Abstract:
Multiple range-of-motion mower deck support arm apparatus and kits are provided to improve the lateral float of a mower deck. Rod end bearing are utilized to provide an additional range of motion to prior art vertical only designs. The present invention utilizes a front left floating arm, a front right floating arm, a back left support assembly, and a back right support assembly which are all pivotally supported from the existing frame connection apertures and the existing mower connection apertures to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an improved swing arm for existing lawn mowers. In particular, the present invention is designed as a replacement arm or kit for improving the limited movement of pin arm riding lawn mowers. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Several United States Patents should be considered. These include U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,508 issued to Miatt et al. on Jul. 11, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,380, issued to Browning on Oct. 17, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,193 issued to O&#39;Neill et al. on Jul. 27, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,794 issued to Christopherson et al. on Aug. 15, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,242 issued to Gordon on Jan. 9, 2001. Other patents to be considered are U.S. Pat. No. D459,732 entitled Rod-end bearing; U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,368 entitled Rod end bearing; U.S. Pat. No. D447,157 entitled Rod-end bearing; U.S. Pat. No. D443,285 entitled Rod-end bearing; U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,378 entitled Rod-end bearing device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,580 entitled Rod end bearing for aircraft use; U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,148 entitled Method for making a non-metallic, fiber reinforced rod end bearing assembly; and 4,057,355 Frangible tie rod end bearing seat. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     The most relevant prior art for the present invention is found in the owner&#39;s manuals for the type and construction of fixed upper and lower pin mounting lawn tractors for which this invention applies. Specific Brands for these mowers are SEARS (trademark), POULAN (trademark), and HUSQUARNA (trademark). Examples of these types of movers and their owners manuals may be found as: SEARS CRAFTSMAN (trademark) 20 hp, 40 in. Deck Lawn Tractor sold under Item #07107192000, Mfr. Model #27192; and Sears Craftsman (trademark) 20 hp, 48 in. Deck Deluxe Lawn Tractor sold under Item #07107224000, Mfr. Model #27224. These prior art mounting systems are shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. 
     FIG. 1 shows a first variation of a prior art fixed pin quad arm mounting system  100  for a mower deck  102 . Four suspension joints  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  are used to hold the mower deck  102  including a front right deck suspension  104 , front left deck suspension  106 , back right deck suspension  108 , and back left deck suspension  110 . 
     As better shown by FIG. 2, the front right deck suspension  104  uses a front right perpendicular block pin  112  having a front right pin head  114  defining a front right link aperture  116  and also having a front right pin extension  118  defining a spring clip aperture  120 . The front right pin extension  118  is adapted to pass through a pin opening  122  in the mower frame  124  so that the front right perpendicular pin  112  is secured to the mower frame  124  with a retaining spring  126  positioned in the spring clip aperture  120 . In this manner, the front right pin axis  128  of the front right perpendicular pin  112  is held perpendicular to the frame  124  and the front right perpendicular pin  112  can only rotate while maintaining the perpendicular relationship of the axis  128  to the frame  124 . This limitation is important to understand because it defines the vertical only movement of the front right link  130  which causes problems solved by the present invention. 
     The front right link  130  defines a front right axial link extension  132  having extension threads  134  adapted to pass through the front right link aperture  116 . Nuts  136  are screwed onto both sides of the front right axial link extension  132  to fixably secure the front right perpendicular pin  112  to the front right link  130 . Thus, the front right link  130  is fixably secured to the front right perpendicular pin  112 . Due to this connection, the front right link  130  is held perpendicular to the front right perpendicular pin  112  and the front right link  130  can only pivot in a vertical motion to move in a parallel relationship to the mower frame  124 . No rotational or horizontal movement is allowed by this connection. Thus, this connection at least partially controls and limits how the mower deck  102  can be positioned. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the front right link  130  also uses or defines a front right deck pin  138  which also defines a spring clip aperture  120 . In FIG. 5, the front right deck pin  138  is constructed by bending the front right link  130  to a perpendicular axis position. As shown in FIG. 4, the front right deck pin  138  is then adapted to pass through a pin aperture  140  in the front right deck flange  142  and a retaining spring  126  is used to hold the front right link  130  to the front right deck flange  142 . 
