A gardening appliance has a traction drive system with a clutch, an electric motor drive system and a user-triggerable signalling device. The electric motor drive system effects forward rotation and backward rotation of the clutch. An operating method includes: a) in a user-triggered manner, operating the electric motor drive system in a running-down and/or braking operating mode 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 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 operation.

Centrifugal clutch mechanisms, and transmissions and lawnmowers having centrifugal clutch mechanisms are provided. A centrifugal clutch mechanism includes a clutch bell comprising an annular wall and a circular ring extending away from the annular wall to define an internal cavity, wherein the circular ring comprises an inward facing surface defining a drive surface. The centrifugal clutch mechanism also includes a plurality of centrifugal weights disposed in the internal cavity and an inward biasing element engaged with the centrifugal weights. The inward biasing element biases the centrifugal weights towards a disengaged position in which the centrifugal weights do not interface with drive surface, and upon application of a sufficient centrifugal force, the centrifugal weights are configured to transition to an engaged position in which the centrifugal weights interface with the drive surface.

A stuffer assembly includes a clutch assembly for selectively coupling an input shaft to an output shaft of a drive mechanism, the clutch assembly including a first rotary element and a second rotary element, one of which is provided on the input shaft and the other one on the output shaft, a plurality of engagement elements, and an electronically controllable actuator configured to engage and disengage the plurality of engagement elements with both of the first rotary element and the second rotary element.

A stuffer assembly includes a clutch assembly for selectively coupling an input shaft to an output shaft of a drive mechanism, the clutch assembly including a first rotary element and a second rotary element, one of which is provided on the input shaft and the other one on the output shaft, a plurality of engagement elements, and an electronically controllable actuator configured to engage and disengage the plurality of engagement elements with both of the first rotary element and the second rotary element.

Centrifugal clutch mechanisms, and transmissions and lawnmowers having centrifugal clutch mechanisms are provided. A centrifugal clutch mechanism includes a clutch bell comprising an annular wall and a circular ring extending away from the annular wall to define an internal cavity, wherein the circular ring comprises an inward facing surface defining a drive surface. The centrifugal clutch mechanism also includes a plurality of centrifugal weights disposed in the internal cavity and an inward biasing element engaged with the centrifugal weights. The inward biasing element biases the centrifugal weights towards a disengaged position in which the centrifugal weights do not interface with drive surface, and upon application of a sufficient centrifugal force, the centrifugal weights are configured to transition to an engaged position in which the centrifugal weights interface with the drive surface.

Centrifugal clutch mechanisms, and transmissions and lawnmowers having centrifugal clutch mechanisms are provided. A centrifugal clutch mechanism includes a clutch bell comprising an annular wall and a circular ring extending away from the annular wall to define an internal cavity, wherein the circular ring comprises an inward facing surface defining a drive surface. The centrifugal clutch mechanism also includes a plurality of centrifugal weights disposed in the internal cavity and an inward biasing element engaged with the centrifugal weights. The inward biasing element biases the centrifugal weights towards a disengaged position in which the centrifugal weights do not interface with drive surface, and upon application of a sufficient centrifugal force, the centrifugal weights are configured to transition to an engaged position in which the centrifugal weights interface with the drive surface.

A speed select shift mechanism for a belt drive assembly to be installed on a shaft capable of shifting between high, low and neutral speeds is disclosed. The shift mechanism includes a shift collar that is enclosed within an enclosure to prevent debris from contacting the inner operations of the shift mechanism and thereby reduce wear and tear of the shift mechanism along with down time for maintenance of the device. The shift mechanism includes a shaft, a first pulley, a shift collar, a second pulley and a shifter. The shift collar further includes dowels that cooperatively engage corresponding apertures on the pulleys.

A speed select shift mechanism for a belt drive assembly to be installed on a shaft capable of shifting between high, low and neutral speeds is disclosed. The shift mechanism includes a shift collar that is enclosed within an enclosure to prevent debris from contacting the inner operations of the shift mechanism and thereby reduce wear and tear of the shift mechanism along with down time for maintenance of the device. The shift mechanism includes a shaft, a first pulley, a shift collar, a second pulley and a shifter. The shift collar further includes dowels that cooperatively engage corresponding apertures on the pulleys.

A drive system for an agricultural work machine having a primary drive system configured to drive a performance system for performing a crop preparation or handling operation including a fluid motor, a fluid pump and a tensioner system. The fluid motor is configured to produce a drive force and to be driven by a flow of fluid moving through the motor. The fluid pump is operatively connected to the fluid motor and is configured to drive the fluid motor. The tensioner system is operatively connected to the fluid motor and to the fluid pump, wherein the direction of fluid flow through the fluid motor adjusts the application of at least one force applied to a belt in the drive system. The fluid motor is configured to adjust the force applied to the belt by regulating a belt tension in proportion to a torque provided by the fluid motor.

Provided is a mower system that includes an idler pulley, a deck drive pulley coupled to a drive shaft of a mower motor and an intermediate pulley coupled to the mower and positioned to be engaged by a portion of the deck drive belt spanning between the deck drive pulley and the idler pulley. The deck drive pulley located a first distance from the idler pulley and the intermediate pulley located a second distance from the idler pulley, with the second distance being greater than the first distance.