A control system for a walk-behind self-propelled machine including a handle, a power source, a drive assembly, and an implement selectively driven by the power source is disclosed. The control by-wire system can include a touch sensor located on the handle configured to transmit a contact signal indicative of an operator of the walk-behind self-propelled machine physically contacting the handle at a predetermined location. The system can further include a controller that is in electrical communication with the touch sensor and configured to enable the power source to drive the implement, such as a lawnmower blade, when the controller receives the contact signal.

A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

A method, system and apparatus for a lawn or turf care maintenance machine, including at least one of fully electric operation; multi-purpose operation; and overnight, silent operation. The machine can be configured for at least one of golf course maintenance, turf care, landscaping, outdoor work, and transportation.

A system and method for automatically controlling an engine of a turf-care vehicle. The method comprises receiving, at an engine speed control module, a mode selection input from an engine speed control mode selection device. The mode selection input is indicative of one a plurality of engine speed control modes, and all of the engine speed control modes are implementable by the engine speed control module. The method additionally comprises monitoring, via the engine speed control module, an operating status of one or more vehicle systems and/or one or more vehicle sensors. The method further comprises automatically controlling, via the engine speed control module, a rotational speed of the engine based at least in part on the selected engine speed control mode and the operating status of the one or more vehicle systems and/or one or more vehicle sensors.

A detection device for metal stakes in a wire-trained plant-crop hedge having at least one detector configured to generate a detection signal when it passes next to a metal stake of the hedge wherein the metal stake detector has a first and a second metal detector arranged for generating respectively a first and a second measurement signal when they pass next to one of the metal stakes of the hedge. The first and second metal detectors are mechanically secured to each other in movement and arranged for being spaced vertically relative to each other. The detection device has an electronic management unit for the detection signals, configured for, upon detection of a temporal offset between the maximum variation levels of the first and second measurement signals, generating a signal indicating an inclined state of the metal stake.

A hand-pushed power tool includes a tool body including a working assembly, a control unit for controlling running of the working assembly, and a handle device. The handle device includes an operation member and a connecting rod assembly including a first connecting rod connected to the tool body. The first connecting rod includes a first lower rod portion and a first upper rod portion. The first upper rod portion is slidable relative to the first lower rod portion to a retracted position and an expanded position. The handle device further includes a detection device including a first detection element for detecting a telescopic state of the handle device, and a control device mounted to the operation member and electrically or communicatively connected to the first detection element. The control device is configured to control the control unit according to detection information from the first detection element.

In a control apparatus of a walk-behind electric lawn mower equipped with an electric motor, a blade cutter connected to the electric motor, a rechargeable battery connected to the electric motor, a motor driver circuit to adjust supply of operating electric power to the electric motor, ON/OFF of a first switching element disposed in a current path connecting the battery and the electric motor and a second switching element interposed in the current path in series with a braking resistor to allow charge current from the electric motor to the braking resistor, wherein operation of the first and second switching elements are controlled based on detected battery temperature and internal voltage of the motor driver circuit.

An apparatus for controlling operation of a walk-behind electric lawn mower equipped with an electric motor, a blade cutter connected to the electric motor and a rechargeable battery mounted connected to the electric motor and a motor driver circuit. In the apparatus, when an instruction to stop the electric motor is inputted, the operation of the motor driver circuit is controlled to output regenerative electric current from three-phase coils of the electric motor. At that time, it is determined whether a rotational speed of the electric motor is equal to or less than a switching rotational speed and when it is, the motor driver circuit is controlled to switch from the regenerative braking to short-circuit braking that short-circuits the three-phase coils of the electric motor.

An adaptive cutting system for a electric lawnmower including a battery, a motor, a controller, a drive assembly, and a blade. The controller can be configured to adjust at least one of a cutting height of the blade and a ground speed output by the drive assembly based on a predetermined run time and a state of charge of the battery.

A battery-powered eclectic lawn mower includes battery packs mounted on a docking stations of a bus bar by way of a gravity-biased engagement. The lawn mower also includes a priority charging control logic for giving priority of charge to battery packs that have a state of charge over a threshold. The lawn mower also includes a live to drive system which alerts the user when the lawn mower is capable of moving in response to manipulation of controls. The lawn mower also includes a variable speed control which adjusts a sensitivity of speed controls such that more precise, slower speed control of the lawn mower is achieved when mowing around trees and the like.