Foot operated control linkages overlie the conventional control lever operating system on a spin turn mower to operate the mower in either forward or reverse directions. Each control linkage uses a foot pedal to control the speed of the mower while the control levers remain operable, even while the mower is moving, to change the forward or reverse direction of travel of the mower. The forward control linkage includes a first set of springs that pull the control levers against a stop while a second control spring prevents the first springs from moving the mower until the foot pedal is depressed. Thus, when the foot pedal is allowed to return to a non-depressed position, the mower will revert to a neutral detent position in which the mower is not powered in any direction.

A riding lawn care vehicle (10) may include a frame (60), a steering assembly (30), a brake assembly (110), and a mechanical brake linkage assembly (120). At least a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel (32) of the riding lawn care vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a first steering lever and a second steering lever (34), where the first and second steering levers are operably coupled to the 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 the first and second steering levers. The brake assembly may be operably coupled to the first and second drive wheels to enable brakes to be selectively applied to the first and second drive wheels. The mechanical brake linkage assembly may be configured to activate the brake assembly relative to the first and second drive wheels in response to one of the first steering lever or the second steering lever being moved outwardly to an outboard position independent of a position of the other of the first steering lever or the second steering lever.

Systems and methods for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors.

Systems and methods for operating a motor-driven vehicle. One example system includes a handlebar configured to pivot about an axis, a position sensor for sensing a displacement of the handlebar, a first electric drive motor configured to drive a first wheel of the vehicle, a second electric drive motor configured to drive a second wheel of the vehicle, a first motor controller coupled to the position sensor and the first electric drive motor, and a second motor controller coupled to the position sensor and the second electric drive motor. The first motor controller is configured to receive a sensed displacement from the position sensor and control the first electric drive motor based on the sensed displacement. The second motor controller is configured to receive the sensed displacement from the position sensor and control the second electric drive motor based on the sensed displacement.

A self-propelled single axis motor driven work machine for propelling and/or for driving communal or agricultural work devices mounted on a mounting device. A drive motor is fastened to an undercarriage or machine chassis, and a drive axle protrudes transversely of the direction of movement from both sides of the undercarriage or machine chassis and is hydraulically driven by the drive motor. The drive axle has at both ends a wheel connected to a drive shaft which is connected on the operator's side thereof to the undercarriage and machine chassis with mounted guide rods for manually steering the work machine and for arranging an actuating member for operating and controlling drive units having hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors, for driving and steering the wheels of the drive axle. The hydraulic pump connected for steering to the actuating member includes an adjusting member which is coupled adjustably to a control shaft that is mounted to a frame that is mounted to the undercarriage or machine chassis so as to be pivotable about an axis approximately perpendicular to the ground.

A control assembly for a lawn mower includes a shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a pivot bar coupled to and configured to rotate with and pivot relative to the shaft. The pivot bar is configured to rotate with the shaft between a forward position, a neutral position, and a rear position about the first axis and pivot relative to the shaft between an operative position and a stopped position about a second axis. The control assembly includes a magnet coupled to an end of the shaft, a position sensor positioned to interact with a magnetic field of the magnet to detect rotation of the pivot bar about the first axis, and a return-to-neutral assembly configured to bias the pivot bar toward the neutral position about the first axis.

A drive control system and a utility vehicle incorporating the drive control system. The drive control system may include first and second drive control levers each adapted to independently control an output of an associated drive member. A coupler is interposed between the drive control levers and is configured to provide a synchronizing force. The synchronizing force may cause movement of one drive control lever to produce corresponding movement of the other drive control lever, thereby allowing straight-line vehicle travel via operator input to a single drive control lever. The synchronizing force may be overcome by application of independent forces to each of the two drive control levers.

In a broad respect, vehicles that are capable of making a low- to zero-radius turn using the independent rotation of drive wheels and by turning the non-driving steerable structure or structures (such as wheels) with a steering input device (in some embodiments, the driving wheels also may be capable of being turned). This may be accomplished using a steering system, a speed control system and an integration device (together, a control system) that are configured to work together to provide correct steering in forward and reverse, and, in some embodiments, to reduce the speed of the outboard drive wheel of the vehicle when it enters an extreme turn under constant speed input. Different systems configured for use in such vehicles are included.

Tracked vehicles include a track assembly, a powertrain assembly to power the track assembly, and a steering assembly configured to provide a torque to the track assembly. A steering motor is operably coupled to the powertrain assembly to effectuate a steering of the vehicle. A backup steering assembly is configured to provide backup steering capability to the tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle also includes a plurality of steering modes, as well as a plurality of suspension components configured to increase rider comfort.

A steering lever pivot assembly may have a two-axis polymer housing pivotally coupled to a terrain working vehicle at opposing bosses and comprising a pair of reciprocal housing portions, a steering lever pivotally coupled to the two-axis polymer housing, the steering lever having a connecting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, a clasp coupled to the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and having a mounting portion for coupling to a first system of the terrain working vehicle, and a pair of bushings that receive one of the opposing bosses therein. In some aspects, the two-axis polymer housing provides a first axis of rotation at the pivotal coupling between the steering lever and the two-axis polymer housing and a second axis of rotation through the opposing bushings, which may be axially aligned.