Abstract:
A hybrid remote control lawn mower that includes embodiments to provide use in all seasons. These embodiments include, a wagon, a spreader, a dethacher, a leaf collector, a leaf blower, a lawn trimmer, a lawn edger, an edger, a hedge trimmer, a snow plow blade, a snow blower, etc. The hybrid remote control lawn mower allows an operator to stay at a safe distance away from the hybrid remote control lawn mower in dangerous places such as on steep hills.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/912,324, filed Aug. 05, 2004, and entitled “Hybrid Remote Control Lawn Mower.” Ser. No. 10/912,324 is related to Provisional No. 60/492,687, filed Aug. 5, 2003.  
         [0002]     Lawn mowers are well known in the art. Typically, lawn mowers are used to cut grass in a lawn to a desired height. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention provides a hybrid remote control lawn mower that allows an operator to control the hybrid remote control lawn mower from a remote location. Additionally, the hybrid remote control lawn mower may include other embodiments to provide use in all seasons. The embodiments may include a wagon, a spreader, a dethacher, a leaf collector, a leaf blower, a lawn trimmer, an edger, a hedge trimmer, a snow plow blade, a snow blower, or any other suitable attachment. The hybrid remote control lawn mower allows an operator to stay at a safe distance away from the hybrid remote control lawn mower in dangerous places such as on steep hills. Additionally, the hybrid remote control lawn mower allows a physically challenged operator to control the hybrid remote control lawn mower from a stationary location.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     The features of the present invention will best be understood from a detailed description of the invention and a preferred embodiment thereof selected for the purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a hybrid remote control lawn mower according to the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a frame of the hybrid remote control lawn mower of the hybrid remote control lawn mower of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a deck apparatus of the hybrid remote control lawn mower of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 2 , the deck apparatus of  FIG. 3 , an alternator apparatus, a right rear motor apparatus and a left rear motor apparatus;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates a diagramatic view of a charger system;  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a remote transmitter apparatus;  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  illustrates a diagramatic view of a brain control system;  
         [0013]      FIG. 9  illustrates a diagramatic view of the brain control system including MOSFETs;  
         [0014]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a MOSFET cooling apparatus;  
         [0015]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower including a front bumper, a rear bumper, a headlight, wireless video cameras, a pattern recognition system, a wireless video receiver, and a virtual reality glasses apparatus;  
         [0016]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of a hill with another embodiment of the hybrid remote control lawn mower wherein the hybrid remote control lawn mower includes a counterweight apparatus;  
         [0017]      FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower wherein the hybrid remote control lawn mower includes the counterweight apparatus of  FIG. 12  and an anti-tipping assembly to prevent tipping over of the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0018]      FIG. 14  illustrates a side view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower of  FIG. 13 , wherein the anti-tipping assembly is preventing the hybrid remote control lawn mower from tipping over;  
         [0019]      FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein the hybrid remote control lawn mower includes a seat assembly for an operator and a transmitter support assembly to secure the remote transmitter apparatus of  FIG. 7  to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0020]      FIG. 16  illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower including a deck apparatus including more than one lawn mower blade;  
         [0021]      FIG. 17  illustrates a side view of a hitch assembly attached to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0022]      FIG. 18  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a wagon apparatus is coupled to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0023]      FIG. 19  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a spreader apparatus is connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0024]      FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a dethatcher apparatus is connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0025]      FIG. 21  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a lawn clippings collection apparatus is connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0026]      FIG. 22  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a weed trimmer apparatus is attached to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0027]      FIG. 23  illustrates a side view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower including the weed trimmer apparatus of  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 24  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein an edge trimmer apparatus is attached to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0029]      FIG. 25  illustrates a side view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower including the edge trimmer of  FIG. 24 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 26  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a hedge trimmer apparatus is attached to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0031]      FIG. 27  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower, wherein a track apparatus provides movement upon a support surface;  
         [0032]      FIG. 28  illustrates a front view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 29  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower including a rear track drive apparatus;  
         [0034]      FIG. 30  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower including a blade apparatus attached to the hybrid remote control lawn mower;  
         [0035]      FIG. 31  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a remote control lawn mower including a fluid blade apparatus;  
         [0036]      FIG. 32  illustrates a front view of the fluid blade apparatus of  FIG. 31 , including fluid exhaust ports; and  
         [0037]      FIG. 33  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a remote control lawn mower including a snow blower apparatus attached to the remote control lawn mower. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]     Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of the preferred embodiment. The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , illustrate a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  includes a frame  12 , a right rear motor apparatus  14 , a left rear motor apparatus  16 , a right rear wheel apparatus  18 , a left rear wheel apparatus  20 , a right front free swiveling wheel apparatus  22 , a left front free swiveling wheel apparatus  24 , a deck apparatus  26 , an engine  28 , a deck suspension apparatus  30 , a lawn mower blade  32 , an alternator apparatus  34 , a battery  36 , a voltage regulator  38 , a remote transmitter apparatus  40 , a receiver apparatus  42 , and a brain control system  44 . The engine  28  may include any suitable engine such as a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, a liquid petroleum gas engine, a bio fuel engine, a hydrogen engine, a fuel cell engine, or any other suitable engine.  
         [0040]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the engine  28  may further include an emission control system  46 . The emission control system  46  may include any suitable system such as a catalytic converter, lean burn system, or any other suitable system. The emission control system  46  enables the engine  28  to meet federal or state mandated air pollution emission standards. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  the engine  28  may include an exhaust silencer system  48  to keep noise levels below federal or state mandated noise levels. The engine  28  is attached to the deck apparatus  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the engine  28  includes a rotating drive shaft  50 . The lawn mower blade  32  is attached to the rotating drive shaft  50  and rotates and cuts through lawn  52 .  
