Patent ID: 7360352
Filing Date: 2008-04-22
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A side discharge mower comprising: a mower deck having a top wall, a front wall depending from said top wall, at least one side wall, a rear wall depending from said top wall, and a discharge opening formed laterally of said mower deck; a first shaft supported by said mower deck and extending vertically, and a second shaft disposed closer to said discharge opening than said first shaft; a first blade rotatable about an axis of said first shaft so distal ends thereof define a first circular path; a second blade rotatable about an axis of said second shaft so that distal ends thereof define a second circular path; a rear baffle disposed in a rear region of said mower deck; an intermediate baffle extending from said rear baffle forward through an area adjacent a boundary between the first circular path and the second circular path, said intermediate baffle extending from said rear baffle forwardly beyond a line connecting said first shaft and said second shaft; and a second baffle member substantially continuous with said rear baffle, said second baffle member having a first guide portion, extending from a point located inside said second circular path toward said discharge opening to a first end that is laterally closer to the discharge opening than the second shaft, for guiding grass clippings generally toward said discharge opening, and a second portion substantially continuous with the first end adjacent said discharge opening of said first guide portion at a position laterally between the second shaft and the discharge opening, the second portion being also substantially continuous with said rear baffle; wherein a rear surface of the front wall and a front surface of the first guide portion of the second baffle member are positioned to form a conduit that allows substantially free passage of grass clippings cut by the first and second blades toward the discharge opening; and wherein the first guide portion of the second baffle member having a free end that is positioned within the second circular path, such that an opening is formed between the free end of the first guide portion of the second baffle member and the intermediate baffle to allow passage of grass clippings cut by the second blade to the conduit.