An improved riding lawn mower includes a vehicle frame having a front end, a rear end, and a rear motor deck that is secured to the rear end of the frame. A drive motor is mounted above the motor deck while a rear wheel assembly engaged with the motor, is connected to the bottom of the rear motor deck. The mower also includes a front wheel assembly connected to the front end of the vehicle frame. A vehicle body and driver's seat are attached to vehicle frame. A steering column is cooperatively connected at its lower end to the front wheel assembly and includes at its upper end, a steering wheel positioned within reach of the operator seated on the mower. A steering mechanism is linked between the lower end of the steering column and the front wheel assembly. The steering mechanism is positioned above the front wheels of the mower and turns the front wheels asynchronously so that the lawn mower can be driven along an arc path having a radius approximately half the length of the vehicle frame.
A power assist steering system is provided for use on a vehicle that has a steering implement and a steering mechanism operatively connected to a first wheel. The power assist steering system includes first and second vacuum actuators, a vacuum for providing a vacuum to the first and second vacuum actuators, an actuator for selectively activating the first and second vacuum actuators and a power assist for assisting the steering mechanism in turning the first wheel in first and second directions.
A power assisted, vacuum actuated steering system with a rotary valve and vacuum actuators. The rotary valve has two identical discs which each include grooves and channels for communicating the vacuum pressure to the vacuum actuators. The relative rotary motion of the two discs causes the vacuum pressure to pass to the vacuum actuators to assist the steering of a vehicle. A set of springs and spring arms biases the discs to a central, neutral position.
A riding lawn mower is provided that has an engine, a device that requires control and a vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the device. The vacuum actuated control mechanism includes a vacuum actuator having first and second chambers separated by a movable membrane, first connecting means for operatively connecting the vacuum actuator to the device, vacuum means for providing a vacuum to the vacuum actuator, activating means for selectively activating the vacuum actuator and securing means for securing the vacuum actuator in place. The securing means also secures the device in place.
A riding lawn mower is provided that has an engine, a device that requires control and a vacuum actuated control mechanism for controlling the device. The vacuum actuated control mechanism includes a vacuum actuator having first and second chambers separated by a movable membrane, first connecting means for operatively connecting the vacuum actuator to the device, vacuum means for providing a vacuum to the vacuum actuator, activating means for selectively activating the vacuum actuator and securing means for securing the vacuum actuator in place. The securing means also secures the device in place.
A foliage mower and height adjustment assembly for a foliage mower are provided. This is a foot-operated adjustment assembly which has a plurality of pivot lugs from which a cutter deck assembly is suspended. Each pivot lug pivots in unison in order to thereby raise or lower the cutter deck. Movement of a foot pedal raises the cutter deck to a transport height, at which the foot pedal is latched in place and the deck height is maintained. A stop mechanism has an adjustable component by which the extent of downward movement of the suspended cutter deck is selected upon release of the latched foot pedal.