         [0041]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the alternator apparatus  34  is attached to the deck apparatus  26 . A mounting arm  54  is rigidly attached to the deck apparatus  26 . The alternator apparatus  34  rotates about a pivot bolt  56  attached to the mounting arm  54 . A tensioning arm  58  is rigidly attached to the deck apparatus  26 . The tensioning arm  58  includes an adjustment slot  60 . A fastening device  62  such as a nut and bolt passes through the adjustment slot  60  and may secure the alternator apparatus  34  to the tensioning arm  58  at any location along the slot  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a drive belt  62  may couple a drive pulley  66  with an alternator pulley  64 . The drive pulley  66  is mounted on the rotating drive shaft  50  of the engine  28 . The alternator pulley  64  provides rotation to the alternator apparatus  34  to generate electric power. Tension in the drive belt  62  is adjusted by sliding the fastening device  62  along the adjustment slot  60  until a desired belt  62  tension is obtained. Then the fastening device  62  is tightened onto the tensioning arm  58 , thus maintaining the desired drive belt  62  tension. Alternatively, the alternator apparatus  34  may be connected with the engine  28  by any suitable means (e.g., gears, engine drive shaft  50 , etc.).  
         [0042]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the deck apparatus  42  is suspended from the frame  12  by a deck suspension apparatus  30 . The deck suspension apparatus  30  includes an adjustment lever arm  68  and an adjustment plate  70 . The adjustment plate  70  is rigidly attached to the frame  12 . The adjustment plate  70  includes a set of holes  72 . A pin  74  is slid through the adjustment lever arm  68  and into one of the set of holes  72 . An operator may swing the adjustment lever arm  68  to adjust the height between the deck apparatus  34  and the frame  12 . Then the operator may slide the pin  74  through the adjustment lever arm  68  and through one of the set of holes  72  to maintain a desired height.  
         [0043]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the right rear motor apparatus  14  is attached to the frame  12 . The left rear motor apparatus  16  is attached to the frame  12 . The right rear motor apparatus  14  includes a motor  74 R, a gearbox  76 R and a wheel drive shaft  78 R. The left rear motor apparatus  16  includes a motor  74 L, a gearbox  76 L and a wheel drive shaft  78 L. The motors  74 R and  74 L may include any suitable motors such as DC electric motors. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the right rear wheel apparatus  18  includes a right rear wheel  80 R and a right rear tire  82 R. The left rear wheel apparatus  20  includes a left rear wheel  80 L and a left rear tire  82 L. The right rear wheel  80 R is attached to the wheel drive shaft  78 R. The left rear wheel  80 L is attached to the wheel drive shaft  78 L. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the right rear tire  82 R and the left rear wheel  82 L rest upon a support surface  84 . The right rear tire  82 R and the left rear tire  82 R may include any suitable tread pattern (e.g., smooth, knobby, V shaped, etc.). The motor  74 R provides rotation through the gearbox  76 R which provides rotation through the wheel drive shaft  78 R to the right rear tire  82 R. The motor  74 L provides rotation through the gearbox  76 L which provides rotation through the wheel drive shaft  78 L to the left rear tire  82 L. The gear boxes  76 R and  76 L may include any suitable gear ratios that do not overload the motors  74 R and  74 L. For a tire with a diameter of about  12  inches a suitable gear ratio is about  25  or higher.  
         [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates the right front free swiveling wheel apparatus  22  and the left front swiveling wheel apparatus  24 . The right front free swiveling wheel apparatus  22  includes a wheel support  85 R and a tire  88 R. The wheel support  85 R is rotatably attached to the frame  12 . The tire  88 R rotates about a shaft  90 R. The tire  88 R rests upon the support surface  84 . The left front free swiveling wheel apparatus  24  includes a wheel support  85 L and a tire  88 L. The wheel support  85 L is rotatably attached to the frame  12 . The tire  88 L rotates about a shaft  90 L. The tire  88 L rests upon the support surface  84 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 1  illustrates the receiver apparatus  42  and the brain control system  44 . The receiver apparatus  42  includes a receiver antenna  92 . The remote transmitter apparatus  40  includes input control modules  94 A,  94 B and  94 C. Additionally, the remote transmitter apparatus  40  includes a transmitter antenna  96 . The operator may input desired command control signals (e.g., such as direction, speed, starting, stopping, etc.) through the input control modules  94 A,  94 B and  94 C. The remote transmitter apparatus  40  translates the operator command control signals and transmits the control signals through a radio wave signal  98 . The radio wave signal  98  is received through the receiver antenna  92  of the receiver apparatus  42 . The receiver apparatus  42  sends the command control signals to the brain control system  44 . The brain control system  44  sends speed and direction signals to the right rear motor apparatus  14  and the left rear motor apparatus  16 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  is then propelled in a desired direction and speed on the support surface  84 .  FIG. 8  shows a loss of radio wave signal detector  147  included in the brain control system  44 . When the loss of radio wave signal detector  147  detects a loss of radio wave signal  98  between the remote transmitter apparatus  40  and the receiver apparatus  42 , the brain control system  44  turns the engine  28  off and stops the power to the motors  74 L and  74 R.  FIG. 9  shows a current sensor device  149  to measure the current going to the right rear motor  74 R and the left rear motor  74 L. The current sensor device  149  may be any suitable device (e.g., Hall effect sensor, current transformer, etc.). To protect the right rear motor  74 R and the left rear motor  74 L, the brain control system  44  shuts off the engine  28  and the current to the motors  74 R and  74 L when the current exceeds a preset current level.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  includes a diagrammatic view of a charger system  100 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the battery  36 , the alternator apparatus  34 , a voltage regulator  102  and the brain control system  44 . The alternator apparatus  34  includes an alternator rotor  104  and an alternator stator  106 . The alternator rotor  104  rotates and the alternator stator  106  provides electrical power  108 . The voltage regulator  102  regulates the electrical power to any suitable voltage level (e.g., 12 volts, 24 volts, etc.). The brain control system  44  sends desired electrical power  108  to the right rear motor apparatus  14  and the left rear motor apparatus  16 . The battery  36  may include any suitable voltage (e.g., 12 volts, 24 volts, etc.).  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . The remote transmitter apparatus  40  includes the transmitter antenna  96  and the input control modules  94 A,  94 B and  94 C. Input control module  94 A includes an input control stick  110 . The operator may push the input control stick  110  in any desired direction to control the direction of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . For example if the operator pushes the input control stick  110  towards a right direction (direction arrow  111 ) the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  will steer towards the right. If the operator pushes the input control stick  110  towards a left direction (direction arrow  114 ) the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  will steer towards the left. If the operator pushes the input control stick  1   10  towards a forward direction (direction arrow  116 ) the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  will steer in a straight forward direction. If the operator pushes the input control stick  110  towards a rear direction (direction arrow  118 ) the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  will steer in a straight backward direction. Additionally, any movement of the input control stick  110  in an intermediate direction will cause the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  to steer in that direction. For example, if the operator pushes the input control stick  110  in a direction (direction arrow  120 , the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  would steer in the corresponding direction  120 .  