     The front left deck suspension  106  uses a front left perpendicular pin  144  having a front left pin head  146  defining a front left link aperture  148  and also having a front left pin extension  150  defining a spring clip aperture  120 . The front left pin extension  150  is adapted to pass through a pin opening  122  in the mower frame  124  so that the front left perpendicular pin  144  is secured to the mower frame  124  with a retaining spring  126  positioned in the spring clip aperture  120 . In this manner, the front left pin axis  152  of the front left perpendicular pin  144  is held perpendicular to the frame  124  and the front left perpendicular pin  144  can only rotate while maintaining the perpendicular relationship of the front left pin axis  152  to the frame  124 . This is important because it defines the movement of the front left link  154 . 
     The front left link  154  defines a front left axial link extension  156  having extension threads  134  adapted to pass through the front left link aperture  148 . Nuts  136  are screwed onto both sides of the front left axial link extension  156  to fixably secure the front left perpendicular pin  144  to the front left link  154 . Thus, the front left link  154  is secured to the front left perpendicular pin  144 . Due to this connection, the front left link  154  is held perpendicular to the front left perpendicular pin  144  and the front left link  154  can only move in a parallel relationship to the mower frame  124 . This controls how the mower deck  102  can be positioned. 
     The front left link  154  defines a front left deck pin  156  which also defines a spring clip aperture  120 . The front left deck pin  156  is constructed by bending the front left link  154  to a perpendicular axis position as shown in FIG.  1 . The front left deck pin  156  is then adapted to pass through a pin aperture  140  in the front left deck flange  158  and a retaining spring  126  is used to hold the front left link  154  to the front left deck flange  158 . 
     As noted by the front right and front left deck suspensions  104 ,  106 , the limited perpendicular movement requires equal lifting on both side of the mower deck and limits any uneven vertical movement of the mower deck. If an attempt is made to raise only the right side of the mower deck while maintaining a lower position for the left side of the mower deck, one may see that the front right deck suspension  104  would be required to move in an arcing motion, and a twisting movement may be imparted to the left deck suspensions  106 . However, the fixed pin arrangement of this design does not allow for either of these motions. This previously unrecognized problem with this design and the associated limitations were discovered after one of these units consistently caused scalping problems when mowing a fine textured bermuda grass. These fixed perpendicular movements prohibit the mower deck from properly following uneven ground contours during mowing. Instead of requiring a complete redesign, the present invention ingeniously and inexpensively solves these problems without requiring excessive amounts of new tooling or design changes. 
     In the older mower designs, additional problems may also be caused by the back right deck suspension  108  and the back left deck suspension  110 . These suspension systems suffer from different, but similar problems in the way they control the movement of the mower deck  102 . 
     The back right deck suspension  108  utilizes a back right frame pin  160  extending perpendicularly from the mower frame  124 . The back right frame pin  160  defines a spring clip aperture  120  for a retaining pin  126 . The back right frame pin  160  is adapted to pass through a back right frame pin aperture  163  on a back right suspension arm  162  such that a retaining spring  126  placed in the spring clip aperture  120  will hold the back right suspension arm  162  to the mower frame  124  using the back right frame pin  160 . This fixes the movement of the back right suspension arm  162  to be a rotation around the perpendicular axis of the back right frame pin  160  connected to the mower frame  124 . 
     The back right suspension arm  162  has a back right offset  164  defining a back right central aperture  166 . The back right central aperture  166  is connected to a back right central pin  168  having a back right pin head  170  defining a back right pin aperture  140  and also having a back right pin extension  172  defining a back right spring clip aperture  120 . A back right lifting link  174  defines a back right lifting extension  176  having right lifting threads  178  passing through the back right lifting aperture  173  and the back right lifting link  174  is secured to the back right pin head  170  using a nut  136 . 
     The back right suspension arm  162  also has a back right lower dog ear  180  extending downward from the back right arm central axis  182  of the back right suspension arm  162 . The back right lower dog ear  180  defines a back right ear aperture  184  adapted to connect to a back right fixed position mower pin  186  extending from the back right deck flange  188 . The back right deck flange  188  is fixed to and extends upwardly from the mower deck  102 . This back right suspension arm  162  to back right deck flange  188  connection also has the effect of limiting travel by only allowing the back right suspension arm  162  to travel in a perpendicular arc from the mower deck  102 . 
