The starting of the internal combustion engines of lawn mowers until just recently has always involved manually pulling on a starter rope. The rope was either manually wound about a pulley fixed to the engine crankshaft, or, where the engine was equipped with a rewind type starter, it was attached to a pulley acted upon by a spring to retract and rewind the rope onto the pulley whenever it was released. But, in all cases, the rope had to be manually pulled to start the engine.
Recently, however, some mower manufacturers have adopted a wind-up spring motor type of starter mechanism. These starter devices are energized, that is, their springs are wound up by hand, usually by turning a crank, and they are so connected with the engine that upon release of the force stored in the wound up spring, they impart engine-starting rotation to the crankshaft. Although the adoption of such wind-up spring motor engine starters has been hailed in some quarters as an improvement of great magnitude, the need for stooping over and manually winding up the spring is still an inconvenience, and, in fact, hazardous in the case of rotary mowers, since it necessitates the operator placing himself close to the orbit of the revolving cutter blade. In contrast, the present invention retains all the advantages of the wind-up spring motor starter but, in addition, provides a safer, more facile way of energizing the spring motor, since it completely eliminates the need for stooping over and manually winding up the spring.
To this end, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power lawn mower equipped with a wind-up spring motor type engine starter which may be wound up or energized by simply rolling the mower along the ground for a short distance, and wherein the force stored in the spring may be released to start the engine by simply moving a small release lever conveniently located on the handle of the mower.
Another object of this invention is to provide a power lawn mower with an engine starting mechanism which is substantially entirely containedwithin one of the wheels of the mower.
Another object of this invention is mechanism for power lawn mowers which is so flexible in design and adaptation that it may be applied to the lawn mowers of practically any lawn mower manufacturer.
A further object of this invention is to provide a power lawn mower having an engine starter mechanism built into it, and of such simple and rugged design and construction to provide a starter as to be fully capable of withstanding the rough handling to which equipment of this nature is subjected in use.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an engine starter for power lawn mowers which requires no strength or skill to operate.
With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment 3-,@84,b79 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come Within the scope of the claims.
The accompanying drawings illustrate several complete examples of the physical embodiments of the invention constructed according to the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a lawn mower of the rotary type embodying this invention, and wherein the right rear wheel of the mower houses the starter mechanism;
FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through the right rear wheel or the mower on an enlarged scale and taken generally on the plane of the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1, illustrating the starter mechanism in its clutch-engaged condition, in which condition rotation of the wheel as a result of forward movement of the mower, winds up the spring of the starter mechanism; FIGURE 3 is a View similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the starter mechanism in its clutch-disengaged condition, in which condition the force of the spring has been released;
FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective View of the starter mechanism showing the parts thereof substantially in their order of assembly;
FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG- URE 2, but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing the starter mechanism in its clutch disengaged condinon;
Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings and, more especially, to FIGURES 1 through 4 which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates generally the chassis of a rotarytype lawn mower which, as is customary, comprises an inverted pan-like body 6 having a deck 7 and a depending skirt 8. Three wheels 9 and one wheel 9:: support the chassis for free movement over the ground, and a handle 19, connected with the chassis, provides means for manually pushing the mower along, or guiding it, if it is of the self-propelled variety.
The mower is equipped with the customary cutter blade 11 located below the deck and inside the skirt, to be revolved at high speed by an internal combustion engine 12 mounted above the deck. The cutter blade lil is ordinarily secured directly to the lower depending end of the engine crankshaft; and at its top the engine mounts a rewind rope starter mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 13. This rewind rope starter may be like that of the Perry Mack Patent No. 2,564,787, issued August 21, 1951. It includes a pulley 114, to which one end of a rope 15 is attached and about which the adjacent end portion of the rope is wound. A rewind spring (not shown) acts upon the pulley to cause the same to rewind the rope thereon after each pull on the rope. Suitable unidirectional clutch means (not shown) connect-s the pulley 14 with the adjacent upper end of the crankshaft whenever the rope is pulled.
Heretofore, the rope had to be pulled manually, i.e. the operator merely grasped a handle on the end of the rope and pulled on it to start the engine. The present invention obviates the need for manually pulling on the starter rope and, instead, supplies a wind-up spring motor 20 for this purpose. This spring motor is operatively connected with the engine through the rope 15 and the rewind starter 13 to apply engine starting rotation to the crankshaft of the engine upon release of the force stored in the spring motor, providing, of course, that the motor has been wound up or energized. The manner in which the motor spring is wound up constitutes a major feature of this invention. Another feature is the particular construction of the spring motor and its location on the mower.
The spring motor 20 is built into one wheel of the mower, preferably its right rear wheel 9a. This wheel is mounted on a short, fixed axle or spindle 21 secured to and projecting laterally from the adjacent portion of the skirt 8, as at 22. The wheel is cup-shaped and has a sidewall 23 with a hub 24 at its center, and a rim 25 at its periphery carrying a tire 26. The wheel is not journalled directly upon its axle, but upon the hub 27 of a combined spring housing and fixed gear unit 22%. The hub 27 is keyed to the axle and clamped against a shoulder 29 thereon.
A plate 36 is detachably secured to the rim 25 of the wheel to close its open side and thereby form an enclosure for the starter mechanism. A hub 31 on this plate, coaxial with the hub 24 of the wheel, coacts with the wheel hub to freely rotatably mount the wheel. A cam sleeve 32, slidable and rotatable on the axle, and the hub 33 of a rope pulley 34, which is journalled on the cam sleeve, are interposed between the axle and the bore of the hub 31. Hence, the hub 31, like the wheel hub, is indirectly journalled upon the axle. The wheel is thus freely rotatable not only about its axle, but also about the combined spring housing and stationary gear unit Inside the combined spring housing and stationary gear unit 28, which is also cup-shaped and preferably a die casting, is the spring 35 of the wind-up spring motor. This spring, as is customary, is a spiral coil, like an ordinary clock spring. Its outer end is anchored by being secured to the unit 28 by means of a post 36 onto which the looped end of the spring is attached. The other, inner end of the spring is hooked onto a claw 37 of a spring winder 88.
