Power mower with riding platform for supporting standing operator during operation

A zero-radius turning self-propelled power mower for operation by an operator, the mower comprising:

• first and second drive wheels;
• a steering control assembly for controlling steering of said mower, said steering control assembly including:
• a rigid bar for supporting hands of the operator during mower operation;
• first and second pivotable control levers positioned on one side of said rigid bar for selectively controlling reverse speed of said first and second drive wheels, respectively, wherein each of said first and second control levers is adapted to be pivoted toward said rigid bar in order to cause a corresponding one of said drive wheels to move in a reverse direction;
• and
• the steering control assembly further including third and fourth pivotable control levers positioned on the other side of said rigid bar so that said rigid bar is disposed between (i) said first and second control levers, and (ii) said third and fourth control levers;
• and wherein said third and fourth control levers are each adapted to be pivoted toward said rigid bar in order to cause a corresponding drive wheel to be driven in a forward direction.

A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by a standing operator, the mower comprising:

• a platform structure for supporting the standing operator during mower operation, said platform structure being at least partially located between first and second rear drive wheels of the mower;
• and
• wherein said platform structure includes:
• a bottom surface for supporting the operator;
• first and second sidewalls connected to said bottom surface for shielding the operator's feet from said wheels;
• and an overhang portion connected to said sidewalls which at least partially overhangs said bottom surface so as to be disposed between an engine and the operator's feet.

A cutter deck adapted to be mounted on a power lawn mower, said cutter deck comprising:

• a top surface;
• a front sidewall connected to said top surface, said front sidewall defining a front section of said cutter deck;
• a grass discharge opening defined in a side of said cutter deck, so that cut grass can be discharge from an interior of said cutter deck via said opening;
• a cover support wall located on said top surface for supporting a cutter deck cover, said cover support wall defining a first area in which blade driving pulley members are located;
• first and second elongated vertically extending cover support members extending upwardly from said top surface to support said cover;
• and
• wherein said cover is mounted on said cover support members so as to cover said first area, and wherein a sidewall of said cover is at least partially disposed in a spaced substantially parallel relationship from a corresponding portion of said cover support wall so as to define a gap therebetween when said cover is mounted on said cutter deck.