         [0048]     The operator may control the speed of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  by how far the operator pushes the input control stick  110  towards the circle  112 . If the operator releases the input control stick  110 , the input control stick  110  returns to a position at the center  121  of the circle  112  and the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  comes to a stop with no movement. An outer boundary of a precision low speed control region  122  is indicated by a dotted circle  124 . When the operator moves the input control stick  110  within this precision low speed control region  122 , the speed of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  is limited to a very slow speed. This enables the operator to safely maneuver the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  at very slow speeds. Without this precision low speed control region  122  the hybrid remote control lawn mower could suddenly move an unwanted distance when the operator slightly moved the input control stick  110 . This precision low speed control region  122  allows the operator to maneuver the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  in tight spaces such as when parking in a garage. When the operator pushes the input control stick  110  outside of the outer boundary  124  of the precision low speed control region  122 , the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  is allowed to move at higher speeds. The precision low speed control region  122  is controlled in the brain control system  44 . Additionally, when the engine  28  is not running, the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  motors  74 R and  74 L the brain control system  44  and the battery  36  are still fully operational so that the operator may still drive the remote control lawn mower  10  in any desired direction. This is useful when the operator desires to park the unit in a garage without the engine  28  running.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  illustrates the input control module  94 B including an input control stick  126 . The operator may push the input control stick  126  towards a right direction (direction arrow  128 ) to start the engine  28 . The engine may include an electric starter (not shown) to automatically start the engine  28 . The operator may push the input control stick  126  towards a left direction (direction arrow  130 ) to turn the engine  28  off. When the operator releases the input control stick  126 , the input control stick  126  returns to a center position  132 . As an option, when the engine  28  is turned off and not running, the operator may push the input control stick  126  towards the left (direction arrow  130 ) twice in rapid sequence and this signals the brain control system  44  to implement a system reset. This is only used when for some reason the brain control system  44  needs to reset.  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  illustrates the input control module  94 C including a safety button  134 . As an option, the safety button  134  may be provided such that the operator must keep the safety button  134  depressed in order for the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  to operate and move. If the operator releases the safety button  134  the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10  would immediately stop and turn off.  
         [0051]     Additional control modules  94  or control channels may be added to provide additional remote operating features to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  illustrates a diagramatic view of the remote transmitter apparatus  40 , the receiver apparatus  42 , the brain control system  44  and the right rear motor apparatus  14  and the left rear motor apparatus  16 . The brain control system  44  includes a microprocessor  146  and a propulsion control system  148 . The operator provides control signals (e.g., direction, speed, starting, stopping, etc.) through the input control modules  94 A,  94 B and  94 C of the remote transmitter apparatus  40  ( FIG. 7 ). The remote transmitter apparatus  40  sends command signals (e.g., direction, speed, starting, stopping, etc.) to the receiver apparatus  42 . The receiver apparatus  42  sends command signals to the microprocessor  146 . The microprocessor  146  sends command signals to the propulsion control system  148  to operate the speed and direction of the right rear motor apparatus  14  and the left rear motor apparatus  16 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a diagramatic view of the microprocessor  146 , the propulsion control system  148 , the right rear motor apparatus  14  and the left rear motor apparatus  16 . A forward direction is indicated by a direction arrow  81 F as shown in  FIG. 1 . A backward direction is indicated by a direction arrow  81 B as shown in  FIG. 1 . To travel in the forward direction  81  F the right rear wheel  80 R and the left rear wheel  80 L rotate in the same forward direction  81  F to provide forward movement to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . To travel in the backward direction  81 B the right rear wheel  80 R and the left rear wheel  80 L rotate in the same backward direction  81 B to provide backward movement to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . To travel in a straight line the right rear wheel  80 R and the left rear wheel  80 L rotate at the same speed. When traveling forward and turning right, the left rear wheel  80 L rotates faster than the right rear wheel  80 R. When traveling forward and turning left, the right rear wheel  80 R rotates faster than the left rear wheel  80 L. To provide zero turning radius to the right, the left rear wheel  80 L rotates in the forward direction  81 F while the right rear wheel  80 R rotates in the backward direction  81 B To provide zero turning radius to the left, the right rear wheel  80 R rotates in the forward direction  81 F and the left rear wheel  80 L rotates in the backward direction  81 B. Additionally, the brain control system  44  turns the motors  74 R and  74 L into generators when the hybrid remote control lawn mower is coasting down a hill or slowing down. In this mode of operation, the electric power generated by the motors  74 R and  74 L is stored in the battery  36 . This electric power stored in the battery  36  may be used to provide power to the motors  74 R and  74 L. Thus, energy is conserved and decreases the amount of fuel used by the engine  28 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 9  illustrates MOSFETs  150 A and  150 B which provide control of electric current supplied to the left motor  74 L. MOSFETs  150 C and  150 D provide control of electric current supplied to the right motor  74 R. Electric current may cause overheating of the MOSFETs  150 A,  150 B,  150 C and  150 D.  FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a MOSFET  150  cooling apparatus  152 . The cooling apparatus  152  includes a top clamping plate  154 , a heat sink  158  and fasteners  156 A and  156 B. The MOSFET  150  is clamped between the top clamping plate  154  and the heat sink  158  by any suitable fasteners  156 A and  156 B (e.g., nuts and bolts, screws, etc.). The heat sink  158  may be any suitable material (e.g., aluminum, copper, etc.). A conductive grease  160  may be applied between the MOSFET  150  and the heat sink  158 . The MOSFET  150  may be clamped with at least  10  newtons of force but preferably with about  150  newtons of force. The heat sink  158  may also include any other suitable means of cooling (e.g., fins, fan, liquid cooling, thermoelectric Peltier, etc.). The heat sink  158  carries heat away from the MOSFET  150  and enables the MOSFET  150  to carry large currents without failure. A temperature sensor  161  is attached to the MOSFET  150  to measure the MOSFET  150  temperature. Alternatively, the temperature sensor  161  may be attached to the heat sink  158  at a location near the MOSFET  150 . The temperature sensor  161  may be any suitable temperature sensor (e.g., thermistor, thermocouple, RTD, etc.). If the temperature of the MOSFET  150  exceeds a predetermined temperature, the brain control system  44  shuts off the engine  28  and shuts off power to the motors  74 R and  74 L. The predetermined temperature may be but is not limited to about 60 degrees C. The brain control system  44  allows the engine  28  and motors  74 R and  74 L to restart and resume normal operation after the temperature of the MOSFET  150  lowers to a safe operating level.  
