Patent ID: 6931825
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: A01D,F16H

Abstract:
1. A vibration damping mechanism for use with a lawn tractor adapted to reduce vibrations caused by operation of vegetation cutting blades of the tractor, the lawn tractor having a frame, an engine and a mower deck supported by said frame, said mower deck having at least first and second cutting blades mounted beneath the deck and first and second blade pulleys operatively connected to said first and second cutting blades, respectively, and a drive system comprising a drive pulley connected to a crankshaft of said engine and a drive belt operatively connecting said first and second blade pulleys to said drive pulley for transferring rotational energy from the drive pulley to said first and second blade pulleys, thereby causing rotation of said first and second cutting blades for cutting vegetation, the vibration damping mechanism comprising: a first idler pulley for placing tension in said belt having a first spring biasing said first idler pulley into engagement with said belt, wherein said first idler pulley is positioned so as to contact said belt in a slack portion of said belt between the drive pulley and the first blade pulley; and a second idler pulley for reducing vibrations of said belt having a second spring biasing said second idler pulley in engagement with said belt, wherein said second idler pulley is positioned so as to contact said belt in a tension portion of the belt between the second blade pulley and the drive pulley.