Abstract:
An outdoor power unit, such as a mower or snow thrower, having a supplemental battery charging station mounted thereon is provided. The outdoor power unit utilizes a flywheel/alternator arrangement to output a selected voltage. The voltage is directed to the supplement battery charging station. The supplemental batteries are thereby charged at the charging station as the outdoor power unit is driven forward or in another direction. The outdoor power unit also includes a rack (which may be in the form of a hook) to carry a battery powered supplemental lawn maintenance tool, such as a weed trimmer, hedger, edger, or leaf blower, amongst others.
Abstract:
A utility vehicle with adjustable wheel assemblies to accommodate different weight attachments selectively engageable with the vehicle. Adjustment assemblies are provided to engage each of the front wheel assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide plate, a first arm of a first length and a second arm of a second length. The operator will select the appropriate one of the first and second arms to secure to the guide plate and to one of the front wheel assemblies. The guide plates include holes therein for locking the selected one of the arms in a particular orientation. This is accomplished by inserting a pin through an aperture in the selected first or second arm and one of the holes in the guide plate. A first end of the selected first or second arm is secured to the guide plate and a second end thereof is engaged with the associated wheel assembly.
Abstract:
A utility vehicle and method are provided wherein the vehicle has wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different attachments that may be selectively mounted on the vehicle and may have different weights. The wheel assemblies may be adjusted to alter the distance between the front wheel assemblies and/or between rear wheels and front wheel assemblies.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a mower having a removable mower deck, and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper. The attachment and mower deck may be mounted on the frame of the unit together or separately. The attachment may be configured for rapid mounting and dismounting on the frame of the mower.
Abstract:
A lawn mower or stand-on powered drivable machine has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the engine or motor. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric (TEC) elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.
Abstract:
A blower deck, a retrofit blower deck kit, and a vehicle incorporating the blower deck or the retrofit blower deck kit. The vehicle is a landscaping vehicle such as a tractor or a mower. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame and in a position under the body of the vehicle. The blower deck may be engaged with the vehicle frame in place of a mower deck. In other instances the blower deck may be attached to a portion of the frame so that the blower deck is located in front of the vehicle body. The retrofit blower deck kit may be utilized to convert the vehicle's mower deck to a blower deck. The retrofit kit includes a base plate that is engaged below a bottom edge of the mower deck's side wall and one or more adapters that convert the mower's cutter blade(s) to blower blade(s).
Abstract:
A mower may have a removable mower deck and a removable attachment which includes a hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper.
Abstract:
A utility vehicle with wheel assemblies that are adjustable to accommodate different weight attachments that are selectively engaged with the vehicle. The vehicle has a frame with a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheel assemblies spaced a first distance longitudinally from the rear wheels and a second distance laterally from each other. One or both of the front wheel assemblies are selectively adjustable so as to vary one or both of the first distance and the second distance. This adjustment is made to change the balance between the weight of an overhung load due to different weight attachments and the weight of the rest of the vehicle with the operator. The adjustment of one or both of the right and left front wheel assemblies simultaneously adjusts the first and second distances while maintaining the operational height of the vehicle's frame relative to the ground.
Abstract:
A hopper and conveyor assembly for discharging particulate material from the hopper is provided. Sealing strips may be used to prevent particulate material from moving beyond edges of a conveyor belt of the conveyor assembly.
Abstract:
A utility vehicle with adjustable wheel assemblies to accommodate different weight attachments selectively engageable with the vehicle. Adjustment assemblies are provided to engage each of the front wheel assemblies. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide plate, a first arm of a first length and a second arm of a second length. The operator will select the appropriate one of the first and second arms to secure to the guide plate and to one of the front wheel assemblies. The guide plates include holes therein for locking the selected one of the arms in a particular orientation. This is accomplished by inserting a pin through an aperture in the selected first or second arm and one of the holes in the guide plate. A first end of the selected first or second arm is secured to the guide plate and a second end thereof is engaged with the associated wheel assembly.