     The back left deck suspension  108  utilizes a back left frame pin  190  extending perpendicularly from the mower frame  124 . The back left frame pin  190  defines a spring clip aperture  120  for a retaining pin  126 . The back left frame pin  190  is adapted to pass through a back left frame pin aperture  191  on a back left suspension arm  192  such that a retaining spring  126  placed in the spring clip aperture  120  will hold the back left suspension arm  192  to the mower frame  124  using the back left frame pin  190 . This fixes the movement of the back left suspension arm  192  to be a rotation around the perpendicular axis of the back left frame pin  190  connected to the mower frame  124 . 
     The back left suspension arm  192  has a back left offset  194  defining a back left central aperture  196 . The back left central aperture  196  is connected to a back left central pin  198  having a back left pin head  200  defining a back left pin aperture  140  and also having a back left pin extension  202  defining a back left spring clip aperture  120 . A back left lifting link  204  defines a back left lifting extension  206  having left lifting threads  208  passing through the back left pin aperture  140  and the back left lifting link  204  is secured to the back left pin head  200  using a nut  136 . 
     The back left suspension arm  192  also has a back left lower dog ear  210  extending downward from the back left arm central axis  212  of the back left suspension arm  192 . The back left lower dog ear  210  defines a back left ear aperture  214  adapted to connect to a back left fixed position mower pin  216  extending from the back left deck flange  218 . The back left deck flange  218  is fixed to and extends upwardly from the mower deck  102 . This back left suspension arm  192  to back left deck flange  218  connection also has the effect of limiting travel by only allowing the back left suspension arm  192  to travel in a perpendicular arc from the mower deck  102 . 
     As may be understood by reference to the limited vertical only movement at the back of the mower deck  102 , the suspension system at the back of the deck  102  has the same problems as described for the front of the mower deck. In this manner, the front of the mower deck  102  moves along an arc defined by the perpendicular movements of the front right link  130  and the front left link  154 . Similarly, the back of the mower deck  102  moves in an arc defined by the back right suspension arm  162  and the back left suspension arm  192 . This provides a good up and down movement of the mower deck  102  and allows separate front to back raising of the deck  102  when encountering differences in the terrain in the cutting lawn. However, this does not allow for a twisting movement of the mower deck  102  where only one side of the mower deck  102  is raised in relation to the other side. Other than a minor amount of slop or play in the joint, the fixed position of the pins held by the retainer clips only allows for a vertical movement and does not allow for the twisting movement necessary when only one side of the mower deck  102  needs to be raised in relation to the opposite side. As previously noted, this causes scalping of the grass being cut because this deck suspension does not allow the deck to accurately follow the contours of the ground on which the grass is growing. 
     The inventor of the present invention recognized the limitations of the prior art suspension system as the cause of this scalping problem and has built a solution that is easily retrofit to an existing mower by the homeowner or repair shop operating on the mower. The present invention is also designed to be a cost effective direct fit replacement for the components of these prior art designs to allow for an improved design for future built mowers. Thus, the present invention has adopted an extremely efficient solution that is easily implemented to existing mowers to fix this problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a improved mower deck support arm apparatus is provided that is designed to improve the lateral float of a mower deck. The present invention provides a mower support replacement kit that is adapted to improve the lateral float of a mower deck by providing a new movement capability for an older mower design. The mower deck is suspended from a lawn tractor assembled support frame defining front left, front right, back left, and back right frame apertures and a back left, and back right deck height adjustment bar. These items are attached to support arms connected to front left, front right, back left, and back right vertical-only pivot connections on the mower deck which only allow for vertical movement of the mower deck. This prior art system fails to provide for proper lateral movement of the mower deck. The present invention has recognized this limitation and provides an improved connection by adding a range of motion to the teachings of the prior art. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a front left floating arm pivotally supported from the frame to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame; a front right floating arm pivotally supported from the frame to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame; a back left support assembly pivotally supported from the frame to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame; and a back right support assembly pivotally supported from the frame to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. Thus, a principal object of the present invention to provide a lateral range of motion to a vertical and linear motion mower deck. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide replacement arms that utilize existing connections to replace the support arms on older mower designs while still allowing their use on new models of lawn tractors. 
