US 4,707,971 A · Slope mower

Abstract

A mower vehicle includes a vehicle frame and single front and rear driven wheels. The vehicle is adapted to conform generally to slopes and the like by maintaining the frame in a generally upright orientation. First and second blade housings are pivotally connected to the frame and swingable about an axis extending longitudinally of the frame. The first and second blade housings extend laterally from opposite sides of the frame. Each blade housing carries a driven cutting blade. The blade housings are open to one another and have a shared discharge passage at a center rear section thereof. The blades overlap slightly and rotate in synchronized reverse rotations relative to one another. Hydraulic cylinder assemblies are provided to actuate the first and second blade housings about the longitudinal axis in response to changes in slope of the surrounding terrain. A leveling system is provided for sensing changes in attitude of the vehicle frame, and for consequently actuating the hydraulic assemblies to maintain the vehicle frame in a generally upright position and the first and second blade housings in operative contact with the ground.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A mower vehicle for mowing slopes comprising:

(a) a mower vehicle frame having a generally vertical orientation, when in operation;
(b) single front wheel means and single rear wheel means, each of said wheel means being connected to said frame and generally aligned such that said frame is pivotal relative to the ground about a longitudinal line passing through the bottom of both said front and rear wheel means;
(c) a prime mover mounted on said frame and connected to at least one of said front wheel means and rear wheel means for movement of said mower vehicle across the ground;
(d) a blade housing pivotally connected to said frame and swingable about an axis extending longitudinally of said frame;
said blade housing extending laterally from said longitudinal axis and having a ground engageable outrigger wheel laterally spaced from said frame;
(e) cutting means mounted in said blade housing;
and
(f) pivoting means for pivoting said blade housing about said longitudinal axis in automatic response to a change in terrain thereby allowing said blade housing to follow the terrain while said frame pivots about the terrain on said front and rear wheel means and remains in the vertical orientation thereof.

5 more elements

A mower vehicle for mowing slopes comprising:

(a) a mower vehicle frame having a generally vertical upright orientation when in operation and an operator seat adapted to receive an operator;
(b) single front ground engaging wheel means and single rear ground engaging wheel means, each of said wheel means being connected to said frame and generally aligned such that said frame and wheel means are pivotal relative to the ground on a longitudinal axis passing through a lower portion of both of said front and rear ground engaging wheel means when said wheel means are engaging the ground;
(c) a prime mover mounted on said frame and connected to at least one of said front wheel means and rear wheel means for movement of said mower vehicle across the ground;
(d) a blade housing pivotally connected to said frame and swingable about an axis extending longitudinally of said frame;
said blade housing extending laterally from said longitudinal axis and having a ground engageable outrigger wheel laterally spaced from said frame;
(e) cutting means mounted in said blade housing;
(f) pivoting means operationally pivoting said blade housing about said longitudinal axis in response to a change in the angle of the terrain relative to horizontal such that said blade housing follows the terrain and said frame remains upright;
and
(g) level control means cooperating with said pivoting means to maintain said frame in the vertical orientation thereof whereby when an operator is positioned in said operator seat, the operator is maintained in an upright altitude even when said vehicle passes over non-horizontal terrain.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Slope mower

Life of this patent

Slope mower

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20