Various types of lawnmowers are disclosed that include a cutter housing having a cutting chamber and a discharge opening therein. A driving mechanism can be mounted on the cutter housing, and a radius arm can be mounted on or near the blade spindle such that the radius arm is rotatable about the blade spindle. A shutter gate that is arcuate in shape can be mounted on the radius arm so as to rotate with the radius arm between a discharge arrangement and a mulch arrangement. The shutter gate can include a driven element that is driven by the driving mechanism to cause the shutter gate to rotate between the discharge arrangement where the shutter gate allows for discharge of vegetation through the discharge opening, and the mulch arrangement where the shutter gate blocks the discharge opening.

A tractor includes a tractor frame having a forward end and a rearward end. A control unit is positioned between the forward and rearward ends. A front wheel is relatively near the tractor frame forward end, and a rear wheel is relatively distant from the frame forward end. A work function extends forward of the tractor frame forward end. A platform is rotatably secured to the tractor frame and a rear end of the platform rests atop a biasing member positioned at the tractor frame rearward end. The platform has an axis of rotation higher than an axis of the rear wheel and at least as high as an axis of the front wheel.

A tractor includes a tractor frame having a forward end and a rearward end. A control unit is positioned between the forward and rearward ends. A front wheel is relatively near the tractor frame forward end, and a rear wheel is relatively distant from the frame forward end. A work function extends forward of the tractor frame forward end. A platform is rotatably secured to the tractor frame and a rear end of the platform rests atop a biasing member positioned at the tractor frame rearward end. The platform has an axis of rotation higher than an axis of the rear wheel and at least as high as an axis of the front wheel.

The system includes an oscillating chassis (10) suitable for being linked to an axle (6) of a vehicle (1); two cylinders (11, 12), referred to as compensation cylinders, linking the oscillating chassis (10) to the main chassis (5) of the vehicle; a proportional distributor or valve (13) to which the compensation cylinders (11, 12) are connected; an axle tilt detector (14) detecting tilt of the axle (6) resulting in the wheel (2) of the vehicle (I) opposite the arm (3) being raised; and a computer (15) connected to this tilt detector (14) and to piloted actuation device (30) for actuating the valve-slide of the proportional distributor (13); in the event of the axle (6) tilting in a manner that tends to raise the wheel (2) situated on the side opposite the arm (3), the computer (15) controls these actuation device (30) in such a way as to control the valve-slide of the proportional valve (13). The vehicle (1) is equipped with the stabilization system.

A coupler includes a collar defining a member receiving passage. First and second lobes extend outwardly from the collar. The first lobe includes a lobe ramp surface, a cylindrical projection extending from the first lobe and radially surrounding the lobe ramp surface, and a gear extending from the cylindrical portion. A passage is defined in the first and second lobes and has a first axis. A lever arm is rotatable about the first axis. The lever arm includes a lever ramp surface. A pawl arm is movably connected to the lever arm. The pawl arm includes a portion biased into engagement with the gear teeth. A fastener extends through the passage and couples the lever arm to the first lobe so the lever ramp surface cams with the lobe ramp surface. Rotation of the lever arm in a first direction brings the first and second lobes toward each other.

A coupler includes a collar defining a member receiving passage. First and second lobes extend outwardly from the collar. The first lobe includes a lobe ramp surface, a cylindrical projection extending from the first lobe and radially surrounding the lobe ramp surface, and a gear extending from the cylindrical portion. A passage is defined in the first and second lobes and has a first axis. A lever arm is rotatable about the first axis. The lever arm includes a lever ramp surface. A pawl arm is movably connected to the lever arm. The pawl arm includes a portion biased into engagement with the gear teeth. A fastener extends through the passage and couples the lever arm to the first lobe so the lever ramp surface cams with the lobe ramp surface. Rotation of the lever arm in a first direction brings the first and second lobes toward each other.

A crop management apparatus for selectively severing plant items from a plurality of plants. The apparatus comprises: a sensor unit for sensing aspects of the plurality of plants and generating data indicative thereof; a control unit for processing the data to determine a location of a target plant item suitable for severing; a cutter unit comprising at least one selectively deployable cutter for severing the target plant item from its respective plant; and a prime mover for moving the sensor unit and the at least one selectively deployable cutter across the plurality of plants. The control unit outputs a control signal to deploy the at least one selectively deployable cutter at least in part based on the determined location of the target plant item. When the at least one selectively deployable cutter is in a deployed state, severance of the target plant item occurs at least in part based on movement of the prime mover.

A crop management apparatus for selectively severing plant items from a plurality of plants. The apparatus comprises: a sensor unit for sensing aspects of the plurality of plants and generating data indicative thereof; a control unit for processing the data to determine a location of a target plant item suitable for severing; a cutter unit comprising at least one selectively deployable cutter for severing the target plant item from its respective plant; and a prime mover for moving the sensor unit and the at least one selectively deployable cutter across the plurality of plants. The control unit outputs a control signal to deploy the at least one selectively deployable cutter at least in part based on the determined location of the target plant item. When the at least one selectively deployable cutter is in a deployed state, severance of the target plant item occurs at least in part based on movement of the prime mover.

Various types of lawnmowers are disclosed that include at least one cutter housing having a chamber wall with a discharge opening therein. The mowers can include a rolling shutter formed of multiple steel sheets held together by pins. In discharge mode, the rolling shutter can be wrapped around a roller cylinder. In mulching mode the rolling shutter can extend to close off the discharge opening of the mower.

A zero-turn mower including a removably attached front-end loader, where front-end loader includes two boom arms and a bucket, and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism may include a center plate, a loader attachment mechanism, and a mower attachment mechanism.