         [0054]      FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B including a front bumper  164 , a rear bumper  166 , a headlight  168 , a wireless video camera  170 A, a wireless video camera  170 B, a pattern recognition system  177 , a wireless video receiver  174 , a video display unit  176  and a virtual reality glasses apparatus  178 . The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0055]     If the front bumper  164  contacts an object, a signal is sent to the brain control system  44  and the brain control system  44  causes the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B to stop moving. If the rear bumper  166  contacts an object, a signal is sent to the brain control system  44  and the brain control system  44  causes the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B to stop moving.  
         [0056]     The headlight  168  provides illumination at night. The wireless video cameras  170 A and  170 B provide views ahead and behind the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B. The wireless video cameras  170 A and  170 B may be any suitable wireless video camera (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, infrared, color, etc.). The wireless video cameras  170 A and  170 B include antennas  180 A and  180 B respectively. The wireless video receiver  174  includes an antenna  182 . The wireless video receiver  174  may be located at a remote distance from the wireless video cameras  170 A and  170 B. The wireless video cameras  170 A and  170 B send video signals through the antennas  180 A and  180 B. The antenna  182  of the wireless video receiver  174 , receives the video signals from the antennas  180 A and  180 B. The videos from video cameras  170 A and  170 B are then displayed on the video display unit  176 . Each video signal from camera  170 A and  170 B may be displayed and observed by the operator while the operator controls the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B using the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . Optionally, the video signals from the wireless video cameras  170 A and  170 B may be displayed and observed by the operator using a virtual reality glasses apparatus  178 . The operator wears the virtual reality glasses apparatus  178  like a pair of eyeglasses and can see the video views.  
         [0057]     The pattern recognition system  177  ( FIG. 11 ) includes viewing devices  182  and  184 . The pattern recognition apparatus  177  may swivel to look ahead of or behind the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B. The brain control system  44  processes the signals from the viewing devices  182  and  184  and learns the locations of significant objects in a yard (e.g., houses, trees, bushes, etc.). The brain control system  44  then prevents the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 B from contacting these objects.  
         [0058]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of a hill  190  with another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C.  FIG. 12  illustrates the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C following a contour line  192  (shown as dashed line) of the hill  190 . A desired direction of travel is shown by direction arrow  194 .  FIG. 12  illustrates a center of gravity location  196  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C. The center of gravity location  196  is located at a distance “A” in front of a center  199  of the left rear wheel  80 L. A counterweight assembly  198  is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C.  FIG. 12  illustrates a center of gravity location  200  of the counter weight assembly  198  and mass of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C behind the left rear wheel  80 L. The center of gravity of the counter weight assembly  198  and mass of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C behind the left rear wheel  80 L is located at a distance “B” behind the center  199  of the left rear wheel  80 L. A force “FA” due to the weight of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C ahead of the left rear wheel  80 L acts through the center of gravity location  196 . A force “FB” due to the weight of the counter weight assembly  198  and the mass of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C acts through the center of gravity of location  198 . If the moment due to the force “FA” multiplied by the distance “A” is larger than the moment due to the force “FB” multiplied by the distance “B”, then the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C will travel along a path indicated by direction arrow  202  ( FIG. 12 ). If the moment due to force “FA” multiplied by the distance “A” is significantly larger than the moment due to the force “FB” multiplied by the distance “B”, the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C will not be able to follow the desired direction of travel  194  along the contour line  192 . Mass is added to the counter weight assembly  198  until the moment due to the force “FA” multiplied by the distance “A” and the force “FB” multiplied by the distance “B” are about equal. Then the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C will be able to follow the desired direction of travel  194  along the contour line  192 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 13  illustrates the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C including the counterweight assembly  198  and a anti-tipping assembly  204 . The anti-tipping assembly  204  is atached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C. The anti-tipping assembly  204  includes a skid  206 . The operator inputs desired commands to the remote control lawn mower  10 C through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 14  illustrates how the anti-tipping assembly  204  prevents the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C from flipping over in a backwards direction (direction arrow  208 ). The skid  206  contacts and pushes against the support surface  84  and prevents the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 C from flipping over in the backwards direction (direction arrow  208 ).  
