Vehicle with debris blower and lawn mower

A riding vehicle may include a blower assembly, a mower deck, and a power source. The blower assembly may be configured to direct air from an air inlet to at least one air outlet to move surface debris. The mower deck may be configured to cut a lawn formed of grass or other vegetation. The blower assembly may be configured to direct air to an interior space of the mower deck for assisted discharge of cuttings.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a vehicle adapted to blow debris and mow a lawn, and more particularly to a vehicle having a drive system configured to drive at least one of cutting blades for mowing and a blower blade for generating a stream of air.

BACKGROUND

Yard maintenance often involves the use of several different machines, including a conventional lawn mower vehicle to cut grass. In many cases, a separate blower vehicle is utilized to clear areas of debris such as straw, leaves or dirt. At a commercial level, lawn care services will often transport both a conventional riding lawn mower vehicle and a conventional riding blower vehicle to a job site to conduct yard maintenance for a customer. Due to the size of these vehicles and the transport trailer often used to haul them, lawn care services regularly transport only two vehicles: one lawn mower vehicle and one blower vehicle. There is little redundancy in this arrangement. If one of the blower vehicle or the lawn mower vehicle fails to operate correctly at the job site or requires maintenance, work at the job site can be left incomplete until proper functioning equipment becomes available. For instance, if the lawn mower vehicle fails to operate correctly, workers may leave the job site unfinished to initiate maintenance on the failed mower vehicle. Workers may then return to the job site at a later time after a properly functioning mower vehicle becomes available for use. It should be apparent that delays associated with such failures can increase operating costs and cause inconvenience to the customer.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a riding vehicle having a blower assembly and a mower deck. In one embodiment, the riding vehicle may include a mower deck and a plurality of cutting blades disposed within a cutting space of the mower deck. The mower deck may include a discharge chute for expelling cuttings from the mower deck. The blower assembly may include an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, and may be configured to generate a stream of air from the air inlet to the air outlet.

In another embodiment, the air outlet of the blower assembly may be separate from the discharge chute of the mower deck. The stream of air provided by the air outlet may enable movement of debris on a surface from a first location to a second location. The riding vehicle may include a power source operatively coupled to the cutting blades and the blower assembly such that the same power source provides power to the cutting blades and the blower assembly.

In yet another embodiment, the cutting blades of the mower deck are operatively coupled to a power source via a clutch, and wherein the power source includes a power takeoff directly coupled to the blower assembly and the clutch. In this way, the power source may simultaneously drive both the cutting blades and the blower assembly, or drive only the blower assembly.

In still another embodiment, the blower assembly is configured to generate a stream of air from the air inlet to the air outlet, and the air outlet is operably coupled to a mower deck inlet to direct the stream of air to a cutting space of the mower deck. In this way, the blower assembly may assist discharge of cuttings from the mower deck. In a further embodiment, at least three cutting blades of the mower deck include a right cutting blade, a middle cutting blade, and a left cutting blade arranged in a reverse delta configuration.

In still a further embodiment, a method of operating a riding vehicle for maintenance of a lawn includes the step of providing a power source with a power takeoff to supply power to at least one of an impeller of a blower assembly, cutting blades of a mower deck, and at least two traction wheels. The method may include driving, with the power takeoff, the impeller of the blower assembly to direct air from an air inlet to an air outlet nozzle, and directing the air output from the air outlet nozzle to a surface area to move debris from one location to another location. The method may also include driving, with the power takeoff, the cutting blades of the mower deck to cut areas of the lawn, and discharging cuttings generated by the cutting blades through a discharge chute of the mower deck, wherein the discharge chute is separate from the air outlet nozzle.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings.

DESCRIPTION

A riding vehicle according to one embodiment is shown and described inFIGS. 1-7, and generally designated10. The riding vehicle may include a blower assembly100, a mower deck150, and a power source12. The blower assembly100may be configured to direct air from an air inlet110to at least one air outlet. The mower deck150may be configured to cut a lawn formed of grass or other vegetation.

