Electric drive riding mower

Claim 2

An electric drive tractor-mower unit comprising: a mobile main frame mounted on a pair of rear drive wheels and steerable front wheels; a mower unit including a generally horizontal housing suspended from the main frame between the front and rear wheels and at least two rotary cutting blades; at least two D. C. motors mounted on the top of the housing and having vertical shafts respectively extending downwardly through the housing and coaxially and drivingly connected to the respective blades; a pair of drive axles respectively connected to the drive wheels; a battery compartment on the main frame generally above the drive axle and substantially enclosing battery means; a D. C. traction motor supported on the main frame forwardly of the battery compartment; drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive axles; and operator seat mounted on the main frame generally above the traction motor and battery compartment; and electric control circuit means for controlling the connection of the traction and mower motors to the battery means.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the main frame includes a generally horizontal deck above the mower housing and forwardly of the seat for supporting the feet of an operator sitting on the seat and having a rearward edge forwardly of the mower motors, the mower motors extending above the level of the deck on opposite sides of the main frame, the main frame also including a steering column extending upwardly from a central portion of the forward end of the deck and supporting a steering mechanism actuatable by an operator sitting on the seat.

Claim 4

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the traction motor has a vertical output shaft, and the drive means includes a change speed transmission directly connected to the drive axles and disposed between the drive wheels below the battery compartment with a vertical input shaft, and a belt drive including a drive pulley mounted on the traction motor output shaft and a driven pulley mounted on the transmission input shaft.

Claim 5

An electric drive riding mower comprising: a mobile main frame mounted on a pair of rear drive wheels and steerable front wheels and including a box-like structure on a rearward portion of the main frame, an operator''s seat on top of said structure, a deck forwardly of the box-like structure and adapted to support the feet of an operator sitting on the seat, and a steering column extending upwardly from the forward end of the deck and supporting a manually actuatable steering element controllable by a seated operator, a battery means disposed within the box-like structure; a mower means suspended from the main frame between the front and rear wheels; a D. C. motor means; means operatively connecting the motor means to the mower means and the drive wheels; and an electric circuit means actuatable by the operator and operative to connect the battery means to the motor means.

Claim 6

An electric drive riding mower comprising: a mobile main frame mounted on a pair of rear drive wheels and steerable front wheels and including a box-like structure on a rearward portion of the main frame, an operator''s seat on top of said structure, a deck forwardly of the box-like structure and adapted to support the feet of an operator sitting on the seat, and a steering column extending upwardly from the forward end of the deck and supporting a manually actuatable steering element controllable by a seated operator, a battery means disposed within the box-like structure; a mower means suspended from the main frame between the front and rear wheels; a D. C. motor means; means operatively connecting the motor means to the mower means and the drive wheels; and an electric circuit means actuatable by the operator and operative to connect the battery means to the motor means.

Claim 7

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the means connecting the motor means to the drive wheels includes a change speed transmission having a shift lever actuatable from the operator''s seat, and a clutch means, including a clutch pedal disposed adjacent to the steering column.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the motor means includes a D. C. traction motor mounted within the box-like structure, and at least one D. C. mower motor mounted on the mower means.

Claim 9

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor driviNgly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main manually actuatable switch shiftable into at least first and second positions, a main relay energized when the main switch is shifted to its first position and operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when it is energized; a temperature sensitive switch means operative to automatically open when the temperature of the traction motor exceeds a predetermined value and interrupt the energizing of the main relay and thereby disconnect the traction motor from the power source, and a manually actuatable mower switch shiftable to at least a first position wherein it causes connection of the mower motor to the power source only when the main relay is energized and a second position wherein it disconnects the mower motor from the power source.

Claim 10

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor driviNgly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main manually actuatable switch shiftable into at least first and second positions, a main relay energized when the main switch is shifted to its first position and operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when it is energized; a temperature sensitive switch means operative to automatically open when the temperature of the traction motor exceeds a predetermined value and interrupt the energizing of the main relay and thereby disconnect the traction motor from the power source, and a manually actuatable mower switch shiftable to at least a first position wherein it causes connection of the mower motor to the power source only when the main relay is energized and a second position wherein it disconnects the mower motor from the power source.

Claim 11

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main manually actuatable switch shiftable between first, second and third positions, a main relay, said relay being initially energized only when the main switch is shifted from its first position to its third position and operative to connect the power source to the traction motor when it is energized, the main relay being de-energized when the main switch is shifted to its second position and energized when the main switch is shifted from its third to its first position, and a manually actuatable mower switch shiftable into a first position wherein it causes the connection of the mower motor to the power source when the main relay is energized and a second position where it disconnects the mower motor from the power source.

