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| In 1969, ] introduced the first commercially viable zero-turn mower,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grasshoppermower.com/about_timeline.php |title=Grasshopper Mower |publisher=Grasshopper Mower |date= |accessdate=2010-07-16}}</ref> and in 1974, Dixon coined the term "zero-turn radius" with their entrance into the mower market.<ref name="igin.com"/> | In 1969, ] introduced the first commercially viable zero-turn mower,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grasshoppermower.com/about_timeline.php |title=Grasshopper Mower |publisher=Grasshopper Mower |date= |accessdate=2010-07-16}}</ref> and in 1974, Dixon coined the term "zero-turn radius" with their entrance into the mower market.<ref name="igin.com"/> | ||
| In 1997, Robert D. Davis Jr. obtained United States Patent 5644903 for a new steering control he had invented for a zero turn radius mower, based on eight previous patents.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| | url = http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5644903 | |||
| | title = United States Patent: 5644903 | |||
| | author = Davis Jr., Robert D. et al | authorlink= | |||
| | accessdate = 2010-07-17 | date = July 8, 1997 | publisher = ] | |||
| }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | |||
| | url = http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=fzofAAAAEBAJ | |||
| | title = Steering control for zero turn radius mower - Robert D. Davis et al - Google Patent Search | |||
| | author = Davis Jr., Robert D. et al | authorlink= | |||
| | accessdate = 2010-07-17 | date = July 8, 1997 | publisher = ] via ] | |||
| }} (more user-friendly presentation of the above)</ref> | |||
| Currently, there are more than three dozen zero-turn mower manufacturers offering a range of mid-mounted and out-front mowing deck options and accessories. | Currently, there are more than three dozen zero-turn mower manufacturers offering a range of mid-mounted and out-front mowing deck options and accessories. | ||
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| For most zero-turn mowers today, ] is simply changing the speeds of the drive tires. The tire speed is controlled by two levers that protrude on either side of the driver and typically extend over the lap. When both levers are pushed forward simultaneously with the same force, the mower moves forward; when both levers are pulled back simultaneously with the same force, the mower moves backward. Push one lever more than the other and the mower makes a gentle turn. Push one lever forward and pull the other back and the mower pivots from the drive wheels, creating a zero-radius turn.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maxwell |first=Steve |url=http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/242252 |title=Zero-turn radius concept mows over grass, competition |publisher=thestar.com |date=2007-08-04 |accessdate=2010-07-16}}</ref> | For most zero-turn mowers today, ] is simply changing the speeds of the drive tires. The tire speed is controlled by two levers that protrude on either side of the driver and typically extend over the lap. When both levers are pushed forward simultaneously with the same force, the mower moves forward; when both levers are pulled back simultaneously with the same force, the mower moves backward. Push one lever more than the other and the mower makes a gentle turn. Push one lever forward and pull the other back and the mower pivots from the drive wheels, creating a zero-radius turn.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maxwell |first=Steve |url=http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/242252 |title=Zero-turn radius concept mows over grass, competition |publisher=thestar.com |date=2007-08-04 |accessdate=2010-07-16}}</ref> | ||
| Zero-turn mowers can use steering wheels but must be designed much differenly. ] is one of the few zero-turns to use a steering wheel by connecting the back wheels to an ]. The axle is mounted in its midpoint to the body of the mower.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/ |
Zero-turn mowers can use steering wheels but must be designed much differenly. ] is one of the few zero-turns to use a steering wheel by connecting the back wheels to an ]. The axle is mounted in its midpoint to the body of the mower.<ref name="Popular">{{cite web | ||
| | url = http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/reviews/outdoor-tools/1273471?page=2 | |||
| | title = Zero Turn Mower Reviews - Best Zero Turn Mowers - Popular Mechanics | |||
| | author = Berendsohn , Roy | authorlink= | |||
| | accessdate = 2010-07-17 | date = December 7, 2004 12:00 AM | publisher = ] | |||
| }}</ref> | |||
| ==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
| Zero-turn mowers are designed to cut so closely around obstacles that there’s virtually no need to trim. These mowers pivot through 180 degrees without leaving any uncut grass. Maximum lever movement means maximum fluid flow, which translates into a rapidly turning wheel. If one drive wheel turns more rapidly than the other, the machine moves along a curved path. If both wheels turn at the same speed, the machine follows a straight path. If one wheel stops and the other turns, or if the wheels turn in opposite directions, the mower pivots.<ref |
