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A riding mower with a height adjustable mowing deck includes an operator seating area and a cam wheel rotatably connected to a frame of the mower adjacent to the operator seating area. The mowing deck is supported below the frame of the mower by a deck lifting system comprising a plurality of cooper

A riding mower with a height adjustable mowing deck includes an operator seating area and a cam wheel rotatably connected to a frame of the mower adjacent to the operator seating area. The mowing deck is supported below the frame of the mower by a deck lifting system comprising a plurality of cooperating bell cranks pivotally connected at various locations to the frame. One of the bell cranks is connected for common rotation to a secondary arm aligned in a common plane with the cam wheel. A rod pivotally connects at one end to the secondary arm. The opposite end of the arm contacts an edge portion of the cam wheel. A selector wheel associated with the cam wheel, for adjusting the cam wheel edge in contact with the rod, has a scalloped perimeter edge. A detent engages the scalloped edge to maintain a selected position of the cam wheel.

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The invention claimed is: 1. In a riding mower having an operator seating area and a height adjustable mowing deck supported beneath a frame of the mower by a deck lifting system comprising a plurality of lift arms pivotally mounted to the mower frame and actuatable by an operator seated in the ope

The invention claimed is: 1. In a riding mower having an operator seating area and a height adjustable mowing deck supported beneath a frame of the mower by a deck lifting system comprising a plurality of lift arms pivotally mounted to the mower frame and actuatable by an operator seated in the operator seating area to raise and lower the mowing deck, a deck height adjusting apparatus comprising: a secondary arm spaced from and pivotally connected to one of the plurality of lift arms for common pivotal movement therewith; a cam wheel having a central spindle, the cam wheel rotationally mounted to the frame adjacent to the operator seating area, the cam having first and second side surfaces and an edge surface, the edge surface being oriented in a common plane with the secondary arm; and a rod having a first end pivotally attached to the secondary arm and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end of the rod contacts the edge surface of the cam when the secondary arm is in a first position, and wherein the second end of the rod is spaced from the edge of the cam when the secondary arm is in a second position; and wherein the one of the plurality of lift arms comprises a bell crank having a first portion connected to the mowing deck and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion, the second portion having a length greater than the first portion, a terminal end of the second portion comprising a foot pad. 2. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: means for aligning the rod in a first plane for a generally perpendicular contact with the cam wheel edge. 3. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for aligning comprises: a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being positionable over the rod between the first and second ends of the rod; a first set of fingers on a first side of the tube and a second set of fingers on a second side of the tube, the first and second sets of fingers extending beyond the second end of the arm, wherein the first and second sets of fingers engage the central spindle. 4. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for aligning comprises: a first support extending from the frame; a tube having a first end a second end and an outer surface, the tube being positionable over the rod between the first and second ends of the rod; a flange connected to the outer surface of the tube and extending generally between the first and second ends of the rod, the flange configured with an elongate opening, wherein the first support extends through the elongate opening. 5. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for aligning comprises: a first support extending from the frame; a second support extending from the frame and spaced from the first support, wherein the first and second supports engage the rod to align the rod with the cam wheel edge in the first plane. 6. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the secondary arm comprises a terminal end configured with a foot pad. 7. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: a selector wheel mounted on the central spindle adjacent to the cam wheel for rotation of the cam wheel by the operator, the selector wheel having a scalloped perimeter edge; and a detent engaging the scalloped edge. 8. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 7 wherein the detent comprises: an arm pivotally mounted relative to the frame, the arm having a free end; and a bearing connected to the free end of the arm and engaging the scalloped edge of the selector wheel, the free end of the arm being biased toward the scalloped edge of the selector wheel. 9. In a riding mower having an operator seating area and a height adjustable mowing deck supported beneath a frame of the mower by a deck lifting system comprising a plurality of lift arms pivotally mounted to the mower frame and actuatable by an operator seated in the operator seating area to raise and lower the mowing deck, a deck height adjusting apparatus comprising: a secondary arm spaced from and pivotally connected to one of the plurality of lift arms for common pivotal movement therewith; a cam wheel having a central spindle, the cam wheel rotationally mounted to the frame adjacent to the operator seating area, the cam having first and second side surfaces and an edge surface, the edge surface being oriented in a common plane with the secondary arm; a rod having a first end pivotally attached to the secondary arm and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end of the rod contacts the edge surface of the cam when the secondary arm is in a first position, and wherein the second end of the rod is spaced from the edge of the cam when the secondary arm is in a second position; a selector wheel mounted on the central spindle adjacent to the cam wheel for rotation of the cam wheel by the operator, the selector wheel having a scalloped perimeter edge; and a detent engaging the scalloped edge. 10. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 9 and further comprising: means for aligning the rod in a first plane for at generally perpendicular contact with the cam wheel edge. 11. