Lawnmower having mulching cutter deck assembly
AssigneeScag Power Equipment, Inc.
InventorsKevin A. Boeck, David J. Sugden, Todd R. Wanie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mulching assembly for a mower deck that has one or more cutting chambers includes a channeling plate in each cutting chamber. The channeling plate is configured to optimize air and clipping flow through the cutting chamber for mulching and dispersal of the clippings without disrupting airflow and consequently creating obstructions in the high-pressure outer region of the cutting chamber. Each channeling plate is spaced from the outer perimeter of the cutting chamber, extends in a generally non-radial direction generally parallel to the bottom surface of the cutter deck, and is mounted to the deck directly above the cutting blade in each cutting chamber.
Claims24
A channeling device for a mower cutting deck having at least one cutting chamber with a cutting blade mounted therein, the channeling device comprising:
- a) a mounting section configured to be secured to the cutting deck within the cutting chamber such that the channeling device is fixed from rotation relative to the cutting deck;
- and
- b) a channeling section extending outwardly from the mounting section in a non-radial direction relative to a rotational axis of the cutting blade and the mounting section, the channeling section having an outer end that is dimensioned to be spaced from a periphery of the cutting chamber.
A channeling plate for a mower cutting deck having at least one cutting chamber, a stationary spindle boss extending downwardly into the cutting chamber and supporting a rotary spindle, and a cutting blade mounted on the spindle, the channeling plate comprising:
- a) a mounting section having an opening formed therein that is dimensioned to fit over the spindle and having additional openings for receiving fasteners for fastening the channeling plate to the spindle boss such that the channeling device is fixed from rotation relative to the cutting deck;
- and
- b) first and second opposed channeling sections that extend non-radially outwardly from the mounting section and that have longitudinal centerlines that are located on opposite sides of a centerline of the mounting section, each of the first and second channeling sections having
- i) an outer end dimensioned to be spaced from the periphery of the cutting chamber,
- ii) a laterally central portion, and
- iii) a flange extending downwardly from the central portion, the flange being dimensioned to be at least generally coextensive with the cutting blade.
A mower deck comprising:
- a) the deck having a top panel;
- b) at least one baffle extending downwardly from the top panel to form at least one cutting chamber;
- c) a cutting blade rotatably mounted within the at least one cutting chamber;
- and
- d) a channeling device secured within the at least one cutting chamber above the cutting blade such that the channeling device is fixed from rotation relative to the mower deck, the channeling device having
- i) a mounting section secured to the cutting deck within the cutting chamber;
- and
- ii) a channeling section extending non-radially outwardly from the mounting section, the channeling section having an outer end spaced from a periphery of the cutting chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.