Hydrostatic Transmission:Created 3D models & 2D drawings to quote & procure prototypes for new transmission using Hydro-Gear pumps & Parker LSHT motors.Created costed plan for every part (PFEP) for new transmission required changes.Conducted design reviews to integrate changes in parallel with other upgrades that were being carried out simultaneously by other people & groups.New designs included aluminum welded hydraulic tank, low pressure line assemblies to connect tank to pumps, high pressure hose assemblies, hydraulic fitting selection, pump mounting, isolated & fixed tank mounting, V-belt layout & effective length analysis, & sliding belt tensioner.Advised manufacturing requirements regarding assembly sequence, installation torques, oil fill & deaeration process.Prototype Battery Powered Zero Turn:Led a team of engineers in preliminary layout & specification of a new electric zero turn mower.Defined drive motor requirements based on duty cycle, weight, & speed requirements.Created vehicle stability calculator to assist with locating all significant monuments of mower to ensure compliance with ANSI stability & internal maneuverability requirements.Investigated aluminum vs steel use in entire mower to identify any opportunities for increased battery capacity or weight reduction for enhanced run time.Heavy Duty Residential Zero Turn Mower:Collaboratively designed new residential zero turn mower. Responsible for transmission mounting, transmission drive belt tensioning system, parking brake system & modifications to lever steering system for Tuff-Torq TZ-350 transmissions.HD Commercial Zero Turn:Designed entire mower prototype excluding seat & cutting deck. Featured aluminum fuel tanks, Parker HTG transmissions & 38.5 hp Kawasaki EFI V-twinProcured & assembled all new parts for fit check & design review.Obtained budgetary costs. Created plan for every part. Created timing & investment requirements documentation.

Supported continuing sales and annual cost reductions in commercial zero turn mowing equipment by leading engineers and a mechanical test technician in product development focused on the following improvements:• Hydrostatic transmission drive controls with over-center mechanism integrated into park brake cable system• Hydrostatic transmission frame weldments for common installation, reduced cost, ease of assembly, and ease of service • Cost reduction of lift mechanism for cutting deck via DFM, function simplification, & improved ergonomicsHelped increase sales by collaborating with a cross functional design team in product development of new commercial stand-on mower. Responsible for:• Hydrostatic transmission design activities including development of initial concepts• Negotiating with suppliers on external manufacture and delivery logistics between supplier and internal manufacturing groups• Collaborating with and supporting machinists and welders to make prototype parts• Participating in prototype builds• Creating bills of material• Tracking cost• Providing guidance and support to junior engineers• Supporting validation testing by troubleshooting and fixing any issues found

Data Migration:Managed four contract engineers in migrating 3D models and 2D drawings from Solidworks into CATIA V5 & creation of associated bills of material in Smart Team.Supervisor Role:Managed mechanical test technician daily activities in support of on going quality & cost reduction related projects.Grass Vacuum/Blower:Developed, validated, and released into production a new cutting deck belt driven grass blower that eliminated premature wear, clogging, & fit issues.The new design included a welded impeller, housing, attachment brackets, and a square to round plastic adapter for collection hose.Worked with Chinese suppliers on the tooling for the adapter (soft tooled for low volume production).Grass Collection Systems:Updated designs of an 8 bushel and 11 bushel dump from seat collection systems to allow installation onto latest commercial mowers.Hydrostatic Transmission:Modified the welded frame and hydraulic plumbing of a 21 cc hydrostatic transmission used on diesel powered commercial zero turn mowers to allow use of new hydraulic motors required by the obsolescence of previously used motors.

Lead design engineer responsible for development of a Freightliner commercial walk-in van chassis powered by a General Motors 6.0L V8 gasoline engine and Allison transmission for UPS resulting in first year sales increase of ~$60M.Led a team of 5 engineers in development of prototype vehicle designs.Primary responsibilities included:• Fuel system (fuel and vapor lines, fuel tank and mounting, fuel fill pipe)• Engine mounting and isolation• Cooling system (radiator, baffle, fan, plumbing)• Exhaust system (down pipes, catalytic converters, muffler, tailpipe, and hanger brackets)• Chassis structural design (frame rails and cross members)

Designed a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system for use in a walk-in van.Responsibilities included:• Fuel lines and venting system• Tank cage and mounting bracketsUsed FEA to determine thickness and material strength required for the welded tubular cage components and tank mounting brackets.Consulted with suppliers and manufacturers regarding component selection and tooling limitations.Provided guidance to assembly personnel during the prototype build.

Designed and released chassis modifications required for the installation of a Mercedes Benz 7.2L 6-cylinder diesel engine.Responsibilities included:• Exhaust system (down pipe, after-treatment device, tail pipe, and mounting brackets)• Engine mounting and isolation• Transmission cooling lines• Drive-shafts and bearing support brackets

Supported resolution of field failures, manufacturing issues, and design simplification by:• Creating 3D CAD models, layouts, and drawings using CATIA V4• Performing stress analysis using FEA to eliminate field failures• Designing fuel system installations for fleet commonality• Designing auto-lube grease systems for use on multiple models and wheelbases

AKA: Champion Road MachineryCollaboratively developed with a team of engineers the products listed below using the following skills:• 3D CAD models, layouts, drawings, and schematics using Solid Edge, Solid Works, and AutoCAD• FEA using ANSYS DesignSpace• Provided guidance on use of ANSI Y14.5M-1994 and GD&T.• Supported welders and assembly personnel in release of new designs.Compact Motorgraders for Europe:A series of Cummins diesel powered hydrostatic compact motor graders to meet European machine design safety standards. Responsibilities included:• All operator control panels including custom switch and indicator design• Engine mounting and isolation• Engine intake and exhaust components, plumbing, and mounting• Engine hood and grille• Engine and transmission cooling system including radiator, fan shroud, fan, and plumbing• Fuel tank and plumbing modifications required by engine supplier• Under-cab hydraulic shields• Main frame vehicle articulation joint and lockUS Army Variant:A variant of the above motor grader designed for transport inside a C-130 cargo plane and underneath a CH-47 aka, Chinook, helicopter for the 101st Army airborne division based in Ft. Campbell, KY. Responsibilities included:• Lift and tie-down brackets including associated frame weldment modifications• Static and dynamic validation of above design changes• Engine hood, grille, and rear blackout light integrationLeeboy Slipform Concrete Curber:A Kubota diesel powered hydrostatic three wheeled slip form concrete curbing machine was reverse engineered and its’ design was optimized for ease of manufacturing, assembly, and service for LeeBoy (a road construction company). Responsibilities included:• Engine mounting and isolation• Engine intake and exhaust components, plumbing, and mounting• Engine and transmission cooling system including radiator, fan shroud, fan, and plumbing• Concrete hopper• Operator control pedestal

AKA: Consolidated Diesel Co.Created and modified drawings for parts and assemblies using AutoCAD.Designed pneumatic control systems required for fixtures and tooling.Obtained, tested, and verified prototypes of in-house designed mechanisms.Assisted cross-functional teams with implementing new or changes to error-proofing devices, hydraulic equipment, and testing methods/devices.

Implemented and tested changes to a product tracking system that controlled micro-chip manufacturing process equipment.Planned, implemented, and tested changes of robotics to support process improvement.Investigated and eliminated robotic failures on automatically guided vehicles (AGVs)