Abstract: A transmission comprising an input member, an output member and a planetary gear train is provided. The planetary gear train includes an output carrier and a spindle. The output carrier includes an outer conically tapered surface and the spindle includes a tapered inner surface having a variable inner diameter. The outer conically tapered surface of said output carrier includes a variable outer diameter. The output carrier is immovably affixed to said stationary spindle by forcibly press-fitting said variable outer diameter of said outer conically tapered surface of said output carrier into immoveable engagement with said variable inner diameter of said tapered inner surface of said spindle. The planetary gear train effects a speed reduction between said input member and said output member.

Abstract: The present invention employs a hydraulically operable piston and intermediate member to control two clutches in a first planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set includes a first sun gear, a first planet gear, a first planet carrier and an inner ring gear. The first planet carrier includes a gear which drives a second planetary gear set resulting in rotation of a wheel hub. With hydraulic pressure applied to the piston and the intermediate member a first clutch is engaged locking an inner ring gear to a stationary outer ring effecting a high ratio reduction. With no hydraulic pressure applied to the piston and intermediate member a second clutch engages the first sun gear and the first planet carrier locking them together such that the first sun gear, first planet gear, first planet carrier and inner ring gear rotate in unison effecting a low ration reduction. With no hydraulic pressure applied, the first clutch is not engaged.

Abstract: A ground vehicle final drive system includes a hydraulic motor powered by an engine driven pump, and a planetary gear final drive unit mounted between the frame of the vehicle and the wheel hub. A two-speed gear box is mechanically coupled between the hydraulic motor and the final drive unit and includes a remotely operable hydraulic shifter which can shift the two-speed gear box between two gear ratios by the use of a coupling that is splined to the output shaft and slides between an annular recess in one output gear and onto a spline connection on the other output gear.

Abstract: A coupled planetary gear system for use preferably with the wheel assembly of large vehicles in which the secondary planet gears and the primary ring gear are secured to the wheel assembly. The input shaft drives the primary sun gear, and the primary planet gears drive the secondary sun gear.

Abstract: The present application discloses structure which produces area contact in place of point or line contact between a cylindrical shaft and a cylindrical bore. When the area of contact is increased, the unit pressure is reduced which results in less wear and longer life. The combination of the present invention includes a shaft having an external surface and a member in the nature of a gear or the like which has a bore surrounding the shaft and which bore includes an internal surface. The present invention involves the situation wherein one of the shaft and member is fixed and the other of the shaft and member is rotatable. The improvement of the present invention involves the situation wherein the surface of the rotatable one of the two above mentioned members is provided with a first cooperating surface portion which has a constant radius and which extends through an angle 360.degree..