Patent ID: 7520114

Claim:
A mower, which comprises: (a) a frame; (b) a prime mover carried on the frame; (c) a plurality of wheels for supporting the frame for movement over the ground, wherein at least some of the wheels are operatively connected to the prime mover to be driven by the prime mover to propel the frame over the ground; (d) a ground following cutting deck suspended from the frame in a manner that permits the cutting deck to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame as the cutting deck travels over the ground and follows contours in the ground during a mowing operation; (e) at least one weight transfer arm pivotally connected to the frame and to the cutting deck in a manner that permits the weight transfer arm to pivot upwardly and downwardly with the cutting deck during the mowing operation; and (f) a spring acting on the weight transfer arm during the mowing operation to pivot the weight transfer arm upwardly relative to the cutting deck to transfer a portion of the weight of the cutting deck to the frame during the mowing operation.