     Yet another object of the present invention to provide both front and rear support systems to allow for the lateral movement of the mower deck. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the descriptive sections. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a prior art view of a first type of mower deck suspension system. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the support arms used in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view of the mower frame showing frame apertures and cutouts. 
     FIG. 4 is a prior art view of a second type of mower deck suspension system. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the support arms used in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the front arms of FIG. 4 supporting the mower deck off of the frame. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the front arms of FIG. 4 supporting the mower deck off of the frame. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the back arms of FIG. 4 supporting the mower deck off of the frame. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the multiple range movement front arms of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a multiple range movement back arm of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is another perspective view of a multiple range movement back arm of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of a back right multiple range movement arm of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a top view of a back left multiple range movement arm of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of a back left multiple range movement arm of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a front view of a back arm to frame hangar bracket of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a back arm to frame hangar bracket of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an improved motion replacement arm kit of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention uses the same general type of mounting as the prior art while providing vast improvements through some relatively simple modifications that had never been realized in the prior art. The factory mower deck adjustments will stay the same, but an improved cut will be enabled to eliminate scalping in tight turns and allow for a good cut on hillsides, as well as allowing the mower to stay in adjustment longer than the original factory equipment shown in the prior art. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 9-17, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral  500 . FIGS. 9-17 show a mower support replacement kit apparatus  500  adapted to improve the lateral float of a mower deck  102 . The mower deck  102  is a previously constructed unit that has front left, front right, back left, and back right vertical-only pivot connection  528 . The mower deck  102  is suspended from a lawn tractor support frame  506  that defines front left, front right, back left, and back right frame aperture  514  and a back left, and back right deck height adjustment bar  174 . The improvement of the present invention is seen in the mower support replacement kit apparatus  500  used to support the mower deck  102  off of the mower frame  124 . The mower support replacement kit apparatus  500  includes a front floating arm assembly using and a back floating arm assembly. 
     The front floating arm assembly uses a front left floating arm  532  and a front right floating arm  550 . The front left floating arm  532  is pivotally supported from the frame to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102  as is known in the prior art. However, the improvement of the present invention is provided because, in contrast to the prior art design, the front left floating arm  532  is mounted to vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. In a similar manner, the front right floating arm  550  is pivotally supported from the frame to vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102  and then vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. The combination of both of these movements allows the front floating arm assembly to control the position of the mower deck  102  while allowing it to vertically and horizontally float while maintaining its linear position along the front to back length of the mower. 
     The front left floating arm  532  includes a front left main body  534 , a front left two dimensional pivot  544 , and a front left frame pin extension  548 . The front left main body  534  is connected to the front left vertical-only pivot connection  522  on the mower deck  102 . This is a pin and aperture connection. This allows for vertical movement of the front left floating arm  532  in relation to the mower deck  102 . The front left main body  534  includes a front left first end  538 , a front left midsection  540 , and a front left frame end  542  defining a front left body axis  536 . At the front left frame end  542  of the front left floating arm  532 , the front left frame pin extension  548 , also known as a front left connecting rod  548 , is connected to the front left main body  534  by the front left two dimensional pivot  544 . The front left two dimensional pivot  544  is shown as a rod end bearing. A rod end bearing is basically a multiple angle bearing mounted in a housing. The front left two dimensional pivot  544  includes a front left frame pin extension  548  that is connected to the front left frame aperture  508  on the mower frame  124 . 
     The front right floating arm  550  includes a front right main body  552 , a front right two dimensional pivot  554 , and a front right frame pin extension  556 . The front right main body  552  is connected to the front right vertical-only pivot connection  524  on the mower deck  102  so that the front right main body  552  may vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102 . The front right frame pin extension  556  is connected to the front right main body  552  by the front right two dimensional pivot  554 . The front right frame pin extension  556  and front right two dimensional pivot  554  are shown as a rod end bearing. The front right frame pin extension  556  is adapted for connection to the front right frame aperture  510  on the mower frame  124 . 