The spring winder 38 is essentially an annulus or bushing having a non-circular hole 39 in which an axially shiftable clutch collar 40 of corresponding non-circular shape is slidably received. The clutch collar 4d has a round hole 41 which fits freely onto the end of the sleeve 32 and a threaded counterhore 4? into which the adjacent end of the pulley hub 33 is screwed. The rope pulley and the clutch collar 4% are thus connected together to form, in efiect, one unit, and except for assembly requirements, could be one integral part.
By virtue of the non-circular shape of the clutch collar and the hole in the spring driver in which it is received, torque applied to the spring driver 3% by the spring as it unwinds, is also applied to the rope pulley and, as a result, the rope pulley is spun rapidly upon release of the wound-up spring. It is, of course, to be understood that the claw 37 is so disposed on the spring driver that its connection with the spring enables the transmission of torque to the spring driver from the spring as it unwinds, and from the driver to the spring as the spring is wound up.
A pair of axially aligned radial pins 43 fixed in the clutch collar have their inner ends projecting into an annular groove 44 in the cam sleeve 32, so that the clutch collar and the rope pulley, while free to turn on the cam sleeve, are held against axial shifting with respect thereto. This enables the cam sleeve to shift the clutch collar axially to effect engagement and disengagement of the clutch, without interfering with rotation of the connected clutch collar and rope pulley.
A guide in the form of an eye or fair- lead 45 fixed to the chassis, guides the rope and holds its end portion which is attached to the pulley 34-, substantially in tangential alignment therewith. Obviously, of course, any other suitable guide means such as an idler pulley may be used, as long as it guides the rope without chafing. The direction in which the rope is reeved about the pulley 34 is such that, as the pulley is spun by the unwinding spring, the rope will be rapidly wound about the pulley. This applies the desired engine starting pull on the rope.
By the same token, as the spring is wound up, the rope pulley 34 turning with the spring driver 38, rotates in the opposite direction, and thus allows the rewind pulley.14 on the engine to keep the rope taut and unwind the same from the pulley 34.
Rotation of the wheel 9a in the forward direction as the mower is pushed forwardly along the ground, turns the spring winder 38 in the direction to wind up the spring, provided that the clutch of the starter mechanism is engaged. The complementary components of the clutch are the collar 40 and a driver disc 50. These parts have inter engageable clutch teeth or jaws 40 and Sil the engagement of which is controlled by the cam sleeve 32. To this end, the earn sleeve has a helically disposed cam track 51 extending around part of its circumference and in which a pin 52 fixed.to the axle 21 is received. Preferably, the ends of the cam track 51 are parallel with one another and normal to the axis of the sleeve for a distance sufficient to receive the pin 52 therein. This assures against accidental shifting of the cam sleeve from either of its two extreme positions.
To enable intentional shifting of the cam sleeve, a lever 53 is secured to its outer end, and this lever is in turn connected to a control lever 54 by means of a Bowden wire 54′. The control lever 54 may be mounted wherever convenient, and normally is located on the handle 10.
With the clutch engaged, as shown in FIGURE 2, the inner end of the spring is connected to the driver disc 50. Hence, rotation imparted to the driver disc 50, is also transmitted to the spring driver 38. To enable the driver disc to rotate and also to keep it properly centered, it is seated in a counterbore 23′ in the combined spring housing and fixed gear unit. Rotation is imparted to the driver disc from the wheel by planetary gearing. This gearing comprises a stationary internal ring gear 55, which forms part of the unit 28, a sun gear 56, which forms part of the plate 30, and hence may be considered part of the wheel, and a pair of planet gears 57 journalled on stub shafts ’58 fixed to the driver disc and meshing with the stationary ring gear and the rotatable sun gear.
Through this planetary gearing rotation of the wheel 9a in the forward direction rotates the spring driver 38 in the direction to wind up the spring, and it is significant that because of the mechanical advantage gained through the gearing, the winding of the pring requires practically no effort. It is accomplished without stooping or any other inconvenience by pushing the mower forwardly for a distanoe of 15 or 20 feet. If the mower is moved too far, that is, beyond the point at which the spring is wound up, the tire of the wheel 9a simply slides over the turf or ground, and by its frictional engagement with the ground the Wheel holds the spring in its wound-up condition.
During the winding up of the spring in the manner described, the rewind starter pulley on the engine winds the adjacent end portion of the rope onto itself, as already described, so that the starter mechanism is in condition to impart rapidly accelerating rotation to the crankshaft the instant the force in the wound-up spring is released. To release the force of the Wound-up spring, it is only necessary to rock the lever 5-3 by means of the control lever 54 to cause the cam sleeve to rotate and, by such rotation, impart clutch disengaging endwise movement to the clutch collar 40. The instant the clutch teeth or jaws disengage, the rope pulley 34 is spun by the unwinding spring to pull on the starter rope and start the engine.
Attention is directed to the exceptional compactness of the structure. It requires pnactioally no increase in the length of the axle 21 upon which the wheel 9a is mounted.
Another advantage of the described structure is that it does not interfere with raising or lowering of the wheel 9:: along with the other wheels of the mower to adjust the elevation of the cutter blade, in those instances Where the mower is equipped with wheels that can be raised and lowered for this purpose.
Still another advantage of the structure just described is that all the mechanism of the spring motor is not only compactly located within one of the wheels of the mower, but is eifectively sealed therein against dirt and dust.
The form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 5-8, inclusive, is very much like the preferred embodiment of the invention, since it too has the spring motor contained within the right rear wheel 9a of the mower, but it does not have quite the compactness of the preferred embodiment and therefore entails increasing the overall width of the wheel.
In this modified embodiment of the invention, it is the inner end of the spiral spring 35 which is anchored, and the outer end which is connected to the rope pulley 59. To anchor the inner end of the spring, a hub 60 is keyed and fixed to the axle 61 upon which the wheel 9a is mounted, and the end of the spring is curled and hooked onto a shoulder 62 on this hub. The axle 61, as in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is secured to and projects out from the adjacent portion of the skirt of the chassis.
