Suspension system and method

Abstract

An embodiment relates to a mower having a chassis and a rear suspension assembly. The chassis supports a cutter deck. The rear suspension assembly includes a support, a drive axle, and a shock absorber. The support includes a pivot, and the pivot includes a bushing to allow pivotable motion relative to the chassis. The drive axle is supported by the support and is configured to transfer power to drive at least one wheel. The shock absorber is coupled to the support and the chassis. The at least one wheel and the drive axle are configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mower comprising:
 a chassis supporting a cutter deck; and   a rear suspension assembly comprising:
 a support including a pivot, the pivot comprising a bushing to allow a pivotable motion relative to the chassis; 
 a drive axle supported by the support and configured to transfer power to drive at least one wheel; and 
 a shock absorber coupled to the support and the chassis; 
   wherein the at least one wheel and the drive axle are configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis.   
     
     
         2 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the drive axle is positioned between the shock absorber and a second shock absorber. 
     
     
         3 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the support includes a first end and a second end; wherein the first end includes the pivot, and wherein the second end is coupled to the shock absorber. 
     
     
         4 . The mower of  claim 1 , further comprising a front suspension assembly, the front suspension assembly comprising a front axle pivotably coupled to the chassis. 
     
     
         5 . The mower of  claim 4 , wherein the front axle defines a bushing through-hole, and wherein a rotatable bushing is seated within the bushing through-hole. 
     
     
         6 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot comprises a second bushing coupled to a first end of a second support, wherein the second bushing is configured to facilitate pivotable motion of the second support relative to the chassis. 
     
     
         7 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the rear suspension assembly includes a transmission configured to transfer power to the drive axle, wherein the transmission is coupled to the support and the drive axle. 
     
     
         8 . The mower of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the transmission is positioned between the shock absorber and a second shock absorber. 
     
     
         9 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the rear suspension assembly comprises:
 a second support including a second pivot, the second pivot comprising a second bushing; and   a pin;   wherein the pin is configured to pivotably couple the support and the second support to the chassis.   
     
     
         10 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the rear suspension assembly comprises a second support, the second support including a second pivot, the second pivot comprising a second bushing to allow pivotable motion relative to the chassis, wherein the drive axle is supported by the support and the second support. 
     
     
         11 . A suspension and drive assembly for a mower, the suspension and drive assembly comprising:
 a chassis supporting a cutter deck;   a support coupled to and pivotable relative to the chassis;   a wheel; and   a drive axle supported by the support, the drive axle configured to transfer power to drive the wheel, wherein the wheel and the drive axle are configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis.   
     
     
         12 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a shock absorber, and wherein the shock absorber is coupled to the support and the chassis. 
     
     
         13 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the drive axle is positioned between the shock absorber and a second shock absorber. 
     
     
         14 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , wherein when the wheel vertically oscillates relative to the chassis, the support and the drive axle are configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , wherein when the wheel vertically oscillates relative to the chassis, the drive axle is configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis. 
     
     
         16 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the support includes a pivot, and wherein the pivot comprises a ball and socket connection. 
     
     
         17 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a transmission supported by the support, and wherein the transmission is configured to transfer power to the drive axle. 
     
     
         18 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the support oscillates relative to the chassis in a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chassis. 
     
     
         19 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a second support, the second support pivotably coupled to the chassis, wherein the drive axle is supported by the support and the second support. 
     
     
         20 . The suspension and drive assembly of  claim 19 , wherein when the wheel vertically oscillates relative to the chassis, the support, the second support, and the drive axle are configured to vertically oscillate relative to the chassis.