Patent ID: 6588188
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: A01D,Y10S

Abstract:
A self-propelled riding foliage mower comprising:a body assembly having a forward end, a rearward end, ground-engaging wheels and a motive unit for propelling the mower across the ground; a cutter deck adjustably suspended from the body assembly for movement between an elevated transport height and at least one cutting height which is less than said transport height; a foot-operated height adjustment assembly supported by said body assembly; said height adjustment assembly including a plurality of pivot lugs which pivot with respect to said body assembly, each pivot lug having a first connection site and a second connection site, said cutter deck being suspended from a plurality of said pivot lug second connection sites, at least one of said pivot lugs being a forward pivot lug at a portion of said body assembly which is forward of another said pivot lug that is a rearward pivot lug; said height adjusting assembly also including a push-pull rod connecting said first connection site of a said forward pivot lug with said first connection site of said rearward pivot lug; a foot pedal component drivingly engaging at least one of said forward pivot lugs, said body assembly having an upstanding component, said foot pedal component and said upstanding component cooperating to impart either a secured position or a released position to the foot pedal component, whereby movement of said foot pedal component in one direction, which is toward the forward end of the body assembly and to the secured position, pivots said forward pivot lug and also said rearward pivot lug, through said push-pull rod, and raises said cutter deck suspended from said pivot lugs without lifting assistance from another component, and movement of said foot pedal component in an opposite direction, which is toward the rearward end of the body assembly and to the released position, allows gravity lowering of said cutter deck; said foot pedal component lockingly engaging said upstanding component when the foot pedal component is in a forwardmost position in order to maintain said secured position of the foot pedal component, and said foot pedal component is disengaged from said upstanding component in order to attain said released position; and a stop mechanism distinct from said foot pedal component which prevents downward movement of said cutter deck beyond one of a selectable plurality of deck height levels in order to limit said gravity lowering of the cutter deck, said foot pedal component being disengaged from said upstanding component when said cutter deck is at said one of a selectable plurality of deck height levels.