Briggs & Stratton, LLC

Denis A Oswald

James F Marshall

Mark J Melone

Steven J Weber

Erik R Slegelis

Travis Rasch

Richard Smith

Mark Lynch

Robert S Johnson

Mark W Emmer

Daniel W Edmonds

Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.

Suspension system and method

Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.

Zero-turn radius lawnmower with suspension system

Some embodiments include a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment with a plurality of transaxle assemblies supported by a suspended subframe, and a frame supported on a pair of front wheels at one end that is coupled to and pivotably suspends the subframe. Some embodiments include a power source with a drive pulley supported by the frame at an opposite end. Some embodiments include a belt coupling the drive pulley to a driven pulley of the transaxle assemblies. In some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies can be driven from the drive pulley by at least a portion of the belt. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of transaxle assemblies include a first and second transaxle assembly each coupled to a separate rear wheel. The first and second transaxle assemblies are suspended from the subframe, and can be pivoted together about the frame, and the at least one drive pulley.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including at least one subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including pivot axis. Some embodiments include at least one transaxle assembly supported on the at least one subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the at least one transaxle assembly. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the at least one subframe coupled to a power source not supported by the at least one subframe. Some embodiments include two independently suspended subframes, each independently pivotable on the pivot axis with respect to each other and the main frame.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system coupled to a main frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.

Some embodiments of the invention provide an independent suspension system coupled to a main-frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.

The cylinder head assembly includes a cast member, and a substantially planar member that is affixed to an upper end of the cast member. The substantially planar member includes apertures to anchor the intake and exhaust rocker studs, apertures that receive the intake and exhaust valve, and apertures that receive the push rod guides. The substantially planar member also has spring locators for the intake and exhaust valve return springs. The cast member is affixed to the engine cylinder, and includes cast intake and exhaust manifolds, bosses for receiving the intake and exhaust valves, a cast pocket for receiving the intake and exhaust push rods, and air cooling fins. A head cover is disposed on an opposite side of the planar member. The invention eliminates the need for two cast components.

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Hartford, WI, United States of America

Denis A Oswald