I. Overview of the Riding Vehicle

In addition to a blower assembly100, a mower deck150, and a power source12, the riding vehicle10may include a frame21or primary chassis. The frame21may support one or more components of the riding vehicle10, including, for example, the power source12, the blower assembly100and the mower deck150. The riding vehicle10may include at least two traction wheels16(e.g., a left wheel and a right wheel) further supported by the frame21and configured to drive the vehicle in a forward or reverse direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the riding vehicle10further includes at least two ground-contacting wheels26(e.g., one left wheel and one right wheel) that may stabilize the riding vehicle10or facilitate distributing the weight of the riding vehicle10over the ground in conjunction with the at least two traction wheels16. For instance, the at least two traction wheels16and the at least two ground-contacting wheels26may be disposed respectively in one of four quadrants defined as rear-left, rear-right, forward-left, and forward-right quadrants with the center of mass of the riding vehicle10being the origin. In this arrangement, the at least two traction wheels16and the at least two ground-contacting wheels26may distribute the load or weight of the riding vehicle10over the ground, thereby stabilizing the riding vehicle10. The at least two ground-contacting wheels26in one embodiment may be castor-type wheels that enable zero turning radius (ZTR) capability.

The at least two traction wheels16may be operably coupled to the power source12via a hydrostatic transmission (not shown), which in conjunction with the power source12define a drive system for the riding vehicle10. The hydrostatic transmission may include two separate hydrostatic transaxles capable of independently driving the at least two traction wheels16in forward or reverse directions, and at varying speeds. It should be understood that any type of drive system may be utilized, including, for example, a single dual axle hydrostatic transaxle.

The frame21of the riding vehicle10may include a front suspension18configured to support the at least two ground-contacting wheels26near the front of the riding vehicle10. The front suspension18may comprise a front frame element22fixedly coupled to the main body of the frame21, and include forward control arms24that are movably coupled to the front frame element22. Each end of the forward control arms24may support one of the at least two ground-contacting wheels26. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, mounting between the forward control arms24and the front frame element22is facilitated by a joint25that enables the forward control arms24to rotate relative to the front frame element22. The joint25may be disposed between left and right sides of the riding vehicle10such that the length of the forward control arms24is divided substantially evenly at the joint25between respective ground-contacting wheels26. In this way, as the riding vehicle10approaches an uneven surface, the forward control arms24may tilt or rotate relative to the frame21to facilitate maintaining contact between the ground and at least two ground-contacting wheels26.

The riding vehicle10may include a platform20(e.g., a riding platform) coupled to the frame21, and arranged to enable an operator to stand while operating the riding vehicle10. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform20is disposed near the rear of the riding vehicle10. The platform20may be forward or aft of a rotational axis of rear-located traction wheels. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to a platform20arranged to provide stand-up riding capabilities. For instance, the riding vehicle10may be a sit-down type vehicle such that the platform20is a seat for supporting the operator while operating the riding vehicle10. The seat in such an embodiment may be disposed forward or aft of the power source12and/or the blower assembly100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the riding vehicle10includes an operator control system14that provides one or more operator controls for the operator to direct operation of the riding vehicle10. As an example, the operator control system14may include left and right levers that independently direct forward/reverse operation of respective left and right traction wheels16. With such independent control over left and right traction wheels16, the operator can drive the riding vehicle10forward, reverse, left and right. The operator control system14may further include an ignition switch that controls ignition of the riding vehicle10and enablement of an electrical system. The operator control system14may be configured to enable/disable operation of the at least two traction wheels16based on presence of the operator, and may engage/disengage a brake based on presence of the operator. An example of such a system is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,644, entitled VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM, and filed Feb. 27, 2015.

II. The Blower Assembly

The blower assembly100may include an impeller112configured to pump air (e.g., the ambient air surrounding the riding vehicle10) from the air inlet110to the at least one air outlet. To avoid pulling in potentially destructive debris through the air inlet110, the blower assembly100may include a shield101that enables inflow of air through the air inlet110but includes spaced apart material to limit entry of objects larger than the space between the material. The impeller may include any type of rotatable component capable of moving air, e.g., a squirrel-cage-type impeller or a fan-type blower.

