WO2002026023A1

WO2002026023A1 - Vehicle for cutting grass

Info

Publication number: WO2002026023A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/001213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerard De Thomasis; John Refalo
Original assignee: Gerard De Thomasis; John Refalo
Priority date: 2000-09-29
Filing date: 2001-09-28
Publication date: 2002-04-04
Also published as: AUPR050000A0

Abstract

A vehicle suitable for mowing an area of grass is disclosed. The vehicle comprises an all terrain vehicle, ATV (50), having a body, longitudinally spaced front and rear wheels and a mower attachment (1)_that is mounted to the ATV (50). The mower attachment (1) comprises of a chassis (2), a rotatable blade means nounted on the chassis (2) and extending downwardly below the chassis (2) for cutting grass. The ATV (50) also includes a blade drive means in the form of an engine (6) independent of the ATV (50) and mounted on the chassis (2) vertically offset from the blade means. The chassis (2) extends beneath the body of the ATV (50) with the blade means positioned entermediate th front and rear wheels of the ATV (50). The mower attachment (1) also includes coupling means (40) for releasably coupling the chassis (2) to the body of the ATV).

Description

VEHICLE FOR CUTTING GRASS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ATV (all terrain vehicle) in combination with a mower attachment having the ability to mow or cut grass. The invention also extends to a mower attachment for mounting on an ATV.

DEFINITIONS

In this specification an ATV shall be understood to be a distinct species of vehicle that is a 4-wheel motorcycle having good ground clearance that is widely used as an all purpose vehicle particularly on farms and the like. ATV's are well known to farmers and motorcycle dealers. ATV's are built by many different manufacturers around the world including HONDA, YAMAHA, SUZUKI, KAWASAKI, SEADOO, POLARIS, ECON, ARTIC, CAT and RAZOR. The applicant estimates that they are used on over 70% of farms in Australia and New Zealand and that there are several million ATV's in regular use worldwide.

In this specification the term "mower" shall be interpreted broadly and include any contrivance for cutting vegetation such as grass and the like by means of a set of rotating blades. A mower attachment shall be understood to mean an assembly including at least one blade for cutting grass and the like which is mounted, e.g. releasably, to a vehicle which moves translationally over a grass surface.

In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are a variety of forms of mowing apparatus available to the general public. A push mower is a mower mounted on wheels with a rotatable blade mounted closely above the grass surface that is pushed along the ground surface by an operator walking behind the mower. Thus the motive power for moving the mower is provided solely by the operator. The mower has an engine that is used solely to drive the set of blades. Mowing large surface areas of grass such as is found in parks, large gardens and the like is very tiring and time consuming if a standard push mower is used.

This task can be made easier and more efficient by the use of a ride-on mower.

However a ride-on mower would cost several thousand dollars which is an order of magnitude greater than a push mower which would typically cost several hundred dollars. Accordingly many home owners with acreage blocks and large gardens cannot justify purchasing a ride-on mower to expedite their mowing tasks.

In addition many ride-on mowers, typically those towards the lower end of the price range, have real ground clearance limitations and as a result have difficulty in negotiating undulating and uneven terrain. In addition many available ride-on mowers are not very stable and again this can limit their ability to negotiate hilly and undulating terrain. The combination of light weight, wide tyres and high flotation typical of an ATV also means that the impact on the environment is almost non-existent.

Another machine often used on farms and acreage blocks is a tractor/slasher arrangement. This involves the use of a conventional tractor with a slasher attachment or accessory mounted thereto. However a tractor typically weighs from 1 to 6 tonnes and this large weight often causes deep ruts in the ground that is mowed. It also causes soil compaction which deleteriously affects the growth of vegetation and crops. Further the tractor has real limitations on the terrain it can negotiate in wet and slippery conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a mower attachment for coupling to an ATV vehicle having front and rear wheels, comprising: a chassis for extending beneath the vehicle; a rotatable blade means vertically supported by the chassis and depending down beneath the chassis; a drive means for driving the blade means mounted on the chassis and driveably coupled to the blade means; and means for coupling the mower attachment to the ATV.

The mower attachment may further include a plurality of ground engaging formations for facilitating the displacement of the attachment over a support surface, e.g. the ground.

