Outboard Marine Corporation

Ransomes America Corporation

Other

Mark E Lamb

Loren F Hansen

David E Merchant

Mark L Cozine

David G Ferguson

A gang mower, with a frame supported upon plurality of ground engaging wheels, a prime mover, and a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers. At least one of the reel-type mowers is secured to an arm member which is secured to and pivots about frame so that the reel-type mower may be moved from an operating position beneath the frame to a service position adjacent to the frame. An electric motor provides the driving torque for moving the mower over surfaces to be mowed. Individual electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. Further, electrically driven lift mechanisms move the reel-type lawn mowers between a lowered operating position in which the reel lawn mowers engage the turf being mowed and a raised non-operating or transport position. The pivot support includes a king pin secured to the frame. The king pin enables movement of a swing member. An arm secured to the swing member may be releasably secured in an operating position by a latch to the frame. The reel mower is secured to the reel arm member to enable movement thereof between any operating and service position.

Riding mower with swingout center mower head

An electric drive riding greens mower, with a frame supported plurality of ground engaging wheels, supports a battery power source, an operator station and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides the driving torque for moving the mower over surfaces to be mowed. Individual electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. Electrically driven linear actuators move the reel lawn mowers between a lowered operating position in which the reel lawn mowers engage the turf being mowed and a raised non-operating or transport position. An operator oriented controls layout, which includes an operator communication panel, is provided on the mower. All electric operation provides emissionless extremely quiet operation. The mower includes an electric control system having a battery power source providing a plurality of output voltages to drive the various electric components. The control system provides a first voltage to power control circuits, a second, higher voltage to power smaller motors, and a third highest voltage to power the drive motors and reel mower motors.

Control system for electric drive riding mower

Riding greens mower

An electric drive riding greens mower includes a frame member which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a battery power source, an operator station and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides the driving torque for moving the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed. Individual electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. Electrically driven linear actuators move the reel lawn mowers between a lowered operating position in which the reel lawn mowers engage the turf being mowed and a raised non-operating or transport position. A unique swinging arm on the frame member provides for a pivoting mount for the under-center reel mowers to facilitate service. The frame member is further efficiently constructed to facilitate ergonomic operator utilization of the mower. The frame member supports and protect various electrical and mechanical components. An operator oriented controls layout, which includes an operator communication panel, is provided on the mower. All electric operation provides for an emissionless riding greens mower which is extremely quiet in operation. Electric operation of the reel lawn mowers further provides a convenient means for on-unit backlapping as well as for operator customized mower control.

Electric drive riding greens mower

A walk-behind turf aerating apparatus includes two pairs of tine arm assemblies, each assembly having a pair of vertically reciprocating tine arms for driving coring tines into the turf. A tine arm return mechanism includes a gear box for each pair of tine arms, the lower ends of the tine arms being connected to cranks extending from the gear box to reposition the tine arms prior to ground engagement. Stops are provided to limit the tine arm travel. A spring-loaded lifting mechanism permits manual shifting of the tine arm mechanism from a lowered ground-engaging position to a raised transport position. A belt drive with clutch and reduction drive for the wheels also drives the tine arm mechanism with automatic disengagement when the wheels are in the transport position. A handle assembly is connected to the apparatus frame through a pivotal connection including vibration damping elements for minimizing transmittal of vibrations, particularly in the vertical plane, to the handle.

Turf aerating apparatus with resilient handle mount

Turf aerating apparatus

A turf aerator includes a wheel-supported frame and drive means for propelling the frame across the ground at a predetermined rate. A pair of substantially vertical tine arms each having a plurality of downwardly directed turf coring tines attached to the lower end thereof are mounted on the frame for alternate penetrating engagement with the ground. A tine arm actuating mechanism produces an essentially elliptical movement of the upper end of each tine arm, the major axis of the elliptical movement being substantially vertical. A rocker mechanism indirectly connects the lower end of one tine arm with the lower end of the other tine arm such that the horizontal movement of one tine arm with respect to the frame upon engagement of that tine arm with the turf produces an equal and opposite horizontal movement of the other tine arm and vice versa. The aerator produces a substantially vertical insertion and withdrawal movement of the tines and a resultant minimal disturbance of the surrounding turf area.

A tine holder for turf aerating equipment includes a horizontal tine arm having a plurality of spaced apertures therein corresponding to mounting positions of the coring tines. The hollow tines are outwardly tapered at their upper ends and the apertures in the tine arm are of a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the upper ends of the tines. A tine holding bar disposed beneath the tine arm is provided with tapered apertures aligned with the apertures in the tine arm. The taper of the bar apertures corresponds to the taper of the tine upper end and permits the seating of the coring tines in the apertures with a small portion of each tine extending thereabove. A plurality of bolts passing through aligned bolt holes in the tine arm and tine holding bar permit a clamping of the tines against the tine arm in alignment with the tine arm apertures.

Tine holder for turf aerating apparatus

A tine holder for turf aerating equipment includes a horizontal tine arm having a plurality of spaced apertures therein having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the upper ends of the tines. The hollow tines are substantially cylindrical at their upper ends and abut the tine arm in alignment with the tine arm apertures. A tine holding bar disposed beneath the tine arm includes a plurality of tapered apertures aligned with the apertures in the tine arm. The tines pass through the tine holding bar apertures and are secured in position by split collets having frusto-conical exterior surfaces which seat within the tapered apertures of the tine holding bar. A plurality of bolts passing through aligned bolt holes in the tine arm and tine holding bar provide a tightening of the split collets to secure the tines in position against the tine arm.

Growing community of inventors

Lincoln, NE, United States of America

Mark E Lamb