Riding mower wheel lock. Greenworks Pro 60V Cordless 21″ Self-Propelled Brushless…
US7574850B1. Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower. Google Patents
Publication number US7574850B1 US7574850B1 US12/136,488 US13648808A US7574850B1 US 7574850 B1 US7574850 B1 US 7574850B1 US 13648808 A US13648808 A US 13648808A US 7574850 B1 US7574850 B1 US 7574850B1 Authority US United States Prior art keywords caster traction drive wheels caster wheel drive bar Prior art date 2008-06-10 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Active Application number US12/136,488 Inventor Dimitri Nunez Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.) Deere and Co Original Assignee Deere and Co Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 2008-06-10 Filing date 2008-06-10 Publication date 2009-08-18 2008-06-10 Application filed by Deere and Co filed Critical Deere and Co 2008-06-10 Priority to US12/136,488 priority Critical patent/US7574850B1/en 2009-06-16 Assigned to DEERE COMPANY reassignment DEERE COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NUNEZ, DIMITRI 2009-08-18 Application granted granted Critical 2009-08-18 Publication of US7574850B1 publication Critical patent/US7574850B1/en Status Active legal-status Critical Current 2028-06-10 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Images
Classifications
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/67 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/82 — Other details
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/82 — Other details
- A01D34/824 — Handle arrangements
- A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
- A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
- A01D34/67 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator
- A01D34/68 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator with motor driven cutters or wheels
- A01D2034/6843 — Control levers on the handle of the mower
Abstract
A caster wheel locking system is provided for a walk-behind mower. The system includes a caster wheel lock on each of the front caster wheels that locks and aligns the front caster wheels in a forward direction if the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position, and unlocks the front caster wheels to allow the front caster wheels to steer freely if the traction drive bar is in the neutral position. A traction drive bar is connected to the handle and moves between a neutral position and a forward drive position in which the pair of rear wheels rotate to propel the mower forward.
Description
This invention relates to grass mowing machines, and specifically to walk-behind mowers having rear driven wheels and front caster wheels.
Walk-behind mowers may be provided with caster wheels on the front of a mower deck and driven wheels on the rear of the deck. The caster wheels can pivot or steer with respect to the mower deck when the mower is turned, so that the operator is not required to raise the front or rear of the mower deck, or slide the wheels over the turf, during a turn. Front caster wheels reduce the effort required to maneuver the mower through a turn. Each front caster wheel may include an upright shaft which may be pivotally held within a cylindrical opening. As the mower makes a turn, the shaft pivots within the opening to allow the caster wheel to pivot. Thus, front caster wheels generally prevent turf from being scuffed or otherwise damaged during a turn of a walk-behind mower.
Some walk-behind mowers allow an operator to lock the front caster wheels for straight, lengthy cuts. Locking the front caster wheels also may help the mower maintain a straight cutting path along the side of a hill or bank by preventing the mower from sliding sideways down the slope. The caster wheel locking mechanisms may be mechanically actuated at or adjacent the pivoting shaft of each caster wheel. Additionally, during straight travel, the operator may engage a self-propel rear wheel drive mechanism using a lever or control located on or adjacent the mower handle.
When the operator needs to turn the mower, he or she may disengage the self-propel drive mechanism to stop the mower, and then disengage each of the caster wheel locking mechanisms. Otherwise, the mower does not obtain the full benefit of the caster wheels during a turn. After turning the mower, the operator may lock the casters again, and then engage the self-propel drive mechanism to resume a straight cutting path.
A caster wheel locking system is needed for a walk-behind mower that reduces the time and effort to engage the front caster wheels during straight cuts, and disengage the front caster wheels during turns. A caster wheel locking system is needed that increases productivity by allowing engagement and disengagement of the front caster wheels without stopping the mower.
A caster wheel locking system for a walk-behind mower reduces mowing time and effort by automatically engaging the front caster wheels during straight cuts, and disengaging the front caster wheels during turns. The caster wheel locking system increases productivity by engaging and disengaging the front caster wheels without stopping the mower. The caster wheel locking system includes a caster wheel lock on each front caster wheel. Each caster wheel lock can lock and align the front caster wheels in a forward direction if the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position, and can unlock the front caster wheels to allow them to steer freely if the traction drive bar is in the neutral position. The traction drive bar is connected to the handle and can move between a neutral position and a forward drive position in which the pair of rear wheels rotate to propel the mower forward.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a walk-behind mower with a caster wheel locking system according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a front wheel with the caster wheel locking system of a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of caster wheel locking system controls in the locked position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of caster wheel locking system controls in the automatic position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of caster wheel locking system controls in the unlocked position according to a first embodiment of the invention.
In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5. walk-behind mower 100 is provided with handle 102 attached to mower deck 105. The mower deck is supported by a pair of front wheels 104 and a pair of rear wheels 106. An internal combustion engine 110 or other power source may be positioned on the mower deck for rotating a vertically aligned spindle and a mower blade turning under the deck.
In one embodiment, rear wheels 106 may be self propelled by a drive mechanism connected to the engine and controlled by the operator using traction drive/self-propel bar 114. The traction drive/self-propel bar may be hinged or slidably mounted to handle 102, and the operator may use the bar to propel the mower forward and control the drive speed of the rear wheels. The bar may be biased to a neutral position, and the operator may pivot the bar out of the neutral position to a range of forward drive positions corresponding to the position or angle of the bar relative to the handle. Additionally, the mower may include an operator presence bar 116 hinged to handle 102 in a manner requiring the operator to grip the bar in an operating position to avoid killing the engine and halting rotation of the mower blade.