The bearings for the wheel, which is also cup-shaped, are provided by the wheel hub 63 and a hub 64 at the center of a cover plate 65 detachably secured to the rim of the Wheel. The wheel hub 63 is journalled directly on the axle but the hub 64 is journalled on the hub 66 of the rope pulley 6-7, which, in turn, is journalled on a cam sleeve 68 slidably and rotatably mounted on the axle. The wheel is thus supported for free rotation by relatively widely spaced bearings; and since the cover plate 65 closes the open side of the wheel, it cooperates with the wheel to provide a totally closed housing for the spring motor.
The unanchored outer end of the spring must be positively connected with the rope pulley so that the latter partakes of all motion of this end of the spring. To provide this connection, the outer end of the spring is looped about a pin 70 fixed to an arm 71 integral with and extending radially from the hub 66 of the rope pulley.
The outer end of the spring must also be releasably connectible with the wheel so that the spring may be wound up by rotation of the wheel as the mower is rolled over the ground. For this purpose, the pin ’70 is projectible beyond the looped outer end of the spring and through the bottom Wall of a cupped shell ’72. in which the spring is coiled, to overlie the periphery of an intenal ring gear 73. This ring gear is rotatably supported coaxially of the wheel on a flange 74 on the stationary hub 6i? and is confined between the bottom of the shell ’72 and the adjacent side of the wheel. Three drive lugs 75 project radially from the periphery of the ring gear. Thus, if the pin 70 is in its projected position (shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates the device in its clutch-engaged condition) overlying the periphery of the ring gear, it lies in the path of the drive lugs, and will be engaged by the nearest one of these lugs as the ring gear turns. In this manner rotation of the ring gear will be imparted to the unanchored outer end of the spring and the rope pulley 67.
The ring gear 73 is at all times drivingly connected with the wheel through planetary gearing comprising a sun gear 76 formed on the hub 63 of the wheel, and a planet gear 77 journalled on a stub shaft 7 8 and meshing with the sun gear and the internal ring gear. The stub shaft ’78 is fixed to the flange 74 about which the ring gear turns.
Hence, if the mechanism is in its clutch engaged condition, forward rotation of the wheels winds up the spring, and by resisting retrograde rotation when the forward propulsion of the mower is stopped, the Wheel holds the spring in its energized or wound-up condition.
The pin ’70 and the drive lugs 75 thus constitute the pliances or implements cooperating elements of the clutch in this embodiment of the invention, and as in the preferred embodiment, engagement and disengagement of the clutch is controlled by the cam sleeve 68. To this end, the hub 66 is secured against endwise displacement with respect to the cam sleeve by being confined between a shoulder 79 thereon and a release lever 80 secured to the end of the cam sleeve. A helical cam track 81 in the cam sleeve and a pin 82 fixed in the stationary hub 60 and engaged in the cam track translates rotation of the cam sleeve into axial clutch-engaging or clutch-disengaging motion of the cam sleeve. Such rotation may be imparted to the cam sleeve from a remote point, as for instance from the handle of the mower by means of the release lever 83 secured to the cam sleeve and to which a Bowden wire 84 is attached. Axial motion of the cam sleeve in one direction projects the pin into the path of the lugs 73 and, in the other direction, withdraws the pin 70 from in front of the adjacent lug 75.
In the two embodiments of the invention thus far described, the complete Windup spring motor is contained within one of the wheels of the mower. Another way of adapting the concept is illustrated in FIGURE 8 wherein the windup spring motor unit, indicated generally by the numeral 90, is hingedly mounted on the chassis of the mower, as at 91, and has a friction roller 92 positioned to engage the tread of the wheel 93 when the spring motor unit is not supported in an elevated, inoperative position.
Rotation of the roller 92′ by forward propulsion of the mower winds up the spring of the motor unit and, when it is wound up, the engagement of the roller 92 with the wheel 93 holds the spring in its tensioned or wound-up condition. Lifting of the entire spring motor unit thus is all that is needed to release the force stored in the Wound up spring; and as in the other embodiment of the invention the release of this spring force spins the rope pulley connected with the spring motor to wind the rope thereon. The mechanism by which rotation of the roller 92 winds up the spring has not been illustrated since it could be simply a modification of the comparable mechanism of the fully described embodiments of the invention.
Any suitable means, as for instance a link 94 connected to the housingof the spring motor unit and leading to the handle, may be provided to lift the spring motor to its inoperative position to release the spring force; and although the weight of the motor alone is normally sufiicient to maintain good tractive engagement between the roller 92 and the tread of the wheel tire, a spring (not shown) may be added for this purpose, if desired.
From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that this invention achieves the utmost convenience and simplicity in the starting of lawn mower engines. It will also be understood that although the invention has been described as an improvement in lawn mowers, which is undoubtedly its primary concern, there are other engine powered apwhich would be ‘benefitted by this invention. Engine powered snow blowers, lawn sweepers, and soil tillers are illustrations of these other possible fields of use for the invention.
Lawn Mower Blades 101: Understanding Proper Blade Maintenance
Means for starting an internal combustion engine which is mounted upon a wheeled chassis, the engine being equipped with a rewind-type rope starter mechanism wherein a pull on the starting rope effects starting of the engine, said means comprising: a ground engaging wheel on the chassis; a rope pulley; means rotatably mounting the rope pulley on the chassis adjacent to said ground engaging wheel, the end of the starting rope being attached to the rope pulley so that rotation of the pulley in one direction winds the rope thereon and applies an engine-starting pull on the rope, while rotation of the pulley in the opposite direction allows the rope to be unwound from the pulley and retrieved by the starter mechanism; a spiral spring coaxial with the rope pulley; spring anchoring means fixed with respect to the chassis and having one end of the spring attached thereto; a torque transmitting connection between the other end of the spring and the rope pulley through which rotation is imparted to the pulley in the direction to allow the rope to be retrieved by the starter mechanism as the spring is being wound up and in the opposite direction when the wound-up spring is released; and manually controlled means to releasably drivingly connect said other end of the spring with said ground engaging wheel so that the spring may be wound up by pushing the chassis along the ground and released at will to rapidly rotate the rope pulley and thereby impart an engine starting pull on the rope.