Claim 12

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main manually actuatable switch shiftable between first, second and third positions, a main relay, said relay being initially energized only when the main switch is shifted from its first position to its third position and operative to connect the power source to the traction motor when it is energized, the main relay being de-energized when the main switch is shifted to its second position and energized when the main switch is shifted from its third to its first position, and a manually actuatable mower switch shiftable into a first position wherein it causes the connection of the mower motor to the power source when the main relay is energized and a second position where it disconnects the mower motor from the power source.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the drive means includes a clutch means operatively engageable and disengageable to respectively connect or disconnect the traction motor and drive wheel means.

Claim 14

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means and including a clutch means selectively engageable and disengageable to connect or disconnect the traction motor and the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main relay operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when energized and to disconnect the power source and traction motor when de-energized, a clutch switch shiftable between first and second positions, respectively, in response to engagement and disengagement of the clutch means, a main manually actuatable switch shiftable into a first position wherein it is operative to energize the main relay only when the clutch switch is in its second position and a second position wherein it de-energizes the main relay, and a manually actuatable mower switch operative to connect the mower motor to the power source.

Claim 15

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means and including a clutch means selectively engageable and disengageable to connect or disconnect the traction motor and the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main relay operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when energized and to disconnect the power source and traction motor when de-energized, a clutch switch shiftable between first and second positions, respectively, in response to engagement and disengagement of the clutch means, a main manually actuatable switch shiftable into a first position wherein it is operative to energize the main relay only when the clutch switch is in its second position and a second position wherein it de-energizes the main relay, and a manually actuatable mower switch operative to connect the mower motor to the power source.

Claim 16

The invention defined in claim 10 wherein the electric control circuit means includes a mower relay operative to connect the mower motor to the power source when it is energized and to disconnect the mower motor and power source when it is de-energized, and the mower switch is operatively connected to the main relay and shiftable between a first position wherein it is operative to energize the mower relay only when the mAin relay is energized and a second position wherein it causes the de-energization of the mower relay.

Claim 17

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; at least one DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control system means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a mower relay operative to connect the mower motor to the power source only when the relay is energized, a manually actuatable mower switch in the energizing circuit of the mower relay, a circuit breaker means operatively associated with the mower motor for opening when the current in the mower motor exceeds a predetermined value and disposed in the energizing circuit of the mower relay to cause the relay to open in response to an overload in the mower motor, a main relay operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when energized, and a main manually actuatable switch, shiftable between first and second positions wherein it respectively causes the energization or the de-energization of the main relay.

Claim 18

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; at least one DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control system means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a mower relay operative to connect the mower motor to the power source only when the relay is energized, a manually actuatable mower switch in the energizing circuit of the mower relay, a circuit breaker means operatively associated with the mower motor for opening when the current in the mower motor exceeds a predetermined value and disposed in the energizing circuit of the mower relay to cause the relay to open in response to an overload in the mower motor, a main relay operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when energized, and a main manually actuatable switch, shiftable between first and second positions wherein it respectively causes the energization or the de-energization of the main relay.

Claim 19

The invention defined in claim 12 wherein at least two mower motors are provided and a circuit breaker means is provided for each mower motor, each circuit breaker means being included in the energizing circuit of the mower relay, so that the mower relay is opened to disconnect the mower motor from the power source when any of said circuit breakers open.

Claim 20

The invention defined in claim 12 and including a temperature sensitive switch means responsive to the temperature in the traction motor and disposed in the main relay energizing circuit to open the main relay when the motor temperature exceeds a predetermined value.

Claim 21

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least two mower motors drivingly connected to the mower means and respectively having circuit breaker means which will open when the current in the associated motor exceeds a predetermined value; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main relay operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when the relay is closed, a main manually actuatable switch means operative to control the energization of the main relay, a mower relay operative to connect the mower motors to the power source when the mower relay is energized, the circuit breaker means for the mower motors each being included in the energizing circuit for the mower relay so that the mower relay is opened to disconnect the mower motor from the power source when any of said circuit breakers open, and a manually actuatable mower switch also disposed in the energizing circuit of the mower relay.

