A transmission includes an output shaft, a first gear rotatably mounted on the output shaft, a shuttle movably axially on the output shaft, and an engagement member fixedly mounted on the output shaft. The first gear includes first dog teeth. The shuttle includes second dog teeth which engage the first dog teeth. In a drive condition, the engagement member axially moves the shuttle into engagement with the first gear, first surfaces of the first and second dog teeth engage, and, as a result, the first gear rotates in together with the output shaft. In a freewheeling condition the output shaft is stationary, an overdrive of the first gear results in engagement of second surfaces of the first and second dog teeth, and, as a result, the shuttle moves out of engagement with the first gear allowing for free rotation of the first gear about the output shaft.

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 handle includes: a switch lever having an operational portion in an inverted U-shape, and configured to press an on/off switch when the operational portion is gripped and pressed; a handle body provided with the on/off switch mounted thereto and having an inner peripheral slit from which the operational portion of the switch lever housed in the handle body projects; a spring having a supported portion and a pair of arms extending from the supported portion, housed in the handle body, and biasing and pushing the switch lever back; and a plurality of limiters provided at locations in either the handle body or the switch lever at a distance from the spring, and configured to limit movement of the switch lever.

An improved electromechanical Blade Clutch Actuator (BCA) that employs an electric gear motor system to provide more economical, convenient and reliable user control with an electric switch to engage/disengage the cutting blades. The user control may be a switch remotely mounted anywhere on the mower for greater design freedom due to the removal of the manual interface. The BCA also incorporates a novel slip clutch for overload protection.

A transmission for a manually operated wheeled machine includes an output shaft having a close-ended axial channel. A drive gear mounted on the output shaft includes an engaging groove. A ratchet is received in the channel and is in engagement with the engaging groove. A holder mounted on the output shaft includes a relief that receives the ratchet. A friction member applies radial friction to the holder to temporarily prevent rotation of the holder with the output shaft in a drive condition of the machine moving the ratchet into engagement with the engaging groove, and in the drive condition the drive gear and holder rotate with the output shaft. In a freewheeling condition of the machine the output shaft is stationary, and an overdrive of the drive gear disengages the ratchet from the engaging groove allowing for free rotation of the drive gear about the stationary output shaft.

A walk-behind electric device includes a device body, a moving wheel, a moving motor, a power interface, and a control unit. The moving wheel is connected to the device body. The moving motor is configured to drive the moving wheel. The power interface is connected to a power supply so as to supply power to the moving motor. The control unit is configured to identify, according to device parameters of the walk-behind electric device, an auxiliary operation that a user wants to perform on the walk-behind electric device, where the auxiliary operation is at least partially positively correlated to at least one output parameter of the moving motor.

A mower including a handle assembly and a grip coupled to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a cross member. The grip is moveable longitudinally relative to the cross member. The mower also includes a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on a position of the grip relative to the cross member, and a drive assembly configured to operate based on the output signal.

Outdoor power equipment includes a frame including a handle, a prime mover mounted to the frame, a transmission coupling the prime mover to a wheel, and a user interface coupled to the transmission and including a static link rigidly coupled to the handle, a forward link coupled to a forward lever and to the static link, a reverse link coupled to a reverse lever and to the static link, and a joining link coupled between the forward link and the reverse link. The user interface is actuatable between a forward configuration and a reverse configuration.

A turf maintenance apparatus having folding handles facilitating compact storage is presented herein. The folding handles can be compressed or extended to adjust overall length and can rotate between an extended operator position and a folded storage position. Depending on implementation, the folding handles can be locked in the folded storage position and can also lock in the extended operator position. An operator presence device(s) can disable operation of a motor or engine when the handles are not locked in the extended operator position.

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.