Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive apparatus having a center section located in a housing includes a hydraulic pump and motor disposed thereon and in fluid communication with a hydraulic porting system in the center section. The pump is driven by an input shaft extending out of the housing and the motor drives an output shaft that is generally perpendicular to the input shaft. A bypass actuator extends into the center section perpendicular to both the input shaft and the output shaft. Rotation of the bypass actuator acts to lift the hydraulic motor from the center section to break the hydraulic interface between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic porting system. The center section may include a second pump and motor with a second hydraulic porting system and a second bypass actuator.

Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive device comprising a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a housing and a single output shaft driven by the hydrostatic transmission and extending out of the housing. The hydrostatic transmission has a center section mounted entirely within the housing and a rotatable hydraulic pump and a rotatable hydraulic motor mounted on the center section and connected through hydraulic porting in the center section. A pump shaft extends into the housing to drive the pump block, and the longitudinal axis of the output shaft is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pump shaft.

Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A transaxle having a transmission housing forming a hydraulic sump and a hydrostatic transmission mounted in the sump. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a center section having hydraulic porting mounted therein and a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors mounted on the center section. A first axle housing is mounted on one end of the transmission housing, and has a first output axle mounted therein and connected to one of the hydraulic motors and a second axle housing is mounted on the opposite end of the transmission housing, and has a second output axle mounted therein and connected to the second hydraulic motor. A vehicle incorporating a dual hydrostatic transaxle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a housing forming a sump containing hydraulic fluid, a charge pump or auxiliary pump in flow communication with the sump for creating high pressure hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid, a center section having hydraulic porting formed therein, a hydraulic pump and motor, connected to the hydraulic pump through the hydraulic porting. A differential and output axles are also mounted in the housing with a drive train connecting the hydraulic motor output shaft and the differential. The drive train comprises a counter shaft secured to the housing and having a first gear engaged to the motor output shaft and a second gear engaged to both the first gear and the differential.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission generally comprises a sump containing hydraulic fluid, a charge pump in flow communication with the sump for creating high pressure hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid, a center section having hydraulic porting formed therein, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump through the hydraulic porting, and a manifold defining a gallery for storing the high pressure fluid. The gallery is in flow communication with the charge pump and the hydraulic porting.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission generally comprises a sump containing hydraulic fluid, a charge pump in flow communication with the sump for creating high pressure hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid, a center section having hydraulic porting formed therein, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump through the hydraulic porting, and a manifold defining a gallery for storing the high pressure fluid. The gallery is in flow communication with the charge pump and the hydraulic porting.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission generally comprises a sump containing hydraulic fluid, a charge pump in flow communication with the sump for creating high pressure hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid, a center section having hydraulic porting formed therein, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump through the hydraulic porting, and a manifold defining a gallery for storing the high pressure fluid. The gallery is in flow communication with the charge pump and the hydraulic porting.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission generally comprises a sump containing hydraulic fluid, a charge pump in flow communication with the sump for creating high pressure hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid, a center section having hydraulic porting formed therein, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump through the hydraulic porting, and a manifold defining a gallery for storing the high pressure fluid. The gallery is in flow communication with the charge pump and the hydraulic porting.

Abstract: A transaxle assembly includes an output shaft which drives a differential assembly. The differential assembly includes a first gear comprised of a spur gear which is adapted to be driven by the output shaft, a sun gear movable with the first gear, a non-movable ring gear, a plurality of planet gears adapted to be drivingly connected to the ring gear and to be driven by the sun gear orbitally thereabout, a planet gear carrier for rotatably supporting the plurality of planet gears and movable therewith, and a differential carried by the planet gear carrier. The differential is adapted to drive an axle on which two wheels are mounted.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive apparatus for transferring power from a light duty vehicle engine to an output axle, including a charge pump for providing additional hydraulic fluid to a hydrostatic transmission in the apparatus, wherein the charge pump is mounted external to the housing of the drive apparatus.

Abstract: Means for connecting auxiliary pumps and charge pumps to an axle driving apparatus to transfer power from a light duty vehicle engine to an output axle, wherein the charge and/or auxiliary pumps are mounted to the external housing for an integrated hydrostatic transmission or to the external housing for a hydrostatic transmission which is connected to separate axle mechanisms.

Abstract: Means for connecting auxiliary pumps and charge pumps to an axle driving apparatus to transfer power from a light duty vehicle engine to an output axle, wherein the charge and/or auxiliary pumps are mounted to the external housing for an integrated hydrostatic transmission or to the external housing for a hydrostatic transmission which is connected to separate axle mechanisms.