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US 11,382,263 B2Granted
Articulating cutting deck
AssigneeExmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
InventorsJeremy J. Tate, Michael E. Allen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An articulating mower deck system. The system is adapted to disable power to a blade associated with the wing deck section before the wing deck section begins to lift—from an operating position toward a folded position—yet does not interfere with blade operation when the wing deck section floats relative to a center deck section during normal operation of the deck. Articulating decks of modular construction are also provided, allowing assembly of multiple deck widths with a minimum of modular deck sections.
Claims13
A mower cutting deck comprising:
- a center deck section;
- a wing deck section comprising at least one cutting blade;
- a fold link connecting the center deck section to the wing deck section, the fold link comprising two spaced-apart bellcranks and a pivot tube, the pivot tube extending between, and fixed to, the two spaced-apart bellcranks, wherein the fold link further comprises:
- a first pivot pivotally connecting the fold link to the center deck section, the first pivot defining a first pivot axis;
- and
- a second pivot defining a second pivot axis offset from the first pivot axis, the second pivot pivotally connecting the fold link to the wing deck section, wherein the fold link is adapted to pivot about the first pivot between:
- a first position corresponding to the wing deck section being in an operating position;
- and a second position corresponding to the wing deck section being in a folded position;
- an actuator coupled to the center deck section and to the fold link, wherein the actuator is configured to apply both:
- a first force to the fold link that causes the fold link to pivot, about the first pivot axis, from the first position toward the second position;
- and an opposite second force to the fold link that causes the fold link to pivot, about the first pivot axis, from the second position toward the first position;
- and
- a deck drive system adapted to provide power to the wing deck section to rotate the cutting blade when the fold link is in the first position, and automatically terminate power to the wing deck section upon actuator-initiated movement of the fold link out of the first position.
10 more elements
A mower cutting deck comprising:
- a center deck section;
- a wing deck section comprising at least one cutting blade;
- a fold link connecting the center deck section to the wing deck section, the fold link comprising two spaced-apart bellcranks and a pivot tube, the pivot tube extending between, and fixed to, the two spaced-apart bellcranks, wherein the fold link further comprises:
- a first pivot pivotally connecting the fold link to the center deck section, the first pivot defining a first pivot axis;
- and
- a second pivot defining a second pivot axis, the second pivot pivotally connecting the fold link to the wing deck section, wherein the fold link is adapted to pivot about the first pivot between:
- a first position corresponding to the wing deck section being in an operating position;
- and a second position corresponding to the wing deck section being in a folded position;
- a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the center deck section and to the fold link, wherein extension of the cylinder forces the fold link to pivot, about the first pivot axis, away from the second position toward the first position, and retraction of the cylinder forces the fold link to pivot, about the first pivot axis, away from the first position toward the second position;
- a hydraulic system coupled to the cylinder, the hydraulic system configured to hydraulically lock the cylinder when the fold link is in the first position;
- and
- a deck drive system adapted to provide power to the wing deck section to rotate the cutting blade when the fold link is in the first position and terminate power to the wing deck section whenever the cylinder moves the fold link out of the first position.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.