David A Hunt

US Patent:

56281714, May 13, 1997

Filed:

Jul 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/505948

Inventors:

Bradley G. Stewart - Eden Prairie MN
David J. Hunt - Brooklyn Park MN

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A01D 3466

US Classification:

563202

Abstract:

A multi-bladed mulching mower comprises a cutting deck having a peripheral skirt and side discharge outlet. A plurality of cutting chambers extend across the width of the deck and are defined by vertically extending shroud walls that depend downwardly from a top wall of the deck. A rotatable cutting blade is received inside each cutting chamber. The mower can be converted to a discharge/collection mode of operation by removing a portion of the shroud walls adjacent the side discharge outlet. The removed portion of the shroud walls extends laterally across the deck but is substantially less than the entire transverse width of the cutting chamber array to allow the removed portion of the shroud walls to be installed or removed through the side discharge outlet. A plurality of rotatable knobs removably attach the shroud portion to the deck with the knobs being accessible from above the deck to further ease the tasks of installing or removing the shroud portion.