Patent ID: 7328564
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A vacuum system adapted for mounting to a riding lawn mower equipped with a mower deck enclosing at least one mower blade driven by a drive system on the mower deck, the vacuum system comprising: a blower section removably mountable to the mower deck, the blower section comprising a housing adapted for receiving debris discharged from the mower deck and means for propelling the debris through an outlet of the housing, the propelling means having a vertical axis of rotation; means for delivering power from the drive system on the mower deck to the propelling means of the blower section; a trailer section configured for towing behind the riding lawn mower, the trailer section comprising a hopper and wheels supporting the hopper; means for removably connecting the trailer section to the rear of the riding lawn mower, the connecting means permitting pivoting of the trailer section relative to the riding lawn mower about a lateral axis of the riding lawn mower and a fore-aft axis of the riding lawn mower but not a vertical axis of the riding lawn mower; and a passage connecting the housing of the blower section to the hopper of the trailer section and through which the debris propelled through the outlet of the housing enters the hopper.