Mower apparatus
First Claim
1. A mower comprising:
- a) a frame;
b) a mowing deck;
c) a height adjustment mechanism operably allowing a user to vary the cutting height of the deck relative to the frame;
d) a mechanical advantage device operably joined with the height adjustment mechanism in a first operating mode so as to operably adjust between different cutting heights of the deck in a cutting configuration;
said mechanical advantage in a second operating mode cooperating between the frame and the deck to rotate the deck about a front end of the deck between the cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An underbelly mower has a cutting deck suspended beneath a frame by a height adjustment mechanism. The deck is adjusted between different cutting heights by extendable mechanical advantage device such as an electric screw and hydraulic ram operating in cooperation with the height adjustment mechanism. The mechanical advantage device also operably moves the deck between a cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration. A deck quick release and attachment mechanism, including hook members, operably allows a user to quickly and easily disconnect and reconnect a rear of deck to the frame when moving between cutting and maintenance configurations.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A mower comprising:
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a) a frame; b) a mowing deck; c) a height adjustment mechanism operably allowing a user to vary the cutting height of the deck relative to the frame; d) a mechanical advantage device operably joined with the height adjustment mechanism in a first operating mode so as to operably adjust between different cutting heights of the deck in a cutting configuration;
said mechanical advantage in a second operating mode cooperating between the frame and the deck to rotate the deck about a front end of the deck between the cutting configuration and a maintenance configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a mower having a frame and a mowing deck suspended beneath the frame by a height adjustment mechanism;
- the improvement comprising;
a) an extendable mechanical advantage device having a first mode of operation cooperating with the height adjustment mechanism to adjust cutting height and a second mode of operation wherein said device operably moves said deck between cutting and maintenance configurations of the deck by swinging one end of the deck relative to the frame.
- the improvement comprising;
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13. A mower comprising:
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a) a frame supported by ground engaging wheels and having a main section and a front section pivotally joined to the main section; b) a pair of front laterally spaced bell cranks pivotally attached to the front section;
a pair of rear laterally spaced bell cranks pivotally attached to the frame main section and connected to each other and the front bell cranks so as to rotate together;c) a connecting member joining at least one of said front bell cranks to at least one of said rear bell cranks;
said connecting member including at least one side plate joined to a rearward abutment receiver;d) an abutment plate swivelably joined at an upper end to said frame and pivotally joined to said deck;
said abutment plate having a second abutment receiver therealong located beneath said connecting member;e) said front and rear bell cranks each having arms opposite said connecting member attached to said deck by hangers; f) a support structure mounted on and extending upward from said frame; g) an extendable mechanical advantage device mounted at one end to said support structure and having a shaft with an abutment end at the opposite end;
said shaft being receivable between said plates;
said abutment end being selectively positionable in said first receiver in a first operating mode so as to adjust the cutting height of said deck upon extension and retraction and in said second receiver in a second operating mode so as to swing the deck relative to the frame at the front end of the deck between cutting and maintenance configurations thereof.
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14. A method of operating a mower having a mowing deck suspended beneath a frame by a height adjustment mechanism including the steps of:
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a) providing an extendable mechanical advantage device; b) using said device in a first mode to adjust cutting height of said deck; and c) using said device in a second mode to swing said deck about one end thereof relative to the frame between cutting and maintenance configurations thereof.
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Specification