Claim 22

An electric drive tractor mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; a DC power source on the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least two mower motors drivingly connected to the mower means and respectively having circuit breaker means which will open when the current in the associated motor exceeds a predetermined value; and an electric control circuit means for connecting the traction motor and the mower motor to the power source and including a main relay operative to connect the traction motor to the power source when the relay is closed, a main manually actuatable switch means operative to control the energization of the main relay, a mower relay operative to connect the mower motors to the power source when the mower relay is energized, the circuit breaker means for the mower motors each being included in the energizing circuit for the mower relay so that the mower relay is opened to disconnect the mower motor from the power source when any of said circuit breakers open, and a manually actuatable mower switch also disposed in the energizing circuit of the mower relay.

Claim 23

The invention defined in claim 15 wherein the main relay is also disposed in the energizing circuit for the mower relay, so that the mower relay is de-energized when the main relay is opened.

Claim 24

An electric drive riding mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; an operator''s station on the main frame; a DC power source carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means and including a change-speed transmission shiftable into different conditions to establish different driving directions and speeds, a belt drive operative between the traction motor and the transmission, and a clutch means selectively actuatable from the operator''s station and operatively associated with the belt drive for selectively Disengaging the belt drive between the traction motor and the transmission; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means including switch means manually actuatable from the operator''s station for controlling the connection of the traction and mower motors to the power source.

Claim 25

An electric drive riding mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; an operator''s station on the main frame; a DC power source carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means and including a change-speed transmission shiftable into different conditions to establish different driving directions and speeds, a belt drive operative between the traction motor and the transmission, and a clutch means selectively actuatable from the operator''s station and operatively associated with the belt drive for selectively Disengaging the belt drive between the traction motor and the transmission; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means including switch means manually actuatable from the operator''s station for controlling the connection of the traction and mower motors to the power source.

Claim 26

The invention defined in claim 17 wherein the traction motor has a vertical drive shaft and the belt drive includes a drive pulley on the drive shaft, a driven pulley connected to the transmission and a drive belt, the motor being mounted on a swingable support for swinging in a generally fore-and-aft direction about a vertical pivot to vary the distance between the pulleys, and the clutch means includes means for adjusting the support between a forward engaged position wherein it maintains the pulleys a sufficient distance apart to provide a drive tension in the belt and a rearward disengaged position, wherein the drive tension is removed from the belt.

Claim 27

An electric drive riding mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; an operator''s station on the main frame; a DC power source carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means and including a clutch means selectively actuatable from the operator''s station and operative to selectively connect or disconnect the traction motor and the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means including a main relay adapted to connect the traction motor to the power source when it is energized, a clutch switch operatively associated with the clutch means so that the switch is open when the clutch is engaged, a main control switch means manually actuatable from the operator''s station and shiftable into a start position which alone permits the initial energization of the main relay, the clutch switch being disposed in the main relay energizing circuit when the switch means is in its start position to prevent the initial energizing of the main relay and thereby the starting of the traction motor when the clutch is engaged, and a mower switch means operative to control the connection of the mower motor to the power source.

Claim 28

An electric drive riding mower comprising: a mobile main frame at least partly supported on drive wheel means; an operator''s station on the main frame; a DC power source carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; a drive means connecting the traction motor to the drive wheel means and including a clutch means selectively actuatable from the operator''s station and operative to selectively connect or disconnect the traction motor and the drive wheel means; a mower means carried by the main frame; at least one DC mower motor drivingly connected to the mower means; and an electric control circuit means including a main relay adapted to connect the traction motor to the power source when it is energized, a clutch switch operatively associated with the clutch means so that the switch is open when the clutch is engaged, a main control switch means manually actuatable from the operator''s station and shiftable into a start position which alone permits the initial energization of the main relay, the clutch switch being disposed in the main relay energizing circuit when the switch means is in its start position to prevent the initial energizing of the main relay and thereby the starting of the traction motor when the clutch is engaged, and a mower switch means operative to control the connection of the mower motor to the power source.

