US 4,227,364 A · Self-compensating brake system for a mowing machine

Abstract

A self-compensating brake system for a mowing machine of the type having a body movably supported by a plurality of rotatable drive wheels. The brake system includes a brake shaft which is rotatably journaled in the body and which is free-floating along a transverse axis. Each end of the brake shaft is connected to a mechanically actuated brake assembly on each of at least two opposed drive wheels by means of a brake rod. Each of the brake rods extend at an oblique angle relative to the transverse axis of the brake shaft. This orientation will move the brake shaft transversely in the body as the brake shaft is rotated by a brake pedal until the braking forces on each of the brake rods are equal, thereby assuring equal and even braking of the opposed drive wheels. The brake shaft also serves as the mounting structure for a traction pedal and for a steering transfer assembly.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A self-compensating brake system for a drive vehicle having a body which rotatably carries a least two opposed drive wheels, which comprises:

(a) a brake shaft rotatably journaled in the body and being slidably mounted for movement relative to the body along a transverse axis of the brake shaft;
(b) a brake assembly carried on each opposed drive wheel, each brake assembly including an actuating lever which operates the brake assembly in an amount equal to an activating force applied to the actuating lever;
and
(c) two opposed brake rods operatively connecting opposite ends of the brake shaft to one of the actuating levers, each brake rod extending between the brake shaft and the corresponding actuating lever at an oblique angle relative to the transverse axis such that rotation of the brake shaft applies a force along the brake rod having at least a first component along the transverse axis, whereby the brake shaft will be moved transversely until the first components of force along the transverse axis provided by the opposed brake rods are substantially equal to achieve equal braking of the drive wheels.

1 more element

A self-propelled mowing machine suitable for cutting a ground covering, which comprises:

(a) a body;
(b) at least three drive wheels rotatably carried on the body, at least two of the drive wheels being arranged opposite to one another on the body;
(c) motor means for rotating each of the drive wheels in at least a forward direction;
(d) a least one cutting unit mounted on the body for vertical movement into and out of engagement with a ground covering which is to be moved, the cutting unit comprising a rotatable cutting element;
(e) powered means for vertically moving the cutting units and for rotating the cutting element thereof at least in a cutting direction;
(f) a brake assembly associated with each of the two opposed drive wheels for braking the rotation of the drive wheels;
and
(g) a transversely free-floating brake shaft rotatably journaled in the body for rotation about a longitudinal axis extending through the shaft, the brake shaft being operatively connected at either end by a brake rod to each of the brake assemblies on the two opposed drive wheels, the brake rods being configured such that rotation of the brake shaft both actuates the brake assemblies and causes the brake shaft to slide transversely in the body until the braking forces on each of the opposed drive wheels are substantially equal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-compensating brake system for a mowing machine

Life of this patent

Self-compensating brake system for a mowing machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7