Load compensation adjustment in lawnmower having independent suspension

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6510678
  • Patent Number
    6,510,678
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, June 12, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 28, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. A load compensation adjuster is employed as part of the rear wheel suspension system that compensates for riders having significantly differing weights, as well as for weight changes occurring during the mowing operation, such as from grass clippings accumulating in a grass catcher bag.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The invention pertains to the field of lawnmowers. More particularly, the invention pertains to lawnmowers of the riding type having rear wheel independent suspension.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is described with respect to its use on riding lawn mowers, particularly self-propelled machines fitted with rotating blades for cutting turf grasses. In the most favored typical design, the rider sits atop a three or four wheeled machine, while one or more blades rotate about a vertical axis within a mower deck mounted at the underside of the machine, to cut grasses as the machine moves across the surface being mowed.




In many typical riding mowers, the cutter deck is configured as either a ground-following deck or a floating deck. A ground-following deck typically rides on either two or four caster wheels and follows the contours of the ground. A floating deck is hung between the front and rear wheels and beneath the chassis by chains, links or other devices, being adapted to rise up when skids, wheels, rollers and the like attached to the underside of the deck make contact the lawn surface. Generally, the intent for such deck suspension system is to avoid continuing contact with the earth surface. The distance of the cutter deck from the earth surface is determined by the elevation of the chassis. When the mower crosses an earth-surface rise which is relatively severe, that is, short in horizontal length compared to the wheel base of the mower and great in height compared to the pre-set elevation of the mower deck, the deck frequently makes contact with the earth surface. Then, it is intended that the deck rises or “floats” upwardly, so the rotary blades do not hit the earth surface. Such designs work well for many kinds of unevenness, but scalping for certain earth surfaces and mower movements is still a problem. Even if there is no scalping, a variation of the height of the cutter deck relative to the earth surface is not wanted, as it varies the height of the cut grass.




Many typical prior art mowers have the wheels rigidly attached to the chassis. Thus, unevenness in the earth surface imparts a lot of up and down chassis motion. Some prior art mowers employ center-pivoting axles which somewhat reduce the vertical motion of the chassis when one wheel encounters unevenness. The related applications describe a preferred transmission steerable mower which has rear drive wheels which are independently driven and spring suspended from the chassis, and which has free pivoting caster front wheels, mounted at the outer ends of a pivotable axle or subframe. The cutter deck is suspended between the front and rear wheels.




Mowers with improved spring suspension systems reduce the amount of chassis motion when one or both drive wheels of a mower encounter uneveness in the surface being mowed. Drive wheel traction is improved. However, depending on the particulars of any non-rigid suspension system, the chassis is enabled to roll relative to the earth surface, such as, for example, when the mower is sharply turning or when the mower is traversing a steep hillside. When a mower rolls, a floating cutter deck moves closer to the earth surface and there can be a tendency for scalping of the turf by the cutter deck. An improvement in one of the related applications connects the cutter deck with the rear wheels, thereby ensuring that the cutter deck moves relative to the wheels and ground instead of relative to the chassis of the mower.




A problem still exists with the independent suspension system of the related applications. For heavier weight riders or mower accessories, such as grass catchers, the spring used in the suspension system limits the suspension. Rider discomfort occurs when the spring bottoms out. In addition, the collapsed spring can create coil bind which drastically reduces the life of the spring. Merely substituting a stiffer spring for the existing spring causes a harder ride when the load is light. A suspension that works effectively with a wide range of weight variations is therefore needed.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Briefly stated, a lawn mower includes a front wheel suspension system as well as a rear wheel suspension system. A load compensation adjuster is employed as part of the rear wheel suspension system that compensates for riders having significantly differing weights, as well as for weight changes occurring during the mowing operation, such as from grass clippings accumulating in a grass catcher bag.




According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mower includes a main frame; first and second rear wheels; and first and second rear suspension systems connecting the first and second rear wheels, respectively, to the main frame, wherein the first and second rear suspension systems each include a load compensation adjuster.




