Ground working vehicle with rear drive roller

Abstract

A ground working vehicle comprises a cutting deck, front rear drive members rotatably attached to the cutting deck and operable to support a front of the cutting deck, a roller axle rotatably attached

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to ground working vehicles and, more particularly, to walk behind mowers including a rear drive roller. BACKGROUND Ground working vehicles such as, for example, walk behind mowers are commonly used by homeowners and landscape professionals. Walk behind mowers may be useful when mowing small lawns, lawns with numerous obstacles (such as, e.g., trees, shrubs, flowerbeds, etc.), and lawns that may otherwise be ill-suited to riding mowers (e.g., lawns with steep slopes, etc.). Walk behind mowers with rear roller assemblies are also known and are commonly used in areas such as golf courses, baseball stadiums, etc. to provide the appearance of stripes on mowed lawns. In some instances, the rear roller assemblies are added on to existing mowers, while in other instances, the rear roller assembly is an integral part of the walk behind mower and may also be driven to assist in propelling the mower. SUMMARY Ground working vehicles, such as walk behind mowers, including a rear drive roller are described herein. The rear drive rollers used in ground working vehicles described herein include a center section having a larger diameter and the diameter of either of two side sections located on opposite sides of the center section of the rear roller. Ground working vehicles having rear drive rollers with a larger diameter center section may provide advantages over known rear drive roller systems used in connection with ground working vehicles. In known rear roller mowers, turning may be cumbersome unless multiple rollers or segmented rollers are used that allow for different rotational speeds and / or directions across the length of the roller. The larger diameter center sections of rear drive rollers used on the ground working vehicles described herein, however, improve turning by providing a pivot point around which the rear end of the ground working vehicle can be rotated during the turning process. Moreover, the rear drive rollers can, in one or more embodiments, still provide aesthetically pleasing striping on mowed lawns. In one or more embodiments, the rear drive roller can be constructed such that the center section and the two opposite side sections are fixed such that all of the sections rotate together in unison about a roller axis extending through the rear drive roller. Advantages associated with that roller construction are a reduction in manufacturing costs, as well as a reduction in maintenance and other issues that may arise as compared to segmented rollers. In one or more embodiments, the larger diameter of the center section is essentially uniform over substantially the entire width of the center section which can provide improved stability during use and turning of the ground working vehicle. In a first aspect, one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle as described herein include: a cutting deck; front ground engaging members rotatably attached to the cutting deck and operable to support a front of the cutting deck relative to a ground surface; a roller axle rotatably attached to the cutting deck proximate a rear of the cutting deck; a drive apparatus operably attached to the cutting deck and the roller axle, wherein the drive apparatus is configured to rotate the roller axle about a roller axis extending along a length of the roller axle; and a rear drive roller mounted on the roller axle, wherein rotation of the roller axle about the roller axis rotates the rear drive roller about the roller axis to drive the vehicle over ground, wherein the rear drive roller comprises a first side section, a second side section, and a center section located between the first side section and the section, wherein the center section comprises a center section diameter relative to the roller axis that is greater than a first side section diameter of the first side section relative to the roller axis, and wherein the center section diameter is greater than a second side section diameter of the second side section relative to the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the first side section, second side section, and center section of the rear drive roller rotate together in unison about the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the first side section diameter and the second side section diameter are substantially equal to each other. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, a difference between the center section diameter and the first side section diameter is 5% or more, or 10% or more, of the center section diameter at a lower end, and, optionally, wherein the difference between the center section diameter and the first side section diameter is 30% or less, or 20% or less, of the center section diameter at an upper end. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the center section diameter is 5 millimeters or more, or 10 millimeters or more, greater than the first side section diameter and, optionally, wherein the center section diameter is 20 millimeters or less, or 15 millimeters or less, than the first side section diameter. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the center section diameter is substantially uniform over 50% or more of a width of the center section as measured along the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the center section diameter is substantially uniform over a distance of 5 centimeters or more, or 10 centimeters or more, of a width of the center section as measured along the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the center section of the rear drive roller, as measured along the roller axis, comprises a center section width that is equal to or greater than a first side section width measured along the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the center section of the rear drive roller, as measured along the roller axis, comprises a center section width that is equal to or greater than a second side section width measured along the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the rear drive roller comprises a first shell, a second shell, and a shell connector, wherein the shell connector is located between the first shell and the second shell, and wherein the shell connector is fixedly attached to both the first shell and the second shell such that rotation of the first shell about the roller axis rotates the second shell about the roller axis. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect in which the rear drive roller comprises a first shell, a second shell, and a shell connector, the shell connector is configured to transmit radial forces acting on the center section of the rear drive roller in a direction towards the roller axle to the roller axle. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect in which the rear drive roller comprises a first shell, a second shell, and a shell connector, the shell connector comprises a roller axle passage through which the roller axle passes when the first shell, second shell and shell connector are assembled to form the rear drive roller. