Suspension mechanism for reel mowers

• US 5,459,984 A
• Filed: 06/09/1994
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Smith, Larry N., Phillips, David L., Reichen, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MELIUS, TERRY L
• Application Number:
  US08/257,815
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 56/249, 56/7, 56/15.1, 56/15.2, 56/253, 56/294, 56/DIG. 9, 56/DIG. 11, 56/DIG. 14
• US Class Current: 56/7
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2034/645 Lifting means for the cutter of the lawnmower mounted at the front of the vehicle for inspection and maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/44 with two or more cutters
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/62 Other details
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 75/30 Arrangements for trailing two or more mowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 75/306 for lawn mowers positioned one behind the other or side by side
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 56/14 Hitch

Abstract

A mechanism for shifting reel mower cutting units to a position whereat the undersides of the cutting units are exposed for service. A knuckle joint is provided for pivoting the cutting units as the lift arms are raised to thereby shift the cutting units to service positions. A connection point is provided between a yoke and the cutting unit which is located at the upper rear quadrant of the cutting unit'"'"'s side frame for generally balancing the force distributed to the ground through the front and rear rollers during forward mowing operations.

Claims

1. A coupling mechanism for operatively coupling a reel mower cutting unit to a lift arm of a vehicle, said mechanism comprising:

at least one plate operatively coupled with the cutting unit, said at least one plate including first and second openings,

a pin member biased to selectively engage the first opening to prevent pivotal motion of the each of the at least plate with respect to the arm during mowing operations, said pin being selectively engagable within the second opening when the plate and cutting unit pivot with respect to the arm to a service position, and

a lever member coupled with the pin member and shiftable to a released position to shift and remove the pin from the first and second openings, said lever also being shiftable to an engaged position whereat the pin is biased outwardly to become engaged within the first or second opening when the pin becomes aligned with the respective first or second opening.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism further includes an upright shaft operatively coupled with the arm, and a pin member extending through the upright shaft for allowing limited pivotal motion about the upright axis of the shaft.

3. A coupling mechanism for operatively coupling a reel mower cutting unit to a lift arm of a vehicle, said mechanism comprising:

a pair of laterally spaced plates operatively coupled with the cutting unit, said plates each including first and second openings,

a pair of pin members biased to engage the first opening to prevent pivotal motion of the plate with respect to the arm during mowing operations, said pins also being engagable within the second opening when the plate and cutting unit pivot with respect to the arm to a service position,

a lever member coupled with the pin member and shiftable to a released position whereat the pins are shifted and removed from the first or second openings, said lever also being shiftable to an engaged position whereat the pins are biased to become engaged within the first or second opening when the pin and first or second opening become aligned.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein a portion of the lever acts to bias the pins toward engagement with the first and second openings.

5. The invention of claim 3, and further including ramp means which the lever engages, said lever acting to shift the pins out of engagement with the first and second openings when the lever engages the ramp means.

6. A coupling mechanism for operatively coupling a reel mower cutting unit to a lift arm of a vehicle, said mechanism comprising:

a pair of laterally spaced plates operatively coupled with the cutting unit, said plates each including first and second openings,

a pair of pin members positioned between the plates and biased outwardly to engage the first opening to prevent pivotal motion of the plate with respect to the arm during mowing operations, said pins being engagable within the second opening when the plate and cutting unit pivot with respect to the arm to a service position,

a lever member coupled with the pin member and shiftable to a released position whereat the pins are inwardly shifted and removed from the first and second openings, said lever also being shiftable to an engaged position whereat the pins are biased outwardly by the lever to become engaged within the first or second opening when the pin and first or second opening become aligned, and

ramp means which the lever engages, said lever acting to shift the pins out of engagement with the first and second openings when the lever engages the ramp means.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the end portions of the lever extend through each pin, and the end portions of the lever engage the ramp means.