According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mower includes a main frame; first and second rear wheels; first and second rear suspension systems connecting the first and second rear wheels, respectively, to the main frame; wherein each of the first and second rear suspension systems includes a motor mount effective for mounting a motor; first and second upper links; first and second lower links; the first upper link and the first lower link pivotably connected on one end to a first vertical strut, the first vertical strut connecting an upper frame member of said main frame to a lower frame member of the main frame; the first upper link and the first lower link pivotably connected on another end to the motor mount; the second upper link and the second lower link pivotably connected on one end to a second vertical strut, the second vertical strut connecting the upper frame member to the lower frame member; the second upper link and the second lower link pivotably connected on another end to the motor mount; a spring bracket on the upper frame member between the first and second vertical struts; a rear suspension spring connected between a second spring bracket and either the motor or the motor mount; and a load compensation adjuster connected inside the rear suspension spring.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

shows a perspective view of a lawn mower having a front suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

shows a side elevation view of the lawn mower of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

shows a sectional perspective view of the front suspension system of the present invention.





FIG. 4

shows a sectional perspective view of the front suspension system of the present invention.





FIG. 5

shows a front elevation view of the lawn mower of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 6

shows a partial perspective view of a rear suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 7

shows a partial perspective view of a portion of the rear suspension system of FIG.


6


.





FIG. 8

shows a partial side elevation view of a portion of a rear suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 9

shows a partial rear elevation view of a portion of the rear suspension system of FIG.


6


.





FIG. 10

shows a partial rear elevation view of a portion of a rear suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 11

shows a partial sectional view of a pre-compressed spring used in the rear suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 12

shows a cutaway view of an embodiment of a load compensation adjuster according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a suspension spring with an overload spring installed inside, as installed in the rear suspension system of

FIGS. 6

,


7


, and


9


.





FIG. 13

shows an elevation view of the load compensation adjuster of FIG.


12


.





FIG. 14

shows an elevation view of a shock absorber embodiment of the load compensation adjuster of the present invention.





FIG. 15

shows an elevation view of an air shock embodiment of the load compensation adjuster of the present invention.





FIG. 16

shows an elevation view of an airbag embodiment of the load compensation adjuster of the present invention.





FIG. 17

shows an elevation view of an airbag embodiment of the load compensation adjuster of the present invention.





FIG. 18

shows a partial view of a front or rear suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 19

shows a partial view of a front suspension system according to an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 20

shows a perspective view of a mower with an embodiment of a front suspension system according to the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring to

FIGS. 1-2

, a lawn mower


10


includes a seat


12


connected to a chassis


14


. Chassis


14


in turn rests on a main frame


16


. Two rear wheels


18


are connected to main frame


16


by the independent suspension (not shown) as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/119,818. Two front wheels


22


are connected to main frame


16


via a front suspension system, shown generally at


24


. A floating cutter deck


20


is preferably suspended beneath main frame


16


by rear suspension chains


26


and front suspension chains


28


. Each rear suspension chain


26


is preferably connected to a rear wheel bracket


30


which is “wheel-side” of the rear independent suspension system. Each front suspension chain is preferably connected to a deck height adjustment mount


32


which is part of front suspension section


24


. Suspending cutter deck


20


from the “wheel-side” of the front and rear independent suspensions ensures that cutter deck


20


moves vertically up and down in response to the vertical motion of front wheels


22


and rear wheels


18


, which in turn are responsive to the terrain being mowed. Scalping and uneven cuts of the grass are thus prevented.




Although the mower of the present invention can be equipped with either a ground-following cutter deck or a floating cutter deck, using a floating cutter deck with a mower having independent suspension requires additional considerations. Rolling of a lawn mower chassis is induced under certain situations. Among them are: (a) when the mower changes direction while traveling forward and centrifugal force acts laterally at the center of gravity of the machine; (b) when the mower traverses a slope and the gravitational force vector shifts direction relative to the plane of the mower wheel tread, and (c) when the mower travels over a surface undulation, lifting or lowering one or both wheels on one side, thereby rotating the mower chassis in space.