In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one air outlet includes at least one nozzle configured to direct air toward a surface area to move debris from one location to another location. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one air outlet may include an opening in gaseous communication with the mower deck150so that air pulled from the air inlet110may be directed to an internal space of the mower deck150. The illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7depicts the at least one air outlet including three nozzles for moving surface debris corresponding to a right nozzle102, a forward facing nozzle106, and a left nozzle108. The forward facing nozzle106is coupled to the main body of the blower assembly110via a flow passage104, and the left nozzle108is coupled to the main body of the blower assembly110via a flow passage105. For purposes of disclosure, the flow passage104and the forward facing nozzle106are shown absent from the blower assembly110in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4 and 7to facilitate understanding of the mower deck air supply outlet122and air flow between an opening120of the blower assembly100and the forward facing nozzle106via the flow passage104, which is shown connected to the opening120in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 6. The illustrated embodiment also depicts the at least one air outlet including a mower deck air supply outlet122configured to supply air to the mower deck150. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this specific configuration, and that the at least one air outlet may include a subset of these features, including, for example, a single air outlet corresponding to a nozzle for moving surface debris or only the mower deck air supply outlet122.

The blower assembly100in the illustrated embodiment may include at least one deflector plate or damper operably coupled to the operator control system14. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the three nozzles102,106,108and the mower deck air supply outlet122is associated with a deflector plate that can selectively enable/disable air flow through the respective nozzle or air outlet. The deflector plate may be coupled to an actuator capable of moving the deflector plate to substantially block air flow through a respectively associated nozzle or air outlet. The actuator may include an electrically driven motor and an actuation member movable by the motor to transition the deflector plate between a blocking position and an open position. The operator control system14may be configured to control supply of power to the electrically driven motor to control whether the deflector plate is in the blocking position or the open position. In this way, the operator control system14may enable an operator to control air output from the three nozzles102,106,108and the mower deck air supply outlet122. It should be understood that the not all air outlets of the blower assembly100may be associated with a controllable deflector plate. For instance, the mower deck air supply outlet122may not be associated with a controller deflector plate.

III. The Mower Deck

The mower deck150may include a plurality of cutting blades180,182,184configured to cut a lawn, which, as mentioned herein, may include grass or other vegetation. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, the cutting blades include a right cutting blade180, a center cutting blade182, and a left cutting blade184, relative to a cutting direction of the mower deck150. For instance, the mower deck150may be coupled to a frame21of the riding vehicle10such that a forward direction of the riding vehicle10corresponds to the cutting direction of the mower deck150. The height of the mower deck relative to the ground may be controlled by control arms30,32coupled to the mower deck150and under control of actuators (not shown) that can be operated by the operator control system14.

It is noted that the cutting action of each cutting blade includes at least two types of cuts: a coarse cut and a finish cut. The forward cutting space of each cutting blade180,182,184, or the position of the cutting blade that makes the first cut as the mower deck150travels in the cutting direction, may perform the coarse cut. This first cut or coarse cut may occur after grass blades of the lawn have just cleared a front edge151of the mower deck150, which may push down the grass blades as they travel under the front edge151. Because the grass blades may not be completely upright at this stage, the cutting blade may cut the grass blades above a desired cut height. As the mower deck150continues to travel in the cutting direction, the grass blades enter the rear cutting space of each cutting blade180,182,184. In this rear cutting space, the cutting blade may perform the finish cut. The rear cutting space may be proximate the position of the blade as it travels near the rear edge153of the mower deck150(or a possible baffle). It should be understood that not all blades of grass that encounter the mower deck150enter the forward cutting space and the rear cutting space for the same duration. For example, for a given vehicle speed, blades of grass positioned left or right of a rotational axis of the cutting blades (relative to the cutting direction) may enter the forward and rear cutting spaces for a length of time that is shorter than that associated with blades of grass positioned closer to the rotational axis. In an attempt to offset the effects of this difference in time, the front edge151of the mower deck150may be spaced from the cutting blades to enable blades of grass positioned farther away from the rotational axis additional time to return to an upright position. This additional time may enable the length of the coarse cut to be closer to or in fact the same as a finish cut.