         [0061]      FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D includes a seat assembly  210 , the anti-tipping assembly  204  and a remote transmitter support assembly  212 . The seat assembly  210  is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D. An operator (not shown) may sit on the seat assembly  210 . The remote transmitter support assembly  212  is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D. The remote transmitter apparatus  40  is removably attached to the remote transmitter support assembly  212 . When the remote transmitter apparatus  40  is attached to the remote transmitter support assembly  212 , the operator may sit on the seat assembly  210  and operate the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D using the input control modules  94 A,  94 B and  94 C of the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . As a safety precaution, when mowing on a steep incline or hill, the operator may get off of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D and remove the remote transmitter apparatus  40  from the remote transmitter support assembly  212 . Next, the operator may carry the remote transmitter apparatus  40  (shown in dashed lines) to a safe distance away from the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D. Then the operator can use the input control modules  94 A,  94 B and  94 C of the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to operate the hybrid remote control lawn mower on the steep incline or hill. Then in case the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D slips down the hill, the operator is at a safe distance away from the unit and has no risk of falling off of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 D.  
         [0062]      FIG. 16  illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 E. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 E includes a deck apparatus  26 E. The deck apparatus  26 E includes a plurality of lawn mower blades  32 A,  32 B and  32 C. The lawn mower blades  32 B and  32 C are rotatably connected with the drive shaft  50  of the engine  28  (not shown). The lawn mower blade  32 A is directly attached to the rotating drive shaft  50 . Any suitable means of connection (e.g., belts, gears, etc.) may be used to rotatably connect the lawn mower blades  32 B and  32 C to the shaft  50  of the engine  28 . For illustration purposes, belts  213 B and  213 C are shown connecting the lawn mower blades  32 B and  32 C to the rotating shaft  50 . The drive belt  62  is shown connecting the alternator assembly  34  with the rotating drive shaft  50  of the engine  28 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 17  illustrates a side view of a hitch assembly  214  attached to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . The hitch assembly  214  includes a hitch support arm  216 , a hitch pin  218  and a tow bar  220 . The hitch support arm  216  is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . The hitch support arm  216  includes a mounting hole  224 . The hitch pin  218  passes through the mounting hole  224 . The hitch pin may be any suitable form (e.g., hitch ball, straight pin, etc.). It was discovered that hitching the metallic tow bar  220  to the metallic frame  12  and to the metallic hitch pin  218  and to the metallic hitch support arm  216  would create radio wave signal  98  interference between the remote transmitter apparatus  40  and the receiver apparatus  42 . To solve this interference problem it was discovered that electrical insulation must be provided somewhere in the path between the hitch support arm  216  and the tow bar  220 . One solution is to provide electrical insulation between the hitch support arm  216  and the hitch pin  218 . This insulation may include any suitable material (e.g., ceramic, acetal resin plastic, nylon, polyethylene, etc.). Another solution is to have the hitch pin  218  made from an electrical insulation material. The insulation material may include any suitable material (e.g., ceramic, acetal resin plastic, polyethylene, etc.). Another solution is to have the tow bar  220  include an insulation portion  222 . This insulation portion  222  may include any suitable material (e.g., wood, fiberglass, polyethylene, etc.).  
         [0064]      FIG. 18  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 F. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 F includes the hitch assembly  214  and a wagon apparatus  226  connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 F. The wagon apparatus  226  may be used to carry any suitable material (e.g., dirt, sand, plants, etc.). The tow bar  220  of the wagon apparatus  226  may be demountably connected to the hitch pin  218  of the hitch assembly  214 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 F may pull or push the wagon apparatus  226  along the support surface  84 . The operator inputs desired commands to the remote control lawn mower  10 F through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 19  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 G. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 G includes the hitch assembly  214  and a spreader apparatus  228  connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 G. The spreader apparatus  228  may be used to spread any suitable material  230  (e.g., fertilizer, seed, deice, etc.) upon the support surface  84 . The tow bar  220  of the spreader apparatus  228  may be demountably connected to the hitch pin  218  of the hitch assembly  214 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 G may pull the spreader apparatus  228  along the support surface  84 . The operator inputs desired commands to the remote control lawn mower  10 G through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 H. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 H includes the hitch assembly  214  and a dethatcher apparatus  232  connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 H. The dethatcher apparatus  232  may be used to remove thatch from the lawn  52 . The tow bar  220  of the dethatcher apparatus  232  may be demountably connected to the hitch pin  218  of the hitch assembly  214 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 H may pull the dethatcher apparatus  232  along the support surface  84 . The operator inputs desired commands to the remote control lawn mower  10 H through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 21  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I includes the hitch assembly  214  and a lawn clippings collector apparatus  234  connected to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  101 . The tow bar  220  of the lawn clippings collector apparatus  234  may be demountably connected to the hitch pin  218  of the hitch assembly  214 . A lawn clippings conduit  236  connects a lawn exhaust port  238  with a lawn clippings collector port  240 . The lawn exhaust port  238  is an opening in the deck apparatus  26 . The lawn clippings collector port  240  is an opening in the side of a collection bin  242 . Ground up lawn clippings  244  are blown through the lawn exhaust port  238 , through the lawn clippings conduit  236  and through the lawn clippings collector port  240  into the collection bin  242 . The lawn mower blade  32  chops up the lawn  52  into ground up lawn clippings  244  and the air pressure built up in the deck apparatus  26  blows the ground up lawn clippings  244  from the deck apparatus  26 , through the lawn clippings conduit  236  and into the collection bin  242 . Optionally, a supplemental air blower device  246  (shown in dotted lines) may be added to provide additional air flow to blow the lawn clippings  244  up through the lawn clippings conduit  236  into the collection bin  242 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I pulls the lawn clippings collector apparatus  234  along the support surface  84 . Use of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I with the lawn clippings collector apparatus  234  is not limited to lawn clippings but may be used in a similar manner for grinding up and collecting leaves. The operator inputs desired commands to the remote control lawn mower  10 I