Means for starting an internal combustion engine which is mounted on the deck of a wheeled chassis of a power lawn mower adapted to be operated by a person walking behind the mower, the engine having a crankshaft and a uni-directional starting clutch which has cooperable driving and driven elements and is located at an end of the crankshaft above the deck of the lawnmower,
said means comprising: a ground-engaging wheel on the chassis to turn as the mower is manually propelled across the ground; a spiral spring having an anchored end and a live end; first motion-transmitting means, including a manually controllable clutch device, to operatively connect the live end of the spring with the ground-engaging wheel, and through which means rotation of said wheel winds up the spring when the clutch device is engaged; second motion-transmitting means operatively connecting the live end of the spring with the starting clutch, and
by which release of energy stored in the spring can impart engine starting torque to the crankshaft through the starting clutch; one of said two motion-transmitting means including a first pulley mounted on the engine in juxtaposition to the starting clutch and rotatable about the axis of thecrankshaft, a second pulley rotatable about the axis of the ground-engaging wheel, meansat all times attaching the live end of the spring to one of the pulleys, and a rope having one end attached to one of the pulleys to ‘be wound about said pulley in consequence of rotation thereof, and having its opposite end similarly attached to the other pulley so that rotation of either pulley in the direction to wind the rope thereon transmits rotation to the other pulley; and manually operable means to selectively effect engagement and/or disengagement of the manually controllable clutch device.
Means for starting an internal combustion engine which is mounted on the deck of a wheeled chassis of a power lawn mower adapted to be operated by a person walking behind the mower, the engine having a vertically disposed crankshaft and a unidirectional starting clutch at the upper end of the crankshaft, said means comprising: a ground-engaging wheel on the chassis rotatable on a horizontal axis below the level of the chassis deck as the mower is manually propelled across the ground; a spiral spring having an anchored end and a live end; first motion transmitting means, including a manually controllable clutch device, to operatively connect the live end of the spring with the ground engaging wheel, and through which means notation of said wheel winds up the spring when the clutch device is engaged; second motionetransmitting means operatively connecting the live end of the spring with the starting clutch, and by which release of energy stored in the spring can impart engine starting torque to the crankshaft through the starting clutch; one of said two motion-transmitting means including a first pulley mounted on the engine above the starting clutch and rotatable about the vertical axis of the crankshaft, a second pulley rotatable about the horizontal axis of the groundengaging wheel, means at all times attaching the live end of the spring to one of the pulleys, and a rope having one end attached to one of the pulleys to be wound about the pulley upon rotation of the same in one direction and having its opposite end similarly attached to the other pulley so that rotation of either pulley in the direction to wind the rope thereon transmits rotation to the other pulley; and manually operable means to selectively elfect engagement and/or disengagement of the manually controllable clutch device.
The structural combination of claim 2, wherein the pulley which is adjacent to the designated end of the crankshaft is dr-ivingly connected to the driving element of the starter clutch.
The structural combination of claim 3, wherein the pulley which is above the starter clutch is drivingly connected to the driving element of the starter clutch.
Means for starting an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and which is mounted on the deck of :a wheeled chassis of a power lawn mower adapted to be operated by a person walking behind the mower, said engine also having a unidirectional starting’clutch which has cooperable driving and driven elements and through which starting torque may be imparted to its crankshaft, said means comprising: a ground-engaging wheel on the chassis to turn as the mower is manually propelled across the ground; a spring; first motion transmitting means, including a manually controllable clutch device, to operatively connect the spring with the ground engaging wheel, and through which means rotation of said wheel tensions the spring when the clutch device is engaged; second motion transmitting means operatively connecting the spring with the starting clutch and by which release of the energy stored in the spring can impart engine starting torque to the crankshaft through the stanting clutch; one of said motion transmitting means including a finst rotatable element mounted on the engine in juxtaposition to the starting clutch, a second rotatable element rotatable about the axis of the ground-engaging wheel, means connecting the spring with one of the rotatable elements, and an elongated flexible driving element passing through the plane of the mower deck and having a portion thereof above the deck, one end of said flexible element terminating at and being connected with one of said rotatable elements and its opposite end terminating at and being connected with the other rotatable element so that rotation of each of said elements in one direction transmits rotation in one direction to the other rotatable element, regardless of the relative positions of said rotatable elements; and manually operable means to selectively elfect engagement and/ or disengagement of the manually controllable clutch device.
Means for starting an internal combustion engine which is mounted upon the wheeled chassis of a handcontrolled walking-attendant type engine powered implement, comprising: :a ground-engaging wheel on the chassis of the implement to turn as the implement is manually propelled along the ground; a wind-up spring motor inside said ground-engaging wheel; means operatively connecting said spring motor with the engine and through which release of energy stored in the spring motor acts to start the engine, said spring motor being normally unwound; manually controllable means to operatively connect the spring of the motor with said ground-engaging wheel and through which rotation of said wheel as the implement is manually pnopelled along the ground acts to wind up the spring of the spring motor; and manually controllable means to effect release of the energy stored in the spring motor.
