Patent ID: 7121071

Claim:
A reel type mower comprising: a mobile structure; a ground engaging traction member rotatably coupled to said mobile structure, said ground engaging traction member imparting traction movement to said mobile structure for movement on the ground at a ground speed; a power device supported on said mobile structure, said power device outputting a driving force to said ground engaging traction member; a bed knife supported by said mobile structure having a cutting edge; a grass cutting reel rotatably supported on said mobile structure, said grass cutting reel having cutting blades being in grass cutting relationship with said bed knife producing grass clippings; a collection apparatus being engagable with said mobile structure or removable from said mobile structure, said collection apparatus collecting said grass clippings; a guard device pivotally coupled to said mobile structure, said guard device being positionable in a closed position concealing said grass cutting reel and an opened position revealing said grass cutting reel; an actuation system operably coupled between said guard device and said mobile structure, said actuation system driving said guard device into said closed position when said collection apparatus is removed from said mobile structure and driving said guard device into said opened position when said collection apparatus is engaged with said mobile structure; and a switch device operably coupled between said mobile structure and said collection apparatus, said switch device outputting a signal to said actuation system when said collection apparatus is engaged with said mobile structure.