Zero-turn radius lawnmower with suspension system

US9161490B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Briggs & Stratton, LLC · US

Inventors

• Mark J. Melone · Rome, US
• James F. Marshall · Port St. Lucie, US
• Richard Smith · Morrisville, US
• Mark Lynch · Munnsville, US
• Travis Rasch · Hartford, US
• Erik R. Slegelis · Port Washington, US
• Steven J. Weber · Germantown, US
• Denis Oswald · Hartford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2013
• Grant date: Oct 20, 2015
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60G2300/084
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention provide an independent suspension system coupled to a main-frame of ride-on equipment including a subframe coupled to the main frame with a pivot including a pivot axis. Some embodiments include a transaxle assembly supported on the subframe coupled to a drive wheel, and a power source supported on the main frame coupled to the transaxle assembly. A rider can control the transaxle assembly with a compensated control linkage assembly that can compensate for movement of the subframe. Some embodiments include driven pulleys, idler pulleys and backside idler pulleys supported by the subframe coupled to the power source not supported by the subframe. In some embodiments, the pivot axis resides between the power source and the transaxle assembly. In some embodiments, the drive wheel can be driven by an electric motor supported by the subframe and the power source can be a battery.