Grass and leaf collector and compactor attachment for mowers

Abstract

A grass and leaf collector and compactor attachment for lawn mowers consisting of a chute adapted to be mounted at the side of a mower hood to receive mower cuttings ejected from the hood in the lower end thereof, the chute angling upwardly into a hopper also adapted to be mounted on the mower, and a paddle bar extending generally longitudinally through the chute and having paddles secured transversely thereto at intervals along its length. The paddle bar is driven in a vertical orbital path by a special driving connection to a ground-engaging wheel of the mower, so as to impel cuttings received in the lower end of the chute upwardly through the chute into the hopper. The driving connection includes a special safety clutch operable to be disengaged automatically in the event of any substantial obstruction to movement of the paddle bar, so as to prevent damage. The hopper is at a sufficient elevation above ground level that its contents may be dumped by dropping the floor thereof.