Operator platform suspension system for turf maintenance vehicle

A riding turf maintenance vehicle comprising:

• a chassis comprising a support area having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
• an operator platform comprising a seat positioned above the support area when the platform is in an operating position, the platform further comprising:
• a front edge located proximate the front end of the support area, wherein the front edge of the platform is pivotally connected to the support area at a pivot axis parallel to the front edge such that the platform may pivot about the pivot axis;
• and
• a suspension apparatus selectively attachable to the support area at any one of a plurality of discrete locations comprising at least a first and a second location, wherein the suspension apparatus comprises:
• an elongate, transversely extending support member comprising a tab, the tab adapted to engage the support area to secure the suspension apparatus at any one of the plurality of discrete locations, wherein each of the plurality of discrete locations is defined by a slot formed in the support area, and wherein each slot is adapted to receive therein the tab of the support member;
• and
• resilient first and second tubular elements attached to outermost ends of the support member, the first and second tubular elements defining a transverse, common tube axis that is also parallel to the pivot axis, wherein, when the suspension apparatus is attached to the support area at any one of the plurality of discrete locations and the platform is in the operating position, the first and second tubular elements are interposed between the support area and the platform,
• and wherein the common tube axis of the first and second tubular elements is spaced-apart from the pivot axis:
• by a first distance when the suspension apparatus is in the first location;
• and by a second distance, different than the first distance, when the suspension apparatus is in the second location.

A riding turf maintenance vehicle comprising:

• a chassis comprising a support area having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
• an operator platform comprising a seat positioned above the support area when the platform is in an operating position, the seat defining a seat index point (SIP), the platform further comprising:
• a front edge located proximate the front end of the support area, wherein the front edge is pivotally connected to the support area at a pivot axis parallel to the front edge such that the platform may pivot about the pivot axis;
• and
• a suspension apparatus comprising a resilient element, the apparatus attachable to the support area at a first location or, alternatively, at a second location, each location being at a different longitudinal distance from the pivot axis, wherein:
• when the apparatus is in the first location with a 120 pound-force seat load, the suspension apparatus is adapted to provide a static vertical deflection, at the SIP, of 0.5 inches, and a total dynamic vertical deflection, at the SIP, of 1.5 inches when the vehicle is subjected to a vertical shock load of 4 g;
• and
• when the apparatus is at the second location with a 300 pound-force seat load, the suspension apparatus is adapted to provide a static vertical deflection, at the SIP, of 0.5 inches, and a total dynamic vertical deflection, at the SIP, of 1.5 inches when the vehicle is subjected to a vertical shock load of 4 g.