MARK S ANDERSON
Engineers in Prior Lake, MN

2008028, Nov 27, 2008

Feb 8, 2006

11/883978

Jackie R. Gust - Northfield MN, US
Mark S. Anderson - Prior Lake MN, US

A01D 34/24

56 119, 56229

This invention relates to a hybrid lawn mower powered by a fuel cell and an electrical storage system, both of which supply electric power to the drive wheels and cutting units of the mower. The electrical storage system comprises an ultracapacitor pack or a battery pack. The electric motor driving each cutting unit comprises a brushless motor having an integrated gear reduction stage. In addition, the motor includes an integrated electronics housing in which the electronics for controlling and powering the motor are packaged. The cutting units are lifted out of engagement with the ground by a lift and lower system comprising an electric/hydraulic actuator that is driven only during lifting of the cutting units. The cutting units are lowered by releasing fluid pressure in the lift and lower system and permitting the force of gravity to lower the cutting units.

4856612, Aug 15, 1989

Feb 10, 1988

7/154676

James T. Clevenger - Lancaster PA
Dale A. Ashcroft - New Holland PA
Richard P. Strosser - Akron PA
Mark S. Anderson - Prior Lake MN

Ford New Holland, Inc. - New Holland PA

B60K 2804, B60R 2200

180273

A method of controlling the operation of a loader to encourage the use of an operator restraint mechanism is disclosed wherein a first signal is generated by a seat sensor to indicate the presence of the operator in the operator seat and a second signal is generated by a sensor in the operator restraint mechanism to indicate use of the mechanism. The hydraulic system will not be enabled unless the second signal is generated immediately subsequent to the generation of the first signal. Unless the first and second signals are generated in the proper sequence, the starting of the engine will also be disabled. The generation of first and second inverse signals, indicating the lack of the presence of the operator in the seat and the disengagement of the operator restraint mechanism, respectively, will disable the loader hydraulic system. A delay is provided to permit the operator to vacate the seat for a short period of time without having to resequence the generation of the first and second signals to enable the loader hydraulic system.

4844196, Jul 4, 1989

Jul 14, 1988

7/219037

James T. Clevenger - Lancaster PA
Dale A. Ashcroft - New Holland PA
Richard P. Strosser - Akron PA
Mark S. Anderson - Prior Lake MN

Ford New Holland, Inc. - New Holland PA

B60K 2804

180273

A loader having hydraulically operated boom and bucket mechanisms controllable from the operator seat is disclosed wherein switches sense the presence of the operator in the seat and the buckling of the seat belt. An electronic controller is operably associated with the seat and belt switches and solenoid valves in the hydraulic system and the starter relay. The controller requires proper sequencing of the activation of the seat and belt switches before permitting the starter to be energized, thereby controlling the starting of the loader engine, or permitting the energizing of the hydraulic solenoid valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders for the boom and bucket. The controller also includes a delay associated with the seat switch so that a reactivation of the seat switch within the delayed period of time would allow the hydraulic system to operate without requiring a resequencing of the activation of the seat and belt switches.

7111443, Sep 26, 2006

Oct 10, 2003

10/683175

Mark S. Anderson - Prior Lake MN, US
Jackie R. Gust - Northfield MN, US

The Toro Copmany - Bloomington MN

A01D 69/00

56 108

A walk reel mower has a front mounted reel cutting unit and a rear handle. The operator pushes the handle towards the ground to lift the reel cutting unit off the ground prior to turning the walk reel mower around. When this occurs, the manner in which the reel cutting unit is supported in conjunction with the influence of gravity causes the reel cutting unit to pitch rearwardly relative to the frame of the walk reel mower. This change of orientation is used to close a switch which, in turn, initiates an automatic slow down of the mower to ease the task of turning the mower around. When a turn is completed and the cutting unit is dropped back down into engagement with the ground, the slow down is terminated and the ground speed resumes at whatever predetermined ground speed was previously selected by the operator.

7610975, Nov 3, 2009

Jan 10, 2000

09/480044

Jackie R. Gust - Apple Valley MN, US
Eric A. Metheny - Woodbury MN, US
Dana R. Lonn - Minneapolis MN, US
Heinrich F. Tetzlaff - Apple Valley MN, US
Dennis J. Pavlik - Eagan MN, US
Mark S. Anderson - Prior Lake MN, US

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

B60K 6/46

180 65245, 56 106, 903930

An electric drive mower includes an electric traction drive as well as electric drive to the cutting units carried on the mower. A hybrid electric drive system supplies electric power to these motors. The electric drive system includes a genset (an internal combustion engine driving an electrical power generating device such as an alternator) and a battery pack which supply the electric power to the electric motors either individually or jointly. A switch may be provided to permit all battery operation of the mower. A steering system having a non-powered pump is used to effect steering of the steerable wheel(s) of the mower to avoid having a heated oil damage the turf in the event of a leak. A crankshaft driven by a single electric drive motor is linked to all the cutting units through various crankarm and connecting rod linkages to lift and lower the cutting units in a timed manner.

7328563, Feb 12, 2008

Jun 29, 2006

11/478264

Mark S. Anderson - Prior Lake MN, US
Jackie R. Gust - Northfield MN, US

The Toro Company - Bloomington MN

A01D 69/00

56 119, 180 651

A walk reel mower has a front mounted reel cutting unit and a rear handle. The operator pushes the handle towards the ground to lift the reel cutting unit off the ground prior to turning the walk reel mower around. When this occurs, the manner in which the reel cutting unit is supported in conjunction with the influence of gravity causes the reel cutting unit to pitch rearwardly relative to the frame of the walk reel mower. This change of orientation is used to close a switch which, in turn, initiates an automatic slow down of the mower to ease the task of turning the mower around. When a turn is completed and the cutting unit is dropped back down into engagement with the ground, the slow down is terminated and the ground speed resumes at whatever predetermined ground speed was previously selected by the operator.