Claim 29

In a riding mower having a mobile main frame partly supported on a pair of drive wheels including a mower means carried by the main frame, the combination therewith of an electric drive system for driving the mower unit and the drive wheels and comprising: a battery means carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; means drivingly connecting the traction motor to the drive wheels; at least two mower motors operative to drive the mower means; a circuit breaker operatively associated with each mower motor for disconnecting the motor from the battery when the current through the motor exceeds a predetermined value; a main relay operatively connecting the battery to the traction motor when it is energized; a first circuit means including the battery and a first manually actuatable switch for controlling the energization of the main relay; a mower relay operatively connecting the battery to the mower motors when said relay is energized; and a second circuit means including the battery, a second manually actuatable switch, and said circuit breakers in series for controlling the energization of the mower relay so that the mower relay is de-energized when either circuit breaker opens, the second manually actuatable switch means being shiftable between an off position wherein it de-energizes the mower relay, a start position, wherein and alone allows the initial energization of the mower relay, and a run position wherein it causes the energization of the relay only when it is shifted from the start position, so that when the second circuit means is broken by either of the circuit breakers, the rElay cannot be energized again until the second manually actuatable switch is shifted to its start position.

Claim 30

In a riding mower having a mobile main frame partly supported on a pair of drive wheels including a mower means carried by the main frame, the combination therewith of an electric drive system for driving the mower unit and the drive wheels and comprising: a battery means carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; means drivingly connecting the traction motor to the drive wheels; at least two mower motors operative to drive the mower means; a circuit breaker operatively associated with each mower motor for disconnecting the motor from the battery when the current through the motor exceeds a predetermined value; a main relay operatively connecting the battery to the traction motor when it is energized; a first circuit means including the battery and a first manually actuatable switch for controlling the energization of the main relay; a mower relay operatively connecting the battery to the mower motors when said relay is energized; and a second circuit means including the battery, a second manually actuatable switch, and said circuit breakers in series for controlling the energization of the mower relay so that the mower relay is de-energized when either circuit breaker opens, the second manually actuatable switch means being shiftable between an off position wherein it de-energizes the mower relay, a start position, wherein and alone allows the initial energization of the mower relay, and a run position wherein it causes the energization of the relay only when it is shifted from the start position, so that when the second circuit means is broken by either of the circuit breakers, the rElay cannot be energized again until the second manually actuatable switch is shifted to its start position.

Claim 31

In a riding mower having a mobile main frame partly supported on a pair of drive wheels and including a mower means carried by the main frame, the combination therewith of an electric drive system for driving the mower unit and the drive wheels and comprising: a battery means carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; means drivingly connecting the traction motor to the drive wheels; a DC mower motor means operative to drive the mower means; a main relay operative to connect the battery to the traction motor when energized; a first circuit means including the battery and a first manually actuatable switch means for controlling the energization of the main relay; a mower relay between the main relay and the mower motor means and operative to connect the battery to the mower motor means when the mower relay is energized; a second circuit means including the battery and a second manually actuatable switch means for controlling the energization of the mower relay; and a brake switch operatively associated with the mower relay so that it closes only when the relay is de-energized and connects the mower motor input to ground through a resistor means, to load the mower motor means when the mower relay is open and the mower motor means is functioning as a generator.

Claim 32

In a riding mower having a mobile main frame partly supported on a pair of drive wheels and including a mower means carried by the main frame, the combination therewith of an electric drive system for driving the mower unit and the drive wheels and comprising: a battery means carried by the main frame; a DC traction motor; means drivingly connecting the traction motor to the drive wheels; a DC mower motor means operative to drive the mower means; a main relay operative to connect the battery to the traction motor when energized; a first circuit means including the battery and a first manually actuatable switch means for controlling the energization of the main relay; a mower relay between the main relay and the mower motor means and operative to connect the battery to the mower motor means when the mower relay is energized; a second circuit means including the battery and a second manually actuatable switch means for controlling the energization of the mower relay; and a brake switch operatively associated with the mower relay so that it closes only when the relay is de-energized and connects the mower motor input to ground through a resistor means, to load the mower motor means when the mower relay is open and the mower motor means is functioning as a generator.

Claim 33

A tractor mower comprising: a. a mobile frame carried at least partially by a drive wheel; b. a rotary mower carried by said frame and suspended therefrom; c. electrical drive circuitry including a drive motor having an output shaft connected to said drive wheel and further including a main switch adapted when energized to cause actuation of said drive motor for furnishing power to said drive wheel; d. electrical mower circuitry including at least one mower motor operatively coupled to said mower and a mower switch for causing excitation of said mower motor; said mower circuitry being interconnected to said drive circuitry such that said mower motor can be excited only when said drive motor is activated.