The rear cutting space of the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184and the rear edge153of the mower deck150may be arranged to be in closer proximity to each other than the proximity between the front edge151and the forward cutting space. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear edge153of the mower deck150(or baffle) is spaced substantially evenly from the rear cutting space of the respective cutting blades180,182,184. This spacing may be between ⅛ inch and 2 inches, or between ⅛ inch and ½ inch, or approximately 5/16 inch. In maintaining proximity between the rear edge153and the rear cutting space, a vacuum may be generated in the rear cutting space that facilitates positioning blades of grass in an upright position for the finish cut.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184are arranged in a reverse delta configuration in which a right blade180and a left blade184are disposed forward of a middle blade182in a ‘V’ arrangement with respect to the cutting direction of the mower deck150. In this configuration, the rear cutting spaces of the middle blade182, the right blade180, and the left blade184can be disposed approximately the same distance from the rear edge153of the mower deck150. As discussed herein, close proximity with respect to the rear cutting space and the rear edge153may facilitate generation of a vacuum in the rear cutting space for the finish cut. Although the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184are disposed in a reverse delta configuration in the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not so limited. For instance, the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184may be arranged in a delta configuration (e.g., in a ‘A’ arrangement) in which the middle blade is forward of the right blade180and the left blade184with respect to the cutting direction of the mower deck150. It is noted that in the delta configuration, the distance between the rear cutting space of the middle cutting blade182and the rear edge153may be greater than the distance between the rear cutting spaces of the left and right cutting blades180,184and the rear edge153. This difference in spacing may yield less vacuum in rear cutting space of the middle blade182in the delta configuration, and for this reason, the cutting action of the reverse delta configuration may in some cases be cleaner than the delta configuration. For this reason, in some cases, one or more baffles may be incorporated into the cutting space. In other words, the reverse delta arrangement may produce a better finish cut than the delta arrangement.

Another example arrangement of the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184includes a straight configuration (e.g., in a ‘-’ arrangement) where rotational axes of the plurality of cutting blades are180,182,184substantially even with each other relative to the cutting direction. It should further be understood that a mower deck150according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a single cutting blade.

The mower deck150may also include a discharge chute152through which cuttings generated by the cutting blades180,182,184can be expelled from the mower deck150. In one embodiment, the at least one air outlet102,106,108is separate from the discharge chute152such that air output from the at least one air outlet102,106,108is separate from the cuttings expelled through the discharge chute152. The mower deck150includes an internal space154defined by a deck housing156within which the cutting blades180,182,184spin when driven. The deck housing156is open along a surface of the lawn, and may further define the discharge chute152through which cuttings may be expelled from the internal space154. In one embodiment, the discharge chute152may include a chute blocker (not shown) that may be selectively engaged/disengaged by an operator (via an operator control system14of the riding vehicle10) to respectively enable or substantially prevent cuttings from being expelled through the discharge chute152. As an example, if an operator determines he is closing in on area on which he does not desire to throw cuttings, the operator may engage the chute blocker to prevent expulsion of the cuttings in that area. After the operator has maneuvered the riding vehicle10past the area of concern, the operator may disengage the chute blocker to enable expulsion of the cuttings from the internal space154of the mower deck150.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mower deck150includes a mower deck air inlet170in gaseous communication with the mower deck air supply outlet122of the blower assembly100. The mower deck air inlet170may enable the blower assembly100to direct air through the internal space154of the mower deck150, potentially aiding in expulsion of cuttings therefrom. For instance, by directing air into the internal space154of the mower deck150, the blower assembly100may increase air flow through the internal space154to the discharge chute152, thereby enhancing the discharge rate of cuttings from the mower deck150. Enhanced discharge of cuttings from the mower deck150may prevent excess cuttings from impeding the cutting action of the cutting blades180,182,184. This may enable the mower deck to provide a cleaner or more uniform cut to the lawn over conventional mower decks. Although the mower deck150is depicted with a single mower deck air inlet170located proximal between the cutting spaces of the middle and left cutting blades182,184, it should be understood that the mower deck150may include a plurality of mower deck air inlets, and that the one or more mower deck air inlets170may be disposed at any position of the mower deck150.

As discussed herein, the reverse delta arrangement of the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184may facilitate generation of a greater vacuum in the rear cutting space of the middle cutting blade182relative to a delta arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, it is noted that the forward cutting spaces of the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184provide the primary force in expelling cuttings through the discharge chute152. As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, the discharge chute152is positioned in the discharge path of cuttings generated by the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184spinning in a clockwise direction.