In one embodiment, each front wheel may be rotatably mounted to a wheel mount 132 at the front end of a forward extending arm 126 attached to the mower deck. A caster wheel lock 112 may be provided between each wheel mount 132 and the forward extending arm 126. Each caster wheel lock 112 is part of a caster wheel locking system operable with caster control lever 120 pivotably mounted in lever housing 121 on handle 102. The operator may move caster control lever 120 between a locked position, an automatic position, and an unlocked position. The three different positions are shown in FIGS. 3-5 and are described below.
In one embodiment, bowden cable 122 may connect each caster wheel lock 112 to caster control lever 120. Each caster wheel lock may include an upright shaft 108 mounted in cylindrical bore 124 extending vertically through each caster wheel lock housing 118. Each upright shaft may have an opening or hole extending therethrough, which may be engaged by a spring loaded caster wheel locking pin 128.
In one embodiment, caster control lever 120 determines the position of cable 122 which determines the position of the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins at each of the front caster wheels by increasing or decreasing the tension on cable wire 133. An operator can quickly and easily change settings of the front caster wheels by moving lever 120 between a locked tracking position in which the front caster wheels are aligned in the forward direction, or an unlocked continuous free spin position. Additionally, an operator can move caster control lever 120 to an automatic position where the front caster wheels are locked only if traction bar 114 is engaged. In the automatic position, while the traction bar is engaged, there is reduced tension on linkage 136 (which may be a rod or cable) and wire 133. However, in the automatic position, while the traction bar is disengaged, there is increased tension on linkage 136 and wire 133, extracting pins 128 from the front caster wheels. As a result, if the traction bar is disengaged, the caster wheels are unlocked allowing them to steer around a turn. Traction bar 114 may be mechanically linked by a cable 136 which is fastened to the upper end of the bowden cable housing.
In one embodiment, spring loaded caster wheel locking pins 128 are mounted in each caster wheel lock housing. Spring 130 is provided around each pin to bias the pin into an opening 138 or hole in each upright shaft 108, and bowden cable 122 connected between the pin and caster control lever 120 is used by the operator to pull the pins away from the openings in the upright shafts via mechanical link 134. For example, the mechanical link at the lower end of the wire 133 may be a hook that engages the spring loaded caster wheel locking pin.
In one embodiment, bowden cable 122 is branched to each of the caster wheel locks on the left and right front caster wheels with a “T” or “Y” junction that provides equal force to each cable end.
As shown in FIG. 3. if the operator moves the caster control lever 120 to the locked or tracking position, the bowden cable attached to the lever does not exert enough tension on the inner cable, and does not displace the inner cable sufficiently, to pull the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins out from openings 138 in the upright shafts. As a result, the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins remain in the openings to prevent the upright shafts from pivoting in the cylindrical bore. The pins hold the upright shaft in the locked or tracking position so that the wheels are aligned to rotate forwardly, and cannot steer.
In FIG. 4. the caster control lever is in the automatic position. In the automatic position, bowden cable 122 pulls the spring loaded pins out of openings 138 in the upright shafts only if traction drive bar 114 is released to the neutral position. At that time, while the traction drive bar is released, the front caster wheels can pivot or steer. If the traction drive bar is engaged to drive the rear wheels forwardly, the bowden cable tension is released and allows the spring loaded pins to re-enter the openings. At that time, the front caster wheels are locked and aligned in the forward tracking position. Thus, the automatic position aligns the front caster wheels to track straight as the operator engages the traction drive bar, or steer freely as the operator disengages the traction drive bar.
FIG. 5 shows the caster control lever in the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the bowden cable attached to the caster control lever pulls the spring loaded caster wheel locking pins out and away from openings 138 in the upright shafts so the caster wheels can freely steer. The spring loaded pins are not in the openings in the upright shafts, so the shafts can pivot within cylindrical bore 124 and the front caster wheels can pivot or steer freely.
Having described a preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims ( 12 )
a mower deck supported by a pair of front caster wheels and a pair of rear wheels, and a handle attached to the mower deck;
a traction drive bar connected to the handle and moveable between a neutral position and a forward drive position in which the pair of rear wheels rotate to propel the mower forward; and
a caster wheel lock on each of the front caster wheels which locks the front wheels and aligns the front caster wheels in a forward direction, a cable from the caster wheel locks linked to the traction drive bar, and a caster control lever attached around an upper end of the cable to vary the tension on the cable to either lock the front caster wheels in a forward direction regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, unlock the front caster wheels regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, or lock the front caster wheels if the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position, and unlock the front caster wheels to allow the front caster wheels to steer freely if the traction drive bar is in the neutral position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 1 wherein each caster wheel lock further comprises a spring loaded pin.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 2 wherein each front caster wheel is mounted to an upright shaft that the spring loaded pin can engage to lock the front caster wheels and align the front wheels in a forward direction.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 1 wherein each caster wheel lock is mounted between an arm extending forwardly from the mower deck and a wheel mount.