through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0068]     Another embodiment of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I including a leaf blower apparatus  248  is illustrated in  FIG. 21 . The leaf blower apparatus  248  may be demountably attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I. The leaf blower apparatus  248  includes a blower  250 , a conduit  252  and an exhaust nozzle  254 . The blower  250  provides pressurized air  251 . The pressurized air  251  flows through the conduit  252  and ejects from the exhaust nozzle  254  onto the support surface  84 . The blower  250  may include any suitable power means including an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. The electric motor may be powered by the battery  36  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  101 . The pressurized air ejecting from the exhaust nozzle  254  of the leaf blower apparatus  248  may be used to blow lawn clippings  244  or leaves from a support surface  84 . While the leaf blower apparatus  248  is operating the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I may be controlled to travel along any desired path while the leaf blower apparatus blows lawn clippings  244  or leaves away from the support surface  84 . The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . These commands may include turning on and off the blower  250  of the leaf blower apparatus  248 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 22  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 J. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 J includes a support frame apparatus  255  and a weed trimmer apparatus  254 . The support frame apparatus  255  is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 J. The weed trimmer apparatus  254  may be demountably attached to the support frame apparatus  255 . The weed trimmer apparatus  254  includes a motor  256 , a drive shaft  258  and a trimmer blade  260 . The motor  256  spins the drive shaft  258  which spins the trimmer blade  260 . The trimmer blade  260  is positioned to trim lawn  52 . The trimmer blade  260  may be any suitable cutting blade (e.g., string cutter, metallic blade, etc.). The motor  256  may be any suitable motor (e.g., gasoline, electric, etc.). The electric motor may be powered by the battery  36  of the remote control lawn mower  10 J. While the weed trimmer apparatus  254  is operating, the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 I may be controlled to travel along any desired path while the weed trimmer apparatus  254  trims the lawn  52  or weeds. Optionally, a counter balance weight  262  (shown with dotted lines) may be demountably attached to the support frame  12 . The counter balance weight  262  may be used to counterbalance the weight of the weed trimmer apparatus  254  to prevent the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 J from tipping.  FIG. 23  illustrates a side view of the weed trimmer apparatus  254  demountably attached to the support frame apparatus  255 . The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 J through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . These commands may include turning on and off the motor  256  of the weed trimmer apparatus  254 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 24  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 K. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 K includes a support frame apparatus  255 A and an edge trimmer apparatus  263 . The support frame apparatus  255 A is attached to the frame  12  of the remote control lawn mower  10 K. The edge trimmer apparatus  263  may be demountably attached to the support frame apparatus  255 A. The edge trimmer apparatus  263  includes a motor  256 A, a drive shaft  258 A and an edger blade  264 . The motor  256 A spins the drive shaft  258 A which spins the edger blade  264 . The edger blade  264  is positioned to trim lawn  52  at an edge of a walkway  268 . The edger blade  264  may be any suitable cutting blade (e.g., string cutter, metallic blade, etc.). The motor  256 A may be any suitable motor (e.g., gasoline, electric, etc.). The electric motor may be powered by the battery  36  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 K. While the edger apparatus  263  is operating, the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 K may be controlled to travel along any desired path while the edger trimmer apparatus  263  trims the lawn  52  or weeds along the edge of the walkway  268 . Optionally, the counter balance weight  262  (shown with dotted lines) may be demountably attached to the support frame  12 . The counter balance weight  262  may be used to counterbalance the weight of the edge trimmer apparatus  263  to prevent the remote control lawn mower  10 K from tipping.  FIG. 25  illustrates a side view of the edge trimmer apparatus  263  demountably attached to the support frame apparatus  255 . The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 K through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . These commands may include turning on and off the motor  256 A of the edge trimmer apparatus  263 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 26  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 L. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 L includes a support frame apparatus  255 B and a hedge trimmer apparatus  270 . The support frame apparatus  255 B is attached to frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 L. The hedge trimmer apparatus  270  may be demountably attached to the support frame apparatus  255 B. The hedge trimmer apparatus  270  includes a motor  256 B, a drive shaft  258 B and a hedge trimmer blade  272 . The motor  256 B spins the drive shaft  258 B which drives the hedge trimmer blade  272 . The hedge trimmer blade  272  is positioned to trim a hedge  274 . The hedge trimmer blade  272  may be any suitable blade (e.g., single sided, double sided, etc.). The motor  256 B may be any suitable motor (e.g., gasoline, electric, etc.). The electric motor may be powered by the battery  36  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 L. While the hedge trimmer apparatus  270  is operating, the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 L may be controlled to travel along any desired path along the surface  84  while the hedge trimmer blade  272  is cutting along the hedge  274 . Optionally, the counter balance  262  may be demountably attached to the support frame  12 . The counter balance weight  262  may be used to counter balance the weight of the hedge trimmer apparatus  270  to prevent the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 K from tipping. The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 L through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0072]      FIGS. 27 and 28  illustrate another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M.  FIG. 27  illustrates a side view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M.  FIG. 28  illustrates a front view of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M includes a track drive apparatus  275 . The track drive apparatus  275  includes a left front wheel assembly  276 L, a left track  278 L, a left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L, a right front wheel assembly  276 R, a right track  278 R and a right rear wheel drive assembly  280 R. As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the left front wheel assembly  276 L is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M. The left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L is connected with the left rear motor apparatus  16 . The left track  278 L couples the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L with the left front wheel assembly  276 L. As illustrated in  FIG. 28 , the right front wheel assembly  276 R is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M. The right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R is connected with the right rear motor apparatus  14 . The right track  278 R couples the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R with the right front wheel assembly  276 R. In a similar manner as described in the remote control lawn mower  10  