FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mowers and mower decks, and in particular, but not exclusively to mower decks for ride-on lawn mowers.

BACKGROUND

Grassed lawns and park areas are often mowed using rotary mowers, and depending on the size of the area to be mowed a push mower, a self propelled mower, a ride-on mower, or a tractor mounted mower is generally used.

Most rotary mowers will have a shroud over the blades, this shroud is often referred to as a mower deck. Various configurations of mower decks are used. The decks not only provide protection from the blades, but also control the movement of grass that has been cut by the mower. The movement of the grass is generally controlled by air flows which can be produced by the shape of the mower blades, and/or by externally mounted blower of suction devices.

Some mowers have decks which are designed to create a recirculating air current which carries the cut grass upwards from the blade tips and back towards the centre of the blades. Such mowers are able to at least partly mulch the grass and to deposit it back on the ground as the mower moves forward.

Another configuration is a side or rear discharge from the mower deck, where the cut grass is simply expelled from the mower deck as quickly as possible after it is cut. This type of mower is generally only acceptable where a tidy finish is not required, for example in a large field or an orchard.

However, in many circumstances, for example neatly kept lawns, it is desirable to collect and dispose of all of the grass clippings. Mowers for this purpose tend to have rear collection systems which deliver the cut grass to a grass catcher. However some mowers collect from a side discharge system, but this does not tend to be particularly efficient. Cut grass can easily block a collection system if the passageways are not as short, and wide, and direct, as possible. Some mowers have blower assisted ducts to help extract the grass from the mower deck and/or to help transport the cut grass to a remotely positioned catcher.

Most mowers are configured to either side discharge from the mower deck or to collect the grass from the rear of the mower deck. Some mowers are rear discharge. This can be a problem for some. For example a life-style block owner may wish to collect the grass from around the house and keep the lawns there very tidy, but may want to simply discharge any cut grass when mowing a field a little further away from the house.

A partial solution to this problem is provided by side discharge mowers which can be modified to collect the side discharge grass using a blower assisted collection system that connects to the side discharge chute. However, this design includes a grass collection system that is not particularly efficient, as the flow path for the cut grass includes an abrupt change in direction. This can lead to blockages, particularly when cutting long or wet grass. Also, part of the collection ducting is positioned at one side of the mower deck. This can cause difficulties when mowing around obstacles, and the ducting can be prone to damage in this location.

The collection of grass is most efficient if the flow path of the grass is directly from the mower deck, out through the rear of the deck and as directly as possibly into a grass collection system.

What is needed is a mower that can be used to discharge the grass out the side of the mower deck if desired, but which could also be used to collect the grass efficiently out of the rear of the mower deck, with minimal risk of blockages occurring. And, it would be also be advantageous if the same mower deck could be used for mulching if desired.

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

OBJECT

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mower which will at least go some way towards overcoming the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a mower deck for a rotary mower having a plurality of rotatable blades, the mower deck having a roof section situated above the rotatable blades, and a skirt which extends downwardly from the roof section about the periphery of the area swept by each of the rotatable blades, the skirt having a plurality of substantially circular sections, the substantially circular sections of skirt terminating at gaps in the skirt where the swept area of adjacent blades overlap, the deck having a first discharge opening in a left or a right side of the deck and configured to allow grass clippings to exit the deck to one side of the deck, and the deck having a second discharge opening in an aft section of the deck and configured to allow grass clippings to be extracted to a grass collection system, the deck being provided with a first movable baffle which can be used to selectively open or close the first discharge opening, and a second movable baffle which can be used to selectively open or close the second discharge opening.

Preferably the first movable baffle, when situated to close the first discharge opening, forms a part of one of the substantially circular sections of the skirt.

Preferably the second movable baffle, when situated to close the second discharge opening, forms a part of one or more of the substantially circular sections of the skirt.

Preferably the second movable baffle is substantially vee-shaped.

Preferably the sides of the substantially vee shaped second movable baffle are concave. Preferably the concave sides of the second movable baffle have a radius or curvature similar to the substantially circular sections of the skirt.

Preferably the or each baffle is movable within guides.

Preferably the or each baffle includes pins and/or holes or bores which are configured to mate with cooperating bores and/or pins on the mower deck.

