Harvesters – Motorized harvester – Having motor on ground-supported carrier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-26
2001-09-25
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Motorized harvester
Having motor on ground-supported carrier
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293077
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for attaching and lifting devices and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for attaching and lifting a mower deck.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art to provide mower deck attachment and lifting systems whereby a mower deck can be attached to a lawn tractor and then lifted to the appropriate height for cutting grass or the like. Typically, the deck attachment mechanism forms a parallelogram so that the front and back of the mower deck can be lifted evenly. Such known mower deck attachment and lifting systems are adequate for their intended purpose. However, such known deck attachment and lifting systems have a problem.
The problem is related to the operator difficulty in attaching the mower deck to the tractor. Typically, the operator must carefully position the deck with respect to the attachment mechanism and then insert a number of quick connect pins or the like to hold the deck to the attachment mechanism. What is needed is an easy method to attach the deck to the tractor.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for simplifying the attachment of a deck to a tractor while still maintaining the attachment mechanism in the desired parallelogram. The difficulties inherit in the art are therefore overcome in a way that is simple and efficient, while providing better and more advantageous results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a riding mower has a deck attachment mechanism for use in attaching a mower deck to the mower frame and a deck lift mechanism for use in lifting the deck attachment mechanism and the mower deck. The deck attachment mechanism forms a four-sided parallelogram and includes a first side formed of a first link. The first link has a first end connected to the frame and a second end adapted to be connected to the mower deck. The first link has an effective length L
1
that means the distance between where the first link connects to the frame and where the first link connects to the mower deck. The deck attachment mechanism also includes a second side formed of second and third links that together form a split linkage. The split linkage has a first end connected to the frame and a second end adapted to be connected to the mower deck. The third link may be pivoted about the second link into first and second positions. The split linkage has an effective length L
2
when the third link is positioned into the first position and an effective length L
1
when the third link is positioned into the second position. The effective length L
2
is less than the effective length L
1
. The deck attachment mechanism also includes a lock bracket and a lock lever to lock the third link into the second position. The deck lift mechanism includes a lift cylinder mounted to the frame and connected to the third link. The lift cylinder is operated to position the third link into the second position as the mower deck is lifted.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of attaching the mower deck to the riding mower is provided. First, the mower deck is placed under the riding mower. Next the first link is loosely attached to one end of the mower deck and the split link is loosely attached to the other end of the mower deck. The lift cylinder is then operated to lift the deck attachment mechanism and the mower deck. As the lift cylinder continues to lift, the third link is positioned into the second position thereby providing the split link with an effective length L
1
.
One advantage of this invention is that an operator can easily attach a mower deck to a riding mower without having to insert connection pins or the like.
Another advantage of this invention is that a parallelogram is used to provide even height adjustment for the mower deck but one side of the parallelogram can be shortened to simplify mower deck attachment.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
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Pierce Marty
Plas Matthew J.
Bennett Timothy D.
Emerson Roger D.
Emerson & Skeriotts
MTD Products Inc
Pezzuto Robert E.
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