Two-stage deadman control for walk-behind mowers

A self-propelled, walk-behind implement and controls therefor including normally disengaged tool drive and traction drive clutches;

• a guide handle having opposite legs joined by a first transverse grip portion and including a console structure extending between and joined to the legs forwardly of the grip portion;
• a deadman control lever including a second transverse grip portion and being vertically pivotally mounted on the handle for movement between released and operative positions wherein the second transverse grip portion are respectively elevated above and held against the first transverse grip position;
• first and second control levers pivotally mounted on the console structure for movement along paths extending generally parallel thereto, between respective forward clutch-disengage positions and respective rearward clutch-engage positions;
• first and second lever latches respectively comprising first and second fore-and-aft extending leaf springs normally disposed beneath said paths and having forward ends fixed to the console structure;
• said deadman control lever including latch-actuating surface means extending forwardly beyond the pivotal connection of the deadman control lever with the handle and engaged with respective undersurface locations of the first and second lever latches whereby movement of the second grip portion of the deadman control lever downwardly into engagement with the first grip portion will result in the first and second lever latches being deflected upwardly to respective lever-latch positions wherein they are located in said paths so as to be positioned to retain the first and second levers in their respective clutch-engage positions;
• and first and second latch release levers vertically pivotally mounted on the console structure respectively adjacent the first and second latches and being respectively operatively connected to the first and second latches for selectively deflecting the latter downwardly below said paths in response to the latch release levers being moved between respective upper released positions and respective lower depressed positions.