A mower comprises a frame carrying a front mounted rotary cutting deck. A deck lift moves the cutting deck between mowing and transport positions. The cutting deck can be selectively pivoted on the deck lift into a substantially tipped up service position to expose the underside of the cutting deck for service. The cutting deck has a self-engaging latch to hold it in its service position. A self-engaging catch provides a temporary hold position for the cutting deck that is short of the transport position as the cutting deck is being returned from the service position to prevent inadvertent contact between the cutting deck and the user. For ease of use, both the latch and the catch are releasable by a user from one side of the cutting deck which side also includes a rear foot pad and a front hand grip on the cutting deck.

A riding yard maintenance vehicle includes a frame to which front wheels and rear wheels of the riding yard maintenance vehicle are attachable, a steering assembly configured to receive steering inputs by an operator of the riding yard maintenance vehicle, and a mounting assembly disposed at a front end of the riding yard maintenance vehicle to which a working assembly is attachable. The working assembly receives electrical power via a plug assembly and is configured to transition between a working position and a maintenance position while operably coupled to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a locking assembly configured to prevent the transition from the working position to the maintenance position while the plug assembly provides power to the working assembly.

A garden tool, including a main body, a walking wheel mounted on the main body, a self-propelled motor for driving the walking wheel, and a control panel disposed on the main body. The control panel includes a self-propelled control assembly. The self-propelled control assembly includes a self-propelled start paddle and a speed regulating button. Pressing the self-propelled start paddle activates self-propelled operation of the garden tool. The self-propelled start paddle can be released for a short time and the speed regulating button can be adjusted within the short time. The self-propelled start paddle can be re-pressed within the short time and after the speed regulating button is adjusted, and the garden tool maintains the self-propelled operation.

Method and apparatus for a blade lock for use with a lawnmower. The blade lock includes an adjustable intermediate shaft having a hook-like component on one end for holding the blade of the lawnmower and a clamp-like member on the opposite end for attachment to the deck of the lawnmower. The shaft portion includes a plurality of fasteners which allow the shaft to be adjustable in length.

A handle is configured to be coupled to an implement to guide the implement during operation. The handle includes a first member configured to be coupled to a main body of the implement, a second member movably coupled to the first member between a retracted position and an extended position, and a locking mechanism coupled between the first member and the second member. The locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position, in which the second member is fixed relative to the first member, and an unlocked position, in which the second member is movable relative to the first member. The handle also includes a control assembly configured to allow operation of the implement in response to the locking mechanism being moved into the locked position.

A mower comprises a frame carrying a front mounted rotary cutting deck. A deck lift moves the cutting deck between mowing and transport positions. The cutting deck can be selectively pivoted on the deck lift into a substantially tipped up service position to expose the underside of the cutting deck for service. The cutting deck has a self-engaging latch to hold it in its service position. A self-engaging catch provides a temporary hold position for the cutting deck that is short of the transport position as the cutting deck is being returned from the service position to prevent inadvertent contact between the cutting deck and the user. For ease of use, both the latch and the catch are releasable by a user from one side of the cutting deck which side also includes a rear foot pad and a front hand grip on the cutting deck.

A gardening tool, such as a mower, has a main body having an accessory, such as a mowing blade, and a motor for driving the accessory. A handle is rotatably connected to the main body. At least one operation assembly is associated with the handle for being operated by a user to control the motor when the handle is located in a predetermined position. A control system prevents the motor from being controlled by the operation assembly and halts the motor when the handle is located out of the predetermined position.

A garden tool, including a main body, a walking wheel mounted on the main body, a self-propelled motor for driving the walking wheel, and a control panel disposed on the main body. The control panel includes a self-propelled control assembly. The self-propelled control assembly includes a self-propelled start paddle and a speed regulating button. Pressing the self-propelled start paddle activates self-propelled operation of the garden tool. The self-propelled start paddle can be released for a short time and the speed regulating button can be adjusted within the short time. The self-propelled start paddle can be re-pressed within the short time and after the speed regulating button is adjusted, and the garden tool maintains the self-propelled operation.

A lawnmower comprising: a body; a cutting element coupled with the body; a motor configured to drive the cutting element; a sensor comprising an accelerometer configured to detect an angular displacement of the lawnmower with respect to a vertical axis and a wobble of the cutting element with respect to a horizontal plane; and a processor configured to: compare the detected angular displacement against a tilt threshold value; compare the detected wobble against a wobble threshold value; and control an operational speed of the cutting element when the angular displacement exceeds the tilt threshold value or when the wobble exceeds the wobble threshold value.

A garden tool, including a main body, a walking wheel mounted on the main body, a self-propelled motor for driving the walking wheel, and a control panel disposed on the main body. The control panel includes a self-propelled control assembly. The self-propelled control assembly includes a self-propelled start paddle and a speed regulating button. Pressing the self-propelled start paddle activates self-propelled operation of the garden tool. The self-propelled start paddle can be released for a short time and the speed regulating button can be adjusted within the short time. The self-propelled start paddle can be re-pressed within the short time and after the speed regulating button is adjusted, and the garden tool maintains the self-propelled operation.