Riding Mower

Abstract

An electric drive riding greens mower having a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a motor generator set and a plurality of lawn mowers. An internal combustion engine is also supported by the frame. A generator is coupled to an internal combustion engine to provide electrical power. A hydraulic drive system is adapted to drive at least one of the ground engaging wheels. A plurality of mowers are supported from the frame, one of the plurality of mowers precedes each of the plurality of ground engaging wheels. Each mower includes a cutting reel and an electric motor operable to rotatably drive the cutting reel.

1 . A self-propelled riding mower comprising: 
 a frame;    a plurality of ground engaging wheels supporting the frame;    an internal combustion engine supported by the frame;    a generator operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine for providing electrical power;    a hydraulic drive system adapted to drive at least one of the ground engaging wheels; and    a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers supported from the frame, one of the plurality of reel-type lawn mowers preceding each of the plurality of ground engaging wheels, each reel-type lawn mower comprising a cutting reel and an electric motor operable to rotatably drive the cutting reel.    
     
     
         2 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulic drive system comprises: 
 hydraulic fluid stored in a reservoir;    a hydraulic pump for receiving hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and providing hydraulic fluid at an output pressure; and    a hydrostatic transmission that is operatively coupled to the hydraulic pump and at least one of the ground engaging wheels, the hydrostatic transmission being responsive to the hydraulic fluid at an output pressure to provide torque to the at least one of the ground engaging wheels.    
     
     
         3 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 2  wherein the hydraulic drive system further comprises: 
 at least one reel lift that is operatively coupled to the hydraulic pump, the at least one reel lift operative to move at least one reel-type lawn mower between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the at least one reel-type lawn mower engages the ground.    
     
     
         4 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 1  wherein the internal combustion engine mechanically powers the hydraulic pump.  
     
     
         5 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 1  wherein two of the plurality of ground engaging wheels are driven by the hydraulic drive system and another of the plurality of ground engaging wheels may be rotatably displaced to steer the mower.  
     
     
         6 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 5  further comprising an operator station comprising an operator seat supported above the frame, a steering wheel located in front of the operator seat, and a foot deck.  
     
     
         7 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 6  further comprising an operator control module within reach of an operator seated in the operator seat, the control module comprising a panel housing a switch or indicator corresponding to a function of the mower.  
     
     
         8 . A self-propelled riding mower comprising: 
 a frame;    a plurality of ground engaging wheels supporting the frame;    an internal combustion engine supported by the frame;    a generator operatively driven by an output of the internal combustion engine, the generator providing electrical power;    a plurality of reel-type lawn mowers supported from the frame, one of the plurality of reel-type lawn mowers preceding each of the plurality of ground engaging wheels, each reel-type lawn mower comprising a cutting reel and an electric motor operable to rotatably drive the cutting reel;    a hydraulic pump operatively driven by an output of the internal combustion engine, the hydraulic pump providing a hydraulic fluid at a pressure;    a hydrostatic transmission fluidly coupled to the hydraulic pump and at least one of the ground engaging wheels, the hydrostatic transmission being responsive to the hydraulic fluid at the pressure to provide torque to the at least one of the ground engaging wheels.    
     
     
         9 . The self propelled riding mower as defined in  claim 8  further comprising a circuit for regulating the electrical power provided by the generator.  
     
     
         10 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 8  further comprising at least one electrical energy storage device, the electrical energy storage device providing electrical power in addition to the electrical power provided by the generator.  
     
     
         11 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 8  wherein two of the at least three ground engaging wheels are driven by the hydrostatic transmission and another of the at least three ground engaging wheels is displaceable for steering the mower.  
     
     
         12 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 at least one mower lift being responsive to the hydraulic fluid at the pressure, the at least one mower lift operable to move at least one reel-type lawn mower between a raised non-operative position and a lowered operative position in which the at least one reel-type lawn mower engages the ground.    
     
     
         13 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 8  further comprising an operator station comprising an operator seat supported above the frame, a steering wheel located in front of the operator seat, and a foot deck.  
     
     
         14 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 13  further comprising an operator control module within reach of an operator seated in the operator seat, the control module comprising a panel housing a switch or indicator corresponding to a function of the mower.  
     
     
         15 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 8  further comprising at least one electrical energy storage device, the electrical energy storage device providing the electrical power.  
     
     
         16 . The self-propelled riding mower of  claim 8  further comprising at least one electrical energy storage device, the at least one of the electrical energy storage device or the generator providing the electrical power.