Optionally the or each baffle is movable on pivots or hinges.

Preferably the deck is configured for use with a rotary mower having two rotatable blades.

Preferably the deck has an obround, or racetrack, shape when viewed from above.

Preferably the second discharge opening is situated substantially centrally between the left and the right sides of the deck.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a mower deck for a rotary mower, the mower deck having a first discharge opening through which grass can be discharged from the deck and not collected, and having a second discharge opening through which grass can exit the deck and be collected, the mower deck having at least one movable baffle which can be positioned in, or adjacent to, the first discharge opening and/or the second discharge opening to control the flow of grass through the first discharge opening and/or the second discharge opening.

Preferably the mower deck is configured such that it can be used for mulching also.

Preferably the mower deck includes a first movable baffle which can be used to control the flow of grass through the first discharge opening, and a second baffle which can be used to control the flow of grass through the second discharge opening.

Preferably the first discharge opening is situated on the left or the right side of the mower deck.

Preferably the second discharge opening is situated on an aft wall and/or on an aft region of a roof of the mower deck. Preferably the or each baffle is movable between a first position in which the first and/or the second discharge opening is fully closed, and a second position in which the first and/or the second discharge opening is fully open.

Preferably the first movable baffle is curved having a radius or curvature similar to a curved section of the side of the mower deck.

Preferably the second baffle is substantially vee-shaped.

Preferably the sides of the substantially vee shaped second baffle are concave.

Preferably the concave sides of the second baffle have a radius or curvature similar to a curved section of the side of the mower deck.

Preferably the or each baffle is movable within guides.

Optionally the or each baffle is movable on pivots or hinges.

Optionally the or each baffle includes pins and/or holes or bores which are configured to mate with cooperating bores and/or pins on the mower deck.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a mower incorporating at least one mower deck substantially as specified herein.

Preferably the mower further includes a blower assisted grass extraction system which is connectable to the second discharge opening.

Preferably the mower is configured to allow the height of the blades above the ground to be altered.

Preferably the mower is a self-propelled mower.

Preferably the mower is a ride-on mower.

Optionally the mower is a walk behind mower.

Optionally the mower is configured to be used with a tractor. The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of a mower having a mowing deck according to the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the mower deck,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing a first movable baffle and a second movable baffle,

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the mower deck, and showing the first baffle and the second baffle installed, with the mower deck configured for mulching,

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the mower deck, and showing the first baffle removed and the second baffle installed, with the mower deck configured for side discharge, and

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the mower deck, and showing the first baffle installed and the second baffle removed, with the mower deck configured for rear collection.

With reference to Figure 1, a mower (11) incorporating a mower deck (13) according to the present invention is shown. In this example, the mower (11) is a self propelled ride-on mower which has two rotatable blades (15). The two blades (15) are counter rotating blades, both being driven from common drive shaft (17). The area swept by each blade partly crosses, or overlaps, the area swept by the other, and for this reason the drive system (19) for each blade (15) is configured to ensure that the blade tips of one do not touch the blade tips of the other.

In the partly cutaway section of figure 1 it can be seen that the mower (11) also includes a blower (21) assisted grass extraction system (22). The mower (11) is configured to allow the height of the blades (15) above the ground to be altered.

With reference to Figure 2, the mower deck (13) is shown viewed from below. The mower deck (13) shown is for a mower (11) having two rotatable blades (15). The mower deck (13) has a roof section (23) situated above the rotatable blades (15). In this example, the deck (13) has an obround, or racetrack, shape when viewed from above.

The mower deck (13) also has a skirt (24) which extends downwardly from the roof section (23), about the periphery of the area swept by each of the rotatable blades. The skirt (24) includes a plurality of substantially circular sections. The substantially circular sections of skirt terminate at gaps in the skirt (24) where the swept area of adjacent blades (15) overlap.

The mower deck (13) has a first discharge opening (25) through which grass can be discharged from the deck (13) and not collected. And the mower deck (13) has a second discharge opening (27) through which grass can exit the deck (13) and be collected.

