초록 ▼

A zero-turn mower comprising a zero-turn mower frame, a front axle coupled to the zero-turn mower frame, first and second caster wheel assemblies, and first and second front shock assemblies. The front shock assemblies rotatably and telescopically couple the caster wheel assemblies to the front axle

A zero-turn mower comprising a zero-turn mower frame, a front axle coupled to the zero-turn mower frame, first and second caster wheel assemblies, and first and second front shock assemblies. The front shock assemblies rotatably and telescopically couple the caster wheel assemblies to the front axle, thereby providing vertical shock absorption. The front axle may be a floating axle that is pivotably coupled to the mower frame and/or the shock assemblies may define an internal spring-receiving chamber that is substantially isolated from the external environment. Such a zero-turn mower may provide a smoother ride and may require less maintenance and repair than conventional zero-turn mowers.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A zero-turn mower comprising: a zero-turn mower frame;a floating front axle having a first end and a second end, wherein the floating front axle is pivotally coupled to the zero-turn mower frame at a point between the first and second ends of the floating front axle;a first caster wheel assembly;

1. A zero-turn mower comprising: a zero-turn mower frame;a floating front axle having a first end and a second end, wherein the floating front axle is pivotally coupled to the zero-turn mower frame at a point between the first and second ends of the floating front axle;a first caster wheel assembly;a second caster wheel assembly;a first shock assembly rotatably coupling the first caster wheel assembly to the first end of the floating front axle, wherein the first shock assembly is configured for vertical shock absorption; anda second shock assembly rotatably coupling the second caster wheel assembly to the second end of the floating front axle, wherein the second shock assembly is configured for vertical shock absorption. 2. The zero-turn mower of claim 1, wherein the floating front axle is formed of a rigid body pivotally coupled to the mower at a location centered between the first and second ends of the axle. 3. The zero-turn mower of claim 1, wherein the floating front axle is configured to pivot freely relative to the frame on a substantially horizontal pivot axis. 4. The zero-turn mower of claim 1, wherein the floating axle is configured to pivot relative to the frame on a substantially horizontal pivot axis but not on a vertical pivot axis. 5. The zero-turn mower of claim 1, wherein the first and second caster wheel assemblies each comprise: a fork fixedly coupled to at least a portion of the first or second shock assembly; anda wheel rotatably attached to the fork. 6. The zero-turn mower of claim 1, wherein the shock assemblies each comprise: an outer member;an inner member at least partly disposed in the outer member, wherein the inner and outer members cooperatively define an internal spring-receiving chamber; anda compression spring received in the spring-receiving chamber and operable to bias the inner and outer members away from one another. 7. The zero-turn mower of claim 6, wherein the outer member is rigidly coupled to the axle and the inner member is rigidly coupled to one of the first or second caster wheel assemblies. 8. The zero-turn mower of claim 6, wherein the spring-receiving chamber is substantially isolated from the environment external to the first and second shock assemblies. 9. The zero-turn mower of claim 6, wherein the outer and inner members are telescopically and rotatably intercoupled. 10. The zero-turn mower of claim 6, wherein the shock assemblies each comprise a retention rod for limiting movement of the outer and inner members away from one another. 11. The zero-turn mower of claim 10, wherein the retention rod extends through the center of the spring. 12. A zero-turn mower comprising: a zero-turn mower frame;a pair of front caster wheels; anda front suspension system coupling the caster wheels to a front axle,wherein the front suspension system comprises a pair of shock assemblies each coupled to a respective caster wheel,wherein each shock assembly comprises an outer member, an inner member, and a compression spring,wherein the inner and outer members are telescopically and rotatably intercoupled,wherein the inner and outer members cooperatively define an internal spring-receiving chamber within which the spring is received for biasing the inner and outer members away from one another,wherein the spring-receiving chamber is substantially isolated from the environment external to the shock assemblies. 13. The zero-turn mower of claim 12, wherein the outer member comprises a first sidewall and the inner member comprises a second sidewall, wherein the shock assemblies each comprise a bushing between the first and second sidewalls for facilitating telescopic and rotational movement of the inner and outer members relative to one another. 14. The zero-turn mower of claim 13, wherein the outer member defines a first interior space and the inner member defines a second interior space, wherein the first and second interior spaces cooperatively form the spring-receiving chamber. 15. The zero-turn mower of claim 14, wherein the first sidewall, second sidewall, and bushing cooperatively define a lubricant space between the first and second sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall defines a lubricant inlet that communicates with the lubricant space. 16. The zero-turn mower of claim 12, wherein the shock assemblies each comprise a thrust bearing disposed in the spring-receiving chamber between one end of the spring and one of the inner and outer members for facilitating rotation of said one of the inner and outer members relative to the spring. 17. The zero-turn mower of claim 16, wherein the opposite end of the spring is fixed to the other of the inner and outer members. 18. The zero-turn mower of claim 12, wherein the shock assemblies each comprise a retention rod for limiting movement of the outer and inner members away from one another. 19. The zero-turn mower of claim 18, wherein the retention rod is fixedly coupled to one of the inner and outer members but permits movement of the other of the inner and outer members relative thereto, and wherein the retention rod extends through the center of the spring. 20. The zero-turn mower of claim 12, wherein the shock assemblies each include a flexible bellows having a first end fixedly coupled to the outer member and a second end disposed around the inner member and permitting rotation of the inner member relative to the bellows. 21. The zero-turn mower of claim 20, wherein the shock assemblies each include a bellows spring and a bellows hold-down ring, wherein the bellows hold-down ring is fixedly coupled to the second end of the bellows and extends around the inner member while permitting rotation of the inner member relative to the bellows, wherein said bellows spring contacts and extends between the outer member and the hold-down ring. 22. The zero-turn mower of claim 12, wherein the front axle comprises a floating front axle that is pivotally coupled to the frame in a manner that permits pivoting of the front axle relative to the frame on a substantially horizontal pivot axis, wherein the shock assemblies are coupled to the front axle on opposite sides of the pivot axis. 23. The zero-turn mower of claim 22, wherein the outer member is rigidly coupled to the front axle and the inner member is coupled to one of the front caster wheels. 24. A zero-turn mower comprising: a zero-turn mower frame;a pair of front caster wheels; anda front suspension system coupling the caster wheels to a front axle,wherein the front suspension system comprises a pair of shock assemblies each coupled to a respective caster wheel,wherein each shock assembly comprises an outer member and an inner member,wherein the outer member comprises a first sidewall and the inner member comprises a second sidewall, wherein the shock assemblies each comprise a bushing between the first and second sidewalls for facilitating telescopic or rotational movement of the inner and outer members relative to one another. 25. The zero-turn mower of claim 24, wherein each shock assembly further comprises a compression spring, wherein the inner and outer members cooperatively define an internal spring-receiving chamber within which the spring is received for biasing the inner and outer members away from one another, wherein each shock assembly further comprises a flexible bellows coupled to at least one of the inner and outer members and operable to substantially isolate the spring-receiving chamber from the environment external to the shock assemblies. 26. The zero-turn mower of claim 24, wherein the front axle comprises a floating front axle that is pivotally coupled to the frame in a manner that permits pivoting of the front axle relative to the frame on a substantially horizontal pivot axis, wherein the shock assemblies are coupled to the front axle on opposite sides of the pivot axis.