Deere & Company

Delta Systems, Inc.

Noma Outdoor Products Inc.

Murray Outdoor Products Inc.

Harlin J Trefz

Robert Neil Fox

Ronald Lee Reichen

Kenneth Edward Hunt

Curtis R Bening

Benjamin J Swart

Ted Wetzel

Carlos Alejandro Diaz

Eric A Howard

Brian Richard Clement

Wayne R Hutchison

John B Kuhn

Douglas A Pohl

Christopher Scott Thorman

Carl Steven Silbernagel

Thomas G Bartlett

Shane D Simon

Keith A Mosley

John Louis Bocksnick

Robert Alan Henson

Bradley P Aldridge

John D Sundberg

Troy W Harris, Iii

Thomas John Deves

Donald William Ertmer

Robert R Boyd

Joe Deschamps

David Orrin Ross

Daniel T Hergatt

Christopher L Flowers

Carl S Silbernagel

Robert Alen Henson

Troy W Harris Lll

John Boyd Kuhn

A quick change rotary mower blade assembly includes a mower blade attached to a blade assembly pin that is inserted into an internal bore in a spindle extending through a housing under the mower deck. A blade retainer on the lower end of the spindle has a pair of notches holding and locking the mower blade in place.

Quick change rotary mower blade assembly

An aerator having a flexible frame for use on sloped or undulating ground surfaces of golf courses and other turf. The aerator includes a pair of frame sections linked together at a horizontal pivot axis, one of the frame section supporting a coring head. A ground sensor is pivotably attached to one of the frame sections so that the ground sensor may pivot in response to changes in ground slope and provide output relating to the magnitude of the change. Based on the output, a flex frame actuator pivots the pair of frame sections with respect to each other.

Aerator having flexible frame

An automatic connection mechanism for a mid-mounted implement to a tractor is disclosed. The automatic connection mechanism includes a rear lift linkage pivotably attached to the tractor, that automatically and releasably engage the rear of the implement. The forward lift linkage is pivotably attached to the front of the implement, and automatically and releasably engages the forward end of the tractor. A PTO coupling member also is attached to the rear lift linkage to engage an opposing PTO coupling member on the implement.

Automatic connection mechanism for mid-mounted implement

Dual lever steering controls with control stops are provided for a zero turning radius mower. Each control arm is mounted to a neutral position lever that is pivotable between a full forward drive position and a full reverse drive position. Each control stop is mounted to block the control arm and neutral position lever from pivoting to a position under a minimum forward speed. Each control stop may be biased to the minimum forward speed position, and also may be pivotable between an operating position and a non-operating position.

Dual lever steering controls with control stops

An automatic connection mechanism for a mid-mounted implement to a tractor. The automatic connection mechanism includes a rear lift linkage pivotably attached to the tractor, that automatically and releasably engage the rear of the implement. The forward lift linkage is pivotably attached to the front of the implement, and automatically and releasably engages the forward end of the tractor. A PTO coupling member also is attached to the rear lift linkage to engage an opposing PTO coupling member on the implement.

An electronic engine speed control system for a grass mowing machine powered by an internal combustion engine includes a microcontroller providing an output signal to an engine speed actuator for the engine, a pedal position sensor connected to a foot pedal and providing a voltage input signal to the microcontroller based on the position of the foot pedal, a PTO clutch switch providing a signal input to the microcontroller indicating if a PTO clutch is engaged, and a lever position sensor connected to a hand lever and having a range of positions including an Automatic mode position and a plurality of Manual mode positions. The hand lever position sensor provides a voltage input signal to the microcontroller in the Automatic mode position such that the microcontroller output to the engine speed actuator is related to the voltage inputs from the pedal position sensor and PTO clutch switch, and provides a voltage input signal to the microcontroller in a range of Manual mode positions such that the microcontroller output to the engine speed actuator is related to the voltage input from the lever position sensor.