The mower attachment may typically include a front portion and a rear portion. In use the front portion is received underneath the ATV and the rear portion is positioned rearwardly of the ATV. The blade drive means may be mounted on the rear portion and the blade means may be mounted on the front portion such that it is intermediate the front and rear wheels of the vehicle and vertically offset from the drive means. A substantial portion of the mower attachment may be received beneath the ATV. Thus in use the mower attachment is coupled to an ATV with the blade means positioned beneath the AW in a mid-mounted position. After use the mower attachment is simply detached from the ATV which can then be used for a variety of other activities.

As the mower attachment makes use of the drive system and controls of the ATV it can be provided substantially cheaper than a conventional ride-on mower.

In one form the ground engaging formations comprise two laterally spaced rear wheels on the rear portion and at least one front wheel, e.g. two or three wheels on the front portion.

In another embodiment the mower attachment has no rear wheels and at least two laterally spaced front wheels. The rear portion of the attachment is supported by the ATV in use.

The blade drive means may include a fuel driven engine that is a 2-stroke or 4- stroke petrol engine.

The blade drive means may include a drive transmission system, e.g. in the form of a transmission belt passing around pulleys associated with each of the blade assemblies and the engine, for transmitting drive from the engine to the blade means.

The transmission system may further include means for tensioning the transmission belt in the form of a tensioning pulley of laterally adjustable position.

The coupling means may comprise at least one hitch, typically a plurality of hitches, for releasably attaching the mower attachment to the ATV. In one form the coupling means might be two hitches, in the form of linkages, towards the front of the mower attachment and a further two hitches in the form of linkages, towards the rear of the mower attachment.

In another form the coupling means might be a two-hitch coupling, e.g. with a towbar and a receptacle for receiving the towbar, towards the rear of the mower attachment, and a linkage, e.g. comprising at least two links in series at the front of the ATV.

The blade means may comprise at least one blade assembly having at least one blade extending in a broadly horizontal direction and rotating about a substantially vertical axis. In a preferred form there are three said blade assemblies laterally spaced apart from each other. Conveniently each blade assembly may include two rigid blades extending outwardly in a radial direction, e.g. in diametrically opposed directions.

The attachment may further include means for adjusting the vertical position or height of the blades relative to the chassis whereby to adjust the length to which grass is cut.

The attachment may further include a blade cover extending over and around the blade assemblies and providing a physical barrier between the rotating blades and the space surrounding the mower attachment. The blade cover may also be configured to deflect grass into a grass catcher. Further the attachment may also include a belt cover for covering the transmission belt in the region intermediate the blade drive means and the blade means.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a vehicle suitable for mowing an area of grass comprising: an all terrain vehicle (ATV) having a body and longitudinally spaced front and rear wheels; and a mower attachment mounted to the ATV comprising: a chassis, a rotatable blade means mounted on the chassis and extending downwardly below the chassis for cutting grass, a blade drive means independent of the ATV mounted on the chassis vertically offset from the blade means, wherein the chassis extends beneath the body of the ATV with the blade means positioned intermediate the front and rear wheels of the ATV, and coupling means for releasably coupling the attachment to the ATV body. The essence of this invention resides in the idea of combining an ATV and a mower attachment that is positioned underneath the mower between the front and the rear wheels, e.g. in a mid-mounted position. The mower attachment has its own drive means independent of the ATV for driving the blade means that is positioned rearwardly of the ATV. The drive of the ATV is used solely to drive the wheels of the ATV and provide motive power and the drive means for the mower attachment is used solely to drive the blade means of the mower attachment.

The blade means may rotate in a substantially horizontal plane about a vertical axis. The mower attachment may include at least one wheel mounted on the chassis for supporting one end of the mower attachment above the ground, preferably two laterally spaced front wheels and optionally also at least two laterally spaced wheels towards the rear thereof.

The blade drive means may comprise a motor or engine mounted on the chassis that is longitudinally offset from the ATV.

The blade drive means may further include a transmission system in the form of a transmission belt for transmitting drive from the motor or engine to the vertically offset blade means.

The coupling means may comprise at least two hitches towards respectively a front and a rear of the mower attachment. Each hitch may be in the form of a linkage or optionally a towbar.

The mower attachment may further include means for adjusting the height of the blade means relative to the ground or support surface on which the vehicle is standing.