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for aligning comprises: a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube being positionable over the rod between the first and second ends of the rod; a first set of fingers on a first side of the tube and a second set of fingers on a second side of the tube, the first and second sets of fingers extending beyond the second end of the arm, wherein the first and second sets of fingers engage the central spindle. 12. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for aligning comprises: a first support extending from the frame; a tube having a first end a second end and an outer surface, the tube being positionable over the rod between the first and second ends of the rod; a flange connected to the outer surface of the tube and extending generally between the first and second ends of the rod, the flange configured with an elongate opening, wherein the first support extends through to elongate opening. 13. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for aligning comprises: a first support extending from the frame; a second support extending from the frame and spaced from the first support, wherein the first and second supports engage the rod to align the rod with the cam wheel edge in the first plane. 14. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 9 wherein the one of the plurality of lift arms comprises a bell crank having a first portion connected to the mowing deck and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion, the second portion having a length greater than the first portion, a terminal end of the second portion comprising a foot pad. 15. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 9 wherein the secondary arm comprises a terminal end configured with a foot pad. 16. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 9 wherein the detent comprises: an arm pivotally mounted relative to the frame, the arm having a free end; and a bearing connected to the free end of the arm and engaging the scalloped edge of the selector wheel, the free end of the arm being biased toward the scalloped edge of the selector wheel. 17. A riding lawn mower having an operator seating area and a mowing deck, the riding lawn mower comprising: a frame; a plurality of lift arms pivotally connected to the frame, each of the plurality of lift arms connected to the mowing deck; a secondary arm rotatably connected to one of the plurality of lift arms for common rotation therewith, the secondary arm having a first length; a cam wheel rotatably connected to the frame adjacent to the operator seating area; a rod having a first end connected to the secondary arm and a second end, the second end engaging the edge of the cam wheel when the secondary arm is in a first position, the second end being spaced from the cam wheel edge when the secondary arm is in a second position, wherein the height of the mowing deck is a function of a cam wheel edge portion engaging the second end of the rod; means for actuating the plurality of lift arms to raise and lower the mowing deck; and wherein the means for actuating the plurality of lift wins comprises the one of the plurality of lift arms, the one of the plurality of lift arms comprising a bell crank having a first portion connected to the mowing deck and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion, the second portion having a length greater than the first portion, a terminal end of the second portion comprising a foot pad. 18. The mower of claim 17 wherein the means for actuating the plurality of lift arms comprises a secondary arm extension contiguous with the secondary arm, the secondary arm extension having a second length, the secondary arm extension having a terminal end configured with a foot pad. 19. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising: a selector wheel rotatably connected to the frame adjacent to the cam wheel for common rotation with the cam wheel, the selector wheel having a scalloped perimeter edge; and a detent engaging the scalloped edge. 20. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 19 wherein the detent comprises an arm pivotally mounted relative to the frame, the arm having a free end; and a bearing connected to the free end of the arm and engaging the scalloped edge of the selector wheel, the free end of the arm being biased toward the scalloped edge of the selector wheel. 21. A riding lawn mower having an operator seating area and a mowing deck, the riding lawn mower comprising: a frame; a plurality of lift arms pivotally connected to the frame, each of the plurality of lift arms connected to the mowing deck; a secondary arm rotatably connected to one of the plurality of lift arms for common rotation therewith, the secondary arm having a first length; a cam wheel rotatably connected to the frame adjacent to the operator seating area; a rod having a first end connected to the secondary arm and a second end, the second end engaging the edge of the cam wheel when the secondary arm is in a first position, the second end being spaced from the cam wheel edge when the secondary arm is in a second position, wherein the height of the mowing deck is a function of a cam wheel edge portion engaging the second end of the rod; means for actuating the plurality of lift arms to raise and lower the mowing deck; a selector wheel rotatably connected to the frame adjacent to the cam wheel for common rotation with the cam wheel, the selector wheel having a scalloped perimeter edge; and a detent engaging the scalloped edge. 22. The mower of claim 21 wherein the means for actuating the plurality of lift arms comprises a secondary arm extension contiguous with the secondary arm, the secondary arm extension having a second length, the secondary arm extension having a terminal end configured with a foot pad. 23. The mower of claim 21 wherein the means for actuating the plurality of lift arms comprises the one of the plurality of lift arms, the one of the plurality of lift arms comprising a bell crank having a first portion connected to the mowing deck and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion, the second portion having a length greater than the first portion, a terminal end of the second portion comprising a foot pad. 24. The deck height adjusting apparatus of claim 21 wherein the detent comprises: an arm pivotally mounted relative to the frame, the arm having a free end; and a bearing connected to the free end of the arm and engaging the scalloped edge of the selector wheel, the free end of the arm being biased toward the scalloped edge of the selector wheel.