Electronic engine speed control system for grass mowing machine

An electric implement lift system for mower cutting units may include an electric motor having a rotatable output shaft with a pivot bracket mounted thereto, a lift link or a pair of lift links, each lift link having a first end connected to the pivot bracket and a second end connected to a lift arm, the output shaft rotatable in a first direction to raise the mower cutting unit and in a second direction to lower the mower cutting unit. The output shaft may be rotatable in the first direction to move the cutting unit to a top/center position and rotatable further in the first direction to move the cutting unit to a raised/transport position.

Electric implement lift system for mower cutting units

Transport brackets are welded onto the top surface of the mower deck, each transport bracket having vertical plates with holes extending transversely through the plates. Pins extend through at least one hole in the plates and are secured to a rear mounted hitch of a tractor. The mower deck may be lifted and transported in a raised position behind the tractor, and also may be pivoted to a position for servicing.

Transport method and apparatus for mower deck

A quick attaching coupler is mounted to a tractor three point hitch, with a first actuator linked to latches on both sides of the hitch. The first actuator may be moved by a seated operator between a first position wherein both latches are unlatched and a second position wherein both latches are latched. A quick PTO coupler is mounted to the quick attaching coupler, and has a sleeve carrying a first end of a tractor PTO shaft. The sleeve pivots independently of the latches between a first PTO disengaged position and a second PTO engaged position. A second actuator linked to the sleeve may be moved by the seated operator between a first position wherein the PTO is disengaged and a second position wherein the PTO is engaged.

Implement and power take off attachment system

A drive over mower deck has a top surface with downwardly depending surfaces defining a front edge, a back edge, and left and right side edges, at least one belt shield over the top surface, a first pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the front edge the deck, and a second pair of gauge wheels mounted adjacent the back edge of the deck. Each pair of gauge wheels is movable vertically to at least one position above the ground surface such that the mower deck is supported by the front edge, back edge, and left and right side edge. Each gauge wheel being releasably lockable at a plurality of different positions.

Drive over mower deck

A reverse implement option for a tractor or mowing vehicle is activated by moving the reverse foot pedal to an intermediate position. An arm linked to the reverse foot pedal pivots in response to movement of the reverse foot pedal to the intermediate position to actuate a reverse sensing switch. The reverse sensing switch is actuated before a transmission control rod, which links the reverse foot pedal to a hydrostatic transmission swash plate, enables reverse travel of the tractor or vehicle. The PTO operates during reverse travel of the tractor if both the hand operated bypass switch and the reverse sensing switch are actuated.

Reverse implement option using reverse pedal

An engine with an integral actuator for a vehicle having an implement needing control. The engine includes a crank shaft, and a pump in a housing and an actuator that extends from the housing. The pump is operably connected to the crank shaft to produce a flow of fluid, such as oil, from the pump to the actuator. A valve is operably connected to the pump or the actuator to selectively move the actuator.

Engine with integral actuator

A self-propelled power equipment unit having a frame with a handle having a general U-shaped rear end; a drive located on the frame and connected to a drive wheel by a transmission; and a user actuated control connected to the transmission. The user actuated control comprises a speed control lever pivotably connected to the handle proximate the U-shaped rear end and an operator presence lever pivotably connected to the speed control lever.

Walk-behind self-propelled power equipment unit with speed control

A hydrostatic transmission with an integral actuator for a vehicle having an engine and a frame. The assembly includes a transmission housing for connection to a vehicle frame, a shaft for coupling the hydrostatic transmission to an output of a vehicle engine, a pump driven by the shaft and an actuator operatively coupled to the pump that is attached to the transmission housing.

Hydrostatic transmission with integral actuator

A belt driven auxiliary blower is provided for use with rotary mower decks used in wet and difficult cutting conditions. The blower is pivotally and slidably attachable to the deck for ease of installation and removal. It includes a quick release latch mechanism that allows it to swing open for cleanout or service. A lockable tensioner is provided that permits clean out of the impeller, quick replacement of the belt or removal of the blower when its use is not desired. The blower impeller also rotates in a direction that complements the flow of the cut material being discharged to minimize blockages in the impeller chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Jackson, TN, United States of America

Harlin J Trefz