     Thus, one may see that one key aspect of the present invention uses a floating front support arm apparatus  502  to enhance or improve the lateral float of an undercarriage mower deck  102  having a vertical only connection point. The invention is adapted to support the mower deck  102  off of a mower frame  124  having a connection aperture. The floating front support arm includes a main body, a connecting rod, and a two dimensional support pivot. The front support main body defines a front support body axis and includes a front support first end, a front support midsection, and a front support frame end. A front support connecting rod is attached to the front support main body by a front two dimensional support pivot  544 . The front two dimensional support pivot  544  connects the front support frame end of the front support main body to the front support connecting rod such that the front support connecting rod is perpendicular to the front support body axis. The front two dimensional support pivot  544  provides longitudinal or linear support to the front support main body at the front support frame end while allowing vertical, horizontal, and rotational movement of the front support main body in relation to the mower frame  124 . In the preferred embodiment, the front two dimensional support pivot  544  is constructed as a front left rod end bearing  546 . 
     The back floating arm assembly uses a back left support assembly  558  and a back right support assembly  658 . 
     The back left support assembly  558  is pivotally supported from the back left frame aperture  512  on the frame and is adapted much like the prior art system to only vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102 . Yet again, the improvement in the lateral float is found in the opposition to the prior art teachings to vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. In a mirror construction, the back right support assembly is also pivotally supported from the back right frame aperture  514  on the frame to only vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102  and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. The combination of both of these movements allows the back floating arm assembly to control the position of the mower deck  102  while allowing it to vertically and horizontally float while maintaining its linear position along the front to back length of the mower. 
     The back left support assembly  558  includes a back left floating arm  560  and a back left drop frame. The back left floating arm  560  includes a back left main body  562 , a back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  584 , a back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  592 , and a back left frame pin extension  600 . The back left main body  562  defines a back left deck end  564 , a back left midsection  572 , and a back left frame end  580  oriented along a back left main body central axis  582 . The back left deck end  564  of the back left main body  562  includes a back left dog ear support  566  defining a back left deck connection aperture  568 . The back left deck connection aperture  568  is connected to the back left vertical-only pivot connection  526  on the mower deck  102  to define the vertical pivoting movement of the back left floating arm  560  in relation to the mower deck  102 . The back left midsection  572  defines a back left offset section  574  having a back left parallel axis  576  and defining a back left mid support bearing aperture  578  for mounting the back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  584 . The back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  584  includes a back left midsection support bearing  586  having a back left mid bearing extension  590  pivotally connected into the back left mid support bearing aperture  578  with these items combined and shown as a back left mid rod end bearing  588 . The back left frame end  580  includes a back left threaded rod  570  extending along the back left bearing axis  598 . The back left threaded rod  570  is used for an adjustable connection to the back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  592 . The back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  592  includes a back left frame end support bearing  594  shown as a back left frame rod end bearing  596  having a back left frame pin extension  600 . The back left frame pin extension  600  defines a back left bearing axis  598  extending perpendicular to the back left main body central axis  582 . 
     The back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  584  is slideably connected to the back left deck height adjustment bar  204 . This allows an arcing vertical and pivoting movement of the back left main body  562  in relation to the back left deck height adjustment bar  204 . 
     The back left frame end  580  of the back left main body  562  is connected to the back left frame pin extension  600  by the back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  592 . The back left frame pin extension  600  is pivotally connected to the back left drop frame  606  suspended from the mower frame  124 . This allows for vertical, horizontal, and rotational movement of the back left main body  562  in relation to the mower frame  124 . 
     The back left drop frame  606  includes a back left hangar bracket  608  defining at least one back left connection ear  610  and preferably has back left first and second connection ears  610 . The back left drop frame  606  also defines a back left hangar aperture  614  for connection to the back left frame pin extension  600 . 
     The back right support assembly  658  is basically a mirror image of the back left support assembly  558 . The back left support assembly  658  is pivotally supported from the back left frame aperture  610  on the frame and is adapted much like the prior art system to only vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102 . Yet again, the improvement in the lateral float is found in the opposition to the prior art teachings to vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. In a mirror construction, the back right support assembly is also pivotally supported from the back right frame aperture  614  on the frame to only vertically pivot in relation to the mower deck  102  and vertically, horizontally, and rotationally pivot in relation to the lawn tractor frame. The combination of both of these movements allows the back floating arm assembly to control the position of the mower deck  102  while allowing it to vertically and horizontally float while maintaining its linear position along the front to back length of the mower. 
