A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.

A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.

A method and a system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft are disclosed. An absolute angular position of the crankshaft related to a top dead center position of a piston in a combustion chamber of the ICE is determined. Electric power is delivered to the ETM at a first level to rotate the crankshaft. Electric power is then delivered to the ETM at a second level greater than the first level when the piston reaches a predetermined position before the TDC position. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber after the piston has passed beyond the TDC position. The fuel is then ignited. In an implementation, the ICE is started in less than 110 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.

Methods and systems are provided for one or more deflector elements coupled to an engine. In one example, a system includes a deflector element physically coupled to an interface at which edges of an engine head and an engine block join, wherein the deflector element extends around a portion of the edge and a screw boss, where the screw boss bulges out from the edges.

Methods and systems are provided for one or more deflector elements coupled to an engine. In one example, a system includes a deflector element physically coupled to an interface at which edges of an engine head and an engine block join, wherein the deflector element extends around a portion of the edge and a screw boss, where the screw boss bulges out from the edges.

A riding lawn mower includes a chassis having longitudinal support beam, a drive wheel, an electric motor coupled to the drive wheel, a suspended subframe having a longitudinal subframe beam pivotally coupled to the longitudinal support beam about a pivot axis, and a suspension device coupled between the longitudinal subframe beam and the longitudinal support beam. The longitudinal subframe beam at least partially supports the electric motor. The drive wheel and the electric motor are configured to translate relative to the chassis via the pivotal coupling between the longitudinal support beam and the longitudinal subframe beam.

A riding lawn mower includes a chassis having longitudinal support beam, a drive wheel, an electric motor coupled to the drive wheel, a suspended subframe having a longitudinal subframe beam pivotally coupled to the longitudinal support beam about a pivot axis, and a suspension device coupled between the longitudinal subframe beam and the longitudinal support beam. The longitudinal subframe beam at least partially supports the electric motor. The drive wheel and the electric motor are configured to translate relative to the chassis via the pivotal coupling between the longitudinal support beam and the longitudinal subframe beam.

A method for controlling a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber, at least one direct fuel injector for injecting fuel directly in the at least one combustion chamber, at least one port fuel injector for injecting fuel upstream of the at least one combustion chamber, and at least one exhaust valve. The method has the steps of supplying a first fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber, a first ratio of the first fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector; and supplying a second fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber when a position of the at least one exhaust valve changes, a second ratio of the second fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector, the second ratio being different from the first ratio.

A method for controlling a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber, at least one direct fuel injector for injecting fuel directly in the at least one combustion chamber, at least one port fuel injector for injecting fuel upstream of the at least one combustion chamber, and at least one exhaust valve. The method has the steps of supplying a first fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber, a first ratio of the first fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector; and supplying a second fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber when a position of the at least one exhaust valve changes, a second ratio of the second fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector, the second ratio being different from the first ratio.

A utility vehicle includes: an air-cooled engine; a cooling fan disposed on one side of the engine with respect to a vehicle widthwise direction and configured to supply a cooling air towards a cylinder unit of the engine; an exhaust pipe disposed on the other side of the engine with respect to the vehicle widthwise direction and connected with an exhaust port of the cylinder unit; an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust pipe; and a shield configured to prevent muddy water, which is swirled by the cooling fan, from depending on the exhaust pipe.