a pin connected to a first end of a bowden cable and moveable into an opening in an upright shaft between a front wheel of the mower and a mower deck;
a traction drive bar on a handle of the walk-behind mower and movable between a neutral position and rear wheel drive positions; the traction drive bar connected through a linkage to a second end of the bowden cable; and
a caster control lever mounted on the handle and connected to a sleeve around the second end of the bowden cable and moveable between a locked position in which the bowden cable moves the pin into the opening to align the front wheel in a non-steering position regardless of the traction drive bar position, an automatic position in which the bowden cable moves the pin into the opening only if the traction drive bar is in the rear wheel drive position, and an unlocked position in which the pin is retracted from the opening so the front wheel can steer freely regardless of the traction drive bar position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 further comprising a spring biasing the pin to the locked position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 wherein the linkage is a rod between the traction drive bar and the bowden cable.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 wherein the pin and the upright shaft are enclosed in a housing.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 5 wherein the traction drive is pivotable on the handle of the mower.
a pair of front caster wheels rotatably mounted to a pair of front wheel mounts, and a pair of rear wheels that may be driven to propel the mower in a forward direction in response to moving a traction drive bar to a forward drive position; the front caster wheels and rear wheels supporting a mower deck;
a handle on the mower deck having a caster control lever pivotably mounted thereto, and a cable between the traction drive bar and each caster wheel lock, the caster control lever attached to a housing around the cable and pivotable to lock the caster wheel locks in a forward tracking position regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, a free steering position regardless of the position of the traction drive bar, or an automatic position in which the caster wheel locks are locked in a forward tracking position only while the traction drive bar is in the forward drive position.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 10 wherein each caster wheel lock further comprises a spring loaded pin to controllably engage an opening in an upright shaft.
The caster wheel locking system of claim 10 further comprising a rod between the traction drive bar and the cable.
US12/136,488 2008-06-10 2008-06-10 Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower Active US7574850B1 ( en )
Priority Applications (1)
| US12/136,488 US7574850B1 ( en ) | 2008-06-10 | 2008-06-10 | Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| US12/136,488 US7574850B1 ( en ) | 2008-06-10 | 2008-06-10 | Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower |
Family Applications (1)
| US12/136,488 Active US7574850B1 ( en ) | 2008-06-10 | 2008-06-10 | Caster wheel locking system for walk-behind mower |
Cited By (4)
| US20110127741A1 ( en ) | 2004-09-15 | 2011-06-02 | Fernando Esteban Araya no | Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley |
| US20120007325A1 ( en ) | 2010-07-09 | 2012-01-12 | Rich Thomas M | Vehicle front wheel pivot lock |
| CN105532178A ( en ) | 2013-06-28 | 2016-05-04 | 朱保生 | Hay mower provided with grass pulling wheels and working method of hay mower |
| US10780918B2 ( en ) | 2011-09-22 | 2020-09-22 | Mtd Products Inc | Vehicle control systems and methods and related vehicles |
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| US5020308A ( en ) | 1990-03-12 | 1991-06-04 | Deere Company | Self-propelled steerable walk behind mower linkage |
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| US20030204933A1 ( en ) | 2002-05-06 | 2003-11-06 | Chuan-Ming Yeh | Turn-fixing mechanism for stroller wheel sets |
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Cited By (6)
| US20110127741A1 ( en ) | 2004-09-15 | 2011-06-02 | Fernando Esteban Araya no | Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley |
| US8292327B2 ( en ) | 2004-09-15 | 2012-10-23 | Fernando Esteban Araya no | Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley |
| US20120007325A1 ( en ) | 2010-07-09 | 2012-01-12 | Rich Thomas M | Vehicle front wheel pivot lock |
| US8282112B2 ( en ) | 2010-07-09 | 2012-10-09 | Rich Thomas M | Vehicle front wheel pivot lock |
| US10780918B2 ( en ) | 2011-09-22 | 2020-09-22 | Mtd Products Inc | Vehicle control systems and methods and related vehicles |
| CN105532178A ( en ) | 2013-06-28 | 2016-05-04 | 朱保生 | Hay mower provided with grass pulling wheels and working method of hay mower |
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Greenworks Pro 60V Cordless 21″ Self-Propelled Brushless Lawn Mower W/ 5.0 AH Battery review – Say goodbye to gas
REVIEW – One of the newest innovations in yard work is the switch from gas-powered tools to battery-powered. The benefits are numerous: No fumes, no maintenance, no gas, no power. Wait, scratch that last item—battery-powered tools finally have all the power of gas making them a viable replacement to those smelly gas monsters in your garage or shed. One of the better-known brands of battery-powered tools is Greenworks—who sent me their Pro 60V Cordless 21″ Self-Propelled Brushless Lawn Mower W/ 5.0 AH Battery. The name may be a mouthful, but the mower can handle almost anything thrown at it.
What is it?
The lime-green GreenWorks Pro 60V Cordless 21″ is a self-propelled brushless lawn mower best used for small to medium sized yards. It has variable speed, ergonomic design, one-step height adjustment, 3-way grass discharge, and other features I’ll go over in the review.
Design and features
When you unbox the GreenWorks Pro 60V Cordless 21″ mower, you’re greeted with some immediate good news. Except for two screws to attach the handle, there is no assembly. Once the handle is in place, you’re good to go. A note about the handle: Greeworks placed all the wiring inside the hollow handle, not zip-tied to the outside like so many other mowers. This protects the wiring from all kinds of hazards.
There are three grass discharge choices: Side, bag, or mulch. With rare exception, I mulch when I mow, meaning there’s no bag or side discharge. Mulching chops up the grass more as it revolves inside the mower deck at incredible speed. I do bag about once a season to help keep any grass build-up in check. I have never used side-discharge, but it’s there for those who might prefer it.
