[Summary] A mower unit includes an idler pulley unit and a single belt routed around an output pulley of a drive source, the idler pulley unit and a plurality of blade pulleys. The idler pulley unit includes a first idler pulley, a second idler pulley and a tension idler pulley. A pulley height of the idler pulley unit is set higher than a pulley height of the blade pulleys, and a forward belt portion from the output pulley and a reverse belt portion to the output pulley extend to pass over and above the blade belt portion.

A footrest for an outdoor power equipment having a frame that supports a seat. The footrest includes a first footrest portion supported relative to the frame and defines a first support surface. The footrest also includes a second footrest portion defining a second support surface. The second footrest portion is movably coupled to the first footrest portion. The footrest also includes an adjustment mechanism positioned between the first and second footrest portions to adjust a position of the second footrest portion between a first position where the second footrest portion is closest to the seat, a second position where the second footrest portion is farthest from the seat, and infinitely between the first and second positions.

A footrest for an outdoor power equipment having a frame that supports a seat. The footrest includes a first footrest portion supported relative to the frame and defines a first support surface. The footrest also includes a second footrest portion defining a second support surface. The second footrest portion is movably coupled to the first footrest portion. The footrest also includes an adjustment mechanism positioned between the first and second footrest portions to adjust a position of the second footrest portion between a first position where the second footrest portion is closest to the seat, a second position where the second footrest portion is farthest from the seat, and infinitely between the first and second positions.

A grounds maintenance vehicle including a chassis, a support platform, at least one hand control, a suspension system, a load sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The support platform extends along the longitudinal axis. The at least one hand control is carried by the support platform and configured to control at least one of propulsion and steering of the vehicle. The suspension system includes a first suspension apparatus operatively acting between the chassis and the support platform and an actuator configured to adjust a preload applied to the one or more springs. The load sensor is configured to measure a weight applied to the support platform. The controller is operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to adjust the actuator to modify the preload based on the weight measured by the load sensor.

A grounds maintenance vehicle including a chassis, a support platform, at least one hand control, a suspension system, a load sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The support platform extends along the longitudinal axis. The at least one hand control is carried by the support platform and configured to control at least one of propulsion and steering of the vehicle. The suspension system includes a first suspension apparatus operatively acting between the chassis and the support platform and an actuator configured to adjust a preload applied to the one or more springs. The load sensor is configured to measure a weight applied to the support platform. The controller is operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to adjust the actuator to modify the preload based on the weight measured by the load sensor.

A system and related method of applying forage treatment material to harvested forage is provided. The system can include a mobile forage harvester having a chute, a vacuum source that produces a vacuum, and a bin that stores granular treatment material for dispensation. The chute can be joined with a catch tube having a catch opening. A tube can extend from the bin toward the catch tube, but can be separated from the catch opening by an open gap. The material can be dispensed from the tube into the open gap, and drawn across the open gap and into the catch opening with the vacuum so the material mixes with the harvested forage moving along the pathway in the chute under force of the vacuum. The bin, tubes and the open gap can be located in an interior compartment to protect them from the elements. A related method is provided.

A system and related method of applying forage treatment material to harvested forage is provided. The system can include a mobile forage harvester having a chute, a vacuum source that produces a vacuum, and a bin that stores granular treatment material for dispensation. The chute can be joined with a catch tube having a catch opening. A tube can extend from the bin toward the catch tube, but can be separated from the catch opening by an open gap. The material can be dispensed from the tube into the open gap, and drawn across the open gap and into the catch opening with the vacuum so the material mixes with the harvested forage moving along the pathway in the chute under force of the vacuum. The bin, tubes and the open gap can be located in an interior compartment to protect them from the elements. A related method is provided.

Suspension systems and grounds maintenance vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. The suspension system may include biasing elements or springs that may be adjusted to vary the preload and thus change the spring and dampening characteristics of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the system may include an adjustment mechanism that permits simultaneous adjustment of two springs via a single action. In other embodiments, features adapted to assist an operator with mounting/dismounting the vehicle are disclosed.

A ZTR mower adjustable toe board includes a one piece sheet metal plate having a rear portion releasably engaged to a cross member extending between left and right longitudinal frame members of a ZTR mower at a plurality of different fore and aft positions. A plurality of tabs may extend rearwardly from the rear portion, each tab having two bends for inserting and securing it in any of a plurality of slots in the cross member. The plate may include an upwardly inclined front portion positioned over a front frame member and resiliently abutting the front frame member at the plurality of different fore and aft positions. A plurality of foot pegs may be mounted to the upwardly inclined front portion.

An agricultural working machine with a seat for an operator of the agricultural working machine, with a monitor for displaying data, such as operating data of the agricultural working machine, and/or an attachment of the agricultural working machine, and with an adjustable holding device that holds the monitor. The adjustable holding device enables adjustment of the height, tilt, and distance of the monitor relative to the seat.