Kubota Corporation

Shoso Ishimori

Nobuyuki Yamashita

Takashi Fujii

Takeshi Komorida

Mikio Ishida

Yoshiyuki Katayama

Hideya Umemoto

Hiroyuki Tada

Minoru Hiraoka

Yoshihiro Ueda

Seiichi Ishiizumi

Shigeki Hayashi

Katsuhiko Uemura

Koji Fujiwara

Masatake Murakawa

Kazuaki Kurohara

Takashi Shibata

Kenzo Ushiro

Shinichi Kawabata

Shinichiro Saji

Hiroshi Itatani

Shinichi Morita

Masaaki Nishinaka

Takayasu Kobayashi

Go Takagi

Hagime Nakamura

A composite planetary transmission section (P) is provided for synthesizing output from a stepless speed changing section () with an engine drive force. In a transmission line from the planetary transmission section (P) to an output rotational body (), there are provided first clutch mechanism (), a second clutch mechanism (), a speed-reducing planetary transmission mechanism (), an operable coupling clutch mechanism () and an output clutch mechanism (). A ring gear () of the speed-reducing planetary transmission mechanism () includes a brake mechanism (). A sun gear () of the planetary transmission section (P), an input side rotational member () of the first clutch mechanism (), an input side rotational member () of the second clutch mechanism (), a sun gear () of the speed-reducing planetary transmission mechanism (), and an input side rotational member () of the output clutch mechanism () are rotatable about a common rotational axis. A rotational shaft () operably coupling a carrier () of the composite planetary transmission section (P) with the output rotational body () is inserted through a planetary transmission mechanism () of the composite planetary transmission section (P), the first clutch mechanism (), the second clutch mechanism () and the speed-reducing planetary transmission mechanism ().

Speed changing transmission apparatus

The object is to simplify the construction of a speed change apparatus in which an engine drive force is speed-changed in a plurality of speed ranges and speed-changed steplessly in each speed range, with using a stepless speed change device (), planetary transmission mechanisms (P, P, P) and clutches (C, C). There is provided a main speed change device (B) configured to combine an output from the stepless speed change device () and the drive force from the engine trough the first, second and third planetary transmission mechanisms (P, P, P) and then output the resultant combined force from an output shaft (). There is provided an auxiliary speed change device () for effecting speed change on the drive force from the output shaft () of the main speed change device (B) and then outputting the speed-changed force.

Speed change transmission device

A speed-change transmission apparatus for effecting a speed-changing on an engine drive force with utilizing a continuously variable speed-change device, a plurality of planetary transmission mechanisms and a plurality of clutches is constructed to be capable of effecting the speed-changing operation smoothly, regardless of a centrifugal force generated in the clutches. An output from the continuously variable speed-change device and a drive force from the engine are combined by a planetary transmission section. The drive force from this planetary transmission section is transmitted via a clutch section to an output shaft. First, second, third and fourth clutches of the clutch section are configured to be switched over respectively between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, as clutch members are engaged with or disengaged from output side rotational members.

Speed-change transmission apparatus

A lawn mower having selectively drivable wheels, includes steerable front wheels, rear wheels, a body frame, an engine supported by the body frame, a mower unit supported by the body frame, a change speed device, a front wheel driving device for transmitting drive from the change speed device to the front wheels, left rear and right rear wheel driving devices, and rear wheel clutches for selectively connecting and disconnecting drive. The rear wheel clutches are operable by an interlocking mechanism to disconnect drive transmission to one of the rear drive wheels moving along an inner track while turning the vehicle body. The interlocking mechanism has a link mechanism operatively connecting a steering mechanism for steering the front wheels to each of the rear wheel clutches.