Claim 34

A tractor mower comprising: a. a mobile frame carried at least partially by a drive wheel; b. a rotary mower carried by said frame and suspended therefrom; c. electrical drive circuitry including a drive motor having an output shaft connected to said drive wheel and further including a main switch adapted when energized to cause actuation of said drive motor for furnishing power to said drive wheel; d. electrical mower circuitry including at least one mower motor operatively coupled to said mower and a mower switch for causing excitation of said mower motor; said mower circuitry being interconnected to said drive circuitry such that said mower motor can be excited only when said drive motor is activated.

Claim 35

In a tractor mower having a main frame carried at least in part by at least one drive wheel, mower means suspended from said frame, at least one electrical traction motor having an output shaft interconnected to said drive wheel for operatively driving the wheel when energized, at least one electrical mower motor having an output shaft interconnected to said mower means for operatively driving the mower means when energized, and an electrical energy source for supplying power to said traction and mower motors, an electrical control circuit for selectively electrically coupling said energy source to said mower and traction motors and comprising: a. a first relay means adapted when energized to electrically couple said power source to said traction motor for energizing the motor; b. a main switch manually shiftable into at least first and second position; said switch in said second position causing energization of said first relay means to cause activation of said traction motor and in said first position de-energizing said first relay means; c. a second relay means adapted when energized to electrically couple said power source to said mower motor for energizing the mower motor; and d. a mower switch manually shiftable into at least first and second position; said mower switch being electrically interconnected to said main switch and said first and second relay means such that said second relay means is energized to cause activation of the mower motor to drive the mower means only when the first relay means is energized and the main switch and motor switch are simultaneously in their second positions.

Claim 36

In a tractor mower having a main frame carried at least in part by at least one drive wheel, mower means suspended from said frame, at least one electrical traction motor having an output shaft interconnected to said drive wheel for operatively driving the wheel when energized, at least one electrical mower motor having an output shaft interconnected to said mower means for operatively driving the mower means when energized, and an electrical energy source for supplying power to said traction and mower motors, an electrical control circuit for selectively electrically coupling said energy source to said mower and traction motors and comprising: a. a first relay means adapted when energized to electrically couple said power source to said traction motor for energizing the motor; b. a main switch manually shiftable into at least first and second position; said switch in said second position causing energization of said first relay means to cause activation of said traction motor and in said first position de-energizing said first relay means; c. a second relay means adapted when energized to electrically couple said power source to said mower motor for energizing the mower motor; and d. a mower switch manually shiftable into at least first and second position; said mower switch being electrically interconnected to said main switch and said first and second relay means such that said second relay means is energized to cause activation of the mower motor to drive the mower means only when the first relay means is energized and the main switch and motor switch are simultaneously in their second positions.

Claim 37

A tractor mower as in claim 23 wherein said second relay means is further adapted when de-energized to load said mower motor to brake the output shaft thereof.

Claim 38

In a tractor mower having a mobile frame carried at least in part by a drive wheel, and mower cutting means suspended from said frame, the combination therewith of a control circuit for driving the drive wheel and the mower means comprising: a. a DC electrical energy source having positive and negative terminals; b. a traction drive motor having an output shaft interconnected to the drive wheel of said tractor-mower for driving same, said drive motor having first and second input leads, the first lead being electrically connected to the negative side of said DC energy source; c. at least one DC mower motor having an output shaft interconnected to the mower means for driving same, said mower motor having first and second input leads, the first lead being electrically connected to the negative side of said energy source; d. a main relay having a normally open contact and a coil, the first side of said coil being connected to the negative side of said DC energy source and the first side of said relay contact being electrically interconnected to the positive terminal of said energy source; e. a mower relay having a normally open contact and a coil, the first side of said coil being electrically connected to the negative terminal of said energy source, the first side of the normally open contact being connected to the second side of the normally open contact of the main relay of the power source and the second side being connected to the second lead of the mower motor; f. a main manually shiftable switch having three positions represented by ''''Start,'''' ''''Off'''' and ''''Run'''' designations and further having five terminals, A, B, C, D and E, respectively, internally interconnected as follows: In the ''''Off'''' position all of the terminals being electrically disconnected from each other; In the ''''Start'''' position terminal A being electrically coupled to terminal B; In the ''''Run'''' position terminal B being electrically coupled to terminal C and terminal D being electrically coupled to terminal E; and, externally connected as follows: Terminal A being electrically connectible to the positive side of the DC power source; Terminal B being electrically connectible to the second side of the main relay coil whereby in the ''''Start'''' position, electrical current flows from the power source through terminals A and B of the main switch to energize the main relay coil; Terminal C being connected to the second side of the normally open contact of the main relay whereby in the ''''Run'''' position of the main switch, current flows through the relay contacts and terminals B and C of the main switch to maintain energization of the main relay; Terminal D being connected to the second side of said mower relay coil; g. A three-position mower switch represented by ''''Start,'''' ''''Off,'''' and ''''Run'''' designations having three terminals A, B, and C, internally interconnected as follows: In the ''''Off'''' position, all of the terminals being electrically disconnected from each other; In the ''''Start'''' position, terminal A being connected to terminal C; and In the ''''Run'''' position, terminal A being connected to terminal B; and, externally connected as follows: Terminal A being connected to terminal E of the main switch; Terminal B being connected to the second side of the normally open mower relay contact; and Terminal C being connected to the second side of the normally open contacts of the main relay coil whereby when the main switch is in the ''''Run'''' position and the mower switch is in the ''''Start'''' position, current flows through terminals A and C of the mower switch and terminals E and D of the main switch to energize the mower relay and through the closure of the normally open contacts of the mower relay, the mower motor is energized to drive the mower means and whereby shifting Either the main switch or the mower switch into the ''''Off'''' position de-energizes the mower relay which, in turn, drops out the mower motor.

