Patent ID: 8056653

Claim:
A hybrid utility vehicle including a frame for supporting a mower deck, a discharge chute supported by the frame and in communication with the mower deck, a combustion engine supported on the frame, an electrical power source driven by the engine, right and left driven wheels, steerable wheels offset from the driven wheels, the driven wheels and steerable wheels supporting the frame for steered movement over the ground, wheel motor structure connected to the driven wheels, electrically actuated steering structure connected to the steerable wheels for moving the steerable wheel structure over a range of steered positions from a zero radius left turn position to a zero radius right turn position, an electronic controller connected to the wheel motor structure and to the steering structure, a steering control connected to the electronic controller and providing a steering input control signal to the controller, the controller responsive to the steering input control signal to operate the steering structure and control the relative speeds of the driven wheels for increased wheel traction and vehicle maneuverability and for decreased ground disturbance at the left and right zero radius turn steered positions, and further including electric actuator structure connected to the mower deck for moving the mower deck relative to the frame, wherein the electric actuator structure is located between the driven wheels above the discharge chute.