Means for starting an internal combustion engine which is mounted upon the deck of a wheeled chassis of a hand-controlled walking-attendant type engine powered implement, the engine having a crankshaft, comprising: a ground-engaging wheel on the chassis of the implement to turn as the implement is manually propelled along the ground providing said Wheel is in tractive engagement with the ground; a spring motor; an anchor for the spring fixed With respect to the chassis and having one end of the spring attached thereto; means to operatively connect the other end of the spring with the ground-engaging Wheel so that the spring may be tensioned by manually propelling the chassis along the ground; and means to operatively connect said other end of the spring with the crankshaft of the engine and through which release of the energy stored in the tensioned spring acts to impart engine-starting torque to the crankshaft of the engine, said last named means including a flexible tension member in passing through the general plane of the deck of the chassis and having a part thereof disposed above the deck, the flexible nature of said tension member affording a wide choice in the location of the engine on the chassis deck.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,307,941 Townsend June 24, 1919 2,182,529 Wyrick Dec. 5, 1939 2,623,603 Cutlan et al Dec. 30, 1952 2,767,808 Nicolls Oct. 23, 1956 2,912,966 Mitchell Nov. 17, 1959
How to correctly install a mower blade
Claims ( 1 )
MEANS FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WHICH IS MOUNTED UPON A WHEELED CHASSIS, THE ENGINE BEING EQUIPPED WITH A REWIND-TYPE ROPE STARTER MECHANISM WHEREIN A PULL ON THE STARTING ROPE EFFECTS STARTING OF THE ENGINE, SAID MEANS COMPRISING: A GROUND ENGAGING WHEEL ON THE CHASSIS; A ROPE PULLEY; MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTING THE ROPE PULLEY ON THE CHASSIS ADJACENT TO SAID GROUND ENGAGING WHEEL, THE END OF THE STARTING ROPE BEING ATTACHED TO THE ROPE PULLEY SO THAT ROTATION OF THE PULLEY IN ONE DIRECTION WINDS THE ROPE THEREON AND APPLIES AN ENGINE-STARTING PULL ON THE ROPE, WHILE ROTATION OF THE PULLEY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ALLOWS THE ROPE TO BE UNWOUND FROM THE PULLEY AND RETRIEVED BY THE STARTER MECHANISM; A SPIRAL SPRING COAXIAL WITH THE ROPE PULLEY; SPRING ANCHORING MEANS FIXED WITH RESPECT TO THE CHASSIS AND HAVING ONE END OF THE SPRING ATTACHED THERETO; A TORQUE TRANSMITTING CONNECTION BETWEEN THE OTHER END OF THE SPRING AND THE ROPE PULLEY THROUGH WHICH ROTATION IS IMPARTED TO THE PULLEY IN THE DIRECTION TO ALLOW THE ROPE TO BE RETRIEVED BY THE STARTER MECHANISM AS THE SPRING IS BEING WOUND UP AND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHEN THE WOUND-UP SPRING IS RELEASED; AND MANUALLY CONTROLLED MEANS TO RELEASABLY DRIVINGLY CONNECT SAID OTHER END OF THE SPRING WITH SAID GROUND ENGAGING WHEEL SO THAT THE SPRING MAY BE WOUND UP BY PUSHING THE CHASSIS ALONG THE GROUND AND RELEASED AT WILL TO RAPIDLY ROTATE THE ROPE PULLEY AND THEREBY IMPART AN ENGINE STARTING PULL ON THE ROPE.
US813750A 1959-05-18 1959-05-18 Power lawn mower with built-in engine starter Expired. Lifetime US3084679A ( en )
Priority Applications (1)
| US813750A US3084679A ( en ) | 1959-05-18 | 1959-05-18 | Power lawn mower with built-in engine starter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| US813750A US3084679A ( en ) | 1959-05-18 | 1959-05-18 | Power lawn mower with built-in engine starter |
Family Applications (1)
| US813750A Expired. Lifetime US3084679A ( en ) | 1959-05-18 | 1959-05-18 | Power lawn mower with built-in engine starter |
Cited By (5)
| US3594996A ( en ) | 1969-03-20 | 1971-07-27 | John J Horan | Low-profile and push-start lawnmowers and their engines |
| WO2003006823A1 ( en ) | 2001-07-13 | 2003-01-23 | Briggs Stratton Corporation | Engine starting and stopping device |
| US20040244754A1 ( en ) | 2003-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | Smith Charles K. | Lawn mower with power-assisted starter |
| US20100132650A1 ( en ) | 2008-12-03 | 2010-06-03 | Eakins Jr Charles Arthur | Recoil starter system |
| US20100170465A1 ( en ) | 2008-12-03 | 2010-07-08 | Eakins Jr Charles Arthur | Recoil starter system |
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| US2767808A ( en ) | 1953-12-08 | 1956-10-23 | Cav Ltd | Starting mechanism for internal combustion engines |
| US2912966A ( en ) | 1957-10-07 | 1959-11-17 | Greeley S Mitchell | Power lawn mower having starting mechanism easily available to operator |
Cited By (9)
| US3594996A ( en ) | 1969-03-20 | 1971-07-27 | John J Horan | Low-profile and push-start lawnmowers and their engines |
| US6622683B2 ( en ) | 1998-10-30 | 2003-09-23 | Briggs Stratton Corporation | Engine starting and stopping device |
| WO2003006823A1 ( en ) | 2001-07-13 | 2003-01-23 | Briggs Stratton Corporation | Engine starting and stopping device |
| US20040244754A1 ( en ) | 2003-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | Smith Charles K. | Lawn mower with power-assisted starter |
| US6915773B2 ( en ) | 2003-06-09 | 2005-07-12 | Charles K. Smith | Lawn mower with power-assisted starter |
| US20100132650A1 ( en ) | 2008-12-03 | 2010-06-03 | Eakins Jr Charles Arthur | Recoil starter system |
| US20100170465A1 ( en ) | 2008-12-03 | 2010-07-08 | Eakins Jr Charles Arthur | Recoil starter system |
| US8132553B2 ( en ) | 2008-12-03 | 2012-03-13 | Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited | Recoil starter system |
| US8291879B2 ( en ) | 2008-12-03 | 2012-10-23 | Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited | Recoil starter system |
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Lawnmower Blades: 10 things you should know
A lawnmower is a mechanical or electrical device whose main purpose is to trim and cut the grass using a rapidly rotating blade or blades. In ancient times before lawnmowers, the task of grass cutting and trimming was performed by workers who walked through the pastures and fields wielding small, sharp scythes. This process was extremely tiring and slow, but the manual cutting proved to be highly ineffective.
The first mechanical grass-cutting device came into existence in 1830. It was manufactured by Edwin Budding, an English textile worker, and was based on a textile machine that was meant to shear the nap of cloth. Budding created two versions of his device, the larger and the smaller one. The larger one was drawn by horses and was meant for large areas. The smaller one became popular among country gentlemen as it presented itself to be a fun, useful, and healthful exercise.