     The back left support assembly  658  includes a back left floating arm  660  and a back left drop frame. The back left floating arm  660  includes a back left main body  662 , a back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  684 , a back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  692 , and a back left frame pin extension  700 . The back left main body  662  defines a back left deck end  664 , a back left midsection  672 , and a back left frame end  680  oriented along a back left main body central axis  682 . The back left deck end  664  of the back left main body  662  includes a back left dog ear support  666  defining a back left deck connection aperture  668 . The back left deck connection aperture  668  is connected to the back left vertical-only pivot connection  626  on the mower deck  102  to define the vertical pivoting movement of the back left floating arm  660  in relation to the mower deck  102 . The back left midsection  672  defines a back left offset section  674  having a back left parallel axis  676  and defining a back left mid support bearing aperture  678  for mounting the back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  684 . The back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  684  includes a back left midsection support bearing  686  having a back left mid bearing extension  690  pivotally connected into the back left mid support bearing aperture  678  with these items combined and shown as a back left mid rod end bearing  688 . The back left frame end  680  includes a back left threaded rod  670  extending along the back left bearing axis  698 . The back left threaded rod  670  is used for an adjustable connection to the back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  692 . The back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  692  includes a back left frame end support bearing  694  shown as a back left frame rod end bearing  696  having a back left frame pin extension  700 . The back left frame pin extension  700  defines a back left bearing axis  698  extending perpendicular to the back left main body central axis  682 . 
     The back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  684  is slideably connected to the back left deck height adjustment bar  616 . This allows an arcing vertical and pivoting movement of the back left main body  662  in relation to the back left deck height adjustment bar  616 . 
     The back left frame end  680  of the back left main body  662  is connected to the back left frame pin extension  700  by the back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  692 . The back left frame pin extension  700  is pivotally connected to the back left drop frame  706  suspended from the mower frame  124 . This allows for vertical, horizontal, and rotational movement of the back left main body  662  in relation to the mower frame  124 . 
     The back left drop frame  706  includes a back left hangar bracket  708  defining at least one back left connection ear  710  and preferably has back left first and second connection ears  710 . The back left drop frame  706  also defines a back left hangar aperture  714  for connection to the back left frame pin extension  700 . 
     Thus, one may see that another key aspect of the present invention uses a floating height adjustment back support arm apparatus  504  to enhance or improve the lateral float of an undercarriage mower deck  102  having a vertical only connection point. The invention is adapted to support the mower deck  102  off of a mower frame  124  having a back support arm connection aperture. The floating height adjustment back support arm apparatus  504  includes a back main body, a back frame end connecting rod, a back frame end support bearing, and a back midsection support bearing. The back arm main body defines a back arm deck end, a back arm midsection, and a back arm frame end. 
     The back frame end of the back main body includes a back threaded rod extending along the axis from the back frame bearing to the back mid bearing. The back arm first connecting rod is connected by the back arm frame end support bearing to the back arm frame end of the back arm main body. The back frame end support bearing includes a rod end bearing adapted to be adjustably positioned on the back threaded rod extending from the back frame end of the back main body. The back arm frame end support bearing is adapted to pivotally support the back arm first connecting rod at an angle greater than 45 degrees measured from a back arm main body central axis to a back arm first connecting rod central axis. 
     The back arm midsection of the back arm main body defines a back arm offset section supported by the back arm deck end and back arm frame end of the back arm main body along a parallel axis to the back arm main body central axis. The back midsection of the back main body defines a back mid support bearing aperture. The back midsection support bearing includes a rod end bearing supported by a rod bolted through the back mid support bearing aperture in the midsection of the main body. The back arm midsection support bearing is supported off the back arm offset section of the back arm main body such that the back arm first bearing and back arm second bearing are supported along a back arm bearing axis parallel to the back arm main body central axis. 
     The back arm deck end of the back arm main body defines a back arm dog ear support extending perpendicular from the back arm main body central axis and oriented perpendicular to the extension of the back arm mid support bearing from the back arm central axis. The back arm dog ear defines a back arm frame connection aperture. 
     The back hangar bracket defines at least one back connection ear and further defines a back hangar aperture adapted to connect to the back frame connecting rod. The back multiple ear hangar bracket defines first and second back connection ears and further defines a back hangar aperture adapted to connect to the back frame end connecting rod. 
