초록 ▼

A self-propelled lawn mower having a hydrostatic drive system with individual brake control levers coupled to a linkage mechanism which when actuated releases hydraulic pressure in the hydrostatic drive system to slow rotation of rear drive wheels for improved steering and control of the lawn mower.

A self-propelled lawn mower having a hydrostatic drive system with individual brake control levers coupled to a linkage mechanism which when actuated releases hydraulic pressure in the hydrostatic drive system to slow rotation of rear drive wheels for improved steering and control of the lawn mower. The lawn mower includes a mower deck, a mower deck, and a control console extending between handle bars attached to the rear of the mower deck. The drive system comprises an infinitely variable speed control from forward, neutral, and reverse. Steering is accomplished by two independent wheel brakes, which are controlled by right and left hand brake control levers located adjacent respective handgrip levers. Squeezing one of the brake control levers partially releases the internal hydraulic pressure by the opening of a dump valve to effectively produce a reduced transmission drive condition. Squeezing both of the brake control levers simultaneously and completely, fully opens the dump valve, removing all hydraulic pressure from the drive system. This transmission drive condition permits easy steering in turns, along with positive braking action.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lawn mower comprising:a mower deck supporting an engine and having a pair of rear drive wheels mounted thereto; a handle bar assembly attached to and extending rearwardly and upwardly from the mower deck for controlling operation of the mower; an independent brake assembly mounted to each rear

1. A lawn mower comprising:a mower deck supporting an engine and having a pair of rear drive wheels mounted thereto; a handle bar assembly attached to and extending rearwardly and upwardly from the mower deck for controlling operation of the mower; an independent brake assembly mounted to each rear drive wheel for selectively braking the rear drive wheels, each brake assembly is coupled to a brake control lever attached to the handle bar assembly for individually actuating each brake assembly; a hydrostatic drive system coupled between the engine and the rear drive wheels for powering the rear drive wheels, wherein the hydrostatic drive system includes a variable hydraulic pump coupled to a fixed displacement hydraulic motor which is coupled to a differential transmission for driving the rear drive wheels; and a linkage mechanism coupled to the brake assemblies and the hydrostatic drive system for releasing hydraulic pressure from the hydrostatic drive system after actuation of at least one of the brake assemblies by the brake control levers to slow rotation of the drive wheels, wherein the linkage mechanism includes a dump valve actuating mechanism coupled to a hydraulic dump valve connected to the hydraulic pump which is actuated by the brake control levers to slow rotation of the rear drive wheels by releasing hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic pump coupled to the hydraulic motor and differential transmission for improved steering and control of the mower.