Over time, a lot of innovation was brought in this same machine, and now we can see numerous versions of a lawnmower with versatile features. Many companies like Honda, Briggs Stratton, Lawn-Boy, Craftsman, etc., are considered market leaders when it comes to lawnmowers. These lawnmowers vary based on operation mode (electrical or gas-driven), engine capacity, Push or self-propelled, etc. Depending upon the yard a person owns, he could choose the best-fit lawnmower tailored to his needs.
Blades of the lawnmower serve to be an integral part of the machine as they are the ones who are directly involved in the cutting process. Thus, it is necessary to keep the blades sharpened and spick and span for the lawnmower’s optimum performance. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions when it comes to lawnmower blades.
- 1 1. Which side of the lawnmower blade is up?
- 2 2. How to see if a lawnmower blade is correctly mounted
- 3 3. How to find the side of the lawnmower blade which should point down
- 4 4. How to locate the cutting edge of a lawnmower blade
- 5 5. How to check if a lawnmower blade is wobbling: The wobble test
- 6 6. Which way does a lawnmower blade turn?
- 7 7. Which way does a lawnmower blade bolt turn?
- 8 8. How much are lawn mower blades?
- 9 9. How to lower a lawnmower blade
- 10 10. How tight should a lawnmower blade be?
- 11 Final Remarks:
Which side of the lawnmower blade is up?
When it comes to the maintenance of the yard and landscaping, the lawnmower is a very helpful tool. It is important for the optimum performance of these binding machines that the lawnmower’s blades are used correctly. This correct setting not only ensures accurate and optimum trimming but also provides the ultimate longevity of your lawnmower.
To know which side of the blade is up in a lawnmower, the first step to observe and identify which side of the lawnmower blade is dull and which side is sharpened. The sharpened edge could also be considered as the cutting edge. This cutting edge is honed to a point and must always face the ground while it would have a taper facing the sky. On the other hand, the dull edge is bent and must still meet the mower deck.
Thus while putting on the lawnmower’s blade, it is always necessary to keep in mind these steps as they would save you from the incorrect fitting of the blades on your lawnmower, which could not only lessen the life of the blade but also could result in the uneven cutting of the grass.
A few tips and tricks to identify the side of the lawnmower’s blades are as follows.
How to see if a lawnmower blade is correctly mounted
A few telltale signs indicate and ensure whether or not your lawnmower’s blade is up or placed on the right-hand side. These signs are relatively straightforward to identify on your lawnmower’s various models, making your job easy to set the blades correctly.
How to find the side of the lawnmower blade which should point down
Lawnmower blades could never be interchanged and should never be flipped. A sticker or stamp is always placed on the edges to identify the right-facing side. In addition to it, some blades also have works engraved or machine-printed onto the blades.
How to locate the cutting edge of a lawnmower blade
The cutting edge is generally the sharper one as compared to the duller side. This is considered the most reliable and effective method to tell whether your lawnmower blade is up.
How to check if a lawnmower blade is wobbling: The wobble test
This step is performed as a final step to ensure whether the lawnmower blades are secure and stable. This is a very simple test. Following are its steps.
- Step 1: Hold the mower blade with one hand and the deck with the other.
- Step 2: Tug at the blade and then gently pull it downwards
- Step 3: If the blade does not wobble, it is clear that it is on the right side and has its sharp edge facing the ground. In the case it is wobbling, ensure that it is on the shaft of the blade. Furthermore, tightening the securing bolt with a wrench may also help.
Which way does a lawnmower blade turn?
Knowing how direction the lawnmower rotates blades rotate is necessary to understand when removing or changing them.
Generally, the blades on many lawnmowers’ models rotate to the right, also called the clockwise direction.
If you plan to remove, sharpen or replace the blades, the retaining bolt should be rotated in the opposite direction. This is the left or the counterclockwise direction. Before removing the blades on your lawnmower, it is recommended to tip the mower on its side with the engine air cleaner facing up and then block the blade with a piece of wood to hamper its movement. Only be careful that the oil does not run to the wrong part of the engine when tilting the mower and that the gas does not spill from your tank.
Which way does a lawnmower blade bolt turn?
The cutting blade on various models of rotary lawnmowers is kept in place with the help of a threaded hex-headed bolt that screws into a blade adapter fitted onto the engine’s driveshaft. For replacement, sharpening or other reasons, blades need to be removed. As discussed in the previous question, the lawnmower blade bolt should be turned in a direction opposite to that of the blades.
Thus, as the blades turn in a clockwise or the right direction, the lawnmower’s blade bolt should be turned in the anticlockwise or the left path to remove the bolt, which would ultimately help remove and eventually replace or sharpen the blades.
If you remove the blade bolt, always pay attention to how the blades fit inside the adapter on the engine’s shaft. And on which side the blade faces towards the deck, and the exact order in which the tension washers were placed on the blade’s retaining bolt. When placing the replacement blade, be very attentive to the fact that the right side faces upward. Once the replacement has been made, one could tighten the bolt by turning it in the clockwise direction. If you plan to reattach the blade, you can mark it with a marker pen so you know what side should be up when you mount it back.
How much are lawn mower blades?
The blades of a lawnmower could be considered as one of the most essential parts of the machine, as it performs the most important and crucial task that is cutting the grass.
With time, the lawnmower’s blades should either be serviced (that is sharpened) or replaced. Buying new blades can be costly, yet if one takes good care of the blades, they could last many years. To get a feeling for the cost we have collected the price for a few blade types:
| Toro 22 in. High-Lift | Walk-Behind Mowers | 27 |
| Craftsman 21 in. 3-in-1 Blade | Walk-Behind Mowers | 26 |
| EGO 21 in. 3-in-1 Blade | Walk-Behind Mowers | 29 |
| Craftsman 46 in. 2-in-1 Blade set | Riding Lawnmowers | 45 |
| Max Power 46 in. Standard set | Riding Lawnmowers | 32 |
| Max Power 42 in. Standard set | Riding Lawnmowers | 32 |
| Ace 21 in. Mulching Mower BladeWalk-Behind Mowers20 |
Ensure that you know what type of blade you need before purchase one. The blade should match your brand and mower type. This information can easily be found in the user manual.