     Reference numbers used in the drawings are noted as follows: 
     prior art fixed pin quad arm mounting system  100   
     mower deck  102   
     four suspension joints  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110   
     front right perpendicular pin  112   
     front right pin head  114   
     front right link aperture  116   
     front right pin extension  118   
     spring clip aperture  120   
     pin opening  122   
     mower frame  124   
     retaining spring  126   
     front right pin axis  128   
     front right link  130 . 
     front right axial link extension  132   
     having extension threads  134   
     nuts  136   
     front right deck pin  138   
     front right pin aperture  140   
     front right deck flange  142   
     front left perpendicular pin  144   
     front left pin head  146   
     front left link aperture  148   
     front left pin extension  150   
     front left pin axis  152   
     front left link  154 . 
     front left axial link extension  156   
     front left deck flange  158   
     back right frame pin  160   
     back right suspension arm  162   
     back right frame pin aperture  163   
     back right offset  164   
     back right central aperture  166   
     back right central pin  168   
     back right pin head  170   
     back right pin extension  172   
     back right lifting aperture  173   
     back right lifting link  174 , also known as back right deck height adjustment bar  174   
     back right lifting extension  176   
     right lifting threads  178   
     back right lower dog ear  180   
     extending downward from the back right arm central axis  182   
     back right ear aperture  184   
     back right fixed position mower pin  186   
     back right deck flange  188   
     back left frame pin  190   
     back left frame pin aperture  191   
     back left suspension arm  192   
     back left offset  194   
     back left central aperture  196   
     back left central pin  198   
     back left pin head  200   
     back left pin extension  202   
     back left lifting link  204 , also known as back left deck height adjustment bar  204   
     back left lifting extension  206   
     left lifting threads  208   
     back left lower dog ear  210   
     back left arm central axis  212   
     back left ear aperture  214   
     back left fixed position mower pin  216   
     back left deck flange  218   
     mower support replacement kit apparatus  500   
     floating front support arm apparatus  502   
     floating height adjustment back support arm apparatus  504   
     lawn tractor support frame  506   
     front left frame aperture  508   
     front right frame aperture  510   
     back left frame aperture  512   
     back right frame aperture  514   
     front left vertical-only pivot connection  522   
     front right vertical-only pivot connection  524   
     back left vertical-only pivot connection  526   
     back right vertical-only pivot connection  528   
     front left floating arm  532   
     front left main body  534   
     front left body axis  536   
     front left deck end  538   
     front left midsection  540   
     front left frame end  542   
     front left two dimensional pivot, front two dimensional support pivot  544   
     front left rod end bearing  546   
     front left frame pin extension  548 , front left connecting rod  548   
     front right floating arm  550   
     front right main body  552   
     front right two dimensional pivot  554   
     front right frame pin extension  556   
     back left support assembly  558   
     back left floating arm  560   
     back left main body  562   
     back left deck end  564   
     back left dog ear support  566   
     back left deck connection aperture  568   
     back left threaded rod  570   
     back left midsection  572   
     back left offset section  574   
     back left parallel axis  576   
     back left mid support bearing aperture  578   
     back left frame end  580   
     back left main body central axis  582   
     back left vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  584   
     back left midsection support bearing  586   
     back left mid rod end bearing  588   
     back left mid bearing extension  590   
     back left horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  592   
     back left frame end support bearing  594   
     back left frame rod end bearing  596   
     back left bearing axis  598   
     back left frame pin extension  600   
     back left drop frame  606   
     back left hangar bracket  608   
     back left connection ear  610 , also known as back left first and second connection ears  610   
     back left hangar aperture  614   
     back right support assembly  658   
     back right floating arm  660   
     back right main body  662   
     back right deck end  664   
     back right dog ear support  666   
     back right deck connection aperture  668   
     back right threaded rod  670   
     back right midsection  672   
     back right offset section  674   
     back right parallel axis  676   
     back right mid support bearing aperture  678   
     back right frame end  680   
     back right main body central axis  682   
     back right vertically oriented two dimensional central pivot  684   
     back right midsection support bearing  686   
     back right mid rod end bearing  688   
     back right mid bearing extension  690   
     back right horizontally oriented two dimensional end pivot  692   
     back right frame end support bearing  694   
     back right frame rod end bearing  696   
     back right bearing axis  698   
     back right frame pin extension  700   
     back right drop frame  706   
     back right hangar bracket  708   
     back right connection ear  710 , also known as back right first and second connection ears  710   
     back right hangar aperture  714   
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.