Patent ID: 7677022

Claim:
A convertible mower deck comprising: first, second and third generally cylindrical cutting chambers with a first flow passage between the first and second chambers, a second flow passage between the second and third chambers, and a discharge opening from the third chamber; a first unitary, one-piece angled baffle pivotable to block the first flow passage by closing off separate openings in the periphery of each of the first and the second cutting chambers; a second unitary, one-piece angled baffle pivotable to block the second flow passage by closing off separate openings in the periphery of each of the second and the third cutting chambers; a third baffle pivotable to block the discharge opening; the first baffle isolating a first mower blade for mulching in the first chamber, the first and second baffles isolating a second mower blade for mulching in the second chamber, and the second and third baffles isolating the third mower blade for mulching in the third chamber; a linkage between the first, second and third baffles; and a control lever to move the baffles to block all of the first and second flow passages and the discharge opening, or to block part of the first and second flow passages and discharge opening.