Claim 39

In a tractor mower having a mobile frame carried at least in part by a drive wheel, and mower cutting means suspended from said frame, the combination therewith of a control circuit for driving the drive wheel and the mower means comprising: a. a DC electrical energy source having positive and negative terminals; b. a traction drive motor having an output shaft interconnected to the drive wheel of said tractor-mower for driving same, said drive motor having first and second input leads, the first lead being electrically connected to the negative side of said DC energy source; c. at least one DC mower motor having an output shaft interconnected to the mower means for driving same, said mower motor having first and second input leads, the first lead being electrically connected to the negative side of said energy source; d. a main relay having a normally open contact and a coil, the first side of said coil being connected to the negative side of said DC energy source and the first side of said relay contact being electrically interconnected to the positive terminal of said energy source; e. a mower relay having a normally open contact and a coil, the first side of said coil being electrically connected to the negative terminal of said energy source, the first side of the normally open contact being connected to the second side of the normally open contact of the main relay of the power source and the second side being connected to the second lead of the mower motor; f. a main manually shiftable switch having three positions represented by ''''Start,'''' ''''Off'''' and ''''Run'''' designations and further having five terminals, A, B, C, D and E, respectively, internally interconnected as follows: In the ''''Off'''' position all of the terminals being electrically disconnected from each other; In the ''''Start'''' position terminal A being electrically coupled to terminal B; In the ''''Run'''' position terminal B being electrically coupled to terminal C and terminal D being electrically coupled to terminal E; and, externally connected as follows: Terminal A being electrically connectible to the positive side of the DC power source; Terminal B being electrically connectible to the second side of the main relay coil whereby in the ''''Start'''' position, electrical current flows from the power source through terminals A and B of the main switch to energize the main relay coil; Terminal C being connected to the second side of the normally open contact of the main relay whereby in the ''''Run'''' position of the main switch, current flows through the relay contacts and terminals B and C of the main switch to maintain energization of the main relay; Terminal D being connected to the second side of said mower relay coil; g. A three-position mower switch represented by ''''Start,'''' ''''Off,'''' and ''''Run'''' designations having three terminals A, B, and C, internally interconnected as follows: In the ''''Off'''' position, all of the terminals being electrically disconnected from each other; In the ''''Start'''' position, terminal A being connected to terminal C; and In the ''''Run'''' position, terminal A being connected to terminal B; and, externally connected as follows: Terminal A being connected to terminal E of the main switch; Terminal B being connected to the second side of the normally open mower relay contact; and Terminal C being connected to the second side of the normally open contacts of the main relay coil whereby when the main switch is in the ''''Run'''' position and the mower switch is in the ''''Start'''' position, current flows through terminals A and C of the mower switch and terminals E and D of the main switch to energize the mower relay and through the closure of the normally open contacts of the mower relay, the mower motor is energized to drive the mower means and whereby shifting Either the main switch or the mower switch into the ''''Off'''' position de-energizes the mower relay which, in turn, drops out the mower motor.

Claim 40

A tractor mower as in claim 25 wherein said mower relay includes normally closed contacts having one side connected to the negative terminal of the power source and the other side to the second lead of the mower motor whereby when the mower motor has been de-energized and by continuing to rotate, acts as a generator, the normally closed contact shunts the motor to brake the rotation of the motor shaft.