If you decide to mulch, there’s a safety plug that goes where the bag catches grass at the rear of the deck. Bagging requires that this plug be removed and the bag be inserted under a large lift-up door—much like every other mower available today.
Speaking of the deck, the Greenworks mower has a 21-inch steel deck. 21 inches is a good size for a battery-powered mower (but it’s not even Greenwork’s largest). Also, the blade cuts up to the edge of the deck, making it easy to track your mowing. While the steel deck is strong, its weight may cut into battery life vs. a plastic-decked mower.
The wheels on the mower are plastic, but with good tread for digging into grass, especially since the rear wheels are 10 in. vs. 7 in. on the front.
The mower comes with a single battery and a charger. The battery takes about 45 min. – one hour to fully charge. That’s about average for batteries of this type.
Batteries go into the top of the mower motor under a lift-up lid. There are two battery compartments that can hold any Greenworks battery, no matter the size or power rating. There are two added features with Greenwork’s battery compartment: The lid is a soft-close design that doesn’t require any snapping into place. Just let it drop and it gently closes. Also, Greenworks supplies a safety key that must be inserted for the mower to work. That’s a huge safety feature if you need to change the blade without worrying about accidentally powering the mower. The downside is, “Do not lose that key if you want to use your mower!”
The one thing that bugs me about battery-powered tools, is that there are no generic one-design-fits-all batteries. Each company has its own proprietary battery designs, so once you buy that first tool, you are locked into that brand if you wish to swap batteries.
Note: The mower only ships with one 60V 5.0 Ah battery. This can be misleading when comparing this mower to other mowers such as the EGO 21″ Self-Propelled Peak Power electric lawnmower, which ships with two 56V 5.0 Ah batteries. The EGO mower sells for 750 vs the Greenworks 500 price. The price difference is substantial, but a single Greenworks 60V 5.0 Ah battery goes for 200, so the price discrepancy is only 50 if a second battery is added.
Start-up of the mower is so, so simple. Many battery-powered mowers require a two-step process of pressing the on button followed by the blade starter handle—in that order. The GreenWorks setup is also two-step, but it doesn’t matter in what order it’s done. It’s not a big thing, but it is one less thing to think about.
While simple, the starting process has both good and not-so-good features. There are left and right blade and self-propelled levers on both sides of the handle. This is good for both left or right-handed people, but if one side lever is squeezed, the other lever also moves. If the other hand is just holding onto the handle under the lever (easy to do), it will be squeezed by the handle. It doesn’t hurt when that happens, but it is a bit awkward.
The handle houses a “Turbo-Mode” button, self-propelled drive-speed lever, and a battery life indicator so you’ll always know how much battery life is left. If you’re using two batteries, the mower will completely deplete one and then automatically switch to the other rather than use both simultaneously.
The drive-speed lever goes from turtle (slow) to hare (fast). I had the lever moved about 3/4 the way to hare and the self-propelled walking speed was too slow for me—and I’m a leisurely mower. Yet the full-on hare setting was too fast resulting in a small selection range between too slow and too fast. Keep in mind that mowing speed is a personal thing, so YMMV.
Turbo-Mode speeds up the blade motor for a faster, more substantial cut—at the expense of battery life—and should be reserved for tall, thick grass areas only. Despite the Turbo-Mode, the motor is geared to use energy savings when it detects an easier to cut grass area potentially extending battery life. For the record, battery life with the 60V 5.0 Ah for me was exactly 36 minutes on a full charge. That’s with a normal cut using self-propelled for the entire mowing. This makes the mower good for smaller to medium-sized lawns. Two batteries will yield over an hour of mowing—perfect for medium to larger yards. My backyard is almost an acre (with many trees) and I was able to cut half of it before the battery died.
While mowing, I noticed a bothersome (for me) trait while using self-propelled. If you need to back up, you have to wait for a second or two fully stopped before self-propelled mode will turn itself off. Otherwise, the wheels lock up and you find yourself having to drag the mower backward. I’m impatient, so giving the mower that extra second or two is something I am still dealing with.
I really appreciate the battery-life indicator on the handle. Many yard tool batteries have the power rating on the battery itself. With my eyesight (and closer handle), it’s much easier to see how much power remains.
The mower can be set to 7 mowing heights—all using one easy-grip handle. After years of futzing around with separate wheel adjustments with my gas Honda, I’ve grown spoiled by these easy-to-use improvements.
Greenworks was thoughtful enough to include headlights on the Pro 60V Lawn Mower—headlights! The LED lights are bright and can allow extra minutes at dusk to finish mowing a lawn. The lights are bright enough (and the mower is quiet enough) to mow in the dark if you want without disturbing anyone. But that’s not recommended in bug-infested Florida, so I don’t. Note that the lights are always on—there is no on/off switch.
So, how does it cut? My backyard is mostly St. Augustine grass—popular in Florida. It’s deep green, thick, and grows fast, requiring weekly mowing. The mower breezed through the grass with the motor increasing in speed (and noise) only where the grass was thicker. But it never stalled—even in the damp parts. Keep in mind that the still new blade helps.
Due to its larger rear wheels, easy start and quiet motor, the Greenworks Pro 60V Cordless 21″ Self-Propelled Brushless Lawn Mower is a joy to use, despite a couple of quirks mentioned earlier. I expect the steel deck to hold up under punishing use for years. Now I just have to purchase an extra battery to handle my large backyard.
What I’d change
Final Thoughts
Once you begin investing in battery-powered tools, you begin to accumulate batteries which can greatly extend the use time of any tool. The worst mistake you can make is buying different brands of battery-powered tools. It’s important to choose what brand you will use before buying that first tool to get the benefit of switching batteries among all the tools.
