초록 ▼

This invention relates to an outdoor equipment unit such as a walk-behind utility loader. The loader has a tracked traction system in which endless tracks are entrained around a rear drive support member and a front support member. The front support member is spring biased forwardly, but can move re

This invention relates to an outdoor equipment unit such as a walk-behind utility loader. The loader has a tracked traction system in which endless tracks are entrained around a rear drive support member and a front support member. The front support member is spring biased forwardly, but can move rearwardly against the spring bias to allow debris that is caught between the front support member to clear itself to help prevent the track from detracking. A single control handle proximate to a fixed grab bar assembly can be rotated and/or twisted to control the traction system. Return to neutral systems ensure that the control handle will return to a centered, neutral position upon release of the control handle by the operator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An outdoor equipment unit, which comprises:(a) a frame; (b) a ground grooming or working attachment carried on the frame; (c) a source of power carried on the frame; (d) a traction system carried on the frame for propelling the frame in forward and reverse directions, and for steering or turning

1. An outdoor equipment unit, which comprises:(a) a frame; (b) a ground grooming or working attachment carried on the frame; (c) a source of power carried on the frame; (d) a traction system carried on the frame for propelling the frame in forward and reverse directions, and for steering or turning the frame during motion of the frame in forward and reverse directions, the traction system being powered by the power source; (e) a control system for operating the traction system, the control system comprising a control handle coupled to a control shaft that is elongated along a control shaft axis, wherein the control shaft is rotatable about the control shaft axis by being journalled in a bushing member and the bushing member is pivotal relative to the frame about a substantially horizontal pivot axis such that the control shaft is movable relative to the frame about only two axes comprising the control shaft axis and the substantially horizontal pivot axis, the control shaft being operatively coupled to the traction system such that pivoting of the control shaft about the substantially horizontal pivot axis causes motion of the frame in forward and reverse directions while rotation of the control shaft about the control shaft axis steers or turns the frame during motion of the frame in forward and reverse directions; (f) a first return to neutral system acting between the control shaft and the frame for returning the control shaft and the control handle to neutral with respect to pivoting about the substantially horizontal pivot axis; and (g) a second return to neutral system acting between the control shaft and the bushing member carried on the control shaft for returning the control handle to neutral with respect to rotation about the control shaft axis.