The mower deck (13) has two movable gates or baffles which can be positioned in, or adjacent to, the first discharge opening (25), and/or the second discharge opening (27), to selectively control the flow of grass through the openings (25) and (27). A first movable baffle (29) is used to control the flow of grass through the first discharge opening (25), and a second baffle (31) is used to control the flow of grass through the second discharge opening (27). Control of the flow of grass is generally achieved by either opening or closing the openings (25) and (27) using the baffles (29) and (31). In this example it can be seen that the first discharge opening (25) is situated on the right side (33) of the mower deck (13). However, it is envisaged that in an alternative configuration the first discharge opening (27) could be situated on the left side of the mower deck (13). The first discharge opening (25) includes a side discharge chute. Note: for the purposes of this description left and right are defined as those of the driver when seated in the seat (35) of the mower (11) and facing forward.

The second discharge opening (27) is situated midway along an aft wall (37) of the mower deck (13). While a substantially central location of the second discharge opening (27) is considered desirable, it is envisaged in an alternative embodiment the second discharge opening (27) could be situated at other positions on the mower deck (13), for example at a different position along the aft wall (37), or on a left or a right side (33) of the mower deck (13), or on an aft region of a roof (23) of the mower deck (13).

With reference again to figure 1, it can be seen that the grass extraction system (22) is connectable to the second discharge opening (27) and can be used to help extract the cut grass from the mower deck (13) and to help transport the cut grass via a chute (41) to a grass collection bin (43).

The first baffle (29) is movable between a first position in which the first discharge opening (25) is fully closed, and a second position in which the first discharge opening (25) is fully open. And similarly, the second baffle (31) is movable between a first position in which the second discharge opening (27) is fully closed, and a second position in which the second discharge opening (27) is fully open.

It can be seen in this example that the first movable baffle (29) is curved and has a radius or curvature that similar to a curved section (45) of the side of the mower deck (13). This means that when the first movable baffle (29) is positioned to close off the first discharge opening (25), the interior surface of the mower deck (13) is similar to that of a mower deck that does not have a side discharge exit. Or alternatively it can be said that when the first movable baffle (29) is situated so as to close the first discharge opening (25), the first movable baffle (29) forms a part of one of the substantially circular sections of the skirt (24). It can also be seen in this example that the second baffle (31) is substantially vee-shaped, and that each sides of the substantially vee shaped second baffle (31) are concave. The concave sides of the second baffle (31) have a radius or curvature similar to the curved section (45) of the side of the mower deck (13), similar to that of the first movable baffle (29). When the second movable baffle (31) is situated so as to close the second discharge opening (27), the second movable baffle (31) forms a part of one of one or more of the substantially circular sections of the skirt (24).

With reference to Figures 3 to 6, it can be seen that in this example the first baffle (29) and the second baffle (31) are both completely removable, and can be held in place across their respective openings (25) or (27) using threaded fasteners.

With reference to figure 3 it can be seen that the first baffle (29) is formed from a length of steel strap which has been rolled to form a smooth curve. The forward and aft ends of the first baffle (29) are adapted to engage with shaped recesses in the sides of the mower deck (13). And a stud or a threaded rod (47) welded to the first baffle (29), at a point approximately half way along its length, is configured to pass through the roof (23) of the mower deck (13) to allow the first baffle (29) to be held securely in place using a nut or an internally threaded knob (49).

Similarly, it can be seen that the second baffle (31) is formed from a length of steel strap which has been shaped in the form of a vee, and the sides of the vee are each curved similarly to the first baffle (29). Studs or threaded rods are welded to the free ends of the vee shape. These are positioned to pass through holes drilled in the aft wall (37) of the mower deck (13) allowing the second baffle (31) to be held firmly in place using nuts or internally threaded knobs (49).

The second baffle (31) is fitted about a substantially triangular shaped plate (51) which extends forward from bottom edge of the skirt (24) or aft wall (37), and occupies the space that is not swept by the blades (15). The combination of the triangular shaped plate (51) with the second baffle (31) fitted about its periphery forms an aft buttress (53) which extends into the interior space of the mower deck (13) and which occupies the dead space that is not swept behind the blades (15). A similar, but permanently installed, forward buttress (55) extends from a forward wall (57) of the mower deck (13) and occupies the dead space within the mower deck (13) that is not swept in front of the blades (15). The direction arrow (58) shows the normal forward mowing direction.