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect in which the rear drive roller comprises a first shell, a second shell, and a shell connector, the shell connector forms a portion of an exterior surface of the rear drive roller. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the drive apparatus is operably attached to a drive end of the roller axle, wherein the drive end of the roller axle is proximate one end of the rear drive roller. In one or more embodiments, the drive end of the roller axle extends out of an end of the rear drive roller proximate at least one of the first side section and the second side section. In one or more embodiments of a ground working vehicle according to the first aspect, the ground working vehicle comprises a lawn mower. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" or "the" component may include one or more of the components and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Further, the term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements. It is noted that the term "comprises" and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the accompanying description. Moreover, "a," "an," "the," "at least one," and "one or more" are used interchangeably herein. Where used herein, the terms "top" and "bottom" are used for reference relative to each other only and, depending on the orientation of the ground working vehicle when used, may or may not accurately describe the relative positions of the recited features with respect to the ground. The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the tilt latch apparatus and sashes and methods of using the same as described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following Description of Illustrative Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 it is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a ground working vehicle (e.g., a self-propelled walk-behind lawnmower) having a rear drive roller as described herein. FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of components of the ground working vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating connections between the rear drive roller and the drive apparatus. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the rear drive roller of the ground working vehicle of FIG. 1 in isolation. FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly diagram of components making up the rear drive roller and the roller axle on which the rear drive roller rotates. The figures are rendered primarily for clarity and, as a result, are not necessarily drawn to scale. Moreover, various structure / components, including but not limited to fasteners, electrical components (wiring, cables, etc.), and the like, may be shown diagrammatically or removed from some or all of the views to better illustrate aspects of the depicted embodiments, or where inclusion of such structure / components is not necessary to an understanding of the various exemplary embodiments described herein. The lack of illustration / description of such structure / components in a particular figure is, however, not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the various embodiments in any way. DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments, which may not be described and / or illustrated herein, are certainly contemplated. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, and all terms expressing direction orientation (e.g., vertical, horizontal, parallel, perpendicular, etc.) in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about. With reference to the figures of the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and assemblies throughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts one illustrative embodiment of a ground working vehicle in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. While shown in this view as a self-propelled, ground working vehicle 10, e.g., a walk-behind lawn mower (also referred to herein simply as a “vehicle” or “mower”), such a configuration is not limiting. That is, while embodiments are described herein with respect to a walk-behind mower, those of skill in the art will realize that this disclosure is equally applicable to other types of mowers, as well as to other types of ground working or turf maintenance vehicles (e.g., spreader / sprayers, debris management systems (e.g., blowers, vacuums, sweeper, etc.), and the like) without limitation. It is noted that the term “comprises” (and variations thereof) does not have a limiting meaning where this term appears in the accompanying description and claims. Further, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably herein. Moreover, relative terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “fore,” “forward,” “rear,” “aft,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and the like may be used herein and, if so, are from the perspective of one operating the mower 10 while the mower is in an operating configuration, e.g., while the mower 10 is positioned such that roller 130 and wheels 106 rest upon a generally horizontal ground surface 103 as shown in FIG. 1. These terms are used only to simplify the description, however, and not to limit the interpretation of any embodiment described. Still further, the suffixes “a” and “b” may be used throughout this description to denote various left- and right- side parts features, respectively. However, in most pertinent respects, the parts / features denoted with “a” and “b” suffixes are substantially identical to, or mirror images of, one another. It is understood that, unless otherwise noted, the description of an individual part / feature (e.g., part / feature identified with an “a” suffix) also applies to the opposing part / feature (e.g., part / feature identified with a “b” suffix). Similarly, the description of a part / feature identified with no suffix may apply, unless noted otherwise, to both the corresponding left and right part / feature. As shown in FIG. 1, the mower 10 may include a frame or chassis 102 that defines a cutting deck 104 of the mower 10 and that supports a prime mover (see ref. no. 108 in FIG. 2). In the depicted illustrative embodiment, a pair of front ground-engaging members (e.g., front wheels 106a, 106b depicted in FIG. 2) may support a front portion of the mower 10 in rolling engagement with the ground surface 103. Other configurations (e.g., all-wheel drive in which the front wheels 106 are also driven by the same or a different prime mover) and other types of ground-engaging members (e.g., wheels, rails, tracks, rollers, etc. any of which may be driven or undriven) located at any suitable position of the chassis 102 (e.g., front, sides, etc.) are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. While the prime mover 108 used in the mower 10 may be any suitable source of power (e.g., an internal combustion engine, one or more electric motors, etc.), the prime mover 108 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, configured as a single electric motor. In the depicted illustrative embodiment of mower 10, the rear of the chassis 102 is supported