The vehicle may also include means for controlling the drive means of the mower attachment from a seated position on the ATV. The control means may include a control panel with at least one control switch that is operatively coupled to the drive means on the mower attachment. The control panel may include a throttle and choke lever, an electric starting button and a switch for engaging an electrical clutch. Further the mower attachment may include any one or more of the other features described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided an ATV in combination with a mower attachment as defined in the first aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An ATV and a mower attachment in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe in detail some preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. It is to be clearly understood however that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an upper three dimensional view of a mower attachment in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the mower attachment of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an ATV (all terrain vehicle) of the type used in this invention; Figure 4 is a rear end view of the vehicle of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded three dimensional view of a hitch for hitching the mower attachment of Figure 1 to the ATV of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a schematic three dimensional view of a control panel for the mower attachment of Figure 1 which is mounted on the ATV of Figure 3 to facilitate control of the mower attachment by a driver of the ATV;

Figure 7 is a side view of a mower attachment that is a minor variation on the mower attachment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in combination with an ATV;;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the mower attachment of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side view of a mower attachment in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention mounted to an ATV; and

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the mower attachment of Figure 9.

In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 refers generally to a mower or mower attachment in accordance with the invention. The terms "mower" and "mower attachment" will be used interchangeably in the specific description. The mower attachment 1 comprises broadly a chassis 2, a plurality of ground engaging formations, in the form of a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels 3 and three laterally spaced front wheels or jockey wheels 4, are mounted on the chassis 2. A set of rotatable blades 5 is mounted on the chassis 2. A drive means in the form of a petrol engine 6 for driving the blades 5 is also mounted on the chassis 2. The drive means also includes a transmission system for transmitting drive from the engine 6 to the set of blades 5.

The chassis 2 comprises a front portion 8 below which the set of blades 5 depend and which in use is positioned beneath the ATV, and a rear portion 9 on which the engine 6 is mounted which in use is positioned rearwardly of the ATV. In the illustrated embodiment, the engine 6 is 4-stroke petrol engine of the type typically used in a push mower. The wheels 3 are wheels of the type typically used on a push mower. The wheels 4 are smaller and may be like castors or jockey wheels used on support stands, trolleys and the like.

The set of blades 5 comprises three separate blade assemblies namely 14, 15 and 16 that are laterally spaced apart from each other on the front portion 8 of the chassis 2. Each blade assembly 14, 15 and 16 comprises a pulley 18 engaging the transmission system, a drive shaft (not shown), a blade hub 20 fast with the shaft, and two blades 21 extending radially outwardly away from the hub 20. In the illustrated embodiment the two said blades 21 diametrically opposed to each other. However it is to be clearly understood that the number of blades on hub 20 is not material. The transmission system comprises an endless belt 25, not unlike a fan belt, passing around the blade pulleys 18 of each blade assembly 14, 15 and 16, an engine pulley (not shown) mounted on the drive shaft of the engine, and a couple of guide pulleys 24. This way the engine drives a drive shaft which rotates the drive pulley which in turn rotates the blade pulleys 18 and thereby the blades 21. This arrangement for transmitting drive to the blades is shown particularly clearly in Figure 1.

The transmission system typically also includes a tensioning device in the form of a tensioning pulley 28 around which the belt 25 passes. The belt 25 may be tightened if necessary by adjusting laterally the position of the pulley 28.

A blade cover 26 is mounted over the set of blades 5 on the front portion 8 of the attachment 1. The blade cover 26 is shown as a cut out in the drawings. A belt cover 27 is mounted over the drive belt 7 intermediate the engine 6 and blade assemblies. This cover 27 has been omitted from Figure 1 of the drawings to show the details of the transmission belt 25.

The mower attachment 1 also includes means 30 for adjusting the height of the set of blades 5 above the ground to enable the user to select the length to which the grass will be cut. The adjustment means 30 comprises a tooth-like engaging element 31 operatively attached to the chassis 2 and thereby the wheels 3 which engages any one of a plurality of complementary recesses 32 that are operatively connected to the blades 5 via the blade cover 26. The blades 5 will be positioned at a different height above the ground depending upon the recess 32 into which the element 31 is inserted. These height adjustment devices are widely used on lawn mowers around the world and would be well known to persons skilled in the art.

