Patent classifications
A01D34/43
Autonomous mower cutting systems
An autonomous mobile work system (20) includes a drive wheel (34) that is connected to a frame (24) and a rotating blade assembly (36). The rotating blade assembly (36) includes a blade assembly axis of rotation (38) and is connected to the frame (24) within a housing (26). The mobile work system (20) further includes a single motor (40) operably connected to the blade assembly (36). The motor (50) includes a motor output shaft (44) and the motor output shaft (44) includes an output shaft axis of rotation (46). The mobile work system (20) still further includes a gear box (50) operably connected to the drive wheel (34) and the motor output shaft (44). The single motor (50) urges rotation of both the rotating blade assembly (36) and the drive wheel (34). The gear box (50) can include a planetary gear set (104) including a ring gear (110) defining cavities (120) at its outside diameter (124). A locking shaft (126) can rotate between an engaged position and a disengaged position with one of the cavities (120).
Dual powered riding lawn mower
A dual powered riding lawn mower including a riding mower. The riding mower includes a mowing deck having at least one mowing blade therein. The mower blade is connected to a blade shaft. The blade shaft is connected to a clutch and gear box. The gear box will enable a user to switch between manual power and a battery powered motor. The manual power will include a set of pedals that will spin the blade shaft and propel the riding lawn mower forward. When the electric motor is engaged the pedals are used to charge the battery via an alternator connected to the gear box.
Lawn care vehicle brake system
A riding lawn care vehicle includes a frame to which at least a first and second drive wheels are attachable. The vehicle further includes a brake assembly operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels to enable brakes to be selectively applied to the first and second drive wheels. The riding lawn care vehicle also includes a steering assembly with first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are operably coupled to first and second drive wheels respectively to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are also operably coupled to the brake assembly to activate the brake assembly in response to one of the first or second steering levers being rotated about a vertical axis of the respective lever.
Harvester head reel rephasing
A rephasing system may include a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, a first rephasing valve, a second rephasing valve and a controller. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder include first and second pistons, respectively. A first hydraulic fluid line connects a hydraulic supply to a first side of the first piston while a second hydraulic fluid line connects a second side of the first piston to a first side of the second piston. The first rephasing valve fluidly couples the first side of the first piston to the first side of the second piston while the second hydraulic fluid line fluidly couples the second side of the second piston to the hydraulic supply. The controller selectively opens and closes the first and second rephasing valves to re-phase the first and second pistons.
Harvester head reel rephasing
A rephasing system may include a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, a first rephasing valve, a second rephasing valve and a controller. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder include first and second pistons, respectively. A first hydraulic fluid line connects a hydraulic supply to a first side of the first piston while a second hydraulic fluid line connects a second side of the first piston to a first side of the second piston. The first rephasing valve fluidly couples the first side of the first piston to the first side of the second piston while the second hydraulic fluid line fluidly couples the second side of the second piston to the hydraulic supply. The controller selectively opens and closes the first and second rephasing valves to re-phase the first and second pistons.
Systems and methods for determining an engine cool-down period and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating same
Systems and methods for determining an idle, recommended cool-down period (RCDP) for a prime mover of a grounds maintenance vehicle. Delaying engine shutdown until after expiration of the RCDP allows engine components to adequately cool. In some embodiments, systems and methods may provide a quantitative indication of the time remaining in the RCDP, while other embodiments may notify an operator that a re-start of the engine is necessary to continue cool-down.
HARVESTER ROLLER CONFIGURATION
A roller is connected to a harvesting platform for movement with a combine over a ground surface in a direction of travel. The roller includes a first portion defining a first diameter and including a first material, and a second portion defining a second diameter and including a second material. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The second portion substantially surrounds the first portion, the second material has different material properties than the first material. The roller extends in the direction of travel and rotates about a second axis which extends generally parallel to the direction of travel.
HARVESTER ROLLER CONFIGURATION
A roller is connected to a harvesting platform for movement with a combine over a ground surface in a direction of travel. The roller includes a first portion defining a first diameter and including a first material, and a second portion defining a second diameter and including a second material. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The second portion substantially surrounds the first portion, the second material has different material properties than the first material. The roller extends in the direction of travel and rotates about a second axis which extends generally parallel to the direction of travel.
CROP CANOPY GLEANING MACHINE
Some crops, such as soybeans, grow close to the ground, having a low canopy relative to that of weeds growing interspersed in the crop. A farm implement removes weed growth above the crop canopy. The implement has a chassis with at least three wheels connected to the chassis, a cutting mechanism, mounted at a front end of the chassis, a means for collecting weed growth cut by the cutting mechanism, mounted on the chassis, means for generating and selectively applying rotational torque to at least one of the at least three wheels and means for a user to guide the chassis down the rows in which the crop is grown.
CROP CANOPY GLEANING MACHINE
Some crops, such as soybeans, grow close to the ground, having a low canopy relative to that of weeds growing interspersed in the crop. A farm implement removes weed growth above the crop canopy. The implement has a chassis with at least three wheels connected to the chassis, a cutting mechanism, mounted at a front end of the chassis, a means for collecting weed growth cut by the cutting mechanism, mounted on the chassis, means for generating and selectively applying rotational torque to at least one of the at least three wheels and means for a user to guide the chassis down the rows in which the crop is grown.