Think of charged batteries as refilling the tank after the tool runs out of fuel. Except there’s no fuel or fumes or maintenance or practically anything else to worry about. It’s a new world regarding yard work and I’m all in.
Price: 499.99 US Where to buy: Lowes Source: The sample of this product was provided by Greenworks.
How Does A Zero Turn Mower Caster Wheel Locking Mechanism Work?
When it comes to mowing through rough lawns, installing the caster wheels locking system to your zero-turn mower can make it secure. But do you know how caster wheel locking mechanisms work to make your mowing experience secure?
Zero-turn mower locking mechanism for caster wheels applies pressure over the casters and stops wheels from moving. It keeps the overall wheel system locked for safety; releasing the lock allows the wheel to move freely.
I recommend the blog below for in-depth information about the zero-turn mower caster wheel locking mechanism.
What is a Caster Wheel Locking Mechanism?
Caster wheels are modern and safe tools that are perfect alternatives to traditional wheel systems. They are the relatively small undriven wheels that are freely rolled and move large objects.
It ensures safe movement across hard surfaces such as floors, patios, and even on rough grounds.
Caster wheels are also popular as casters; in the UK, caster wheels are only named casters. The benefit of using caster wheels is its perfect and safe locking mechanism.
When the users apply the pressure on caster wheels, they quickly stop and ensure no movement until releasing the lock. They offer high strength against heavy weights, so they are also becoming trendy for heavyweight zero turn mowers to move and stop safely.
What Are The Popular Types of Caster Wheels?
Caster wheels are manufactured of casters, including thermoplastics such as rubber, steel, polypropylene, and nylon. The material is chosen on the base of the weight that the casters will carry. Caster wheels have two basic kinds: rigid and swivel casters.
Swivel Caster
Swivel caster wheels have a raceway that allows the casters to turn. Its raceway has a cylindrical portion that contains ball-bearing tracks.
When the swivel caster incorporates a mount to the fork, its joint above the fork, allows the fork to move freely about 360°. Casters move freely in either direction.
No doubt the swivel caster wheels ensure better mobility than rigid casters, but you must be carefully operated.
You can use them for heavy-weight objects like small engine machines such as turn mowers. But it needs careful movement; sometimes, experts recommend using rigid casters to balance the movement flexibility.
Rigid Caster
A rigid caster is a famous type of caster that is also known as a fixed caster. You can only move straight or back with rigid casters. It is used for equipment that needs forward and backward movements.
Rigid caster wheels cannot turn corners, but they are supposed to be stronger than the swivel casters. Because of rigid casters’ tensile strength, they are recommended for heavy-weight objects.
The downside of rigid casters is that they remain in one position and offer less flexibility of movement than swivel casters.
If you have a straight, rigid surface and heavy load, then rigid casters are a better choice; otherwise, it is better to use them in combination with swivel casters to improve performance.
Casters vs Wheels: What is the Difference?
Many have confusion about the terms caster and wheel. It may look similar to a wheel but is much more than a wheel. If you have wheels in your turn mower, you will move in one direction because the wheel can spin on a single axis.
But the caster can offer better flexibility, and you can easily move or turn your zero turn mower even in small and tough spaces.
You get the opportunity to turn your mower at different angles. However, the detailed differences below may help to understand the difference between wheels and casters.
Wheels
A Wheel is a simple object that carries a hole in its middle portion that works as an axle or spindle. Wheels are compatible with the movements on a flat, stable surface like the tracks or grounds.
The benefits of using wheels for large objects are that it reduces friction and makes it much easier to move heavy things with less energy. It is a limited tool that can only spin on a single axis. You can move in one direction at a time with a wheel.
A wheel is also defined as a circular cylinder with less or more width spins around the axle, such as car wheels.
Casters
A caster is an assembly with both a wheel and bracket, sometimes called a yoke or fork. Its bracket is the major part that separates it from the regular wheel. Casters come with more flexibility and strength than wheels.
You can move in either direction if you have swivel casters. It also offers the ability to carry hundreds of pounds, ensuring flexible movement and being safer than the wheels.
Casters come with flat bracket mounting holes or a locking mechanism to retain the clip. They are plate-mounted or stem-mounted.
Zero Turn Mower Caster Wheel Locking Mechanism: How It Works?
The zero turn mower caster wheel locking mechanism is a combination of both the swivel and rigid casters. Its working is a lot simpler to understand.
In the caster wheel locking mechanism, two plates of the caster are installed above the front wheels of the zero turn mower.
When the user applies a lock, the plates move forward and put pressure over the caster wheels. Ultimately the plates locked and stopped the wheels from moving.
It is a safe locking system that protects the casters from moving and ensures the balance of the zero turn mower at a position.
Because of such locks, wheels do not slip, and movements become more straightforward. If you are riding in tough and tight spaces, with the swivel casters, you can turn the mower at 360 degrees without creating a mess.
When you need to move, unlock the locks, and plates will release the lock. Casters will become free to move. It helps the driver to keep its zero turn mower safe and protected from slipping on steps or sloppy paths.
You Can Watch this video:
Maintaining a beautiful lawn can be a daunting task, especially if you lack the appropriate know-how and tools to handle the challenges that may crop up. Fortunately, LawnAsk is here to offer you an all-encompassing resource that covers everything you need to know about lawn care.