The mower attachment 1 also includes coupling means in the form a plurality of hitches for coupling the attachment 1 , e.g. releasably to an ATV vehicle. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the attachment 1 has four hitches in the form of linkages 40. The position of the linkages is shown by numeral 40 in Figure 1 although the actual linkages are omitted for clarity.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a ride-on vehicle that is an ATV (all terrain vehicle) indicated generally by reference numeral 50. Broadly an ATV is a four wheel motorcycle having good ground clearance that is widely used as an all purpose vehicle on farms and the like. The ATV 50 is a hybrid vehicle that evolved from the well known 2-wheel motorcycle. The first development from the 2-wheel motorcycle was a 3-wheel motorcycle known as a trike. However the 3-wheel motorcycle was unstable and as a result a fourth wheel was added giving birth to the ATV. This species of vehicle proved an instant success and is widely used around the world. It combines the manoeuvrability and go anywhere qualities of a 2-agricultural motorcycle with the task versatility of a big 4-wheel drive utility.

The ATV 50 has a body 51 mounted on two laterally spaced front wheels 52 and two laterally spaced rear wheels 53. Each of the wheels 52, 53 is quite large. Further the wheels laterally spaced quite far apart from each other which confers additional stability. The ATV has a seat 54 on which the driver sits and the vehicle is steered by handle bars 55 similar to those found on a motorcycle. An engine 56 is positioned under the seat of the vehicle 50.

Figure 7 illustrates a combination of a mower attachment 1 very similar to thatin Figures 1 and 2 and the ATV of Figure 3. The mower attachment 1 is shown operatively coupled to the ATV 50.

The chassis 2 of the attachment 1 extends beneath the body 51 of the ATV 50 with the set of blades 5 between the front and rear wheels 52 and 53. The rear portion 9 of the mower attachment 1 including the rear wheels 3 and the engine 6 are positioned rearwardly of the rear wheels 53 of the ATV. The engine 6 is mounted closely behind the rear of the ATV 50.

Two hitches in the form of linkages 40 on the front portion 8 of the attachment 1 are attached to the front of the ATV 50 at laterally spaced locations. Another two hitches 40 on the rear portion 9, slightly in front of the engine 6, are attached to two laterally spaced points on the rear of the body 51 of the ATV 50. Figure 5 illustrates the components on the linkage 40 used for releasably attaching the mower attachment 1 to the ATV.

Each linkage 40 comprises a link or pin 41 pivotably mounted to the chassis of the mower attachment 1. The free end of the link 41 has an opening through which a locking pin 42 can be passed. A mounting formation or bracket 43 is permanently fixed to the ATV 50. In operation the locking pin 42 is passed through the formation 43 and then also the link 41 to effect hitching of the attachment 1 to the ATV. The link 41 can pivot relative to the locking pin 42 and the formation 43. The linkage type attachment permits an appropriate degree of relative movement between the attachment 1 and the ATV 50. Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a control panel for mounting on the ATV when it is used in combination with the mower attachment 1 as shown in Figure 1. The mower attachment 1 has a number of controls that are required for the engine 6. These controls are incorporated in a control panel 60 mounted on the ATV that is then operatively connected to the engine 6 of the mower attachment 1. The control panel 60 includes throttle and choke levers, an electric starting button, a shut-off switch for the engine, and a switch engaging an electrical clutch which activates the cutter blades. The panel 60 enables the mower attachment 1 to be effectively controlled by a driver seated on a moving ATV.

In addition in the illustrated embodiment, the ATV 50 has a safety cut-out switch operatively connected to the seat 54 of the ATV 50. This causes the engine 6 to switch off whenever the driver gets off the driver's seat of the AW.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate side and plan views of a mower attachment very similar to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. The drawings show clearly the pairs of hitches in the form of front and rear linkages 40 used to mount the mower attachment 1 to the AW 50. The rear linkages

40 are sliding telescopic linkages and the front linkages 40 are adjustable. Each of the linkages 40 extends forwardly and upwardly from the mower attachment to the ATV 50.

In use, when mowing operations are required to be carried out, the mower attachment 1 has to be coupled up to the general purpose AW vehicle 50. The mower attachment 1 would generally be stored between uses in a storage area separate and apart from the AW 50 which is used in everyday use. The mower attachment 1 is only coupled up to the ATV 50 when mowing tasks are required to be done. To couple and mount the mower attachment 1 to the AW 50 in the manner shown in Figure 5 a sequence a tasks needs to undertaken. First the set of blades 5 of the mower attachment 1 is lowered to its lowest setting. The AW 50 is then reversed over the front portion 8 of the mower attachment 1 such that the front portion 8 is positioned between the front and rear wheels of the ATV and the engine 6 is adjacent the rear of the AW. The mower attachment 1 is then coupled to the ATV 50 by means of the four hitches 40. Each link 41 is lifted up into alignment with the formation 43 on the AW and a locking pin 42 is then passed therethrough.

