The Toro Company

Matthew J Decker

Edric C Funk

Luke R Nahorniak

Phat T Nghiem

John B Heckel

Gerald Damgard

Michael R Stuber

An outdoor grounds maintenance vehicle is self-propelled by a hydrostatic traction drive system that provides dynamic braking to the vehicle without the need for separate service brakes acting on the wheels of the vehicle. An engine kill device can be manually actuated by the operator to access the dynamic braking of the traction drive system by reducing the speed of the prime mover that powers the pump of the traction drive system. This provides an auxiliary braking system that can be used in an emergency or on demand by the operator in the event the accelerator pedal does not properly control the pump swashplates. The operator can control the rate at which the auxiliary brake system reduces the speed of the prime mover to zero.

Auxiliary brake system for outdoor grounds maintenance vehicles having hydrostatic traction drive systems

A mower comprises a frame carrying a front mounted rotary cutting deck. A deck lift moves the cutting deck between mowing and transport positions. The cutting deck can be selectively pivoted on the deck lift into a substantially tipped up service position to expose the underside of the cutting deck for service. The cutting deck has a self-engaging latch to hold it in its service position. A self-engaging catch provides a temporary hold position for the cutting deck that is short of the transport position as the cutting deck is being returned from the service position to prevent inadvertent contact between the cutting deck and the user. For ease of use, both the latch and the catch are releasable by a user from one side of the cutting deck which side also includes a rear foot pad and a front hand grip on the cutting deck.

Mower with front mounted rotary cutting deck having a tipped up service position

A mower comprises a frame having a cutting deck which is tiltable relative to the frame. The cutting deck has a substantially horizontal operating position and a generally upright transport or service position, the cutting deck tilting to move between the horizontal and upright positions. A blower is carried on the frame and a plenum connects the blower and the cutting deck. A grass discharge outlet on the cutting deck is telescopically inserted into the front of the plenum as the cutting deck is moved into its operating position. A guide pin is received in a slot having a V-shaped portion and a straight portion to correct misalignment between the cutting deck and the plenum as the two are telescoped together. The rear of the plenum can be manually attached to or released from the blower inlet without using tools.

Plenum for tiltable cutting deck

A twin stick control system for a movable unit such as a ZRT vehicle includes two control sticks placed side-by-side. Each control stick controls the operation of at least one drive wheel on each side of the vehicle. The control sticks are movable from their neutral position in a first range of motion without any interference from a spring restoring force tending to return them to neutral, thus allowing the control sticks to remain wherever the operator places them in the first range of motion. A cruise control system is located to abut against the control sticks at the conclusion of the first range of motion to define a cruise control speed setting. The sticks can still be advanced forwardly beyond the cruise control speed setting, but encounter a spring force when doing so which is directed to returning the sticks back to the cruise control speed setting.

Growing community of inventors

Lakeville, MN, United States of America

Matthew J Decker