Patent ID: 11864492
Assignee: EXMARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY INCORPORATED
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  F  B | IPC A  B

Claim 11:
12. A stand-on riding grounds maintenance vehicle, comprising:
a frame having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends, the frame further comprising a control tower at or near the rear end;
a platform connected to the frame at or near the rear end, the platform adapted to support a standing operator;
an implement connected to the frame at or near the front end of the frame, the implement comprising:
a housing;
a first spindle pulley connected to the housing and adapted to rotate about a first spindle pulley axis; and
a second spindle pulley connected to the housing and adapted to rotate about a second spindle pulley axis; and

a power system comprising a prime mover and an implement drive system, wherein the prime mover is connected to the frame, wherein the implement drive system comprises:
a drive pulley connected to the prime mover and adapted to rotate about a drive pulley axis;
an idler pulley connected to the frame or implement and adapted to rotate about an idler pulley axis; and
an endless belt engaging the drive pulley, the idler pulley, the first spindle pulley, and the second spindle pulley;

wherein the idler pulley axis is disposed at a first longitudinal distance from the drive pulley axis, the first spindle pulley axis is disposed at a second longitudinal distance from the drive pulley axis, and the second spindle pulley axis is disposed at a third longitudinal distance from the drive pulley axis, wherein the first longitudinal distance is greater than each of the second longitudinal distance and the third longitudinal distance; and
wherein a fleeting angle of the endless belt is defined by an elevation of the idler pulley relative to the drive pulley and a distance between the drive pulley axis and the idler pulley axis;
wherein the implement is configured to be raised or lowered in a vertical direction relative to the drive pulley between a range of cutting heights;
wherein the fleeting angle is no greater than 10 degrees as the cutting deck moves between its range of cutting heights, wherein the range of cutting heights is at least 1 inch and no greater than 5 inches.