Recent Posts
Husqvarna Lawn Mower Front Wheel Drive Problems
If you’re having problems with your Husqvarna lawn mower’s front wheel drive, there are a few things you can check. First, make sure that the wheels are properly inflated. If they’re not, this can cause the drive to slip.
Also, check the bearings and make sure they’re not seized up. Finally, if all else fails, you may need to replace the front wheel drive belt.
If you’re having problems with your Husqvarna lawn mower’s front wheel drive, there are a few things you can check. First, make sure that the wheels are properly inflated. If they’re not, inflate them to the recommended pressure.
Next, check the axle for any damage or wear. If it looks damaged, replace it. Finally, check the drive belt for wear or damage.
If it’s damaged, replace it.
Husqvarna Mower Self Propelled Sticky Wheel Fix
You’ll feel the extra support in the Carhartt 8 Inch Steel Toe Waterproof Work Boots. T. []
Husqvarna Lawn Mower Repair Guide
If you’re a proud owner of a Husqvarna lawn mower, you know that you’ve got a quality piece of machinery. But like any machine, it will eventually need some repair and maintenance. That’s where this Husqvarna Lawn Mower Repair Guide comes in handy.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for common repairs on Husqvarna lawn mowers. Whether you’re having issues with the engine, blade, or deck, this guide can help you get your mower back in top shape. Plus, it includes troubleshooting tips to help you identify and fix the problem quickly.
So don’t wait until your mower breaks down to brush up on your repair skills. Keep this Husqvarna Lawn Mower Repair Guide close by so you’ll be prepared when something goes wrong.
Husqvarna Self Propelled Lawn Mower Won T Disengage
If your Husqvarna self-propelled lawn mower won’t disengage, there are a few things you can check to troubleshoot the issue. First, make sure that the transmission control lever is in the “off” position. If it’s not, turn it to the off position and see if that fixes the problem.
If not, then check to see if the drive belt is broken or damaged. The drive belt connects the engine to the transmission, so if it’s damaged or broken, it could be causing your lawn mower to not disengage. To check the drive belt, remove it from the engine and inspect it for damage.
If you find any damage, replace the drive belt with a new one.
Husqvarna Push Mower Wheels Lock Up
If you’re having trouble with your Husqvarna push mower, one possible issue is that the wheels may be locking up. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but fortunately it’s usually a pretty easy problem to fix. Here’s a look at some of the most common causes of locked up wheels on a Husqvarna push mower, as well as what you can do to fix the issue.
One common cause of locked up wheels on a Husqvarna push mower is debris that’s gotten caught in the wheel assembly. This can be anything from grass and leaves to small sticks or stones. The best way to remove this debris is to simply turn the mower over and shake it out.
You may also need to use a small brush or other tool to help loosen and remove any stubborn pieces. Another potential cause of locked up wheels is an issue with the axle itself. If there’s something preventing the axle from turning freely, it could cause the wheels to lock up.
This is usually caused by corrosion or damage to the axle shaft. To fix this problem, you’ll need to replace the entire axle assembly. In some cases, locked up wheels on a Husqvarna push mower can also be caused by an issue with the transmission belt.
If the belt is worn out or damaged, it can cause the Wheels Lock Up.
Conclusion
If you’re having problems with your Husqvarna lawn mower’s front wheel drive, there are a few things you can check. First, make sure the drive belt is tight. If it’s loose, tighten it according to the instructions in your owner’s manual.
Next, check the wheels to make sure they’re not binding. If they are, loosen the nuts slightly and adjust the wheels until they spin freely. Finally, if your lawn mower still isn’t working properly, take it to a qualified service center for repair.
Lawn Mower Wheels Not Turning (Don’t Panic – Do This)
The good thing about self-propelled lawn mowers is that they take a lot of the effort out of mowing. But this is only true when your lawn mower’s drive system is working. If you are dealing with issues such as your lawn mower wheels not turning or rear wheels locking up, then you’ll need to inspect your mower’s drive system. So, let’s take a look at how to diagnose why your lawn mower wheels are not turning and see what can be done.
Lawn Mower Wheels Lock Up (The Short Explanation)
Several parts work together to turn the lawn mower wheels. This process works by engaging and disengaging each part within the drive system. Therefore if one part fails and doesn’t work properly, the entire drive system fails. So, to diagnose why your lawn mower wheels are not turning, you’ll need to inspect the following items:
Possible Reasons Why Your Lawn Mower Wheels Are Not Turning
As you can see, there are many different reasons why your lawn mower wheels are not turning, and you’ll need to inspect each closely. Here are eight different steps you can take to figure out why your mower wheels are locked. Let’s take a look.
Drive Belt Damage
The first place I would check if my wheels won’t turn is the drive belt. The drive belt is the component that transfers the motion of the engine to the wheels, so this is a pretty good place to start. When checking the drive belt, make sure that it isn’t damaged or stretched, as this could cause an issue and prevent the belt from transferring power from the drive shaft pulley and the transaxle.
To start, tilt your lawn mower the right way, then engage the drive. If the belt is slack, you’ll have discovered that the belt is likely unable to transfer the engine power to the wheels as needed.
Drive Cable Adjustment
Most lawn mowers will have some type of drive cable adjustment that allows you to tighten the drive belt as it becomes worn and stretches out. The best benefit of this function is that it gives the drive belt an extra few months or years of life.
First, you’ll need to locate the drive cable adjuster and figure out if it has any further adjustments available. Now if you have already used all of the adjustments, you’ll either need to replace the drive belt or check if your lawn mower has transaxle adjustment.
