Modular, vertically-integrated manufacturing method for a lawn and garden implement

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an implement, including providing a first group of engine types and a second group of transmission types at a common, first manufacturing facility, selecting a desired module configuration, selecting a desired engine from the first group, a desired transmission from the second group, connecting the selected engine and transmission together in the desired module configuration to provide a base of the implement, transporting the base to a second facility, providing a working device at the second facility, and connecting the working device to the base of the implement at the second facility.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an implement, comprising: 
 (1) providing a first group of engine types and a second group of transmission types at a common, first manufacturing facility;    (2) selecting a desired module configuration;    (3) selecting a desired engine from the first group and a desired transmission from the second group;    (4) connecting the selected engine and transmission together in accordance with the desired module configuration to provide a base of the implement;    (5) transporting the base of the implement to a second facility;    (6) providing a working device at the second facility; and    (7) connecting the working device to the base of the implement at the second facility.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (1) further comprises providing a third group of steering mechanism types at the common, first manufacturing facility.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (3) further comprises selecting a desired steering mechanism from the third group.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step (4) further comprises connecting the steering mechanism with the engine and transmission.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first group includes vertical shaft engines and horizontal shaft engines.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second group includes hydrostatic transaxles, manual shift transaxles, and friction drive transaxles.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the third group includes a spring clutch and trigger controlled steering mechanism and a bidirectional clutch and intuitive steering mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a working device from the group consisting of an auger assembly, a cultivating blade assembly, and a mower blade assembly.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after step (7): 
 providing a handle at the second facility; and    attaching the handle to the base of the implement at the second manufacturing facility.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after step (4): 
 providing at least two wheels at the first manufacturing facility; and    attaching the wheels to the transmission at the first manufacturing facility.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after step (4): 
 providing a drive linkage at the first manufacturing facility; and    attaching the drive linkage at the first manufacturing facility to the base of the implement and selected parts to provide a driving connection therebetween.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, after step (7), a substantially completed implement is produced, and further comprising: 
 packaging the substantially completed implement; and    transporting the substantially completed implement from the second manufacturing facility to one of a wholesaler, a retailer, and a customer.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (6) further includes providing a drive linkage with the working device.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (7) includes connecting the drive linkage of the working device to the working device and the base of the implement.  
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing an implement, comprising: 
 (1) providing a first group of engine types, a second group of transmission types, and a third group of steering mechanism types at a common, first manufacturing facility;    (2) selecting a desired module configuration;    (3) selecting a desired engine from the first group, a desired transmission from the second group, and a desired steering mechanism from the third group;    (4) connecting the selected engine, transmission, and steering mechanism together in accordance with the desired module configuration to provide a base of the implement;    (5) transporting the base of the implement to a second facility;    (6) providing a working device at the second facility; and    (7) connecting the working device to the base of the implement at the second facility.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first group includes vertical shaft engines and horizontal shaft engines.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second group includes hydrostatic transaxles, manual shift transaxles, and friction drive transaxles.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the third group includes a spring clutch and trigger controlled steering mechanism and a bidirectional clutch and intuitive steering mechanism.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising selecting a working device from the group consisting of an auger assembly, a cultivating blade assembly, and a mower blade assembly.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, after step (7): 
 providing a handle at the second manufacturing facility; and    attaching the handle to the base of the implement at the second manufacturing facility.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, after step (4): 
 providing at least two wheels at the first manufacturing facility; and    attaching the wheels to the transmission at the first manufacturing facility.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, after step (4): 
 providing a drive linkage at the first manufacturing facility; and    attaching the drive linkage at the first manufacturing facility to the base of the implement and selected parts to provide a driving connection therebetween.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, after step (7), a substantially completed implement is produced, and further comprising: 
 packaging the substantially completed implement; and    transporting the substantially completed implement from the second manufacturing facility to one of a wholesaler, a retailer, and a customer.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein step (6) further includes providing a drive linkage with the working device.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein step (7) includes connecting the drive linkage of the working device to the working device and the base of the implement.