Mower Deck Transport Lock Pedal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mower deck transport locks are not low cost, lightweight, and require significant assembly time, and often necessitate the operator to remove their hands from the control levers or steering wheel to engage or disengage, with no option to bypass the lock when the deck is fully raised.
Innovation Solution
A mower deck transport lock featuring a striker bracket that engages a height of cut stop at multiple positions, a transport lock pin, and a disengagement pedal allowing engagement and disengagement without hand removal, with the option to bypass the lock when fully raised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing transport lock mechanisms are used, then the deck can be locked at transport height, but the mechanism is complex, heavy, and requires significant assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The transport lock mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a transport lock pin that can be independently engaged or disengaged from the striker bracket, allowing the locking function to be segmented from the overall deck height adjustment mechanism. This reduces complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport lock pin is extracted as a separate, simple component that can be independently controlled from the main height adjustment system. This extraction allows the transport lock to function independently without requiring the complex integrated mechanisms of prior art.
2Reliability
If existing transport lock mechanisms are used, then the deck can be locked at transport height, but the operator must remove hands from control levers or steering wheel to engage or disengage
Solution Approach 1:
A pedal actuator serves as an intermediary between the operator's foot and the transport lock pin. The pedal mechanism translates foot pressure into the mechanical action of engaging or disengaging the lock pin, allowing hands-free operation while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport lock mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the pedal system. When the pedal is pressed, it automatically engages or disengages the lock pin without requiring manual intervention, making the system serve itself through the operator's existing foot-controlled inputs.
3Reliability
If existing transport lock mechanisms are used, then the deck can be locked at transport height, but there is no option to bypass the lock when the deck is fully raised
Solution Approach 1:
The transport lock system is designed with dynamic controllability, allowing the operator to engage or disengage the lock pin at any deck height position through pedal actuation. This dynamic control provides flexibility to bypass the lock when needed while maintaining reliable locking when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the operational state of the transport lock (engaged or disengaged) independent of deck height position. The pedal actuator enables parameter change of the lock state without requiring the deck to be at a specific height, providing operational versatility while maintaining locking reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A mower deck transport lock includes a striker bracket mounted to a rock shaft and extending downwardly and forwardly to engage a height of cut support at any of a plurality of height of cut positions. A transport lock pin positioned adjacent the height of cut support can slide between a first position and a second position. A spring biases the transport lock pin toward the first position and into engagement with the striker bracket to support the mower deck at a transport height above the plurality of height of cut positions. A transport lock disengagement pedal urges the transport lock pin to slide towards the second position to disengage the transport lock pin from the striker bracket.