The Toro Company

Helmut J Ullrich

Gordon R Schmidt

Malachy P Fay

Michael G Roy

Jimmie D Sinden

John M Beattle

A mower for cutting grass comprises a traction frame that is self-propelled over the ground by a power source carried on the traction frame. The mower includes a thumb wheel throttle control that progressively increases and decreases the power output of the power source as the thumb wheel is rotated in one direction or an opposite direction. The thumb wheel has a plurality of tabs that define grooves on an arcuate rim on the thumb wheel for receiving a thumb or index finger of one of the operator's hands.

Mower with thumb wheel throttle control

An improved rake assembly for a sandtrap maintenance machine comprises a rake frame having a transverse row or rows of scarifying teeth. A trowel plate is fixed to the rake frame and trails behind the scarifying teeth and includes a substantially planar lower edge comprising a horizontal flange that bears against the sand to smooth out the sand disturbed by the scarifying teeth. In addition, a finishing rake is moveably attached to the rake frame to trail behind both the scarifying teeth and the trowel plate to allow the finishing rake to further groom and smooth the surface of the sand. The trowel plate is adjustably carried on the rake frame to be capable of vertical adjustment up and down relative to the rake frame. This vertical adjustment allows the height of the scarifying teeth of the rake frame to be quickly adjusted without having to individually adjust the scarifying teeth one by one.

Sandtrap maintenance machine rake assembly

A grooming reel is carried on a greenmower between the front roller and the cutting reel. An improved adjustment unit is provided for changing the height of the grooming reel relative to the ground. The adjustment unit comprises an elongated rod connected to a support member on which the grooming reel is carried. A rotatable knob longitudinally draws the rod slightly along its axis to fine-tune the operating position of the grooming reel. In addition, the rod can be moved along its axis to raise and lower the grooming reel between an upper position and the operating position without disturbing the adjustment of the grooming reel in its operating position.

Growing community of inventors

Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Helmut J Ullrich