A self-propelled, single-stage snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel
A self-propelled, single-stage snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.
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1. A snowthrower comprising: a rotor housing defining a collection opening and a discharge outlet;a discharge chute attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the discharge outlet;a first drive member located near a first side of the housing and a second drive member located near a seco
1. A snowthrower comprising: a rotor housing defining a collection opening and a discharge outlet;a discharge chute attached to the housing and in fluid communication with the discharge outlet;a first drive member located near a first side of the housing and a second drive member located near a second side of the housing;a rotor partially enclosed by, and adapted to rotate within, the housing, the rotor adapted to both: collect snow that enters the housing through the collection opening; and eject the snow through the discharge outlet;a transmission comprising: an input shaft;independent first and second output axles operatively connecting the input shaft to the first and second drive members, respectively; andan axle gear operatively located between the input shaft and both of the first and second output axles, wherein the first output axle is adapted to de-clutch from the axle gear when a speed of the first output axle exceeds a driven speed of the axle gear; anda prime mover operatively attached to the housing and adapted to provide power to both the rotor and the transmission. 2. The snowthrower of claim 1, wherein the transmission is adapted to vary a speed of the first and second output axles. 3. The snowthrower of claim 2, wherein the transmission continuously varies the speed of the first and second output axles. 4. The snowthrower of claim 2, wherein the speed of the first and second output axles vary based upon an input provided by an operator speed control device associated with the snowthrower. 5. The snowthrower of claim 1, wherein the second output axle is adapted to remain engaged to the axle gear when the first output axle de-clutches. 6. A snowthrower comprising: a frame comprising lateral first and second sides;first and second drive members located on or near the first and second sides of the frame, respectively;a rotor housing attached to the frame, the rotor housing defining a partially enclosed volume having a collection opening and a discharge outlet;a discharge chute operatively attached to the rotor housing and in fluid communication with the discharge outlet;a rotor connected to the rotor housing and adapted to rotate about a first axis within the partially enclosed volume, wherein the rotor comprises a first portion adapted to transport snow in a direction parallel to the first axis, and a second portion comprising a paddle offset from, and adapted to rotate about, the first axis, the paddle adapted to eject the snow outwardly through the discharge chute;a transmission attached to the frame, the transmission comprising: an input shaft;independent first and second output axles attached to the first and second drive members, respectively, wherein the transmission is adapted to synchronously drive the first and second output axles at a user-selectable, variable speed; andan axle gear operatively located between the input shaft and both of the first and second output axles, wherein the first output axle is adapted to de-clutch from the axle gear when a speed of the first output axle exceeds a driven speed of the axle gear; anda prime mover attached to the frame and adapted to provide power to both the rotor and the input shaft of the transmission. 7. The snowthrower of claim 6, wherein the second output axle is adapted to remain engaged to the axle gear when the first output axle de-clutches. 8. The snowthrower of claim 6, wherein the first output axle is adapted to de-clutch from the axle gear when the snowthrower is turned. 9. The snowthrower of claim 6, wherein the prime mover is attached to the frame at a location selected to approximately equalize a weight supported by each of the first and second drive members. 10. The snowthrower of claim 6, further comprising a speed control device adapted to selectively engage and disengage the drive members. 11. The snowthrower of claim 6, further comprising a speed control device adapted to alter the speed of the drive members. 12. The snowthrower of claim 6, further comprising a rotor control device adapted to selectively engage and disengage the rotor. 13. The snowthrower of claim 6, further comprising a handle assembly extending rearwardly from the frame, the handle assembly comprising an operator control area. 14. The snowthrower of claim 6, wherein the transmission further comprises: a variable engagement clutch having a first portion in mechanical engagement with the input shaft and a second portion in mechanical engagement with the axle gear; andfirst and second jaw clutches disposed between the axle gear and the first and second output axles, respectively. 15. The snowthrower of claim 14, wherein manipulation of the variable engagement clutch causes the driven speed of the axle gear to change while a speed of the input shaft remains constant. 16. The snowthrower of claim 14, wherein the first jaw clutch de-clutches the first output axle from the axle gear when the speed of the first output axle exceeds the driven speed of the axle gear. 17. A snowthrower comprising: a frame comprising first and second sides;first and second drive wheels located on or near the first and second sides of the frame, respectively;a rotor housing attached to the frame, the rotor housing defining a partially enclosed volume having a collection opening and a discharge outlet;a discharge chute operatively attached to the rotor housing and in fluid communication with the discharge outlet;a rotor connected to the rotor housing and adapted to rotate within the partially enclosed volume about a first axis, wherein the rotor comprises a first portion adapted to transport snow received through the collection opening, and a second portion also adapted to rotate about the first axis, the second portion adapted to eject the snow outwardly through the discharge chute;a transmission attached to the frame, the transmission comprising: an input shaft;independent first and second output axles attached to the first and second drive wheels, respectively, wherein the transmission is adapted to synchronously drive the first and second output axles at a variable speed; andan axle gear operatively located between the input shaft and both of the first and second output axles, wherein the first output axle is adapted to de-clutch from the axle gear when a speed of the first output axle exceeds a driven speed of the axle gear; anda prime mover attached to the frame and adapted to provide power to both the rotor and the input shaft of the transmission. 18. The snowthrower of claim 17, wherein the second axle is adapted to remain engaged to the axle gear when the first output axle de-clutches.
Thorud Richard A. (Bloomington MN) Bricko Thomas K. (Lakeville MN) Hacker John R. (Burnsville MN) Larsen David E. (Minnetonka MN) Toensing Dean R. (Minnetonka MN) White ; III Donald M. (Chanhassen MN, Discharge chute assembly for snowthrower.
Vaughn, Christopher W.; Wians, Jeffrey A.; Osborne, Christopher M., Independent variable drive assemblies for wheels on a snowblower and related methods.
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