Conventional mowers typically use wheels that are rigidly connected to the chassis. In these mowers, the chassis cannot roll relative to the wheels; therefore, there is no rolling of types (a) and (b). Other conventional mowers have a pivoting front or rear axle at one end, with an opposing end axle rigidly attached to the chassis. In these mowers, the rigidly attached axle limits the chassis roll which the pivoting axle otherwise permits to the extent the chassis is sufficiently rigid. The mower of the present invention, preferably having both front and rear independent wheel suspension systems, beneficially minimizes any rolling of the machine when a wheel passes over certain small bumps and depressions—type (c) rolling. Nonetheless, larger bumps and depressions can induce rolling.




As will be explained below, the suspension configuration of

FIG. 9

is prone to rolling of types (a) and (b). If cutter deck


20


of mower


10


is suspended from the chassis, rolling may adversely affect the essential mower function, that is, cutting grass to an even height. In particular, when the chassis rolls and one side moves closer to the earth surface, a cutter deck suspended from the chassis also moves closer to the surface. Therefore, the preferable embodiment of the present invention couples the motion of the cutter deck to the motion of a sprung wheel rather than directly to the chassis, thereby reducing the change in cutter deck height relative to the mowed surface when the chassis rolls.




Due to the large cutting width preferred in commercial mowers and the distance between the front wheels


22


, rocks or other uneven terrain features that are avoided by front wheels


22


can damage cutter deck


20


. Cutter deck


20


therefore preferably includes a front roller


34


, a rear roller


36


(partially hidden by rear wheel


18


in FIG.


2


), and front caster wheels


38


that protect cutter deck


20


from damage.




Referring to

FIGS. 3-5

, front suspension system


24


includes a longitudinal suspension strut


40


that is connected to main frame


16


via an upper suspension strut


42


and a lower suspension strut


44


. Front wheel


22


is connected to longitudinal strut


40


via a trunnion


39


. Upper and lower suspension struts


42


,


44


pivotably connect to main frame


16


at a plurality of main frame pivot points


46


and pivotably connect to longitudinal suspension strut


40


at a plurality of front suspension pivot points


48


. A spring


50


is fixed between a spring bracket


52


of upper suspension strut


42


and a front transverse member


54


of main frame


16


so that upward movement of suspension system


24


compresses spring


50


between spring bracket


52


and front transverse member


54


. Upper and lower suspension struts


42


,


44


are preferably of equal length so that the suspension travel does not change the perpendicularity of front wheel


22


to the ground.




As front wheels


22


move vertically up and down in response to the terrain, the front of cutter deck


20


, being connected to longitudinal suspension strut


40


via adjustment mount


32


, moves vertically up and down in response to the vertical motion of front wheels


22


. Main frame


16


is isolated from the vertical motion of front wheels


22


by front suspension system


24


.




Referring to

FIGS. 6-9

, a rear suspension system for mower


10


includes a motor mount


86


connected to main frame


16


via upper links


62


and lower links


64


. Two struts


78


join an upper frame member


74


of main frame


16


to a lower frame member


76


of main frame


16


. Upper and lower links


62


,


64


are connected to struts


78


at main frame pivot points


66


and to motor mount


86


at rear suspension pivot points


68


. Upper and lower links


62


,


64


are shown in this embodiment as being of equal length. A spring


72


is captured between a spring bracket


70


of upper frame member


74


and a motor


80


.

FIG. 8

additionally shows an optional disk


84


on a wheel hub


82


that is used with disk brakes instead of the more conventional band-drum brakes typically used on prior art lawn mowers.




Referring specifically to

FIG. 9

, a roll center is an imaginary point about which a mower with movable suspension elements tends to roll when subjected to lateral forces. A roll axis of the mower runs through the front and rear roll centers. The location of a roll center R for the rear wheel suspension system is determined by examining the intersection of an upper link phantom line


90


and a lower link phantom line


89


. Line


90


runs through the pivot points for upper link


62


while line


89


runs through the pivot points for lower link


64


. A ground contact phantom line


88


runs from a ground contact point


92


, representing the contact between rear wheel


18


and ground


94


, to the intersection of lines


90


and


89


. In the embodiment described above, where upper and lower links


62


,


64


are of equal length, lines


90


and


89


intersect at infinity. Line


88


therefore intersects lines


90


and


89


at infinity; line


88


is thus parallel to lines


90


and


89


. The intersection of line


88


with a vertical plane passing through a center of gravity (mass) of the mower is the location of roll center R.




