Ariens Company

Scott E Deschler

John R Adrian

Perry L Prochnow

Travis Schisel

William D Maile

Craig Key

Brett Bogenschutz

Thomas E Phillip

Thomas R Banse

Tim Mercer

Paul F Koltz

Maile William D

A utility machine includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and an operator control assembly coupled to the frame. The operator control assembly includes controls to operate the utility machine. The utility machine further includes a track drive system coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame and to the drive wheel to adjust an orientation of the frame relative to the ground surface.

Snow thrower track drive

A snow thrower includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and a handle assembly coupled to the frame. The handle assembly includes a grip for an operator to grasp. The snow thrower further includes an auger housing supported by the frame, and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing. A track drive system is coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame to adjust an orientation of the auger housing relative to the ground surface.

A snow thrower having discharge chute locking and rotating mechanisms, both of which are actuated by a chute handle in the operator zone of the snow thrower. The chute locking mechanism disengages from the chute in response to initial movement of the chute handle in first or second directions, and the rotating mechanism rotates the discharge chute in response to continued movement of the chute handle in the same direction beyond the initial movement.

Chute rotation and locking mechanism for snow thrower

A snow thrower having a discharge chute rotation and locking device. The snow thrower includes a discharge chute rotatable about a chute axis with respect to the snow thrower housing to discharge in a selected direction snow under the influence of the auger. The snow thrower also includes a rod having a longitudinal axis non-parallel to the chute axis, the rod being rotatable about the longitudinal axis and movable axially along the longitudinal axis. The snow thrower further includes a first crank member fixed for rotation with the rod and engaging a portion of the chute to cause the chute to rotate in response to rotation of the rod. A locking member is movable into and out of engagement with the portion of the chute in response to axial movement of the rod. The chute is prevented from rotating under the influence of rotation of the rod when the locking member is moved into engagement with the portion of the chute.

Snow thrower discharge chute

A control apparatus for an implement such as a snow thrower, the control apparatus comprising a handle having at least two substantially upright portions and a cross portion extending between the upright portions. A first bail is pivotally connected to both upright portions of the handle to pivot about a first axis. A second bail is also pivotally connected to both upright portions of the handle to pivot about a second axis that is not co-linear with the first axis. The first and second bails are both separately movable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. Both the first and second bails are independently operable from one another, and move in the same direction with respect to the handle when moving from the disengaged condition to the engaged condition. The first bail may control a first mechanism, and the second bail may control a second mechanism.

Split wireform bail

A self-propelled power implement having a friction drive system to transmit rotation from the engine to the wheels. The friction drive system includes an output disc and a friction disc. The output disc rotates in response to rotation from the engine's output shaft. The friction disc is coupled to the implement's wheels, and contacts the output disc and rotates in response to rotation of the output disc. The location on the output disc that the friction disc contacts determines the rotation speed of the friction disc. A flexible member is interconnected to the friction disc and a controller, and movement of the controller causes the flexible member to actuate the friction disc radially in relation to the output disc. The flexible member adjusts the location on the output disc that the friction disc contacts, and thereby adjusts the rotation speed of the friction disc and the wheels.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Scott E Deschler