Zero-turn mowers are designed to cut so closely around obstacles that there’s virtually no need to trim. These mowers pivot through 180 degrees without leaving any uncut grass. Maximum lever movement means maximum fluid flow, which translates into a rapidly turning wheel. If one drive wheel turns more rapidly than the other, the machine moves along a curved path. If both wheels turn at the same speed, the machine follows a straight path. If one wheel stops and the other turns, or if the wheels turn in opposite directions, the mower pivots.<ref name="Popular" /> | ||
| ==Zero-Turn Mower Manufacturers== | ==Zero-Turn Mower Manufacturers== | ||
| Line 27: | Line 44: | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 19:46, 17 July 2010
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A zero-turn riding lawn mower is operationally similar to a standard riding lawn mower. The term zero-turn refers to the turning radius being essentially zero inches. Different brands and models achieve this in different ways. Most current models have four wheels, two swiveling front tires and two larger drive tires in the back. Instead of controlling the swiveling tires to steer the machine, the rotational speed of the drive tires differ from the other to move one side faster than the other.
History
John Regier of Moundridge, Kansas is credited with developing the first zero-turn lawn mower in 1963; he called his first mower The Hustler, because the zero-turn technology greatly reduced traditional mowing time. Due to the lack of initial interest in zero-turn lawn mowers, Regier eventually sold his patent and design to the Hesston Corporation, located in Hesston, Kansas, which would eventually become Excel Industries. Excel Industries is the parent company of Hustler Turf, which manufacturers Hustler zero-turn mowers.
In 1969, Grasshopper Mowers introduced the first commercially viable zero-turn mower, and in 1974, Dixon coined the term "zero-turn radius" with their entrance into the mower market.
In 1997, Robert D. Davis Jr. obtained United States Patent 5644903 for a new steering control he had invented for a zero turn radius mower, based on eight previous patents.
Currently, there are more than three dozen zero-turn mower manufacturers offering a range of mid-mounted and out-front mowing deck options and accessories.
Steering
For most zero-turn mowers today, steering is simply changing the speeds of the drive tires. The tire speed is controlled by two levers that protrude on either side of the driver and typically extend over the lap. When both levers are pushed forward simultaneously with the same force, the mower moves forward; when both levers are pulled back simultaneously with the same force, the mower moves backward. Push one lever more than the other and the mower makes a gentle turn. Push one lever forward and pull the other back and the mower pivots from the drive wheels, creating a zero-radius turn.
Zero-turn mowers can use steering wheels but must be designed much differenly. Husqvarna is one of the few zero-turns to use a steering wheel by connecting the back wheels to an axle. The axle is mounted in its midpoint to the body of the mower.
Operation
Zero-turn mowers are designed to cut so closely around obstacles that there’s virtually no need to trim. These mowers pivot through 180 degrees without leaving any uncut grass. Maximum lever movement means maximum fluid flow, which translates into a rapidly turning wheel. If one drive wheel turns more rapidly than the other, the machine moves along a curved path. If both wheels turn at the same speed, the machine follows a straight path. If one wheel stops and the other turns, or if the wheels turn in opposite directions, the mower pivots.
Zero-Turn Mower Manufacturers
References
- ^ Fasold, Danny (2009-01-12). "Zero-Turn Mowers: Past, Present, Future". Igin.com. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
- "Grasshopper Mower". Grasshopper Mower. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
- Davis Jr., Robert D.; et al. (July 8, 1997). "United States Patent: 5644903". USPTO. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
{{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help) - Davis Jr., Robert D.; et al. (July 8, 1997). "Steering control for zero turn radius mower - Robert D. Davis et al - Google Patent Search". USPTO via Google. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
{{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help) (more user-friendly presentation of the above) - Maxwell, Steve (2007-08-04). "Zero-turn radius concept mows over grass, competition". thestar.com. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
- ^ Berendsohn , Roy (December 7, 2004 12:00 AM). "Zero Turn Mower Reviews - Best Zero Turn Mowers - Popular Mechanics". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)