In this embodiment, roll center R is substantially lower in elevation than the center of gravity CG of the mower. The location of roll center R can be moved vertically by changing the lengths and angles of the link assemblies. With roll center R significantly below center of gravity CG, the mower tends to sway or rock to the side when turning. Sway bars (not shown), also known as anti-sway or anti-roll bars, are optionally added to this equal-link-length suspension to inhibit swaying during turning. Such bars are typically torsion bars or other elastic structure which, when one wheel moves closer to the chassis, resist such motion with a force, the reaction to which is applied to the opposite wheel. Notwithstanding the tendency to roll, the

FIG. 9

suspension provides a better vehicle ride and absorption of bumps compared to an unequal link-length suspension. The

FIG. 9

suspension also minimizes lateral motion when the mower load changes, such as when an operator mounts or dismounts the mower, removes a grass-catcher bag, or when there are changes in the mower's vertical momentum due to uneven terrain.




Referring to

FIG. 10

, an embodiment is shown with unequal link lengths. An upper link


62


′ is shorter than a lower link


64


′, with the lengths of links


62


′,


64


′ preferably determined such that the roll center R and the center of gravity CG substantially coincide. As shown in the figure, phantom lines


90


′ and


89


′ intersect at R, so ground contact line


88


′ intersects the vertical plane passing through the center of gravity CG at the center of gravity CG. This configuration minimizes the roll tendency of the mower during turning.




Referring to

FIG. 11

, a way of pre-compressing spring


72


is shown. Pre-compression is desirable to lessen the movement of the mower chassis when the mower operator mounts and dismounts the mower. Pre-compression is preferably accomplished by pivotably attaching a threaded guide rod


96


to motor


80


. Rod


96


extends through a hole


97


in spring bracket


70


with a nut


98


on the threaded end of rod


96


. Nut


98


is preferably adjustable so that the amount of pre-compression can be changed when required.




Referring to

FIGS. 12-13

, a load compensation adjuster such as overload spring


100


is installed inside spring


72


. If suspension spring


72


is a closed, ground end, compression spring with a right hand helix, overload spring


100


is preferably a closed, ground end, compression spring with a left-hand helix. Overload spring


100


fits inside spring


72


and is approximately one inch shorter in length than spring


72


. The shorter length of overload spring


100


allows spring


72


to operate at its existing rate, but when spring


72


is compressed more than one inch, overload spring


100


begins to help carry the extra weight. Overload spring


100


is preferably wound with coils in the opposite direction from spring


72


.




The characteristics of the preferred embodiment of overload spring


100


is detailed in Table 1.















TABLE 1













Spring type




compression spring,








closed and grounded end







Material




chrome silicon















Wire Diameter




0.2340




in.







Mean Diameter




1.0160




in.







Inside diameter




0.7820




in.







Outside Diameter




1.2500




in.







Total Coils




15.6984




in.







Pitch




0.3308




in.







Pitch Angle




5.9177




deg.







Weight




0.6120




lbs.







Free Length




5.0000




in.







Solid Height




3.6734




in.







Load Rate (lbs./in.) @ 0 lbs.




5.00




in. (free length)







@150 lbs.




4.50




in.







@300 lbs.




4.00




in.







@398 lbs.




3.67




in. (solid height)















Referring to

FIG. 14

, load compensation adjustment is achieved using an alternative embodiment such as a shock absorber


102


inside spring


72


in place of overload spring


100


. This arrangement is commonly referred to as a coil-over suspension.




Referring to

FIG. 15

, load compensation adjustment is achieved using an alternative embodiment such as an air shock


104


instead of shock absorber


102


, although not depicted inside spring


72


in the figure. Air shocks and their construction and operation are well known to those skilled in the art, and are not therefore described further herein. Using air shock


104


allows adjustment of the spring tension by raising or lowering the air pressure via a port


105


, thereby determining the spring load or tension.




