Slope Mower With PTO-Related Safety Features

Abstract

Mowing systems include a mower and, optionally, a remote control unit such as a handheld unit, between which may be provided 1- or 2-way communications. Components and features are included in the mower, the remote control unit, or both to enhance the safety, functionality, or user experience of the system's user/operator. One aspect relates to monitoring a tilt angle of the mower, and defining or executing different system responses as a function of different first and second conditions that relate to the tilt angle. Another aspect relates to automatic adjustment of a speed setting of the mower's drive system as a function of a power takeoff (PTO) unit of the mower.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mower, comprising:
 an engine;   a power takeoff (PTO) unit driven by the engine;   a drive system powered by the engine, the drive system including a left drive wheel, a right drive wheel, a left actuator having a position that controls a speed of the left drive wheel, and a right actuator having a position that controls a speed of the right drive wheel; and   a controller coupled to the PTO unit and to the left and right actuators;   wherein the controller is configured to provide first drive signals to the first and second actuators when the PTO unit is off, and second drive signals to the first and second actuators when the PTO unit is on, the first and second drive signals characterized by a. first and second maximum drive speed respectively, the second maximum drive speed being less than the first maximum drive speed.   
     
     
         2 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the second maximum speed is in a range from 20% to 80% of the first maximum speed. 
     
     
         3 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the second maximum speed is in a range from 40% to 60% of the first maximum speed. 
     
     
         4 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is also configured to receive a joystick input independent of the PTO unit. 
     
     
         5 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is also configured to receive a speed switch input independent of the PTO unit. 
     
     
         6 . The mower of claim the mower is a slope mower. 
     
     
         7 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory unit in which instructions are stored. 
     
     
         8 . The mower of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inclinometer coupled to the controller.   
     
     
         9 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to provide control signals to the PTO unit to turn the PTO unit on or off. 
     
     
         10 . The mower of  claim 1 , wherein e left and right actuators are linear actuators. 
     
     
         11 . A mower, comprising:
 a frame;   an engine attached to the frame;   mower blades attached to the frame and selectively coupled to the engine by a power takeoff (PTO) unit;   a drive system including one or more drive wheels selectively coupled to the engine by a transmission system; and   a controller coupled to the drive system and to the PTO unit, the controller including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory unit in which instructions are stored;   wherein the instructions are configured to modify a speed of the drive system as a function of whether the PTO unit is turned on or off.   
     
     
         12 . The mower of  claim 11 , wherein the drive system includes an actuator, and the controller is configured to actuate the actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The mower of  claim 11 , wherein the drive system includes a transaxle powered by the engine. 
     
     
         14 . The mower of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to provide a first drive signal to the drive system when the PTO unit is off, and a second drive signal to the drive system when the PTO unit is on, the second drive signal characterized by a smaller maximum drive speed than the first drive signal. 
     
     
         15 . The mower of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a joystick input independent of the PTO unit. 
     
     
         16 . The mower of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a speed switch input independent of the PTO unit. 
     
     
         17 . The mower of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an inclinometer coupled to the controller.   
     
     
         18 . The mower of  claim 11 , wherein the mower is a slope mower. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a slope mower having an engine, a power takeoff (PTO) unit driven by the engine, a drive system, and a controller, the method including determining whether the PTO unit is on or off, and automatically operating the drive system at a slower speed when the PTO unit is on compared to when the PTO unit is off. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the drive system includes a left actuator and a right actuator, and wherein the automatically operating the drive system includes sending signals from the controller to the left and right actuators.