Snow plow and attachment system for zero turning radius mower

Abstract

The specification discloses an attachment system for a zero turning radius mower. According to one aspect of the invention, the attachment system includes a zero turning radius mower having a chassis, a plurality of selectively engagable rear drive wheels, and a plurality of forwardly projecting arm members connected to said chassis for mounting a plurality of fully rotatable front wheels. A substantially horizontal attachment base member is affixed to the forwardly projecting arm members. The system also includes at least one attachment extension arm connected to the horizontal attachment base member and projecting forwardly therefrom and preferably a snow plow blade affixed to the extension arms. A front end loader and a rotary broom are also disclosed for use with the attachment system.

1 . An attachment system for a zero turning radius mower comprising: 
 a zero turning radius mower having a chassis, a plurality of selectively engagable rear drive wheels, and a plurality of forwardly projecting arm members connected to said chassis for mounting a plurality of fully rotatable front wheels;    a substantially horizontal attachment base member affixed to the forwardly projecting arm members; and    at least one attachment extension arm connected to the horizontal attachment base member and projecting downwardly therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a snow plow blade affixed to the at least one extension arm.  
   
   
       3 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , further comprising a lifting mechanism for supporting and lifting the snow plow blade.  
   
   
       4 . The attachment system of  claim 3 , wherein the lifting mechanism comprises an electric winch.  
   
   
       5 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein the snow plow blade is affixed to the at least one extension arm by a horizontally pivotable connection so that the snow plow blade may be pivoted horizontally.  
   
   
       6 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein the horizontal attachment base member is clamped to the forwardly projecting arm members.  
   
   
       7 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein the weight of the snow plow blade may be substantially entirely supported by the mower.  
   
   
       8 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein the snow plow blade includes a front face which is concave.  
   
   
       9 . The attachment system of  claim 2 , wherein the mower is a riding mower.  
   
   
       10 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary broom attached to the at least one extension arm.  
   
   
       11 . The attachment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a front end loader attached to the at least one extension arm.  
   
   
       12 . An attachment system for a zero turning radius mower comprising: 
 a zero turning radius mower having a chassis, a plurality of selectively engagable rear drive wheels, and a plurality of forwardly projecting arm members connected to said chassis for mounting a plurality of fully rotatable front wheels;    a substantially horizontal attachment base member directly affixed to the chassis; and    at least one attachment extension arm connected to the horizontal attachment base member and projecting downwardly therefrom.    
   
   
       13 . The attachment system of  claim 12  further comprising a snow plow blade affixed to the at least one extension arm.  
   
   
       14 . The attachment system of  claim 13 , further comprising a lifting mechanism for supporting and lifting the snow plow blade.  
   
   
       15 . The attachment system of  claim 14 , wherein the lifting mechanism comprises an electric winch.  
   
   
       16 . The attachment system of  claim 13 , wherein the snow plow blade is affixed to the at least one extension arm by a horizontally pivotable connection so that the snow plow blade may be pivoted horizontally.  
   
   
       17 . The attachment system of  claim 13 , wherein the weight of the snow plow blade may be substantially entirely supported by the mower.  
   
   
       18 . The attachment system of  claim 13 , wherein the snow plow blade includes a front face which is concave.  
   
   
       19 . The attachment system of  claim 13 , wherein the mower is a riding mower.  
   
   
       20 . The attachment system of  claim 12 , further comprising a rotary broom attached to the at least one extension arm.  
   
   
       21 . The attachment system of  claim 12 , further comprising a front end loader attached to the at least one extension arm.  
   
   
       22 . A snow plow system for a zero turning radius mower, said mower having a chassis, a plurality of selectively engagable rear drive wheels, and a plurality of forwardly projecting arm members connected to said chassis for mounting a plurality of fully rotatable front wheels, said snow plow system comprising: 
 a substantially horizontal attachment base member affixed to the forwardly projecting arm members; and    at least one attachment extension arm connected to the horizontal attachment base member and projecting downwardly therefrom; and    a snow plow blade affixed to the at least one extension arm.    
   
   
       23 . The attachment system of  claim 22 , further comprising a lifting mechanism for supporting and lifting the snow plow blade.  
   
   
       24 . The attachment system of  claim 23 , wherein the lifting mechanism comprises an electric winch.  
   
   
       25 . The attachment system of  claim 22 , wherein the snow plow blade is affixed to the at least one extension arm by a horizontally pivotable connection so that the snow plow blade may be pivoted horizontally.  
   
   
       26 . The attachment system of  claim 22 , wherein the horizontal attachment base member is directly bolted to the forwardly projecting arm members.  
   
   
       27 . The attachment system of  claim 22 , wherein the horizontal attachment base member is clamped to the forwardly projecting arm members.  
   
   
       28 . The attachment system of  claim 22 , wherein the weight of the snow plow blade may be substantially entirely supported by the mower.  
   
   
       29 . The attachment system of  claim 22 , wherein the snow plow blade includes a front face which is concave.