Transaxel Adjustment
The transaxle is a small gearbox that converts the motion of the drive belt to the rotation of the wheel axle. Now, the transaxle usually rotates on its mount to take the slack out of the belt and engage the drive. Therefore as the belt stretches out with age, you can make small adjustments to compensate by adjusting the transaxle adjustment screw.
So, take a look under your lawn mower and check the transaxle. First, check if you have an adjustment screw, then check if any adjustments are available.
Drive Engagement Lever
The drive engagement lever is the device you use to engage the drive, which is located on the lawn mower’s handlebars. Now, if the drive lever is damaged or corroded, then it may not be able to travel the full distance required to engage the drive.
To test the lever, try pulling it and ensure it is operating correctly and travels the full distance required. If you find that it isn’t, then you’ll need to repair it. This is because the limited travel of the lever won’t pull the drive cable far enough to engage the transaxle and take the slack out of the belt.
Wheel Gears
You’ll find a gear inside your lawn mower’s wheels. This gear is usually a series of teeth molded into the plastic of the wheel, which connects to the pinion gear connected to the driveshaft. Now as these teeth are usually only made of plastic, they can easily wear down over time or become damaged with misuse.
Also, as each wheel is independent, you may find that only one wheel has an issue and can result in a self-propelled lawn mower with only one wheel that turns. So to diagnose a problem with the wheel gear, remove the covers from your lawn mower’s wheels to gain access to the gear and inspect it for any wear or damage.
Wheel Drive Pinion Gear
Once you remove the cover from the drive wheels when inspecting the wheel gears, you’ll also be accessing the pinion gear. Now, these small pinion gears are used on a lawn mower so that the lawn mower can be pushed around without engaging your lawn mower’s drive.
Unfortunately, the pinion gear can go wrong in a few different ways, which can result in push mower wheels being locked, lawn mower wheels not turning, and even one wheel doing one thing and the other wheel doing something else.
To inspect the pinion gear, first, remove the drive wheels from your lawn mower. Now you’ll be able to turn the pinion gear by hand to make your diagnosis. Now, the pinion gear should turn freely in one direction and not turn in the opposite direction. If you find that the pinion gear turns in both directions or doesn’t turn in either direction, you’ll need to install a replacement.
Transaxle
As I mentioned before, the transaxle is a small gearbox that converts the motion of the drive belt to the rotation of the wheel axle. Now inside the transaxle, there are several gears used to complete this process. Unfortunately, each gear can fail and prevent this operation from happening.
To diagnose your mower’s transaxle, turn the pulley on top of the transaxle by hand. The wheels should turn. If they don’t, then you’ll have discovered that your mower’s transaxle is broken, and you’ll need to install a replacement.
Cleanliness of Your Lawn Mower
Whenever I have an issue with my lawn mower wheels not turning, I’m always aware that dirt and grass clippings could be the cause. How? Well, dirt and grass clippings can stop a drive system from engaging and can prevent the proper operation of the various components of the drive system. Here are a few examples:
- Grass build-up prevents the required rotation of the transaxles.
- Dirt inside the drive cable prevents required cable movement.
- Debris in the gears prevents the gears from locking together.
- Dirt in the pinion gear causes the ratchet key to become jammed.
So, it may not be the case that anything is actually damaged or broken with your lawn mower. Instead, it could be something as simple as dirt causing the wheel issue. So when diagnosing each component, be on the lookout for dirt and debris getting in the way.
How to Fix Lawn Mower Wheels That Lock Up (8 Possible Solutions)
Now you know how to diagnose why your lawn mower wheels lock up. So next, let’s take a look at the various repairs. Here are eight fixes you can use to restore the drive on your lawn mower and get the wheels working how they should.
- Cleaning Down Your Lawn Mower
- Adjusting the Drive Cable
- Adjusting the Transaxle
- Replacing the Drive Belt
- Repairing the Engagement Lever
- Replacing the Wheels
- Replacing the Pinion Gear
- Replacing the Transaxle
Cleaning Down Your Lawn Mower
If you skip cleaning your mower on a regular basis, then you likely face issues with how your lawn mower performs. So, to avoid issues such as lawn mower rear wheels locked up or your wheels not working at all, you’ll want to gather a few tools and give your lawn mower a good cleaning. This will remove any debris or dirt that could be causing any issues.
When I clean my lawn mower, I use tools like a garden hose, an air compressor, a leaf blower, and things like scrapers and screwdrivers. Then, it’s just a case of getting all the dirt out of the components and cleaning them.
First, I wash down my lawn mower, use the hand tools to break off any stubborn dirt, and use an air gun on my compressor to blast dirt out of the hard-to-reach places.
Next, I use my leaf blower to dry off any water and blow off any remaining dirt.
Finally, I go around my lawn mower with a can of WD-40 to lubricate all the moving parts to prevent corrosion. You would be surprised how effective a thorough cleaning is to not only prolong the life of your lawn mower but also to avoid mechanical issues.
Tools Required to Clean a Lawn Mower
- Small Hand Tools
- Air Gun Compressor
- Garden Hose
- Leaf Blower
- WD-40
Adjusting the Drive Cable
To adjust the drive cable on your lawn mower, you can usually turn the cable adjustment nut by hand, or if it’s stiff, you can use a pair of pliers. Now all you need to do is turn the adjustment nut on the end of the cable to push it further away from its mount. This basically extends the length of the cable sleeve and tightens the cable.