It has been shown that, in some cases, the reverse delta configuration of the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184can suffer in discharging cuttings generated from the middle cutting blade182. Because the rotational axis of the middle cutting blade182is rear of the rotational axis of the left cutting blade184, portions of the two cutting blades, in motion, in an area in proximal to each other are moving in different directions. For example, in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, portions of these two cutting blades182,184proximal to the mower deck air inlet170are moving in opposite directions. As a result, the discharge action of the middle cutting blade182in this area can be counteracted by motion of the left cutting blade184. The reverse delta configuration according to one embodiment can yield a cleaner cut of the grass due to the position of the middle cutting blade182, but can be susceptible to accumulation of cuttings near the middle cutting blade182. It should be understood that not all reverse delta configurations may experience accumulation of cuttings in this manner.

IV. Power Source Coupling to the Blower Assembly or the Mower Deck, or Both

The power source12of the riding vehicle10may be configured to transfer power to a power take-off168(PTO) that may be operably coupled to one or more components of the riding vehicle10, including, for example, at least one of the impeller112of the blower assembly100and the cutting blades180,182,184of the mower deck150. In the illustrated embodiment, the PTO168may drive the impeller112and the cutting blades180,182,184in a simultaneous manner. The PTO168may be selectively coupled to the impeller112or the cutting blades180,182,184, or a combination thereof.

As an example, in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, a clutch166is disposed on an end of the PTO168distal from the power source12, and the impeller112may be coupled to the PTO168between the power source12and the clutch166via a spline coupling. The clutch166may be coupled to a drive belt that drives a gearbox164that in turn drives a belt coupled to pulleys (e.g., pulleys162,160inFIG. 6) attached to a drive shaft of each cutting blade180,182,184. The gearbox164in the illustrated embodiment is mounted to the mower deck150. In this configuration, with the clutch166engaged, the gearbox164provides power to the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184so that the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184spin clockwise. The clutch166in the illustrated embodiment may be an electronic clutch capable of being selectively engaged/disengaged to drive the gearbox164and in turn the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184. In this way, the PTO168may simultaneously drive both the impeller112and the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184. It should be understood that simultaneous and/or selective supply of power to the impeller112and the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184, or a combination thereof, may be achieved in a different way and that the present disclosure is not limited to the construction of the illustrated embodiment. For instance, the gearbox164may include a clutch component, and the clutch166may be replaced with pulleys. Selective engagement of the clutch component of the gearbox may enable supply of power to the cutting blades180,182,184.

Because the height of the mower deck150may be raised and lowered relative to the ground by the operator (to facilitate operator selection of cut height for the lawn), the distance between the clutch166and the gearbox164may be variable. A take-up pulley (not shown) may be arranged to take up any slack in the belt that couples the clutch166to the gearbox164.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 7, the PTO168is arranged horizontally. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this arrangement—the PTO168may be configured differently, such as being vertical or tilted between horizontal and vertical.

The power source12may be any type of power source configured to rotate the PTO168. For instance, the power source12may be a combustion engine, such as a 20 horsepower combustion engine that uses gasoline or natural gas as a fuel. Alternatively, the power source12may be an electric motor.

V. Assisted Discharge of Cuttings from the Mower Deck

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7, and as described herein, the riding vehicle10may be configured to supply air to the mower deck150to assist discharge of cuttings from the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184. In one embodiment, the mower deck air supply outlet122of the blower assembly100may be in gaseous communication with the mower deck air inlet170of the mower deck150. Although described in connection with a single gaseous coupling between the blower assembly100and the mower deck150, it should be understood that there may be one or more air outputs of the blower assembly100that are coupled to one or more air inputs of the mower deck150, including couplings between one output and many inputs, and couplings between many outputs and one input.

In the illustrated embodiment, a conduit171provides the coupling between the mower deck air supply outlet122and the mower deck air inlet170. The conduit171may be semi-rigid hose configured to join with respective collars disposed on the mower deck air supply outlet122and the mower deck air inlet170. Sizing of the conduit171, the mower deck air supply outlet122and the mower deck air inlet170may vary from application to application, depending on a flow rate determined to facilitate enhanced discharge of cuttings from the mower deck150. In one embodiment, the diameter of the conduit171may be between 2 and 5 inches, or between 2 and 3 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment, the degree of air flow sufficient to move surface debris in a meaningful way may be less than the degree of air flow sufficient to facilitate enhanced discharge of cuttings from the mower deck150. As a result, the determined flow rate of air via the conduit171to the mower deck150may be less than the flow rate of air through at least one of the nozzles102,106,108of the blower assembly100with an associated deflector plate in the open position. For instance, the size of the nozzle opening may be larger than the size of the conduit171. More specifically, in one embodiment, a cross sectional area of the nozzle opening may be between 7 to 20 times the cross sectional area of the conduit. In this way, the air flow through the nozzle may be substantially larger than the air flow through the conduit171.