upon the ground surface 103 by a rear drive roller 130 coupled to left and right sides of a rear portion of the mower 10. With reference to FIG. 2, the depicted illustrative embodiment of mower 10 includes a pair of roller supports 118a and 118b attached to the chassis 102 of the mower 10 to support the rear drive roller 130 for rotation about roller axis 111. The rear drive roller 130 is, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, powered by the prime mover 108 so that the rear drive roller 130 rotates about roller axis 111 to propel the mower 10 over the ground surface 103. Although any suitable transmission configuration may be used to rotate the rear drive roller 130 about roller axis 111, in the depicted illustrative embodiment the mower 10 includes a drive pulley 112 configured for rotation by the prime mover 108 along with a chain 116 connecting the drive pulley 112 to a roller pulley 114 mounted on the roller axle 120 (the roller axle 120 can be seen more clearly in the exploded diagram of FIG. 4). As a result, rotation of the drive pulley 112 by the prime mover 108 causes the roller pulley 114 to rotate the roller axle 120 about roller axis 111 which, in turn, rotates rear drive roller 130 about roller axis 111 to propel the mower 10 over the ground surface 103. Although not required, cover 119 can be used to protect the chain 116 and pulleys 112 and 114 from debris. As noted above, any suitable transmission configuration may be used to rotate the rear drive roller 130 about roller axis 111 including, for example, a belt drive, gears, etc. the illustrative embodiment of rear drive roller 130 depicted in connection with mower 10 in both FIGS. 1-2 is an enlarged in FIG. 3. In addition to rear drive roller 130, FIG. 3 also includes roller axis 111 as well as roller pulley 114. Also seen in FIG. 3 are roller brackets 122a and 122b located on opposite ends of the roller 130. Roller brackets 122 support the roller axle 120 and roller 130 at the rear of the chassis 102 of mower 10. As described herein, roller 130 includes a center section 132 and a pair of side sections 134a and 134b, with the center section 132 being located between the side sections 134. In the depicted embodiment, the center section 132 and side sections 134 include features in the form of ribs and / or channels used to improve the ability of the roller 130 engage the surface of the ground 103 when driving the mower 10. The center section 132 has, as described herein, a center section diameter de as seen in FIG. 3 that is larger than both of the side section diameters ds. Although both of the side sections 134 have, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, the same side section diameter ds, the two side sections 134 may or may not have the same diameters. Both of the side sections 134 do, however, have a side section diameter (e.g., ds) that is less than the center section diameter de. It should be noted that the diameters discussed herein are measured based on the largest features distributed around the circumference of the section of interest. In the depicted illustrative embodiment of rear drive roller 130, transition sections are located between the center section 132 and each of the side sections 134, with the diameter of the rear drive roller 130 transitioning from the larger center section diameter de to the smaller side section diameter ds within the transition section. While a smooth transition between the different diameters may be preferable, it is not required. The larger center section diameter de provides the improvements in turning performance of the mower 10 as described herein. In particular, the smaller diameter side sections 134 exhibit either a reduced engagement with the surface of the ground or no engagement with the surface of the ground as the rear drive roller 130 is rotated about a vertical axis (with the vertical axis being generally transverse to the roller axis 111). Asa result, the rear drive roller 130 can be described as pivoting about the center section 132 as the mower 10 is turned during use. The difference in the center section diameter de and the side section diameters ds may, in one or more embodiments, be relatively small as compared to the overall diameter of the rear drive roller 130. For example, in one or more embodiments of the rear drive rollers used in mowers as described herein, the difference between the center section diameter de and the side section diameters ds may, at a lower end, be 5% or more or 10% or more of the center section diameter de to provide the improved turning abilities associated with the rear drive rollers 130 described herein. At an upper end, the difference between the center section diameter de and the side section diameters ds may be 30% or less or 20% or less of the center section diameter de to provide the stability desired during forward operation of the mower 10 in combination with the improved turning abilities associated with the rear drive rollers 130 described herein. In terms of actual dimensions, one or more embodiments of the difference between the center section diameter de and one or both of the side section diameters ds may, at a lower end, be 5 mm or more or 10 mm or more to provide the improved turning abilities associated with the rear drive rollers 130 described herein. At an upper end, the difference between the center section diameter de and one or both of the side section diameters ds may be 20 mm or less or 15 mm or less to provide the stability desired during forward operation of the mower 10 in combination with the improved turning abilities associated with the rear drive rollers 130 described herein. In one or more embodiments of the rear drive rollers as described herein, the center section 132 may have a center section diameter that is substantially uniform over a distance of 5 cm or more or 10 cm or more as measured along the roller axis 111 to provide a desired combination of turning performance and stability during forward operation of the mower 10. Any such portion of the center section 132 having a substantially uniform diameter is preferably located proximate the center of the center section 132 to provide a desired combination of turning performance and stability during forward operation of the mower 10. In one or more embodiments, the center section diameter may be substantially uniform over 50%, or more of the width of the center section 132 as measured along the roller axis 111 to provide a desired combination of turning performance and stability during forward operation of the mower 10. In one or more embodiments of the rear drive rollers as described herein, the center section 132 may have a center section width we measured along the roller axis 111 that is equal to or greater than one or both side section widths ws of the side sections 134 (where the widths of the transition sections between the center section and the adjacent side sections is not included in the width of any of the center section or side sections). This relationship between the center section width and the side section widths may assist in providing the desired combination of turning performance and stability during forward operation of the mower 10. The