So turn the adjustment nut until the adjustment lever correctly engages and disengages the transaxle. Just be careful not to tighten the cable too much because this will permanently engage the drive, and you won’t be able to stop your lawn mower from moving.
Tools Required to Adjust the Drive Cable
Adjusting the Transaxle
To adjust the transaxle movement, you’ll need to adjust the adjustment bolt to allow the transaxle to rotate more so that it can remove more slack from the drive belt. To do this, you can use a wrench to adjust the bolt.
Once you have done this, you may need to use the steps from above to adjust the drive cable to fine-tune the drive system. This does take a little time and requires some back and forth, but with a little patience, you should be able to dial it in so that it’s just right.
Tools to Adjust the Transaxle
Replacing the Drive Belt
There are several steps you’ll need to follow to replace the drive belt. To make things a little easier, I have listed the steps 1-15. Not all lawn mowers are the same, so the steps will vary, but this will give you a good idea of what you need to do.
- Remove the spark plug cable
- Remove the cutting blade
- Remove the belt guard from the underside of the lawn mower
- Remove the transaxle guard from the rear of the lawn mower
- Remove the belt guide from the transaxle
- Remove the belt guard from the cutting blade pulley
- Lift the drive belt off of the transaxle pulley
- Lift the drive belt off of the cutting blade pulley
- Install the new belt onto both the cutting blade pulley and the transaxle pulley
- Install the belt guard onto the cutting blade pulley
- Install the belt guide onto the transaxle
- Install the transaxle guard onto the rear of the lawn mower
- Install the belt guard onto the underside of the lawn mower
- Install the cutting blade
- Reconnect the spark plug
Tools Parts to Replace a Drive Belt
Repairing the Engagement Lever
Usually, the main issue with the drive engagement lever is that it is either bent or it is rusted up. So, if your lever is bent, you’ll need to use a bit of muscle to try to straighten it out. Typically it is made of pretty flexible metal, so you should be able to bend the lever back into shape.
However, if your lever is rusted, then spray some WD-40 on the rust and repeatedly move the lever from engage to disengage. I find that doing this for a few minutes is enough to get the lever working freely again.
Tools Required to Repair a Corroded Drive Lever
Replacing the Wheels
If you have a lawn mower like a Troy Bilt or a Toro and need to replace the drive wheels, this is the repair you need. All you need to do is remove the wheel cover, remove the center nut, then lift off the old wheel.
Then, attach the new wheel, secure the wheel nut, then reattach the wheel cover. That’s all there is to it. Five minutes and you’re done. So here are the tools and parts you’ll need for this repair.
Tools Parts to Replace a Lawn Mower Drive Wheel
Replacing the Pinion Gear
Now let’s take a look at what you’ll need to do to replace a lawn mower pinion gear. There are plenty of steps to follow, so let’s dig in.
- Remove the spark plug
- Raise the lawn mower
- Remove the wheel cover
- Remove the wheel nut
- Remove the wheel
- Remove the snap ring from the pinion gear
- Remove the washer from the axle
- Remove the old pinion gear
- Grease the new pinion gear
- Confirm the ratchet key is in place
- Install the new pinion gear onto the drive axle
- Install the washer onto the axle
- Install the snap ring
- Install the wheel
- Install the wheel center nut
- Install the wheel cover
- Lower the lawn mower
- Reattach the spark plug
Tools Parts to Replace a Lawn Mower Pinion Gear
- Socket Wrench
- Snap Ring Pliers
- General Purpose Grease
- Replacement Pinion Gear (Mower Specific)
Replacing the Transaxle
Transaxles come in all shapes and sizes, with some on the rear of a lawn mower and some on the front. Here is an example of how to replace a Craftsman front-wheel-drive transaxle.
Lawn Mower Transaxle Removal
- Remove the spark plug
- Remove the lower drive axle cover
- Remove the upper drive axle cover
- Remove the belt guide from the axle drive pulley
- Remove the drive cable from the transaxle
- Remove the wheel covers
- Remove the center wheel nuts
- Remove the wheels
- Remove the wheel dust covers
- Remove the snap ring from the pinion gears
- Remove the pinion gear and washer
- Remove the axle tension spring
- Remove the axle mounting clips
- Lift the axle from the lawn mower
Lawn Mower Transaxle Installation
- Position the transaxle onto the lawn mower
- Secure the axle to the lawn mower
- Connect the tension spring
- Install the pinion gear, washer, and the snap ring
- Install the wheel dust covers, wheels, wheel nets, and the wheel covers
- Connect the drive cable
- Attach the belt
- Install the belt guide
- Install the drive axle covers
- Connect the spark plug
Tools Parts to Replace a Transaxle
- Socket Wrench
- Snap Ring Pliers
- Pliers
- Replacement Transaxle (Mower Specific)
Riding Lawn Mower Wheels Won’t Turn: Are the Causes/Solutions Any Different?
Now if you have read this blog and are wondering if these diagnoses and repairs apply to why your riding lawn mower wheels won’t turn, well, some will and some won’t. When it comes to riding lawn mowers, there are several differences, and there are different issues you’ll need to look into. So here are a few examples of where you would need to start your investigation.
- Damaged Accelerator Pedal
- Broken Accelerator Cable
- Loose Transaxle Connection
- Poor Transaxle Operation
- Hydrostatic Motor Failure
- Hydrostatic Pump Air Blockage
- Control Levers Adjustment
- Missing Wheel Keys
- Slack Drive Belt
About Tom Greene
I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the lawn mower guru (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!
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