How to lower a lawnmower blade
Depending upon the type of grass in your lawn, your grass should be cut to a specific height for an optimal result. The final cut of the season in the autumn also needs to be a different height. To change the cutting height following steps should be performed.
- Step 1: Examine the type of grass that needed to be cut. This determines the height of the blades.
- Step 2: Locate the lever to adjust the height of the lawnmower.
- Step 3: Adjust the mower’s height by moving the lever to the latch to the proper notch for the exact size you are looking for. The general rule is that each crack is meant to signal 1/2-inch, and certain mowers will have labelings to show that. As mentioned in Step 2, if your mower has a latch for each wheel, each wheel needs to be adjusted while keeping in view the same notch placement.
These steps should be followed to lower or adjust the height of the lawnmower blades. For a riding lawnmower, almost similar measures could be followed except that a riding lawnmower has a knob or a lever that should be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise or moved to adjust the blades’ height.
How tight should a lawnmower blade be?
Generally speaking, the blade’s bolt needs to be tight enough that you can easily remove it the next time you have to work on your blades. You should not be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mower’s manual. Because the bolt rotates in a different direction than the blade, there is no danger that the rotation will loosen the screw.
Final Remarks:
This article has focused on lawnmower blades. We looked at various frequently asked questions and answered them briefly so that a lawnmower owner could have a clear and precise idea regarding the removal, height, prices, and types of lawnmower blades.
Which Side Of The Lawn Mower Blade Is Up? (2023 Guide)
Owning a lawn mower is a great way to save some money and maintain more control over your lawn and yard. But, it can come with some unexpected maintenance, and it’s alright if you don’t already know how to keep your lawn mower in good condition.
If you want to keep your lawn mower working well, you need to know how to install your lawn mower’s blade.
Don’t worry if you’ve looked at lawn mower blades and been completely baffled by them before.
I wrote this guide because I’ve been there, and I know how important proper blade installation can be. After all, getting the installation right is critical for the life of the blade, the function of the lawn mower, and the appearance of your lawn.
In this guide you’ll learn:
- Why lawn mower blade direction matters
- How to tell which side of your lawn mower’s blade is up
- And much more!
Why Does It Matter Which Side Of Your Lawn Mower Blade Is Up?
If you’re in a hurry, this video will help explain why it matters which side of your lawn mower’s blade is up, why it matters, and how to install the blade.
Use the Cutting Edge
Most walk-behind lawn mowers rotate the blade to the right, or clockwise. That means that when the blade is spinning, the cutting edge should spin to the right. However, this isn’t 100% foolproof.
Some lawn mowers do spin counterclockwise. It’s rarer, but you have to know which direction your lawn mower spins to be sure. Your lawn mower’s user’s manual should be able to tell you which direction the blades spin.
The Wings Face Up
On most lawn mower blades there will be a small part of the blade that isn’t flat, but angled up. This little wing on the blade is designed to encourage air movement, helping pull your grass upward for an even cut.
The wings on lawn mower blades are always designed to point up toward the lawn mower’s cutting deck. The same is true for the more extensive wings on mulching blades. If your lawn mower blade has wings, those wings should point toward the lawn mower and away from the grass.
Those three techniques should help you figure out which side of the lawn mower blade is up on pretty much any lawn mower blade. Assuming you know which direction your lawn mower spins the blade, that is the most fool-proof method, but the other two options are usually easier and faster ways to tell.
How To Tell What Kind Of Lawn Mower Blade You Need?
There are two basic kinds of lawn mower blade to choose between, and getting the right one can make a significant impact on your lawn mower’s performance. Most lawn mowers are compatible with both types of blade.
It’s important to remember that not all blades are created equal, and just because a blade is the right length doesn’t mean it’s compatible with your lawn mower. You always need to check your lawn mower for which blades are compatible.
Regular Lawn Mower Blades
Regular lawn mower blades are the simplest option. They are blades that are designed to get the job done without any bells and whistles or extra functions. These blades leave clippings relatively long, but they can also provide a more even mow than more complicated blades.
It’s important to have a good cutting edge on these blades since they are really reliant on cutting power to get good results.
Also called standard or medium-lift blades, these blades are typically on lawn mowers with side-discharge designs.
High Lift Blades
High lift blades are generally used for lawn mowers that have a bagging function because they provide more airflow that helps to move the grass clippings into the bag. These blades also provide higher suction, which means that they cut the grass at a more consistent height by pulling the grass up straighter.
Mulching Blades and Gator Blades
Mulching blades and gator blades both provide even more suction and cutting power in order to process the grass into smaller pieces. Of the two blade types, mulching blades are gentler. They process clippings into smaller chunks to distribute back over your lawn to act as a protective layer over the top soil.
However, mulching blades are not typically a good idea if you’re trying to bag your grass clippings at the same time. They just don’t move the clippings toward the bag very effectively.
Gator blades process the grass clippings even smaller than mulching blades. They are designed to get the clippings small enough to eventually mix into the top soil of your lawn where they will decompose and replenish the soil.
My Final Thoughts On Which Side Of The Lawn Mower Blade Is Up
Knowing which side of your lawn mower is up might seem like a simple thing, but it’s incredibly important. Choosing the right side of your lawn mower blade will help maintain the health of your lawn and can even reduce the maintenance on your lawn mower itself.
Learning how to install your lawn mower’s blade properly shouldn’t be difficult, but it is an important step if you want to keep your lawn mower in good condition. Hopefully this guide will help you decide which kind of blade is right for your lawn, and learn how to install it successfully.
Why My Lawn Mower Blade Not Spinning Fast?
The grass-cutting experience can be spoiled if you realize the blades aren’t spinning as quickly as they should be. Not only would the slowly spinning blade waste your time, but it will also give your lawn an odd appearance.
There could be numerous reasons why the blades of your lawnmower are not spinning fast. Some of these include a seized pulley, a damaged deck belt, a damaged blade, a faulty safety switch, a dirty deck, or a poorly performing engine.
Read on to know more about lawn mower blade not spinning fast.
How Fast Do Mower Blades Spin?
Safety standards prohibit lawn mower blade speeds of more than 219 miles per hour. Common lawn mower blade speeds are close to 200 miles per hour.