exploded assembly diagram of FIG. 4 can be used to describe the support by and connection between the roller axle 120 and the rear drive roller 130 used in the depicted illustrative embodiment of mower 10. The roller axle 120 supports the rear drive roller 130 between a pair of brackets 122a and 122b, with the brackets 122 being attached to the roller supports 118 used to support the roller axle 120 and roller 130 as discussed in connection with FIG. 2. Each of the brackets 122 include bushings, bearings, and / or other components to support the ends of the roller axle 120 while allowing roller axle 120 to rotate about roller axis 111 as described herein. As seen m FIG. 4, drive end 125 of roller axle 120 has a noncircular shape that is complementary with the opening 115 in roller pulley 114 such that rotation of roller pulley 114 about roller axis 111 causes roller axle 120 to rotate about roller axis 111. Rotation of roller axle 120 about roller axis 111 is transferred to rear drive roller 130 by, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, a drive pin 126 located in bore 127 in roller axle 120. Drive pin 126 fits within a complementary slot 136 in rear drive roller 130. As a result, rotation of roller axle 120 about roller axis 111 causes rear drive roller 130 to also rotate about roller axis 111. The depicted arrangement including drive pin 126 and complementary slot 136 is only one example of many different structures or mechanisms they can be used to transfer rotation of the roller axle to the rear drive roller and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Also depicted in FIG. 4 is one illustrative embodiment of components that may be assembled to form a rear drive roller as described herein. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the rear drive roller includes a first shell 141, a second shell 142 and a shell connector 143. The shell connector 143 is located between the first shell 141 and the second shell 142. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the shell connector 143 is fixedly attached to both the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 such that rotation of the first shell about the roller axis 111 rotates the shell connector 143 and the second shell 142 about the roller axis 111. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the shell connector 143 forms a portion of the exterior surface of the rear drive roller 130, such that a portion of the center section 132 of the rear drive roller 130 is formed by the shell connector 143. One or more alternative embodiments may include a shell connector that does not form a portion of the exterior surface of the rear drive roller 130 and is, instead, located within the interior of the rear drive roller. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the shell connector 143 includes connection posts 146 configured to mate with features located within the first shell 141 to connect shell connector 143 to first shell 141 such that shell connector 143 is fixedly connected to first shell 141. In one or more embodiments, threaded fasteners located within connection posts 146 may be driven into receiving orifices in first shell 141. Shell connector 143 also includes connection posts 147 configured to mate with features located within the second shell 142 to connect shell connector 143 two the second shell such that the shell connector 143 is also fixedly attached to the second shell 142. In one or more embodiments, threaded fasteners may be driven into the connection posts through the end of the second shell opposite the shell connector 143 to complete assembly and connection of the first shell 141, second shell 142 and shell connector 143. In addition to the connection posts 146 / 147 and associated fasteners, each of the first and second shells 141 and 142 may include tabs 144 and recesses 145 that mate within the shell connector 143 two provide additional rigidity to the connections between the first shell 141, second shell 142, and shell connector 143. It will be understood that the components and their arrangement of the illustrative embodiment of rear drive roller 130 are only one example of many different components and arrangements that could be used to provide a unitary rear drive roller 130 as described herein. In the depicted illustrative embodiment of rear drive roller 130, shell connector 143 also includes a roller axle passage 148 through which the roller axle 120 passes when the rear drive roller 130 is assembled and positioned on the roller axle 120. In one or more embodiments, the roller axle passage 148 and roller axle 120 may be sized such that radial forces acting on the center section 132 of the rear drive roller 130 in a direction towards the roller axle 120 are transmitted to the roller axle 120. Such a construction may limit bowing or deflection of the rear drive roller 130 during use because the center section 132 is fully supported by the roller axle 120. Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of rear drive roller 130 is constructed as a combination of components assembled to form a finished rear drive roller 130, one or more alternative embodiments of rear drive rollers that may be used in the ground working vehicles as described herein may include rear drive rollers 5 manufactured of a single unitary block of material (that is, for example, machined, cast, or otherwise formed as needed) or rear drive rollers manufactured of two or more different components that may be assembled to provide a finished rear drive roller capable of functioning as described herein. Illustrative embodiments of ground working vehicles are discussed herein with 10 some possible variations described. These and other variations and modifications in the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof. It should also be understood that 15 embodiments of this invention also may be suitably practiced in the absence of any element not specifically disclosed as necessary herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ground working vehicle comprising:a cutting deck;front ground engaging members rotatably attached to the cutting deck and operable to support a front of the cutting deck relative to a ground surface;a roller axle rotatably attached to the cutting deck proximate a rear of the cutting deck;a drive apparatus operably attached to the cutting deck and the roller axle, wherein the drive apparatus is configured to rotate the roller axle about a roller axis extending along a length of the roller axle;a rear drive roller mounted on the roller axle, wherein rotation of the roller axle about the roller axis rotates the rear drive roller about the roller axis to drive the vehicle over ground, wherein the rear drive roller comprises a first side section, a second side section, and a center section located between the first side section and the section,wherein the center section comprises a center section diameter relative to the roller axis that is greater than a first side section diameter of the first side section relative to the roller axis,and wherein the center section diameter is greater than a second side section diameter of the second side section relative to the roller axis.

