Mowing systems include a mower and a remote control unit such as a handheld unit, between which is provided 1- or 2-way communications. Components and features are included in the mower, the remote control unit, or both to enhance the safety, functionality, or user experience of the system's user/operator. Aspects of the invention relate to: an enable switch on the remote control unit that requires activation within a specified time before activating a drive system or PTO unit; sharing diagnostic information between the mower and remote control unit and emitting user-detectable warnings in response to the shared information; reducing a danger level of the system when a proximity between the mower and the remote control unit is too small; and using inclinometers in the mower and the remote control unit to control operation of the mower based on tilt angles of both the mower and the remote control unit.

A gardening appliance has a traction drive system with a clutch, an electric motor drive system and a user-triggerable signalling device. The clutch is designed to, as a result of forward rotation, automatically engage for forward drive of the gardening appliance and, as a result of backward rotation, automatically disengage for freewheeling of the gardening appliance. The electric motor drive system is designed to effect the forward rotation and the backward rotation of the clutch. A method of operating the appliance includes: a) in a user-triggered manner by way of a change in a signal state of the signalling device, operating the electric motor drive system in a running-down and/or braking operating mode in order to lower a motor rotational speed of the forward-rotating electric motor drive system; b) acquiring whether a back electromotive force caused by the electric motor drive system or a variable based on the back electromotive force satisfies a standstill criterion, wherein the standstill criterion is characteristic of an attainment of a standstill state of the electric motor drive system; and c) when the standstill criterion is satisfied, operating the electric motor drive system in a backward-rotation operating mode to effect the backward rotation of the electric motor drive system for disengaging the clutch for freewheeling of the gardening appliance.

A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.

A transmission for a lawn mower, for transmitting an output of a drive source to a driving wheel, the transmission including a speed-change transmission device and a power transmission device movably coupled to the speed-change transmission device. The power transmission device includes a first power transmission device coupled to the speed-change transmission device and a second power transmission device to which the driving wheel is coupled, and the first power transmission device and the second power transmission device are movably coupled to each other.

Mowing systems include a mower and a remote control unit such as a handheld unit, between which is provided 1- or 2-way communications. Components and features are included in the mower, the remote control unit, or both to enhance the safety, functionality, or user experience of the system's user/operator. Aspects of the invention relate to: an enable switch on the remote control unit that requires activation within a specified time before activating a drive system or PTO unit; sharing diagnostic information between the mower and remote control unit and emitting user-detectable warnings in response to the shared information; reducing a danger level of the system when a proximity between the mower and the remote control unit is too small; and using inclinometers in the mower and the remote control unit to control operation of the mower based on tilt angles of both the mower and the remote control unit.

A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.

A lawn mower includes a blade housing and a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting a height of the blade housing with respect to the associated ground. The height adjusting mechanism includes rear wheel support members for supporting rear drive wheels. Each rear drive wheel includes a cover having an exterior cover part and an interior cover part. The interior cover part is directly connected to one of the support members without the use of separate associated mechanical fasteners.

Mowing systems include a mower and a remote control unit such as a handheld unit, between which is provided 1- or 2-way communications. Components and features are included in the mower, the remote control unit, or both to enhance the safety, functionality, or user experience of the system's user/operator. One aspect relates to an enable switch on the remote control unit that requires activation within a specified time before activating a drive system or PTO unit. Another aspect relates to sharing diagnostic information between the mower and remote control unit and emitting user-detectable warnings in response to the shared information. Another aspect relates to reducing a danger level of the system, e.g. disabling the PTO unit or slowing a drive speed transform function, when a proximity between the mower and the remote control unit is too small. Another aspect relates to controlling operation of the mower based on tilt angles of both the mower and the remote control unit.

A transmission housing (2) of the type including two housing elements (9) that can be positioned to press against each other and that in the assembled-together state define: a cavity (13); a shaft (6) projecting at least in part from the housing (2); a motion transmission mechanism (30) for transmitting motion to said shaft (6), the motion transmission mechanism (30) being housed at least in part inside the cavity (13) of the housing (2); and sealing means (15) arranged in the zone where the housing elements (9) are pressed together and referred to as a join plane (10), the sealing means (15) surrounding said cavity (13). The housing (2) comprises means (17) for connecting the housing elements (9) together by snap-fastening in order to hold the housing elements (9) pressed against each other and the sealing means (15) comprise adhesive connection means (16) for connecting said housing elements (9) together.

A speed-adjustable self-propelled four-wheel-drive walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The lawn mower may include a cutting deck, an engine installed on the cutting deck including an engine shaft, and a cutting blade installed inside the cutting deck. The lawn mower further includes a first transmission box and a second transmission box. The lawn mower includes an engine pulley installed on the engine shaft, a first combined pulley in communication with the first transmission box, and a second combined pulley in communication with the second transmission box. The lawn mower includes a belt connecting the first combined pulley, the second combined pulley, and the engine pulley. The belt is configured to transmit, via the engine pulley, a driving force from the engine to the first combined pulley and the second combined pulley to rotate the first transmission box and the second transmission box.