Referring to

FIG. 16

, load compensation adjustment is achieved by using an alternative embodiment such as an airbag


106


to replace overload spring


100


inside spring


72


. Airbags and their construction and operation are well known to those skilled in the art, and are not therefore described further herein. Airbag


106


can be inflated or deflated for the desired suspension via a port


107


, either by the user or pre-inflated at the factory.




Referring to

FIG. 17

, an alternative embodiment for load compensation adjustment includes an airbag


108


which could replace the spring within a spring combination by acting as a variable compression spring. As the air in airbag


108


becomes compressed, the force required to compress it further increases.




Referring to

FIG. 18

, a torsion bar suspension is shown connected to wheel hub


82


at the left rear wheel location for mower


10


. A first torsion bar


112


is hooked to lower link


64


at one end, while another end attaches to an adjuster


114


, which permits adjustment of the tension of torsion bar


112


. In similar fashion, a second torsion bar


110


is hooked to the lower link


64


on the right side of mower


10


, with the other end of torsion bar


110


being attached to an adjuster


116


which is connected to lower link


64


on the left side of mower


10


. The right side wheel hub and upper and lower links are not shown in FIG.


18


. The torsion bars


110


,


112


replace the springs


72


to provide the rear wheel suspension. Load compensation is done with adjusters


114


,


116


. Although the torsion suspension is shown for the rear wheels, it can be used on the front wheels as well. For the front suspension system shown in

FIG. 4

, front transverse member


54


and springs


50


are replaced by the torsion bars in the manner just described with respect to the rear suspension system.




Referring to

FIG. 19

, an alternative embodiment of the front suspension system includes a torsion bar


118


attached to lower suspension strut


44


near the lower main frame pivot point


46


. Torsion bar


118


is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 feet (45 to 76 cm) long and extends lengthwise to attach to main frame


16


. A similar arrangement provides the front suspension for the other front wheel.




Referring to

FIG. 20

, in another embodiment, a main frame


122


is connected to a pivoting subframe


124


that incorporates a front suspension system. Pivoting subframe


124


includes a left half subframe


124




a


which is hingeably connected to a right half subframe


124




b.


Two hinges, such as a front clevis joint


135


and a rear clevis joint


137


, connect left and right half subframes


124




a,




124




b


to each other. A front pivot pin


146


acts as the clevis pin for front clevis joint


135


while a rear pivot pin


148


acts as the clevis pin for rear clevis joint


137


. Front pivot pin


146


is connected to a front transverse member


147


of main frame


122


via a front pivot plate


142


, while rear pivot pin


148


is connected to a rear transverse member


149


of main frame


122


via a rear pivot plate


144


.




A left spring pocket


140




a,


connected to an extension of main frame


122


, houses a left spring


138




a


that abuts a front transverse portion


151




a


of left half subframe


124




a,


while a right spring pocket


140




b,


connected to an extension of main frame


122


, houses a right spring


138




b


that abuts a front transverse portion


151




b


of right half subframe


124




b.


Thus, when a left caster wheel


136




a


rolls into a dip, left half subframe


124




a


moves with it, not affecting right half subframe


124




b


or main frame


122


. Similarly, when a right caster wheel


136




b


rolls into a dip, right half subframe


124




b


moves with it, not affecting left half subframe


124




a


or main frame


122


. Thus, three of the four mower wheels are on the ground at any given time, resulting in a stable, smooth ride with little or no scalping caused by the cutter deck.




In this embodiment, rear suspension chains


153


for a cutter deck


150


are attached to rear wheel brackets


155


via a cutter deck lift assembly


156


, while front suspension chains


158


for cutter deck


150


are attached via cutter deck lift assembly


156


to main frame


122


. The weight distribution in a lawn mower of this type is approximately 75% in the rear and 25% in the front. Thus, whereas the rear of the cutter deck is preferably connected to the rear wheel brackets instead of the main frame to avoid scalping during sharp turns or over rough terrain, the front of the cutter deck is preferably connected directly to the main frame in this embodiment.




Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame and to respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a spring and a load compensation adjuster, the spring having a range of compression between an uncompressed state and fully compressed state; providing a seat coupled to the main frame; applying a downward force upon the seat; moving the seat downward in response to the downward force; moving the main frame downward with respect to the first wheel independently of movement of the second wheel; compressing the spring in response to movement of the main frame to a position within the range of compression between the uncompressed state and the fully compressed state; exerting a first force from the spring to the main frame in response to compressing the spring; compressing the load compensation adjuster in response to movement of the main frame; exerting a second force from the load compensation adjuster to the main frame in response to compressing the load compensation adjuster; and limiting compression of the spring to less than full compression by exerting the second force from the load compensation adjuster to the main frame.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a coil spring.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a shock absorber.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the load compensation adjuster is an air shock.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the load compensation adjuster is an airbag.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, wherein compressing the load compensation adjuster includes exerting an increasing reactive force against compression responsive to increasing compression of the spring.
  • 7. The method of claim 1 wherein:the spring has a range of compression; and the load compensation adjuster exerts a reactive force to compression of the spring only in a portion of the range of compression of the spring.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting compression of the spring from a bottomed out condition via the load compensation adjuster.
  • 9. A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame and to respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a first spring and a second spring, the first spring having a range of compression between uncompressed and fully compressed; moving the main frame downward with respect to the first wheel independently of movement of the second wheel; compressing the first spring to a position within the uncompressed and fully compressed range in response to movement of the main frame; exerting a first force from the first spring to the main frame in response to compressing the first spring; compressing the second spring in response to movement of the main frame; exerting a second force from the second spring to the main frame in response to compressing the second spring; and preventing the first spring from being fully compressed by the main frame as a result of the second force from the second spring to the main frame.
  • 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second spring is compressed after partial compression of the first spring.
  • 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second spring is a shock absorber.
  • 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second spring is an air shock.
  • 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the second spring is an airbag.
  • 14. The method of claim 9, wherein compressing the second spring includes exerting an increasing reactive force against compression responsive to increasing compression of the first spring.
  • 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising limiting compression of the first spring from a bottomed out condition via the second spring.
  • 16. A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame by respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a spring and a load compensation adjuster; moving the mower across a surface; moving the first wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame; moving the second wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame independently of movement of the first wheel; changing compression of the springs of the independent suspensions in response to movement of the first and second wheels; compressing the load compensation adjuster of each independent suspension in response to upward movement of the first and second wheels with respect to the main frame; and generating forces from the load compensation adjusters to prevent the springs from fully compressing and binding upon movement of the first and second wheels.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a coil spring.
  • 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a shock absorber.
  • 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the load compensation adjuster is an air shock.
  • 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the load compensation adjuster is an airbag.
  • 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising exerting an increasing reactive force against compression of the load compensation adjusters responsive to increasing compression of the springs.
  • 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the springs have respective ranges of compression, the method further comprising exerting reactive forces by the load compensation adjusters responsive to compression of the springs only in a portion of the ranges of compression of the springs.
  • 23. The method of claim 16, further comprising preventing the springs from bottoming out.
  • 24. The method of claim 16, further comprising a cutter deck positioned below the main frame, wherein the cutter deck moves independently of the main frame.
  • 25. A method of compensating for load change in a lawnmower having independent suspension, the method comprising:providing a main frame having first and second wheels coupled to the main frame by respective independent suspensions, each independent suspension having a first spring and a second spring; moving the mower across a surface; moving the first wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame; moving the second wheel upward and downward relative to the main frame independently of movement of the first wheel; changing compression of the first spring of the first independent suspension in response to movement of the first wheel; compressing the second spring of the first independent suspension in response to movement of the first wheel in an upward direction with respect to the main frame; and limiting compression of the first spring with the second spring to less than full compression upon movement of the first and second wheels in order to prevent binding of the first spring.