Lawn mower having selectively drivable wheels

A transmission case housing a transmission mechanism for transmitting power to dirigible wheels includes an axle case having a main body and vertical bosses extending in a bent way from opposite ends of the main body, and pivoting cases supporting axles of the dirigible wheels. The axle case () is bisected into a first case half (F) and a second case half (R) at a split plane parallel to a direction of extension of the transmission mechanism (S) housed therein. The first case half (F) and second case half (R) are connected by connecting bolt (). Each vertical boss () has bearings (), and each pivoting case () is attached to the bearings () to be pivotable relative to the vertical boss ().

Transmission case housing a transmission mechanism for transmitting power to dirigible wheels

A self-propelled working vehicle comprises a front wheel unit, a rear wheel unit including a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel, and a drive transmission apparatus for transmitting drive from an engine to the rear wheel unit. The drive transmission apparatus includes a first drive transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive to the left rear wheel and a second drive transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive to the right rear wheel. The first transmission mechanism is arranged at the left side of the vehicle body, while the second transmission mechanism is arranged at the right side of the vehicle body. A brake assembly is arranged between the first drive transmission mechanism and the second drive transmission mechanism for acting on an output shaft of a first transmission unit and an output shaft of a second transmission unit. The first and second transmission units act as first and second change speed devices, respectively, which are operable independently of each other.

Self-propelled working vehicle

A grass collecting apparatus for directing grass clippings cut by a mower unit to a grass catcher. The apparatus includes a grass collecting duct for guiding the grass clippings from the mower unit to the grass catcher, the duct having an outlet portion leading to the grass catcher defined by an upper plate, right and left side plates and a bottom plate, a gate-shaped frame disposed in a boundary between the outlet portion of the grass collecting duct and an opening of the grass catcher, and a swing mechanism for swinging the grass catcher between a grass collecting position and a grass discharging position. The bottom plate is arranged to receive the grass clippings falling off an area when the grass catcher is in the grass collecting position, and is displaced with a surface being tilted when the grass catcher is swung from the grass collecting position to the grass discharging position.

Grass collecting apparatus and a lawn mower having such a grass collecting apparatus

A lawn mower having selectively drivable wheels, includes dirigible front drive wheels, a pair of right and left rear drive wheels, a body frame, an engine supported by the body frame, a mower unit vertically movably supported by the body frame forwardly of the rear drive wheels, a change speed device for changing a speed of drive from the engine, a front wheel driving device for transmitting drive from the change speed device to the front wheels, a left rear wheel driving device for transmitting drive from the change speed device to a right axle of the left rear wheel, a right rear wheel driving device for transmitting drive from the change speed device to a left axle of the left rear wheel, and rear wheel clutches associated with the left rear wheel driving device and the right rear wheel driving device, respectively, for selectively connecting and disconnecting drive. The rear wheel clutches are operable by an interlocking mechanism in response to a displacement to the front drive wheels from a straight running posture, to disconnect drive transmission to one of the rear drive wheels moving along an inner track of turning of the vehicle body. The interlocking mechanism has a link mechanism operatively connecting a steering mechanism for steering the front drive wheels to each of the rear wheel clutches, and extending over the mower unit.

A lawn mower for transmitting grass clippings cut by a mower unit () to a grass catcher () through a grass collecting duct (). The lawn mower includes a body frame (), and a bracket unit () attached to a rear of the body frame (). A gate frame () is provided for supporting the grass catcher () to be displaceable between a collecting posture with an opening of the grass catcher () opposed to the grass collecting duct (), and a discharging posture with the opening directed downward. The gate frame () defines first connecting areas () for enabling connection to a lift link mechanism () for vertically moving the gate frame () relative to the body frame (), and second connecting areas () for enabling direct connection to the bracket unit (). The first connecting areas () have connecting pins () connectable to distal ends of swing arms () of the lift link mechanism () used according to circumstances. The second connecting areas () have connecting bores () alignable with connecting bores () formed in the bracket unit ().

