Riding mower having a pedal operated height adjustment mechanism, air assisted discharge, and improved hydrostatic shift linkage

A riding mower comprising:

• an engine;
• a frame, having horizontally disposed first and second footrest portions extending therefrom on opposite sides of said mower, said first footrest portion having at least one slot formed therein, said footrest portions having opposing upper and lower surfaces;
• a cutting deck suspended beneath said frame, having height adjustment means associated therewith, said height adjustment means being operative to selectively raise and lower said cutting deck;
• a pedal member having an upper, foot-operated portion, an intermediate portion extending generally vertically through said at least one slot in said first footrest portion, and a lower transverse portion rotatably mounted to said lower surface of said first footrest portion;
• linkage means, operatively connecting said lower portion of said pedal member to said height adjustment means, whereby said cutting deck may be raised and lowered by depressing and releasing, respectively, said foot-operated portion of said pedal member;
• and
• variable height setting means associated with said height adjustment means for selectively controlling the vertical position of said cutting deck upon release of said foot-operated portion of said pedal member, the operation of said variable height setting means being independent from the operation of said foot-operated portion of said pedal member.

A riding mower comprising:

• an engine;
• a frame;
• a seat secured generally to an upper surface of said frame;
• a cutting deck suspended beneath said frame;
• a variable-speed hydrostatic transmission driven by said engine and having a speed adjustment member operatively disposed thereon;
• and
• transmission control means, having a control lever extending generally upwardly adjacent said seat, the lower end of said control lever being operatively connected to linkage means extending to said hydrostatic transmission, said linkage means including friction generating means for resisting inadvertent movement of said linkage means and said control lever.

a riding mower comprising:

• an engine operatively engaging at least one pulley;
• a frame;
• a cutting deck suspended beneath said frame, said cutting deck having belt-driven grass cutting elements associated therewith;
• grass collection means;
• and
• belt-driven air supply mean for blowing air into at least a portion of said grass collection means, said air supply means being disposed on said cutting deck such that a single belt driven by said pulley is employed to drive both said air supply means and said grass cutting elements.

A rider mower comprising;

• an engine;
• a frame, having horizontally disposed first and second footrest portions extending therefrom on opposite sides of said mower, said first footrest portion having at least one slot formed therein, said footrest portions having opposing upper and lower surfaces;
• a cutting deck suspended beneath said frame, having height adjustment means associated therewith, said height adjustment means being operative to selectively raise and lower said cutting deck;
• said height adjustment means comprising a transverse rod rotatably mounted to the under side of said frame, said rod having at least one arm member fixedly secured thereto, said at least one arm member extending generally rearwardly and having a distal end rotatably secured to an upper portion of said cutting deck, so that rotational movement of aid rod causes vertical displacement of said distal end and corresponding displacement of said cutting deck, and a plate member fixedly secured to said rod;
• a pedal member having an upper, foot-operated portion, an intermediate portion extending generally vertically through said at least one slot in said first footrest portion, and a lower transverse portion rotatably mounted to said lower surface of said first footrest portion;
• and
• linkage means, operatively connecting said lower portion of said pedal member to said height adjustment means, whereby said cutting deck may be raised and lowered by depressing and releasing, respectivley, said foot-operated portion of said pedal member.

A riding mower comprising:

• an engine;
• a frame, having horizontally disposed first and second footrest portions extending therefrom on opposite sides of said mower, said first footrest portion having at least one slot formed therein, said footrest portions having opposing upper and lower surfaces;
• a seat operatively secured to said frame;
• a cutting deck suspended beneath said frame having height adjustment means associated therewith, said height adjustment means being operative to selectively raise and lower said cutting deck;
• a pedal member having an upper, foot operated portion, an intermediate portion extending generally vertically through said at least one slot in said first footrest portion, and a lower transverse portion rotatably mounted to said lower surface of said first footrest portion;
• linkage means, operatively connecting said lower portion of said pedal member to said height adjustment means, whereby said cutting deck may be raised and lowered by pressing and releasing, respectively, aid foot operated portion of said pedal member;
• a variable-speed hydrostatic transmission driven by said engine;
• and
• transmission control means, having a control lever extending generally upwardly adjacent said seat, the lower end of said control lever being operatively connected to linkage means extending transversely across said frame to said hydrostatic transmission, said linkage means including friction generating means for resisting inadvertent movement of said linkage means and said control lever.