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) the right rear motor apparatus  14  may drive the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R in a forward (direction arrow  81 F) or in a backwards direction (direction arrow  81 B). The left rear motor apparatus  16  may drive the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L in the forward (direction arrow  81 F) or in the backwards direction (direction arrow  81 B). To travel in the forward direction  81 F the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R and the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L rotate in the same forward direction  81 F to provide forward movement to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M. To travel in a backward direction  81 B the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R and the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L rotate in the same backward direction  81 B. To travel in a straight line the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R and the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L rotate at the same speed. When traveling forward and turning right, the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L rotates faster than the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R. When traveling forward and turning left, the right rear drive wheel assembly  280 R rotates faster than the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L. To provide zero turning radius to the right, the left rear drive wheel assembly  280 L rotates in the forward direction  81 F while the right rear wheel drive assembly  280 R rotates in the backward direction  81 B. To provide zero turning radius to the left, the right rear wheel drive assembly  280 R rotates in the forward direction  81 F and the left rear wheel drive assembly  280 L rotates in the backward direction  81 B. The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 29  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 N. The hybrid remote control lawn mower includes a left rear track drive apparatus  282 L and a right rear track apparatus  282 R. The left rear track drive apparatus  282 L ( FIG. 29 ) replaces the left rear wheel apparatus  20  ( FIG. 1 ) of the embodiment of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . The right rear track drive apparatus  282 R ( FIG. 29 ) replaces the right rear wheel apparatus  18  ( FIG. 1 ) of the first embodiment of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . The left rear track drive apparatus  282 L includes a left rear track drive wheel  286 L, a left rear idler wheel  288 L, a left rear idler wheel  290 L and a left rear track  292 L. The right rear track drive apparatus  282 R includes a right rear track drive wheel  286 R, a right rear idler wheel  288 R, a right rear idler wheel  290 R and right rear track  292 R. The left rear track drive wheel  286 L is connected to the left rear motor apparatus  16 . The right rear track drive wheel  286 R is connected to the right rear motor apparatus  14 . The left rear track  292 L couples the left rear track drive wheel  286 L with the left rear idler wheel  288 L and the left rear idler wheel  290 L. The left rear track  292 L rests upon the support surface  84 . The right rear track  292 R couples the right rear track drive wheel  286 R with the right rear idler wheel  288 R and the right rear idler wheel  290 R. The right rear track  292 R rests upon the support surface  84 . A forward direction (direction arrow  81 F) and a backward direction (direction arrow  81 B) are shown in  FIG. 29 . The left rear motor apparatus  16  may rotate the left rear track  292 L in a forward  81 F or backward direction  81 B. The right rear motor apparatus  14  may rotate the right rear track  292 R in a forward  81 F or backward  81 B direction. The left rear track  292 L and the right rear track  292 R provide forward and rear propulsion to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 N. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 M further includes the left front free swiveling wheel apparatus  24  and the right front swiveling wheel apparatus  22 . Details of the left front free swiveling wheel apparatus  24  and the right front swiveling wheel apparatus  22  are shown in  FIG. 1  and described in the previous description of the first embodiment of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 N steers and operates in a similar manner as included in the description of the embodiment of the remote control lawn mower  10 . The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 N through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0074]      FIG. 30  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P includes a blade apparatus  294 . The blade apparatus  294  includes a mounting member  296  and a blade  298 . The blade  298  is rigidly attached to the mounting member  298 . The mounting member  298  may be demountably attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P. The blade  298  may be any suitable shape (e.g., concave, flat, etc.). The blade  298  rests upon the support surface  84 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P pushes the blade  298  towards a pile of loose material  300  (e.g. snow, dirt, sand, etc.). When the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P moves in the forward direction (direction arrow  81 F), the blade pushes the loose material  300  in the forward direction  81 F). In this manner the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P may push loose material  300  to any desired location. The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 N through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0075]      FIG. 31  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 Q. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 Q includes a fluid blade apparatus  304 . The fluid blade apparatus  304  includes a fluid blade  306 , a mounting element  308  and a pressurized air conduit  310 . The fluid blade  306  is rigidly attached to the mounting element  308 . The mounting element  308  may be demountably attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 A.  
         [0076]     The fluid blade  306  includes at least one fluid exhaust port  312 A,  312 B and  312 C as illustrated in a front view  FIG. 32  of the fluid blade  306 . The deck apparatus  26  includes an air exhaust port  314 . Pressurized air  316  is built up in the deck apparatus by the spinning lawn mower blade  32 . The pressurized air conduit  310  connects the air exhaust port  314  with the at least one blade port  312 A,  312 B and  312 C. Pressurized air  316  travels from the deck apparatus  42  through the air exhaust port  314 , through the pressurized air conduit  310  and through the at least one fluid exhaust port  3   12 A,  312 B and  312 C. The remote control lawn mower  10 Q pushes the fluid blade apparatus  304  in the forward direction (direction arrow  81 F) towards the pile of loose material  300  (e.g., snow, dirt, sand, leaves, etc.). The pressurized air  316  builds up between a front blade surface  318  and the pile of loose material  300 . The pressurized air  316  reduces friction between the front blade surface  318  and the pile of loose material  300  and helps push the pile of loose material  300  in the forward direction  302 . Optionally, a pressurized air source apparatus  320  ( shown in dotted lines  FIG. 31 ) may supply pressurized air  316  to the pressurized air conduit  310 . The pressurized air source apparatus  320  may include any suitable power blower  322  (e.g., driven from the engine  28 , electric motor, etc.).  
         [0077]     As illustrated in  FIG. 32  an optional set of wheel assemblies  324 L and  324  R may be attached to the fluid blade  306 . The wheel assembly  324 L includes a wheel  326 L. The wheel assembly  324 R includes a wheel  326 R. The wheels  326 L and  326 R roll along the support surface  84  and may support the fluid blade  306  slightly above the support surface  84 , thereby reducing the friction between the support surface  84  and the fluid blade  306 . The operator inputs desired commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 P through the remote transmitter apparatus  40 .  