It is further noted that, with the deflector plate for each respective nozzle102,106,108in the closed position such that the blower assembly100is configured to supply air substantially only to the mower deck150, the load on the impeller112is less than when at least one of the deflector plates is in the open position. This may be due at least in part to the decreased flow rate through the conduit171as compared to when one or more of the nozzles102,106,108are fully operational or the associated deflector plates are in the open positon. In other words, when the blower assembly100is operating only in a discharge assist mode (with air flowing to the mower deck150), the load on the impeller112may be less than when the blower assembly100is operating in a debris blower mode (with one or more of the nozzle deflectors open), alone or in conjunction with the discharge assist mode.

The decreased load on the impeller112when operating only in the discharge assist mode may result in a reduction in loading on the power source12. This reduction in loading may be offset by an increase in loading caused by engagement of the clutch166to drive the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184. In this way, the maximum load on the power source12may occur during operation of the blower assembly100in both the discharge assist mode and the debris blower mode, and with the clutch166engaged.

In one embodiment, the operator control system14may be configured to allow engagement of the clutch166to drive the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184if the blower assembly100is configured only in the discharge assist mode (such that the nozzle deflectors are closed). This way, the maximum loading on the power source12may be less than if the clutch166were engaged and the blower assembly100were operating in both the debris blower mode and the discharge assist mode. In one embodiment, the operator control system14may include a clutch lockout circuit and/or mechanism that prevents engagement of the clutch166if the blower assembly100is operating to supply air out of one or more of the nozzles102,106,108. By limiting operation of cutting blades180,182,184while operating the blower assembly100only in the discharge assist mode, the power rating of the power source12fitted on the riding vehicle10may be reduced relative to operation without this limitation (e.g., a 25%-50% reduction, or from a 25 horsepower motor to a 15 horsepower motor). The reduction in motor size can yield substantial savings in cost, weight, and fuel economy.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, as discussed herein, the reverse delta configuration of the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184may experience accumulation of cuttings in the area proximal to the mower deck air inlet170. With the blower assembly100operating in the discharge assist mode, air may be directed to this area via the mower deck air inlet170. This supply of air from the blower assembly to areas of the mower deck150in which cuttings potentially accumulate may substantially avoid such accumulation. In the context of the reverse delta configuration, prevention of accumulation of cuttings by supply of air from the blower assembly100may enable the reverse delta configuration to provide a cleaner cut than the delta configuration without the drawbacks of potential accumulation of cuttings. As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 5, air flow from the mower deck air inlet170may be directed across the forward cutting space of the middle cutting blade182to facilitate enhanced discharge of cuttings from this space. It should be understood that air from the blower assembly100may be directed to different and/or additional areas of the internal space154of the mower deck150to facilitate assisted discharge of cuttings. For instance, the mower deck air inlet170may be positioned in the deck housing156at the left side (relative to the cutting direction) and proximal to the forward cutting space of the left blade184. In this way, air may be directed across the forward cutting space of the cutting blades180,182,184. It should further be noted that the mower deck air inlet170may be coupled to air channels within the internal space154of the mower deck150to direct air in one or more particular directions within the internal space. Such air channels may form an air manifold or an air knife that may increase or decrease velocity of the air through the channel.

In one embodiment, the internal space154may include one or more flow control baffles to control and direct air flow within the internal space154. In one embodiment, the one or more baffles may be disposed in close proximity to the cutting blades180,182,184to facilitate generation of a vacuum in the rear cutting space, and to facilitate directing cuttings through the internal space154. As an example, one or more baffles may define internal chambers associated with each of the cutting blades180,182,184with one or more ports that enables discharge of cuttings from one chamber to the next, ultimately to the discharge chute152.

In an alternative embodiment, the riding vehicle10may include components in addition to or alternative to the plurality of cutting blades180,182,184that are powered by the power source12. For instance, the riding vehicle10may include an edger powered simultaneously with the blower assembly100by the power source12simultaneously. The blower assembly100may move debris generated by the edger, and without use of multiple power sources.