Front-mounted stand-on lawn care vehicle

• US 8,887,841 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Original Assignee: Husqvarna AB (HUSQVARNA)
• Inventors: Oswald, Kevin, Dwyer, Sean, Cushing, Leanne, Adams, Michael, Reese, Braxton, Bednar, Richard D., Flynn, James, Sandy, Jerry, Limpo, Thomas, Brinkman, Steve, Glomski, Krzysztof
• Primary Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US14/232,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20140174838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 280/32.7, 180/6.48, 180/6.2, 56/147, 56/148, 56/159, 56/16
• US Class Current: 180/6.48
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2101/00 Lawn-mowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/001 Accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/006 Control or measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/66 with two or more cutters
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/82 Other details
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 34/824 Handle arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 42/00 Mowers convertible to apparatus for purposes other than mowing; Mowers capable of performing operations other than mowing mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing A01D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 42/04 Soil working
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/28 characterised by arrangement, location, or type of power take-off
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/12 Hand levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/04 by means of separate power sources
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/06 by means of a single main power source
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/065 with single rear wheel

Abstract

A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, an engine, a steering assembly, a support platform and a front mount assembly. The frame may be attachable to a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle. At least a portion of the engine may be mounted to the frame substantially between the front wheels. The steering assembly may include steering levers operably coupled to respective ones of the front wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via respective hydrostatic drive pumps driven by the engine. The steering assembly may enable steering of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the front wheels responsive to positioning of steering levers of the steering assembly.

Claims

1. A riding lawn care vehicle comprising:

a frame to which a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle are attachable;

an engine mounted to the frame substantially between the front wheels;

a steering assembly comprising steering levers operably coupled to respective ones of the front wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via respective hydrostatic drive pumps driven by the engine, the steering assembly enabling steering of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the front wheels responsive to positioning of the steering levers of the steering assembly;

a support platform coupled to the frame rearward of the engine to support a standing rider; and

a front mount assembly configured to detachably couple the riding lawn care vehicle to an attachment that enables performance of a yard maintenance activity,

wherein the rear wheel assembly receives drive power from the engine.

2. A riding lawn care vehicle comprising:

a frame to which a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle are attachable;

an engine mounted to the frame substantially between the front wheels;

a steering assembly comprising steering levers operably coupled to respective ones of the front wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via respective hydrostatic drive pumps driven by the engine, the steering assembly enabling steering of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the front wheels responsive to positioning of the steering levers of the steering assembly;

a support platform coupled to the frame rearward of the engine to support a standing rider; and

a front mount assembly configured to detachably couple the riding lawn care vehicle to an attachment that enables performance of a yard maintenance activity,

wherein the rear wheel assembly selectably receives drive power from the engine.

3. A vehicle comprising:

a frame supported by a pair of drive wheels and at least one rear wheel located rearward of the pair of drive wheels, wherein the drive wheels rotate about a drive wheel axis;

a support platform to support a standing rider, wherein the support platform is coupled to the frame rearward of the drive wheel axis; and

a front mount assembly configured to couple the frame to an attachment that enables performance of a maintenance activity,

wherein each of the pair of drive wheels is independently drivable, wherein the at least one rear wheel is steerable, and wherein the vehicle further comprises;

a controller configured to coordinate steering of the at least one rear wheel with the drive direction and speed of the pair of drive wheels based at least in part on steering input received from the standing rider.

4. A vehicle comprising:

a frame supported by a pair of drive wheels and at least one rear wheel located rearward of the pair of drive wheels, wherein the drive wheels rotate about a drive wheel axis;

a support platform to support a standing rider, wherein the support platform is coupled to the frame rearward of the drive wheel axis; and

a front mount assembly configured to couple the frame to an attachment that enables performance of a maintenance activity,

wherein the vehicle comprises a first portion of a drive system for transferring power from the engine to the attachment, wherein the attachment comprises a second portion of the drive system for transferring power from the first portion of the drive system to a component of the attachment, and wherein the second portion is configured to automatically engage with the first portion when the attachment is coupled to the frame and placed in an operating position.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the drive system comprises a friction drive and wherein the first portion comprises a first friction element and the second portion comprises a second friction element.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a frame supported by a pair of drive wheels and at least one rear wheel located rearward of the pair of drive wheels, wherein the drive wheels rotate about a drive wheel axis;

a support platform to support a standing rider, wherein the support platform is coupled to the frame rearward of the drive wheel axis;

a front mount assembly configured to couple the frame to an attachment that enables performance of a maintenance activity;

an engine mounted to the frame; and

air ducting configured to draw air into the engine from the area in which the standing rider stands during operation so as to cool the operator.