Patent ID: 7748204

Claim:
A reel mower, which comprises: (a) a reel mower frame on which a power source is carried; (b) a traction drive for propelling the reel mower frame across the ground, the traction drive being powered by the power source; (c) at least one reel cutting unit carried on the reel mower frame, the reel cutting unit having a reel cutting unit frame which carries: (i) a helically bladed cutting reel which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal, transverse axis; (ii) a bedknife which cooperates with the cutting reel such the rotatable cutting reel sweeps standing grass against the bedknife to cut the grass; and (iii) front and rear ground engaging wheel or roller supports for allowing the reel cutting unit to be self supporting and to move over the ground; (d) a suspension system for pivotally connecting the reel cutting unit frame to the reel mower frame such that the reel cutting unit can pitch about a substantially horizontal, transverse pitch axis, wherein the suspension system includes a cutting unit carrier frame that comprises: (i) a transverse cross member; (ii) downwardly extending, vertical support arms at opposite ends of the transverse cross member, wherein each support arm has an inwardly protruding circular hub located concentrically around a shaft of the cutting reel such that the pitch axis is the rotational axis of the cutting reel with the reel cutting unit frame pivoting or rocking back and forth on the inwardly protruding hubs of the vertical support arms; and (e) a grass basket for collecting grass clippings generated by operation of the reel cutting unit, wherein the grass basket is carried on a grass basket support member, and wherein the grass basket support member is connected to the transverse cross member of the cutting unit carrier frame by at least one rigid link such that the weight of the grass basket is transferred to the reel cutting unit through the vertical support arms of the cutting unit carrier frame.