Lawn mower having a displaceable grass catcher

A riding lawn mower includes a front wheel unit ( ), a rear wheel unit ( ) having a left rear wheel ( ) and a right rear wheel ( ), a body frame ( ) supported by the front wheel unit and rear wheel unit, a mower unit ( ) disposed under the body frame between the front wheel unit and rear wheel unit, a driver's seat ( ) disposed on the body frame to be above the mower unit, an engine ( ) disposed rearwardly of the driver's seat, and a drive transmission mechanism ( ) for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear wheel unit. The engine ( ) is disposed between and substantially at a higher level than the left and right rear wheels ( ) to secure a utility space ( ) extending longitudinally of the vehicle body between the left and right rear wheels.

Riding lawn mower

A lawn mower for directing grass clippings to a grass catcher. The lawn mower includes a vehicle body and a mower unit supported by the vehicle body to be vertically movable for varying a height thereof above the ground. The mower unit includes a housing, cutting blades rotatable about vertical shafts, and a grass clippings discharge channel connected to the housing and opening downward for rearwardly directing grass clippings cut by the cutting blades. The lawn mower further includes a grass collecting duct for connecting a discharge opening of the grass clippings discharge channel to the grass catcher, and a receiving plate having a receiving surface for covering the downward opening of the grass clippings discharge channel. The receiving plate is pivotable about a transverse shaft between a grass clippings guiding position in which the receiving surface extends parallel to a flow of grass clippings through the grass clippings discharge channel and a grass clippings removing position in which the receiving surface has a large tilt angle relative to the ground. A swing range limiting mechanism is provided for reducing a swing range of the receiving plate as the mower unit is lowered relative to the ground.

Lawn mower for directing grass clippings to a grass catcher

A transmission for a working vehicle comprising a transmission mechanism for controlling drive transmission; a first input shaft for transmitting drive from an engine to the transmission mechanism; a second input shaft, usable as an alternative to the first input shaft, for transmitting drive from the engine to the transmission mechanism, the second input shaft extending in a different direction to the first input shaft; an implement-operating output shaft for outputting drive from the transmission mechanism to drive a working implement; and a pair of right and left propelling output shafts for transmitting drive from the transmission mechanism to drive wheels, the propelling output shafts extending in the same direction as axes of the drive wheels. The first and second input shafts extend transversely of the propelling output shafts. The implement-operating output shaft extends in the same direction as the first input shaft.

Transmission for a working vehicle

A mower with a grass catcher ( ) for collecting grass clippings transmitted from a mower unit. The grass catcher has an inlet opening ( ) in a front position thereof, and an outlet opening ( ) and an openable lid ( ) in a rear position. The grass catcher ( ) is connected to the rear end of a vehicle body to be supported in a suspended state by a grass catcher support unit ( ). The support unit includes mounting posts ( ) attached to the rear end of the vehicle body and extending upward, and a support link mechanism ( ) for interconnecting upper regions of the mounting posts and lower rearward regions of the grass catcher, and for switching the grass catcher between a grass clippings collecting posture with the inlet opening directed forwardly of the vehicle body, and a raised dumping posture with the outlet opening directed downward. The support link mechanism performs a switching process for switching the grass catcher from the grass clippings collecting posture to the raised dumping posture. The switching process includes a translating process for translating the grass catcher obliquely rearward and upward while maintaining the grass catcher substantially parallel to the grass clippings collecting posture, and a rotating process for rotating the grass catcher until the outlet opening is directed downward.

Mower with a grass catcher

A working vehicle having a propelling transmission for transmitting power of an engine drive wheels, the propelling transmission being attached to body frames as offset to one side transversely of a vehicle body to produce a utility space in the other side, with a PTO apparatus for transmitting power supplied from the propelling transmission to an external working implement. The PTO apparatus includes an input shaft extending longitudinally of the vehicle body and drivably connected to the propelling transmission, and an output shaft extending parallel to and spaced from the input shaft and drivingly connected to the external working implement. A mounting mechanism system is provided to attach the PTO apparatus to vehicle body frames. The mounting mechanism system selectivety fixes the PTO apparatus in at least two pivotal postures about the input shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Sakai, Japan

Shoso Ishimori