Award: Award of Distinction
Year: 2007
Category: Lawn & Garden/Off-Highway

Description:
The award was given to two actuator arms—right-hand and left-hand—used in a zero-turning-radius control system for high-end commercial and residential riding lawnmowers. The innovative PM arms replaced two six-piece assemblies, eliminating 12 parts and related labor and assembly costs. The PM lever arms incorporate a bevel gear and stop lug into a lever that controls a hydraulic system. Made from MPIF FC 0208-50 material, the actuator arms have a density of 6.7 g/cm³, a tensile strength of 50,000 psi, and a hardness range of 75 to 100 HRB, providing good wear properties. More than 200,000 of the parts are produced annually.