Multi-bladed mulching mower
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsJames R. Baumann, Richard A. Thorud, Raymond H. Smith, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-bladed mulching mower comprises a cutting deck beneath which a plurality of cutting blades are carried. The cutting blades are shrouded so that each cutting blade is confined within a generally circular cutting chamber. Kicker members are located in each of the cutting chambers to help deflect cut grass particles downwardly into the uncut grass. Thus, a mower is provided suited for mowing relatively large areas which is also capable of dispensing the cut grass clippings into the cut grass path to serve as mulch.
Claims36
A multi-bladed mulching mower, which comprises:
- (a) a cutting deck which may be operatively connected to a traction unit for moving the cutting deck over the ground, the cutting deck having an underside facing the ground;
- (b) a plurality of substantially horizontal cutting blades rotatably carried beneath the cutting deck spaced below the underside of the deck;
- (c) shroud means extending downwardly from the deck, wherein the blades are located within the shroud means and the shroud means is shaped to confine the circulation of the grass clippings to areas of the cutting deck adjacent the cutting blades;
- and
- (d) deflecting means above the cutting blades and within the shroud means to deflect grass clippings downwardly into the path of the blade for eventual disposal in the cut grass path.
An improved mulching mower of the type having a cutting deck attached to a traction unit for movement over the ground, wherein the cutting deck includes a plurality of cutting blades rotatably supported beneath the deck in a side-by-side manner, wherein each of the cutting blades has a cutting edge which rotates successively through four quadrants beginning with first and second front quadrants and continuing successively through third and fourth rear quadrants;
- wherein the improvement relates to the cutting deck and comprises:
- (a) a plurality of shrouds extending downwardly from the cutting deck, wherein each cutting blade is located inside one of the shrouds;
- and
- (b) at least one kicker mounted inside each shroud for deflecting cut grass particles downwardly.
A multi-bladed mulching mower, which comprises:
- (a) a cutting deck having an underside which faces the ground, wherein the cutting deck is movable over the ground;
- (b) multiple cutting blades rotatably carried on the deck and spaced beneath the underside of the deck and above the ground, wherein the cutting blades rotate in generally horizontal cutting planes to sever grass or other vegetation as the cutting deck is moved over the ground;
- (c) shroud means extending downwardly from the underside of the cutting deck for forming a cutting chamber around each of the cutting blades, wherein each cutting chamber is substantially enclosed except for an open lower face thereof so that grass cut by that cutting blade is confined within the cutting chamber and is circulated in a circumferential path within the cutting chamber by the operation of the cutting blade until the grass clippings are dispersed downwardly through the open lower face of the cutting chamber;
- and
- (d) at least one grass deflecting member located in each cutting chamber above the plane of rotation of the blade, wherein the grass deflecting member includes a deflecting surface which is located in a position relative to the circumferential flow of grass clippings in the cutting chamber to intercept the grass clippings and aid in their disposal downwardly from the cutting chamber.
A multi-bladed mower, which comprises:
- (a) a cutting deck which is suited to be moved over the ground, the cutting deck having a plurality of rotary cutting blades suspended beneath the cutting deck and located above the ground with the cutting blades arranged to rotate in generally horizontal cutting planes;
- (b) a plurality of shroud walls extending downwardly from the cutting deck and enclosing the cutting blades over at least the forward portions of their rotation, the shroud walls terminating in a lower edge spaced above the ground, and wherein adjacent shroud walls contact one another to form a junction at the intersection of adjacent shroud walls;
- and
- (c) a baffle located at the junction between adjacent shroud walls and extending forwardly therefrom, the baffle being located approximately at the same level as the lower edge of the shroud walls.
A multi-bladed mower, which comprises:
- (a) a cutting deck which is suited to be moved over the ground, the cutting deck having opposed sides and a plurality of rotary cutting blades suspended beneath the cutting deck to rotate in generally horizontal cutting planes;
- (b) shroud means extending downwardly from the underside of the cutting deck for forming a cutting chamber around each of the cutting blades, wherein adjacent cutting chambers are arranged side-by-side relative to one another across the cutting deck;
- and
- (c) a horizontal front ledge which extends between adjacent cutting chambers and extends forwardly from the cutting chambers in advance of the cutting chambers.
A multi-bladed mower, which comprises:
- (a) a cutting deck which is suited to be moved over the ground, the cutting deck having opposed sides and a plurality of rotary cutting blades suspended beneath the cutting deck to rotate in generally horizontal cutting planes;
- (b) shroud means extending downwardly from the underside of the cutting deck for forming a cutting chamber around each of the cutting blades, wherein the cutting chambers include a central cutting chamber which is spaced forwardly of two side cutting chambers arranged on either side of the central cutting chambers, wehrein the side and central cutting chambers are overlapped a sufficient amount so that the paths of the cutting blades contained therein transversely overlap to leave no uncut grass strips between the side and central chambers, and wherein each side cutting chamber has an interior junction with the central cutting chamber where the side cutting chamber abuts with the central cutting chamber, said side cutting chamber extending from such junction out toward the sides of the deck;
- and
- (c) a horizontal baffle extending between each side cutting chamber and the central cutting chamber at the junction therebetween and extending forwardly therefrom, the baffle being located approximately at the same level as a lower edge of the cutting chambers adjacent to the junction to bridge the space between the cutting chambers immediately in advance of the junction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.