Patent ID: 8863485

Claim:
A lawn mower, comprising: an internal combustion engine; an energy storage device; a motor/generator including an output shaft, wherein when operating as a motor, the motor/generator is powered by the energy storage device and, when operating as a generator, the motor/generator provides power to the energy storage device; an engine coupling, wherein, with the engine coupling disengaged, the motor/generator drives the output shaft, and with the engine coupling engaged, the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine drive the output shaft; a mower blade; a power take-off clutch, wherein with the power take-off clutch engaged, the output shaft drives the mower blade, with the power take-off clutch disengaged, the mower blade is not driven; and a control unit configured to implement a first operating condition in which the engine coupling is disengaged, the engine is off, and the output shaft is driven by the motor/generator, and configured to implement a second operating condition in which the engine coupling is engaged, the engine is on, and the output shaft is driven by the engine or both the motor/generator and the engine.