         [0078]      FIG. 33  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R. The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R includes a snow blower apparatus  330 . The snow blower apparatus  330  includes a tow bar apparatus  220 A, a handle assembly  334  and a main body apparatus  336 . The main body apparatus  336  includes a snow blower motor  338 , a main housing  339 , a drive wheel assembly  340 , a front snow inlet section  342 , a snow ejection apparatus  344  and a snow discharge chute apparatus  347 . The handle assembly includes a main handle  335  and a blower control handle  337 . The hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R includes a hitch assembly  214 A. The hitch assembly  214 A is similar to the hitch assembly  214  as shown in  FIG. 17  and as previously described in the specification relating to  FIG. 17 . The hitch support arm  216  is attached to the frame  12  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R. The hitch pin  218  is attached to the hitch support arm  216 . The hitch pin  218  may be any suitable form (e.g., hitch ball, straight pin, etc.). The tow bar apparatus includes a hitch pin connector  348 , a tow arm  350  and a clamp  352 . The hitch pin connector  348  is rigidly attached to the tow arm  350 . The clamp  352  is demountably attached to the main handle  335  of the handle assembly  334 . The clamp  352  may include any suitable means of clamping (e.g., hose clamp, bolt and nut, etc.). Alternatively, the clamp  352  may be demountably attached to the main body housing  339  of the snow blower apparatus  330 . The hitch pin connector  348  may be demountably attached to the hitch pin  218 . As previously described, electrical insulation may be provided somewhere in the path between the hitch pin support arm  216  and the tow arm  350 . This is described in the specification section relating to  FIG. 17 . The snow discharge chute apparatus  347  includes a snow outlet chute  346  and a chute rotation apparatus  356 . The snow blower motor  338  provides power to the snow ejection apparatus  344 . The snow blower motor  338  may include any suitable motor (e.g. gasoline, electric, diesel, etc.). The battery  36  in the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R may provide power to an electric snow blower motor  338 . The snow ejection apparatus  344  may include any suitable means of blowing snow (e.g., single stage impeller, dual stage auger with impeller, etc.). Snow  352  enters the front snow inlet section  342  and the snow ejection apparatus  344  blows the snow through the snow outlet chute  346 . The chute rotation apparatus  356  provides a means of rotating the snow outlet chute  346  to blow snow in any selected direction (e.g., forward, to the right, to the left, etc.) away from the snow blower apparatus  330 . The chute rotation apparatus  356  may include an electric chute motor  358  to rotate the snow outlet chute  346 . The electric chute motor  358  is controlled by the brain control system  44 . A cable  360  electrically connects the brain control system  44  with the electric chute motor  358 . The brain control system  44  sends electrical signals to the electric chute motor  358  to enable the electric chute motor to rotate the snow outlet chute  346  in a desired direction.  FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the remote transmitter apparatus  40 . If the operator pushes the input control stick  126  in an upward direction (direction arrow  362   FIG. 7 ), the snow outlet chute  346  will rotate in a clockwise direction (direction arrow  370   FIG. 33 ). If the operator pushes the input control stick  126  in a downward direction (direction arrow  366   FIG. 7 ), the snow outlet chute  346  will rotate in a counter clockwise direction (direction arrow  372   FIG. 33 ). If the operator releases the input control stick  126 , the input control stick  126  returns to the center position  132  ( FIG. 7 ) and the snow outlet chute  346  stops rotating. Optionally, the remote control lawn mower  10 R may include the wireless video camera  170 A and the wireless video camera  170 B ( FIG. 11  and  FIG. 33 ). The wireless video camera  170 A provides a video view in a direction (direction arrow  380 ) away from the snow blower apparatus  330 . The wireless video camera  170 B provides a video view in a direction (direction arrow  382 ) towards the snow blower apparatus  330 . The operator may view the video views from the video cameras  170 A and  170 B on the video display unit  176 .  
         [0079]     The operator starts the snow blower motor  338  and depresses the blower control handle  337  in a downward direction (direction arrow  384 ). When depressed the blower control handle  337  causes the snow ejection apparatus  344  to operate and to blow snow  352  through the snow outlet chute  346 . The blower control handle  337  is locked in the downward direction (direction arrow  384 ) to keep the snow ejection apparatus  344  in continuous operation. A drive wheel  386  of the snow blower apparatus  330  is free wheeling and provides no movement to the snow blower apparatus  330 . Thus the snow blower apparatus  330  is free to move along the support surface  84 . The operator uses the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to start the engine  28  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R. Detailed descriptions including the operation of the hybrid remote control transmitter apparatus  40  are included in a previous description relating to  FIG. 7 . The operator uses the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to send a command to rotate the snow outlet chute  346  to a desired direction. Then the operator uses the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to command the hybrid remote control lawn mower apparatus  10 R to move in a direction (direction  382 ) towards the pile of snow  352 . The snow  352  enters the front snow inlet section  342  and the snow ejection apparatus  344  blows snow through the snow outlet chute  342  and away from the support surface  84 . The operator may use the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to send commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower apparatus  10 R to steer in a direction to the right or to the left. Additionally, the operator may use the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to command the hybrid remote control lawn mower apparatus  10 R to move in direction (direction arrow  380 ) away from the pile of snow  252 . Then the front snow inlet section  342  is pulled away from the pile of snow  252 . The operator may be at a location in a building away from the remote control lawn mower  10 R. The operator uses the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to send commands to the remote control lawn mower  10 R. At the same time, the operator may look at the video display unit  176  to see video display views in the direction  380  away from the snow blower apparatus and in a direction  382  towards the snow blower apparatus. These video views allow the operator to see which way to steer the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R. To turn off the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R, the operator releases the blower control handle  337  to stop the snow ejection apparatus  344 . Then the operator turns off the snow blower motor  338 . Next the operator uses the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to command the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R to drive near a desired parking location. If desired, the operator may use the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to turn off the engine  28  of the hybrid remote control lawn mower. Then the operator may use the remote transmitter apparatus  40  to send commands to the hybrid remote control lawn mower  10 R to use the battery powered right rear motor apparatus  14  and the left rear motor apparatus  16  to steer and propel the remote control lawn mower  10 R to the desired parking location.  
         [0080]     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, the remote transmitter apparatus  40  and the receiver apparatus  42  may include any number of channels. Additional channels may be used for any suitable application such as engine  28  speed control, switching power on and off to other devices (e.g., leaf blower  248 , weed trimmer  254 , edge trimmer  263 , hedge trimmer  270 , etc.). Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.