Inventors:
Paul H. Olin - Bloomington MN
David J. Scherbring - Edina MN
Assignee:
The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN
International Classification:
A01D 3524
Abstract:
An improved wheel support apparatus for a mowing machine of the type having a body movably supported by three drive wheels, one of which is a steerable drive wheel. The wheel support apparatus includes a sleeve fixed to the body and a bracket member carried on the steerable drive wheel. The bracket member carries an upwardly extending spindle which is rotatably received inside the sleeve. The spindle and the sleeve are angularly oriented relative to a vertical axis through the drive wheel such that rotation of the drive wheel from its straight ahead position raises the body of the mowing machine upwardly a small distance. When the turn is completed, the weight of the body bears down on the wheel support apparatus to self-correct the wheel to its normal straight ahead position regardless of the direction in which the mowing machine is moving. In addition, the wheel support apparatus is mounted to one side and substantially below the upper surface of the steerable drive wheel to decrease the side profile of the mowing machine.