Both buttresses are used to eliminate stagnant areas within the mower deck (13) when used in a mulching or side discharge mode. When the second baffle (31) is removed the cut grass can pass between the deck roof (23) and the triangular shaped plate (51) and toward the second discharge opening (27).

The mower deck (13) is preferably configured to enable it to be used for mulching also. This enables the mower (11) to be used in three different configurations; (i) as a mulching mower, (ii) as a side discharge mower, or (iii) as a collection mower. And if desired, the first and or the second movable baffles (29) and (31) could be positioned to partly block either or both of the first and second discharge openings (25) and (27) to achieve some combination of these three configurations, for example to achieve approximately 50% side discharge of the cut grass while collecting the other 50% of the cut grass.

When viewed from above, the right hand blade (15a) rotates in a clockwise direction, and the left hand blade (15b) rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, when the mower (11) is operating. The blades (15) are configured to create an updraft to cause the cut grass to move toward an exit from the mower deck (13). The exit can be either the first discharge opening (25) or the second discharge opening (27), or both. When configured for mulching however, (refer to the configuration shown in figure 4) the mulched grass simply recirculates within the mower deck until it is deposited on the ground as the mower (11) passes over it.

The mower deck (13) is provided with air inlet grilles (59) which are situated about each blade drive shaft or spindle (61). Air can enter the mower deck (13) through the air inlet grilles (59) to assist the free flow of air though the first discharge opening (25) or the second discharge opening (27), or both. In addition, when collecting grass into the grass collection bin (43), the blower (21) helps to extract air from the mower deck (13), out though the second discharge opening (27).

When side discharging the grass, in a first direction (63), through the first discharge opening (25), (refer to the configuration shown in figure 5) grass that is cut by the left hand blade (15b) flows within an airflow from the left side of the mower deck (13) toward the right side of the mower deck (13) and then passes out though the first discharge opening (25) along with the grass that is cut by the right hand blade (15a).

When collecting the grass, (refer to the configuration shown in figure 6) the grass that is cut by both blades is extracted out of the mower deck (13), in a second direction (65), though the second discharge opening (27) within an airflow that is primarily influenced by the blower (21) which produces a high airflow through the chute (41).

VARIATIONS

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

In the example described above, the baffles (29) and (31) fit into place and are effectively bolted in position. In an alternative configuration it is envisaged that the baffles could be movable within guides, and/or could be movable on pivots or hinges. In addition, or alternatively, the baffles (29) or (31) could include pins and/or holes or bores which are configured to mate with cooperating bores and/or pins on the mower deck (13).

The above example comprises two baffles, however it is envisaged that in an alternative configuration there could be a single baffle which moves between the two openings (25) and (27). And in a further variation, there could be more than two baffles to suit a particular arrangement of openings.

In the above example, the removable baffles (29) and (31) are each curved, however it is envisaged that either baffle, or both, could be straight or flat to suit a particular mower deck configuration.

The above example describes a ride-on self propelled mower (11). It is envisaged that the same invention could equally be applied to a walk behind mower, or a mower that is configured to be used with a tractor. The above example describes a mower (11) and a mower deck (13) having two blades (15). Again it is envisaged that the invention could be applied to a mower, or a mower deck for a mower, having more than two blades.

The above example describes a mower (11) having a single mower deck (13). An alternative mower could include more than one mower deck, to achieve a wider cut for example.

The mower described above is of the type commonly used to mow lawns. It is envisaged that the invention could also be applied to mowers for other uses, for example agricultural uses such as silage mowing.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a mower deck which can be used for both side discharge or for rear collection, with minimal adjustment. The mower deck design allows efficient side discharge, or alternatively efficient rear collection. The movable baffles (29) and (31) can be repositioned with relative ease allowing for a relatively quick transition between mowing configurations. The invention eliminates the need to change mower decks when wanting to change the configuration of a mower from side discharge to rear collection.

The same mower deck can also be used for mulching. This allows the mower (11) to be used in three different configurations; (i) as a mulching mower, (ii) as a side discharge mower, or (iii) as a collection mower.