Thereafter the control lines passing to the control panel on the ATV are connected to the AW. Finally the blade assemblies are set at a suitable height above the ground to cut the vegetation to be mowed to an appropriate length.

The vehicle is then ready for use. A driver mounts the AW vehicle and sits in the driver's seat and starts the vehicle. As described above a safety cut-out switch will not permit the engine 6 to be started unless a driver is seated in the driver's seat. The driver then commences mowing of the grass area to be cut. The power and stability of the ATV vehicle makes traversing hilly and uneven terrain easy. Grass cuttings are directed away from the mower by the blade cover.

When the mowing job has been finished, the driver dismounts from the ATV driver's seat. This automatically switches the engine of the mower attachment 1 off. The attachment 1 is then detached from the ATV vehicle by detaching the four pins 42 described above in a reverse procedure to that described above. The AW vehicle is then driven forwardly off the front of the mower 1. The mower 1 can then be pushed into a store such as a shed or the like where it is kept until it is next required for use.

The wheels permit it to be pushed along the ground when it is not coupled up to the AW 50. Meanwhile the AW vehicle can be used in the normal way for a myriad of other activities. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention with an alternative coupling means for the mower attachment 1. Unless otherwise indicated the same reference numerals shall be used to refer to the same components.

The coupling means includes a complementary hitching or coupling formation 70 of the type used to hitch trailers and caravans to motor vehicles. It comprises a towbar 71 on the rear of the AW 50, typically centrally positioned, and a receiving cup formation 72 that is placed over the towbar 71 to effect attachment. The receiving formation 72 is mounted on a post 73 extending upwardly from the chassis 20 and also has a rotating handle for raising and lowering the receiving formation 72 to position it over the towbar 71.

The coupling means for this embodiment also includes a linkage 75 at the front of the mower attachment 1 for extending upwardly to a bracket on the ATV 50. The linkage 75 comprises two first link elements 76 in parallel to each other, and a second link element 77 pivotally attached to the first link element 76. The free end 78 of the second link element 77 is locked to a locking formation that is a bracket 79 on the AW 50. In operation the link elements 76, 77 on the mower attachment 1 are pivoted upwardly into alignment with the bracket 79 and then a locking pin or R-clip is passed therethrough. The linkage 75 at the front of the attachment 1 is much longer than that used on the Figure 1 embodiment. In this embodiment the mower attachment has no real wheels. The rear portion

9 of the attachment 1 including engine 6 is supported by the AW 50.

The mower attachment 1 has two laterally spaced wheels 4 towards the front thereof for travelling along the ground in use. It also has a third, broadly, centrally positioned wheel 4 raised above the other two wheels that comes into use when negotiating uneven terrain and one of the other wheels is not in contact with the ground. Applicant has found that this embodiment with the towbar is much easier to couple up to an ATV than the first embodiment and for this reason it is preferred.

An advantage of the contrivance described above is that it is relatively simple and inexpensive yet when coupled to an ATV vehicle provides a versatile mower. It is considerably more powerful than most ride-on mowers currently on the market. An AW vehicle has 4-wheel drive capability with generous ground clearance. It is therefore capable of handling a wide range of terrains, eg steep hills and uneven ground surface.

Many ride-on mowers have severe limitations in these areas.

In addition because it makes use of existing equipment namely existing ATV vehicles it is not very costly. Many AW vehicles are owned by the general public and these people would only need to buy the mower attachment, eg as an accessory, to acquire the mowing capability described above. In addition the mowing contrivance then at their disposal would have considerable advantages over the typical ride-on mower. Other advantages of the combination described above and illustrated in the drawings are as follow.

The mower attachment is mid-mounted which provides additional stability. It also aids in giving the vehicle good manoeuvrability and an ability to handle difficult terrain. In addition by being mid-mounted it does not increase the vehicle length. Further the mower attachment and associated blades are positioned such that it is possible to mow up to the sides of garden beds, trees and the like. Further the control panel for the mower attachment is positioned within easy reach of an operator seated on the ATV.