  • 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first and second springs are coil springs.
  • 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the second spring is a shock absorber.
  • 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the second spring is an air shock.
  • 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the second spring is an airbag.
  • 30. The method of claim 25, wherein compressing the second spring includes exerting an increasing reactive force against compression responsive to increasing compression of the first spring of the first independent suspension.
  • 31. The method of claim 25, wherein the first spring has a range of compression, the method further comprising exerting a reactive force to compression of the second spring only in a portion of the range of compression of the first spring.
  • 32. The method of claim 25, further comprising exerting a force from the second spring to prevent the first spring from bottoming out.
  • 33. The method of claim 25, further comprising a cutter deck positioned below the main frame, wherein the cutter deck moves independently of the main frame.
  • 34. A method for assembling a mower, the method comprising:providing a main frame with a cutter deck and at least one rotatable cutter in the cutter deck; placing two wheels on opposite sides of the main frame; coupling each wheel to the main frame with a respective independent suspension, each independent suspension having a spring and a load compensation adjuster, wherein each independent suspension and wheel is movable vertically up and down relative to the main frame, respectively against and with force exerted by the spring and by the load compensation adjuster when compressed, independently of movement of the other wheel; positioning the spring of each independent suspension to bias a respective wheel of the two wheels in a downward direction, the spring having a range of compression between uncompressed and fully compressed states; positioning the load compensation adjuster of each independent suspension in a location inside a respective spring of the independent suspension, the load compensation adjuster having a range of compression; preventing full compression of the spring with the load compensation adjuster; placing two additional wheels on opposite sides of the main frame; coupling each additional wheel to the main frame; and coupling the cutter deck to the main frame.
  • 35. The method of claim 34, wherein positioning the spring includes pre-compressing the spring.
  • 36. The method of claim 35, wherein pre-compressing the spring includes tightening a threaded fastener passed through the spring.
  • 37. The method of claim 36, wherein attaching the threaded fastner includes threading a nut on the fastner to attain a desired spring pre-compression.
  • 38. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a coil spring.
  • 39. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is a shock absorber.
  • 40. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is an air shock.
  • 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising changing air pressure in the air shock to change a spring rate of the air shock.
  • 42. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is an airbag.
  • 43. The method of claim 42, further comprising changing an inflation level of the airbag to change a spring rate of the airbag.
  • 44. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is positioned to prevent the spring from bottoming out.
  • 45. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is positioned to exert reactive force to compression only in a portion of the range of compression of the spring.
  • 46. The method of claim 34, wherein the load compensation adjuster is positioned to exert reactive force to compression in the range of compression of the spring.
  • 47. The method of claim 34, wherein coupling each additional wheel to the main frame includes coupling each additional wheel to the main frame by a respective independent suspension.
  • 48. The method of claim 34, wherein the cutter deck is coupled to the main frame by the independent suspensions.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/384,534 filed on Aug. 27, 1999 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,025, which is a continuation-in-part patent application of (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/359,537 filed on Jul. 22, 1999 which in turn is a continuation-in-part patent application of (i) copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/144,499, filed Aug. 31, 1998 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,893, which in turn claims benefit from Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/063,362 filed on Oct. 28, 1997; (ii) copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/119,818 filed on Jul. 21, 1998 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,242, which in turn claims benefit from Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/053,403 filed on Jul. 22, 1997 and Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/063,362, filed on Oct. 28, 1997; and (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/898,801, filed on Jul. 23, 1997 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,333, which in turn claims benefit from Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/022,865 filed on Jul. 26, 1996; and (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/119,818, filed on Jul. 21, 1998 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,242, which in turn claims benefit from Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/053,403 filed on Jul. 22, 1997 and Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/063,362, filed on Oct. 28, 1997, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

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Provisional Applications (4)
Number Date Country
60/063362 Oct 1997 US
60/053403 Jul 1997 US
60/063362 Oct 1997 US
60/022865 Jul 1996 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/384534 Aug 1999 US
Child 09/879800 US
Continuation in Parts (3)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/359537 Jul 1999 US
Child 09/384534 US
Parent 09/144499 Aug 1998 US
Child 09/359537 US
Parent 09/119818 Jul 1998 US
Child 09/144499 US