In an apparatus for controlling operation of a utility vehicle that detects a magnetic field generated by electric current flowing through a boundary wire of a working area and is driven to run within the working area based on the detected magnetic field, having left and right magnetic sensor installed at lateral right and left positions of the vehicle to produce outputs proportional to strength of the magnetic field, turning mode is switched between gentle turning mode to make the vehicle turn while running near the boundary wire and sharp turning mode to make the vehicle pause near the boundary wire and then turn, when it is determined from the outputs of the magnetic sensors that the vehicle approaches the boundary wire, each time predetermined conditions are satisfied, and operation of the prime mover is controlled such that the vehicle turns in accordance with the switched turning mode.

A mower deck discharge chute includes a flexible member attached with a hinge to a multi-blade mower deck, and a drive belt tunnel through the flexible member that an attachment drive belt passes through when the flexible member is pivoted up to a generally vertical position. The attachment drive belt may be on a single plane to engage a drive sheave on the multi-blade mower deck, a driven sheave on the belt driven attachment, and an idler.

In an autonomously navigating vehicle including a sensor (contact-lift sensor) configured to produce an output proportional to displacement between a chassis and the cover and the control unit configured to receive output of the sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether change of the sensor output per prescribed time period is equal to or greater than the threshold value, count up time period during which change has been determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value, and compare time period counted up by the time integration unit with prescribed time periods (first prescribed time period and second prescribed time period) and discriminate whether the vehicle has contacted an obstacle or whether the cover has been lifted from the chassis based on the result of the comparison with the prescribed time periods.

In an autonomously navigating vehicle including a sensor (contact-lift sensor) configured to produce an output proportional to displacement between a chassis and the cover and the control unit configured to receive output of the sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether change of the sensor output per prescribed time period is equal to or greater than the threshold value, count up time period during which change has been determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value, and compare time period counted up by the time integration unit with prescribed time periods (first prescribed time period and second prescribed time period) and discriminate whether the vehicle has contacted an obstacle or whether the cover has been lifted from the chassis based on the result of the comparison with the prescribed time periods.

A grass collection chute fastener includes a lever that tensions a strap that engages the grass collection chute and mower deck. A hook attached to the strap is insertable into a hole adjacent a side discharge opening of a multi-blade mower deck to secure the grass collection chute over the side discharge opening by rotating the lever to an over center position.

Outdoor equipment, such as a lawn mower, includes a frame, a riding area, front wheels, and a wheel assembly. One wheel assembly includes an outer plate, a rotating bracket pivotally connected to the outer plate, a primary wheel supported by the rotating bracket, and a secondary wheel supported by the rotating bracket. The rotating bracket is rotatable about a pivot axis, the primary wheel is axially offset from the pivot axis, and the secondary wheel is axially offset from the primary wheel and from the pivot axis. In use, the rotating bracket consistently provides two points of contact (one by the primary wheel and another through the secondary wheel) by rotating automatically about the pivot axis due to gravity and forces transferred through the wheels. This enhanced distribution of forces may provide a more comfortable, cushioned riding experience.

A mulching lawn mower blade preferably includes a base cutting blade and at least one mulching cutting blade. The base cutting blade includes a first cutting edge formed on one edge, extending inward from a first end thereof and a second cutting edge formed on an opposing edge, extending inward from a second end thereof. A middle section of the base cutting blade may have any suitable hole (s) or opening pattern (s) to accommodate attachment to a drive shaft of a lawn mower. The at least one mulching cutting blade may be a single mulching cutting blade, which is bolted to the drive shaft, or two separate mulching cutting blades, which are attached to the base cutting blade with any suitable method, such as welding. A first mulching cutting blade includes a first mulching cutting edge and a second mulching cutting blade includes a second mulching cutting edge.

A mulching lawn mower blade preferably includes a base cutting blade and at least one mulching cutting blade. The base cutting blade includes a first cutting edge formed on one edge, extending inward from a first end thereof and a second cutting edge formed on an opposing edge, extending inward from a second end thereof. A middle section of the base cutting blade may have any suitable hole (s) or opening pattern (s) to accommodate attachment to a drive shaft of a lawn mower. The at least one mulching cutting blade may be a single mulching cutting blade, which is bolted to the drive shaft, or two separate mulching cutting blades, which are attached to the base cutting blade with any suitable method, such as welding. A first mulching cutting blade includes a first mulching cutting edge and a second mulching cutting blade includes a second mulching cutting edge.

A mower deck discharge chute includes a flexible member attached with a hinge to a multi-blade mower deck, and a drive belt tunnel through the flexible member that an attachment drive belt passes through when the flexible member is pivoted up to a generally vertical position. The attachment drive belt may be on a single plane to engage a drive sheave on the multi-blade mower deck, a driven sheave on the belt driven attachment, and an idler.

In order to obtain favorable cutting quality throughout a long-term, a rotating body has a brace that rotates integrally with a drive shaft of a mower, and a main body made of synthetic resin that is joined to the brace. The main body includes an upper body that is joined to the brace, a flange portion having a diameter larger than that of the upper body, a lower body having a diameter smaller than that of the flange portion, and an engaging structure with which the linear cutter is engaged. The upper body has, on the outer circumferential surface thereof, a plurality of outlets, from each of which one end of the linear cutter is pulled out. With the upper body integrally joined to the lower body with the flange portion therebetween, the linear cutter that is pulled out of each of the outlets is positioned above the flange portion.