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes ground-contacting caster-wheels (318) to support or partially support the weight of the sweeper and therefore relieve the weight borne by the sweeper brushes (304).

Connecting mechanism for attaching a ground-engaging surface maintenance

An evaluation tool for viewing local and remote irregularities in a turf surface. The tool includes a body structure having first and second turf engaging surfaces for supporting the body structure upon the turf surface in first and second inspection orientations. The tool further includes a reflector element to provide a view of a local turf segment to a user viewing from above when the body is in the first inspection orientation and a view of a remote turf segment when in the second inspection orientation. Indicia may be provided upon the tool for indicating vertical distances.

Optical turf evaluation device and method of use

A leak detector apparatus 10 is disclosed which measures changes in fluid level in a tube 54 substantially located within a reservoir 29 of hydraulic fluid. The tube 54 has a first end which is open to the atmosphere and a second end which is submerged in the hydraulic fluid. The reservoir 29 is selectively sealed, therefore changes in the volume of the fluid within the reservoir 29 cause the fluid level within the tube 54 to change in accordance with the principles of a manometer. A measuring device is utilized to determine the level of the fluid within the tube 54, wherein the measurement device can include a float 22 having a magnet 23 located thereon interacting with a linear array of Hall effect sensors 24. A controllable venting valve 28 is provided through the reservoir 29 to equalize the pressure within the tank with the external ambient pressure. The opening and closing of the venting valve 28 is controlled by an electronic controller device 30 that uses float position and hydraulic fluid temperature as inputs, among others. Accordingly, the float position can be reset within the tube to extend the range, thereby creating a virtual column.

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Northfield, MN, United States of America

Daniel E Peterson