Rear discharge mower

A mower comprising:

• a frame having first and second frame ends on opposing sides of said mower;
• first and second drive wheels having a common drive axle and being operatively connected to a rear of said frame;
• a mower deck supported by said frame and including at least a first cutting blade for use in cutting associated vegetation;
• an operator seat;
• a grass bag operatively connected to a rear of said frame for use in storing the associated vegetation cut by said cutting blade;
• a discharge chute for use in transporting the associated vegetation from a rear of said mower deck to said grass bag, said discharge chute having a cross-sectional area A1 through a vertical plane that is parallel to said drive axle, the discharge chute extending under the operator seat in a substantially non-circuitous orientation;
• a transmission for use in driving said first and second drive wheels, said transmission being positioned between said first and second drive wheels and being positioned in line with said common drive axle, said transmission being longitudinally positioned between said mower deck and said grass bag;
• an engine mounted to a front of said frame for use in rotating said at least first cutting blade and for use in providing power to said transmission;
• and,
• wherein a chute area A2 is provided through said vertical plane, said chute area A2 being defined on the top by a horizontal line that intersects a top most edge of said discharge chute, on the sides by first and second vertical lines that intersect said first and second frame ends, and on the bottom by said drive axle, said cross-sectional area A1 and said chute area A2 forming an area ratio A1/A2 of at least 0.50.

A vehicle for cutting vegetation comprising:

• a frame having first and second frame ends on opposing sides of said vehicle;
• at least a first drive wheel having a drive axle and being operatively connected to said frame;
• a chute having a cross-sectional area A1 through a vertical plane that intersects said drive axle, the chute having a substantially non-circuitous orientation;
• a transmission for use in driving said at least first drive wheel, said transmission being positioned in line with said drive axle;
• an engine for use in providing power to said transmission;
• and,
• wherein a chute area A2 is provided through said vertical plane, said chute area A2 being defined on the top by a horizontal line that intersects a top most edge of said chute, on the sides by first and second vertical lines that intersect said first and second frame ends, and on the bottom by said drive axle, said cross-sectional area A1 and said chute area A2 forming an area ratio A1/A2 of at least 0.50.