In addition the engine on the mower attachment only supplies power to the cutting blades so no power from the engine on the mower attachment is needed to drive the AW which is independently driven. It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that also such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mower attachment for coupling to an AW (all terrain vehicle) having front and rear wheels, comprising: a chassis for extending beneath the vehicle; a rotatable blade means vertically supported by the chassis and depending down beneath the chassis; a drive means for driving the blade means mounted on the chassis and driveably coupled to the blade means; and means for coupling the mower attachment to the ATV.

2. A mower attachment according to claim 1 , further including a plurality of ground engaging formations for facilitating the displacement of the attachment over a support surface.

3. A mower attachment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mower attachment includes a front portion and a rear portion, and the front portion in use is received underneath the ride-on vehicle and the rear portion is positioned rearwardly of the ride-on vehicle, and wherein the blade drive means is mounted on the rear portion and the blade means is mounted on the front portion vertically offset from the drive means.

4. A mower attachment according to claim 3, wherein the ground engaging formations comprise two laterally spaced rear wheels on the rear portion, and at least two front wheels on the front portion.

5. A mower attachment according to claim 4, wherein the blade drive means includes a fuel driven engine that is a two stroke or four stroke petrol engine mounted on the rear portion of the chassis.

6. A mower attachment according to claim 5, wherein the blade drive means includes a drive transmission system for transmitting drive from the engine to the blade means.

7. A mower attachment according to claim 6, wherein the drive transmission system comprises a transmission belt passing around a pulley associated with each of the blade assemblies.

8. A mower attachment according to claim 7, wherein the drive transmission system includes a further pulley associated with the engine.

9. A mower attachment according to claim 8, wherein the transmission system further includes means for tensioning the transmission belt in the form of a tensioning pulley of laterally adjustable position.

10. A mower attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coupling means comprises at least one hitch for releasably attaching the mower attachment to the ride-on vehicle by means of a linkage that permits some movement of the mower attachment relative to the ride-on vehicle.

11. A mower attachment according to claim 10, having two said hitches laterally spaced from each other towards the front of the attachment, and a further two said hitches laterally spaced from each other towards the rear of the attachment.

12. A mower attachment according to claim 10, having a towbar receiving formation towards the rear of the attachment, and a linkage towards the front of the attachment.

13. A mower attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the blade means comprises at least one blade assembly having at least one blade extending in a broadly horizontal direction rotating about a substantially vertical axis.

14. A mower attachment according to claim 13, having three said blade assemblies laterally spaced apart from each other, and wherein each blade assembly includes two rigid blades extending in a radial direction.

15. A mower attachment according to claim 13 or claim 14, further including means for adjusting the vertical position or height of the blades relative to the chassis whereby to adjust the length to which grass is cut.

16. A mower attachment according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further including a blade cover extending over and around the blade assembly/ies and providing a physical barrier between the rotating blades and the space surrounding the mower attachment.

17. A mower attachment according to claim 7, further including a belt cover for covering the transmission belt in the region intermediate the drive means and the blade means.

18. A vehicle suitable for mowing an area of grass comprising: an all terrain vehicle (AW) having a body and longitudinally spaced front and rear wheels; and a mower attachment mounted to the ATV comprising: a chassis, a rotatable blade means mounted on the chassis and extending downwardly below the chassis for cutting grass, a blade drive means independent of the AW mounted on the chassis vertically offset from the blade means, wherein the chassis extends beneath the body of the AW with the blade means positioned intermediate the front and rear wheels of the AW, and coupling means for releasably coupling the attachment to the ATV body.

19. A vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the blade means rotates in a substantially horizontal plane about a vertical axis.

20. A vehicle according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the mower attachment further includes at least one wheel mounted on the chassis for supporting one end of the mower attachment above the ground.

21. A vehicle according to claim 20, having two laterally spaced rear wheels and at least one jockey wheel towards the front thereof.

22. A vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 21 , wherein the blade drive means comprises a motor or engine mounted on the chassis that is longitudinally offset from the AW.

23. A vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the blade drive means further includes a transmission means in the form of a transmission belt for transmitting drive from the motor or engine to the vertically offset blade means.

24. A vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the coupling means comprises at least two hitches towards respectively a front and a rear of the mower attachment.

25. A vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the mower attachment further includes means for adjusting the height of the blade means relative to the ground or support surface on which the vehicle is standing.

26. A vehicle according to any one of claims 18 to 25, further including control means for controlling the drive means of the mower attachment from a seated position on the AW.

27. A vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the means includes a control panel with at least one control switch that is operatively coupled to the drive means on the mower attachment whereby to enable a driver of the AW to control the drive means.