Mower revolutions per minute (RPMs) are not governed by law, however usually operate at a rate of 2,600 to 2,900 when mowing grass. This equates to a rate of 43 to 48 revolutions per second for the typical lawnmower blade.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifies maximum allowable blade rotational velocities. Their rules state that the maximum allowable rotational speed for the blade’s tip is 19 thousand feet per minute, or around 219 miles per hour.
Lawn Mower Blade Not Spinning Fast: Reasons And Fixes
Various issues can make a lawnmower blade not to spin fast. here is a quick table of the potential causes of this problem and easy fix.
| Potential Causes | Solution |
| Damaged Belt issue | Replace damaged belt |
| Damaged Blade | Remove damaged blade |
| Bad safety switch | Fix bad safety switch |
| Dirty Mower Deck | Use silicone spray, remove dirt from mower deck |
| Seized pulley | Replace the pulley |
Damaged Belt Issue
When a belt is overstretched or worn, it might slip, preventing the blades from turning or making them turn very slowly. This occurs frequently because belts wear out and need to be replaced since they stretch.
Your lawnmower’s belt is wound around the spindle and idler pulleys, and is driven by the drive shaft pulley. If the pulley on a spindle becomes stuck due to a seized shaft, the belt will eventually break.
The Fix
- Check deck belt and PTO belt for side wear. Check the bearings on the spindles to see if they are getting worn.
- Lower the deck to its lowest position and remove the drive pulley belt protector to replace the belt.
- Loosen the belt from the pulley, front deck attachment point, and PTO cable pin, then pull back to remove the spring.
- Remove the blade spindle covers and loosen the idler pulley bolts to take the belt off between pulley and belt guard. If the belt breaks completely, ensure sure all pulleys spin freely to avoid a second break.
The Blade Might Be Damaged
Even while mower blades are quite durable, they can be damaged. If the blade is damaged, when engaged, the blades will not spin fast.
The Fix
Check the mower blade for any damage. To inspect the mower blade from every angle, take it off the mower. This allows you to inspect the blade from all angles and in good light, allowing you to spot even the smallest of nicks or kinks.
It is also important to check that the blade has been mounted correctly, as an improperly installed blade will slow down the cutting speed of the mower.
Bad Safety Switch
If the safety switch fails, the mower blades will not function. Blades will typically stop rotating or slow down considerably if any of many safety switches on a typical lawn mower are tripped.
The Fix
If your mower’s blades do not rotate or spin quickly, and you have checked out all other potential causes, check the electrical contacts in the safety switches to verify they are not being triggered unnecessarily.
These switches safeguard the operator and others around the machine, so don’t turn them off.
Dirty Mower Deck
The cut quality or the blade rotation speed of your lawn mower may be affected if grass accumulates underneath the deck.
Even though scraping the deck to get rid of trash may be a hassle, it’s essential if you want a clean lawn. A blocked deck can also increase the workload on your mower’s engine.
The Fix
Use a silicone spray to prevent dirt and grime from clinging to your deck. The accumulation of grass under the deck can also be reduced by avoiding mowing it when it’s rainy and by cutting it more frequently.
Seized Pulley
When a pulley becomes stuck, it prevents the belt from spinning and preventing the belt from moving.
A belt can shift, start smoking, and eventually break because of this.
The Fix
- First, with the drive belt disconnected from the engine pulley, engage the blades by lifting the lever.
- Manually turn the spindles and pulleys, the deck lever must be engaged to disengage the brakes.
- Make sure no pulleys are making a growling noise, and then check to see if any of them feel too snug. This indicates that the pulley needs to be replaced.
Damaged/bent lawnmower blades, a weak spring, a broken shear pin in the drive pulley, poor electrical connection or poor engine performance may also cause your lawnmower blade not to spin fast.
How Do I Make the Blade Spin Faster on My Lawnmower?
Lawn mower blade speed should never be increased. Lawn mower blade speeds are optimized for safety.
You won’t get a better cut or mow faster with a faster blade speed. Increased horsepower would speed blades through thick, heavy grass.
However, increasing blade speed stresses the blade, deck, and drive system, increasing the risk of damage. it will also cause vibration which will dislodge nuts, bolts, and the mower’s engine.
But if you determine why your mower’s blade is not spinning fast, the first step is to address the previously identified issues.
However, there are, a few methods or modification for increasing the speed of your mower’s blade depending on the type of mower.
Belt Drive Mowers and Adjustable Blade Speed
It is most straightforward to increase the blade speed of a mower with a belt drive and horizontal blades by increasing the engine speed. The blades on such mowers cease spinning whenever the engine is running since there are no gears to separate the two. Such is the case with many earlier models of walk-behind mowers.
Increasing the mower’s engine RPM will result in a faster-spinning blade on a gearless, belt-driven mower.
Adjustable Gear-Operated mower System
Geared walk-behind mowers, can have their RPM increased. A blade belt clutch (BBC) is a device that allows the engine to keep running even when the blades are stationary.
The BBC cable, located under a panel above mower deck, is used to adjust blade speed. Unscrew the BBC cable bolts and adjust it to increase RPM. To speed up or slow down blades, pull or slacken the cable.
Blade Speed Increase on Belt and Pully Mowers
Belt-and-pulley riding mowers can spin blades faster. Replace your blade pulley and drive pulley with smaller and larger ones, respectively. The mower’s cutting quality may suffer if the blades spin quicker.
How to Check Blade Speed on Your Mower?
If your mower blades seem slow, look at the grass after cutting it.
If your blades are too slow, you’ll end up tearing and damaging the grass instead of cutting it. Yet, having excessively fast blades is not only dangerous, but also inefficient.
There should be information about the engine and blade speed in the mower’s manual.
A tachometer can be used to monitor the engine speed of your lawnmower.
It’s better to have a professional mechanic take a look at your mower in cases like this because the problem is almost certainly mechanical.
Maintaining a beautiful lawn can be a daunting task, especially if you lack the appropriate know-how and tools to handle the challenges that may crop up. Fortunately, LawnAsk is here to offer you an all-encompassing resource that covers everything you need to know about lawn care.
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