Abstract: An integral-type transaxle apparatus comprising a single housing in which a pair of driving axles, a differential mechanism for differentially connecting both said driving axles to each other, a driving hydraulic stepless transmission which fluidly connects a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, a steering hydraulic stepless transmission which fluidly connects a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, a mechanical transmission for transmitting outputs of both said hydraulic stepless transmissions to said differential mechanism are accommodated, wherein at least one of said hydraulic stepless transmissions is disposed such that a rotational axis of a pump shaft of said one hydraulic stepless transmission and a rotational axis of a motor shaft of said one hydraulic stepless transmission are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L). A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle is installed with an integral transaxle apparatus constructed so that a single housing contains left and right axles, a driving hydrostatic transmission (HST) having a variable displacement first hydraulic pump and a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, a steering HST having a variable displacement second hydraulic pump and a variable displacement second hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, and a differential unit differentially connecting the axles with each other so as to be driven regularly or reversely by the output of the driving HST and to differentially drive the axles while receiving the output of the steering HST, wherein the first hydraulic pump receives power of a prime mover and has a first movable swash plate, and the second hydraulic pump receives power of the prime mover independently of the first hydraulic pump and has a second movable swash plate.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing for supporting a first axle for mounting thereon a first driving wheel, and a longer second axle for mounting thereon a second driving wheel. The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame in proximity to the first driving wheel. A speed change transmission is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles. The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L). A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly is disposed in the enlarged region. The speed change assembly includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L). A second axle driving unit (18R) having similar construction is adjacently disposed to the first axle driving unit (18L). However, the second axle driving unit (18R) features a single axle (20R) being disposed on the opposite side of the single axle (20L) of the first axle driving unit (18L).

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L). A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: A clutch-brake interlocking mechanism interlocks a brake with a clutch to prevent the brake and the clutch from being disengaged simultaneously so as to prevent a vehicle from inadvertently moving on a slope. The interlocking mechanism includes: (a) a friction clutch 10 including a drive-side member 11 and a driven-side member 12, wherein the drive-side member 11 and the driven-side member 12 are engaged when the drive-side member 11 is pressed toward the driven-side member 12; (b) a friction brake 20 including a brake member 22 (and 23) and a brake disk 21, wherein the brake member 22 and the brake disk 21 are engaged when the brake member 22 is pressed toward the brake disk 21; and (c) a coupling member 30 for pressing the drive-side member 11 and the brake member 22.

Abstract: A transmission for self-propelled walking lawn mowers comprising a casing (23); an input shaft (10) extending within the casing (23); an output shaft (13) penetrating the casing (23) and connected to drive wheels; an intermediate shaft (25) connected to the input shaft (10) via a transmission gear mechanism (24); a plurality of drive gears (26) and a plurality of driven gears (28) mounted on the output shaft (13) to mesh with each other; connecting means for connecting a gear selected from the plurality of driven gears (28) to the output shaft (13); and a clutch (27) mounted on the intermediate shaft (25) to engage or disengage the drive gear set (26) with or from the intermediate shaft (25). According to the present invention, the load imposed on the clutch is effectively reduced, thereby increasing the service life of the obtained product.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus having a shaft sealing device to provide for compact and flexible packaging. The shaft sealing device includes an oil seal and a seal carrier for supporting the oil seal. The shaft sealing device can be used to provide a reliable fluid-tight seal for the axles and other shafts, thereby allowing the axles and other shafts to be located in different planes, and offset from the plane of the casing junction surface. The shaft sealing device may alternatively be configured as an integral unit that includes a shaft support.

Abstract: A transaxle assembly for small-scaled, self-propelled machines of a relatively simple structure includes an axle-locking mechanism which is housed in an axle casing (19). The locking mechanism comprises left and right rotors (47L, 47R), each having teeth (47a) thereon and mounted fixedly on left and right wheel axles (20L, 20R), and left and right locking members (49L, 49R) each having at least one pawl (49a) engageable with the teeth. The locking members are mounted on a control shaft (50), which extends parallel to the wheel axles, such that these members are moved rotationally by a rotational displacement of the control shaft so as to cause locking engagement between the pawls and teeth. A torque spring (53) is preferably employed for causing lock-operating movement of the locking member by the control shaft. The transaxle and locking mechanism can be handled as a unit in a self-propelled machine so that assembling of the machine is made easier.