An electric walk behind greens mower includes an electric reel motor rotating a cutting reel; an electric traction motor rotating at least one traction drive roller; and an electronic control unit commanding the electric traction motor and the electric reel motor to rotate at reduced speeds during a turn if an electronic signal indicates a deviation from a normal walk speed. The electric walk behind greens mower also may include a battery management system that activates a low voltage power supply if a key switch is turned from the off position to the run position, and that provides a start signal to an electronic control unit if the key switch is momentarily turned from the run position to the start position whereby the electronic control unit activates a high voltage power supply to the electric reel motor and the electric traction motor.

A zero-turn vehicle including a mode selection interface, a memory and at least one controller is provided. The mode selection interface provides a mode section input for a user. The memory is used to store mode instructions relating to at least one operation mode. The at least one controller in communication with the mode selection interface and the memory, the at least one controller configured to selectively modify normal operating characteristics of the zero-turn vehicle based the mode selection input from the user by implementing the stored mode instructions associated with the mode selection input.

A system and method for automatically controlling an engine of a turf-care vehicle. The method comprises receiving, at an engine speed control module, a mode selection input from an engine speed control mode selection device. The mode selection input is indicative of one a plurality of engine speed control modes, and all of the engine speed control modes are implementable by the engine speed control module. The method additionally comprises monitoring, via the engine speed control module, an operating status of one or more vehicle systems and/or one or more vehicle sensors. The method further comprises automatically controlling, via the engine speed control module, a rotational speed of the engine based at least in part on the selected engine speed control mode and the operating status of the one or more vehicle systems and/or one or more vehicle sensors.

An example vehicle comprises: (i) a source of direct current power, (ii) at least one electronically-commutated electric motor configured to drive a wheel of the vehicle, and (iii) a voltage bus connecting the source of direct current power with the electronically-commutated electric motor.

The present invention provides a riding work vehicle that includes a vehicle body having a driver seat; a driving wheel unit supporting the vehicle body; a working electric motor that drives a work unit having a work device; an electric motor controller controlling an operation of the working electric motor in a steady mode or a power saving mode in which consumed power is smaller than the steady mode; and a work load evaluator that evaluates load of the working electric motor. In the riding work vehicle, the electric motor controller operates the working electric motor in the power saving mode in a case where the load of the working electric motor evaluated by the work load evaluator is low load lower than a threshold value.

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 drive and control system for a lawn tractor includes a CAN-Bus network, a plurality of controllers, a pair of electric transaxles controlled by the plurality of controllers, and one or more steering and drive input devices coupled to respective sensor(s) for sensing user steering and drive inputs. The plurality of controllers communicate with one or more vehicle sensors via the CAN-Bus network. The plurality of controllers receive the user's steering and drive inputs and posts on the CAN-Bus network and generate drive signals to obtain the desired speed and direction of motion of the lawn tractor.

An example vehicle comprises: (i) at least one electric generator that can be electronically-commutated or passively rectified, (ii) at least one electronically-commutated electric motor configured to drive a wheel of the vehicle, (iii) a voltage bus connecting the electric generator with the electronically-commutated electric motor, and (iv) means of controlling voltage level of the voltage bus.

A hybrid mower includes a chassis coupled to a body. The chassis has a plurality of wheels coupled to a steering assembly for navigating directional control. The mower also includes an internal combustion engine disposed on the chassis. The internal combustion engine is coupled to a drive assembly providing rotational operation to at least one of the plurality of wheels. The mower further includes a mower deck housing at least one rotatable blade for cutting undesired undergrowth during operation and an electric blade control system. The electric blade control system has an electronic control unit for enabling the at least one rotatable blade during operation and at least one direct current motor positioned about the mower deck and in communication with the electronic control unit. The at least one direct current motor has a motor shaft coupled to the at least one rotatable blade.

A vehicle control module for an autonomous vehicle. In one example embodiment, the control module is configured to receive, from a user interface, a user input selecting an operation mode. The module is configured to, responsive to receiving the user input, retrieve, from a memory, a discrete operational parameter set associated with the operation mode. The module is configured to apply the discrete operational parameter set. The module is configured to operate a drive motor of the utility vehicle, a drive wheel of the utility vehicle, a utility device of the utility vehicle, a power source of the utility vehicle, and the user interface according to the discrete operational parameter set.