2. The ground working vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first side section, second side section, and center section of the rear drive roller rotate together in unison about the roller axis.

3. The ground working vehicle of either one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first side section diameter and the second side section diameter are substantially equal to each other.

4. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a difference between the center section diameter and the first side section diameter is 5% or more, or 10% or more, of the center section diameter at a lower end, and, optionally, wherein the difference between the center section diameter and the first side section diameter is 30% or less, or 20% or less, of the center section diameter at an upper end.

5. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the center section diameter is 5 millimeters or more, or 10 millimeters or more, greater than the first side section diameter and, optionally, wherein the center section diameter is 20 millimeters or less, or 15 millimeters or less, than the first side section diameter.

6. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the center section diameter is substantially uniform over 50% or more of a width of the center section as measured along the roller axis.

7. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the center section diameter is substantially uniform over a distance of 5 centimeters or more, or 10 centimeters or more, of a width of the center section as measured along the roller axis.

8. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims wherein, as measured along the roller axis, the center section of the rear drive roller comprises a center section width that is equal to or greater than a first side section width measured along the roller axis.

9. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims wherein, asmeasured along the roller axis, the center section of the rear drive roller comprises a center section width that is equal to or greater than a second side section width measured along the roller axis.

10. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear drive roller comprises a first shell, a second shell, and a shell connector, wherein the shell connector is located between the first shell and the second shell, and wherein the shell connector is fixedly attached to both the first shell and the second shell such that rotation of the first shell about the roller axis rotates the second shell about the roller axis.

11. The ground working vehicle of claim 10, wherein the shell connector is configured to transmit radial forces acting on the center section of the rear drive roller in a direction towards the roller axle to the roller axle.

12. The ground working vehicle of any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the shellconnector comprises a roller axle passage through which the roller axle passes when the first shell, second shell and shell connector are assembled to form the rear drive roller.

13. The ground working vehicle of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the shell connector forms a portion of an exterior surface of the rear drive roller.

14. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the driveapparatus is operably attached to a drive end of the roller axle, wherein the drive end of the roller axle is proximate one end of the rear drive roller.

15. The ground working vehicle of claim 14, wherein the drive end of the roller axle extends out of an end of the rear drive roller proximate at least one of the first side section and the second side section.

16. The ground working vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ground working vehicle comprises a lawn mower.

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