Provided is a work vehicle capable of efficiently performing grass collecting work by decelerating a traveling machine body in a case where the size of a bale is large and a case where the pickup load of straw grass is large. The work vehicle includes a traveling machine body 1, a roll baler unit 2, a bale detection unit 31 configured to detect a size of the bale formed by the roll baler unit 2, a load detection unit 32 configured to detect a pickup load of straw grass in the roll baler unit 2, and a traveling control unit 17A capable of decelerating the traveling machine body 1 when a size of the bale is equal to or larger than a setting value B1 and when a pickup load is equal to or larger than a setting value L. A deceleration D2 is larger than a deceleration D1.

Provided is a parking brake apparatus for a vehicle that allows an improvement in the ease of assembly. A parking brake apparatus includes a valve, a single hydraulic actuator that includes a cylinder, a piston housed in the cylinder in such a manner as to be reciprocably displaceable along the cylinder, and a principal brake rod connected to the piston, and can displace the piston to one of a brake operating position and a brake non-operating position by the valve, a balance arm connected to a first end portion of the principal brake rod on a side protruded from the cylinder, and a pair of left and right auxiliary brake rods provided between bent portions at end portions of the balance arm and left and right brake arms, respectively. The hydraulic actuator includes a spring member for constantly urging the piston to the brake operating position.

Provided is a parking brake apparatus for a vehicle that allows an improvement in the ease of assembly. A parking brake apparatus includes a valve, a single hydraulic actuator that includes a cylinder, a piston housed in the cylinder in such a manner as to be reciprocably displaceable along the cylinder, and a principal brake rod connected to the piston, and can displace the piston to one of a brake operating position and a brake non-operating position by the valve, a balance arm connected to a first end portion of the principal brake rod on a side protruded from the cylinder, and a pair of left and right auxiliary brake rods provided between bent portions at end portions of the balance arm and left and right brake arms, respectively. The hydraulic actuator includes a spring member for constantly urging the piston to the brake operating position.

Methods and apparatus for a lawn maintenance vehicle park brake and traction drive interlock are provided. A park brake mechanism is selectively operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A traction drive is also mounted to the lawn maintenance vehicle, the traction drive having a disable mode which prohibits transmission of a driving force from the traction drive to a drive wheel. A first operable connection between the park brake mechanism and a wheel brake activates the wheel brake. A second operable connection between the park brake mechanism and the traction drive activates the disable mode of the traction drive. A method of controlling a lawn maintenance vehicle with a park brake and traction drive interlock include the steps of providing a lawn maintenance vehicle, providing an operable park brake mechanism, providing a first operable connection, and providing a second operable connection.

Methods and apparatus for a lawn maintenance vehicle park brake and traction drive interlock are provided. A park brake mechanism is selectively operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A traction drive is also mounted to the lawn maintenance vehicle, the traction drive having a disable mode which prohibits transmission of a driving force from the traction drive to a drive wheel. A first operable connection between the park brake mechanism and a wheel brake activates the wheel brake. A second operable connection between the park brake mechanism and the traction drive activates the disable mode of the traction drive. A method of controlling a lawn maintenance vehicle with a park brake and traction drive interlock include the steps of providing a lawn maintenance vehicle, providing an operable park brake mechanism, providing a first operable connection, and providing a second operable connection.

A riding lawn care vehicle includes a frame to which at least a first and second drive wheels are attachable. The vehicle further includes a brake assembly operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels to enable brakes to be selectively applied to the first and second drive wheels. The riding lawn care vehicle also includes a steering assembly with first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are operably coupled to first and second drive wheels respectively to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are also operably coupled to the brake assembly to activate the brake assembly in response to one of the first or second steering levers being rotated about a vertical axis of the respective lever.

A riding lawn care vehicle includes a frame to which at least a first and second drive wheels are attachable. The vehicle further includes a brake assembly operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels to enable brakes to be selectively applied to the first and second drive wheels. The riding lawn care vehicle also includes a steering assembly with first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are operably coupled to first and second drive wheels respectively to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of first and second steering levers. First and second steering levers are also operably coupled to the brake assembly to activate the brake assembly in response to one of the first or second steering levers being rotated about a vertical axis of the respective lever.

A mower having a chassis, wheels for moving the mower in a mowing plane, and a cutting deck. The mower includes a parking brake having at least one brake member secured to the cutting deck. The cutting deck is mounted on the chassis so as to be able to move between at least one mowing position and a position in which the mower is stopped, in which the brake member comes into contact with at least one wheel of the mower so as to immobilize the wheel. The invention is intended in particular for use with mowers of the walk-behind or ride-on type, and with robotic mowers.

A mower having a chassis, wheels for moving the mower in a mowing plane, and a cutting deck. The mower includes a parking brake having at least one brake member secured to the cutting deck. The cutting deck is mounted on the chassis so as to be able to move between at least one mowing position and a position in which the mower is stopped, in which the brake member comes into contact with at least one wheel of the mower so as to immobilize the wheel. The invention is intended in particular for use with mowers of the walk-behind or ride-on type, and with robotic mowers.

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.