Ferris Industries, Inc.

Todd B Gordon

Henry Nordberg

David Ferris

A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. The front wheel suspension system includes upper and lower suspension struts that are pivotably connected between a main frame of the lawn mower and a longitudinal suspension strut that is connected to a front wheel. A spring is connected between an extension of the upper suspension strut and a front transverse member of the main frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes upper and lower links that are pivotably connected between vertical struts that are connected between upper and lower frame members of the main frame and a motor mount. A spring is connected between a spring bracket extending from the upper frame member and either the motor mount or a motor mounted in the motor mount. In order to prevent scalping while turning, a floating cutter deck is suspended from the front and rear wheel suspension systems rather than from the main frame or chassis of the mower. An alternative embodiment includes a hinged pivoting subframe with springs between the main frame and the left and right halves of the subframe. In this alternative embodiment, the front of the cutter deck is suspended from the main frame while the rear of the cutter deck is suspended from the rear wheel suspension system.

Lawn mower suspension assembly

Lawn mower independent suspension

A riding mower or other like four-wheel vehicle has the two front wheels mounted off the cantilever end of a subframe which is pivotably attached to the underside of the main frame of the vehicle by two spaced part pivots lying along the vehicle length axis. A cutter deck is suspended from the main frame beneath the subframe. The subframe construction resists bending forces, due to front-to-back and vertical forces on the dropped-down front wheels, when they encounter obstacles or depressions. The main frame is made of steel tubing, and provides a generally rectangular space just forward of the driver's seat, suitable for placement of the driver's feet. Preferably, the subframe also has a generally rectangular opening, nominally aligned with the main frame opening, to also accommodate the driver's feet. The elevation of the driver's seat can thus be desirably lowered, to maintain a low center of gravity.

Lawn maintenance vehicle

A lawn mower has drive wheels which are independently spring-suspended from the chassis. In one embodiment two rear wheels are independently driven for directional control, two front wheels are mounted at opposing ends of a center pivoting front axle, and the cutter deck is suspended between the front and rear wheels. In another embodiment the front wheels are drive wheels, the rear wheels are steerable, and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front of the chassis. Wheel assemblies are attached to the chassis by a suspension system comprised of upper and lower link assemblies and a coil spring, preferably one in which the link assemblies are parallel and of equal length.

Lawn mower having independent drive wheel suspension

Riding mower with pivoting front wheel assembly

A riding lawn mower has wheels which are spring suspended from the chassis and a floating-type cutter deck hangs from the chassis. When a wheel moves upwardly relative to the chassis, as occurs when the wheel goes across a bump or when the chassis leans in a turn, a nearby portion of the cutter deck is lifted upwardly in response. In one embodiment, the drive wheels are independently spring suspended rear wheels and the cutter deck is mounted between the front and rear wheels. On each side of the machine a chain runs from a lifting bracket attached to each rear wheel motor mount and runs down to the rear end of the deck. So, when a wheel moves upwardly the deck is moved upwardly. In another embodiment, the front wheels are the spring suspended drive wheels and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front end of the machine. The rear end of the cutter deck is lifted upwardly upon upward wheel motion.

Growing community of inventors

Hickory, NC, United States of America

Todd B Gordon