Abstract: A steerable hydraulic transaxle comprises: a kingpin relatively rotatably supported by a vehicle chassis; a housing fixed to the kingpin; a single axle disposed in the housing; a single wheel fixed onto the single axle out of the housing; and a hydraulic motor disposed in the housing so as to drive the single axle.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a working vehicle comprises a hydrostatic transmission, a sun-and-planetary gearing unit, and an auxiliary speed changing system. The hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover equipped on the working vehicle, a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hollow motor shaft serving as an output shaft of the hydraulic motor. The sun-and-planetary gearing unit includes first, second and third elements arranged coaxial to the motor shaft. The first element is drivingly connected to the motor shaft so as to be rotated integrally with the motor shaft. The second element is drivingly connected to front wheels of the working vehicle. The third element is drivingly connected to rear wheels of the working vehicle and differentially connected to the second element through the first element. The auxiliary speed changing system is drivingly interposed between the hollow motor shaft and the first element.

Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle comprises a transaxle casing for supporting left and right axles, a pair of hydraulic motors disposed in the transaxle casing so as to drive the respective left and right axles, hydraulic ports provided in the transaxle casing so as to fluidly connect the pair of hydraulic motors in parallel to a common hydraulic pump, and a system for restricting or canceling differential rotation of the pair of hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A steering transaxle comprises: left and right drive shafts drivingly connected to respective steerable wheels; a differential gear unit differentially connecting the drive shafts to each other; a transaxle casing having an opening, the transaxle casing incorporating the differential gear unit and the drive shafts; a cover for covering the opening of the transaxle casing; a variable hydraulic motor having a movable swash plate, the hydraulic motor being provided on the inside of the cover; a motor control mechanism for controlling the movable swash plate, the motor control mechanism being provided on the outside of the cover; and a hydraulic oil port for oil supply and delivery to and from the hydraulic motor, the hydraulic oil port being provided on the outside of the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, a prime mover mounted on the vehicle frame, a laterally turnable wheel disposed at one side of the vehicle frame, a pair of drive wheels disposed at the other side of the vehicle frame, a steering operation device, a traveling operation device for setting the traveling speed and direction of the vehicle, and a pair of transmissions for controlling the rotary speed and direction of the respective drive wheels. The transmissions are operationally connected with the steering operation device so as to create a difference of rotary speed between the drive wheels according to operation of the steering operation device. The transmissions are operationally connected with the traveling operation device so as to drive the drive wheels in a common rotary direction from their stationary state according to operation of the traveling operation device.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission comprising a housing formed with a fluid sump, a center section, a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic motor. A fluid passage is formed in the center section. A bore is open at an outer surface of the center section in communication with the fluid passage. An output operation device is provided for controlling discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump. A piston having an outer surface is reciprocally inserted into the bore so as to be allowed to project outward from the center section. A valve is disposed within the bore. The valve is biased to be closed by a spring disposed between the valve and the piston. A member interlocks with the output operation device so as to contact with the outer surface of the piston.

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 operation mechanism for a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is disposed in a housing filled with fluid. A capacity regulating member is provided on the hydraulic pump in the housing for changing the discharge amount of the hydraulic pump. An operation member is operationally connected to the capacity regulating member. The operation member is to be manipulated outside the housing. A resistive device is interposed between the operation member and the capacity regulating member for making the motion of the capacity regulating member slow. The resistive device is an assembly unit comprising a casing, a piston slidably disposed in the casing, and fluid filled in the casing. The casing is fitted into the hole provided in the housing.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprises a housing. The housing contains a hydrostatic transmission, a differential unit driven by the hydrostatic transmission, a pair of axles mutually differentially connected through the differential unit, and a restricting mechanism for selectively restricting differential motion of the axles by manual operation. The differential unit comprises a ring gear serving as an input gear and a pair of bevel gears which can be differentially rotated by rotation of the ring gear. The restricting mechanism engages one of the bevel gears with the ring gear. If a pair of differential side gears fixed on the respective axles serve as the bevel gears, the restricting mechanism engages one of the bevel gear to the ring gear through a claw clutch or a friction clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle including an integral transaxle apparatus with axles, a driving hydrostatic transmission (HST), a steering HST, and a differential unit. Driving operating means for slanting operation of a first movable swash plate of the variable displacement driving hydraulic pump for switching the travelling direction between forward and backward and for changing the travelling speed, and steering operating means for slanting operation of a second movable swash plate of the variable displacement steering hydraulic pump so as to determine the leftward and rightward cornering angle are provided. The steering hydraulic motor has a third movable swash plate interlocking with the driving operating means so that the slanting direction of the third movable swash plate is changed according to the operation of the driving operating means, whereby the vehicle turns laterally in the same direction in response to the steering operating means whether the vehicle travels forward or backward.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.

Abstract: A multi-wheel vehicle provided with at least six running wheels, that is, a pair of first running wheels serving as driving wheels, a pair of second running wheels such as castors disposed before or behind said pair of first running wheels so as to be laterally turned in the traveling direction of said vehicle, and a pair of third running wheels disposed before or behind said first running wheels. The vehicle comprises a prime mover, a speed change operation device, a steering operation device, a transmission drivingly connected with said prime mover, and a pair of running-driving axles onto which said respective first running wheels are attached. The transmission applies composite force of first equal rotational forces in the same directions and second equal rotational forces in opposite directions onto said pair of first running wheels. The speed change operation device is manipulated so as to regulate the direction and magnitude of said first rotational forces.

Abstract: An operation mechanism for a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is disposed in a housing filled with first fluid. A capacity regulating member is provided on the hydraulic pump in the housing for changing the discharge amount of the hydraulic pump. An operation member is operationally connected to the capacity regulating member. The operation member is to be manipulated outside the housing. A resistive device is interposed between the operation member and the capacity regulating member for making the motion of the capacity regulating member slow. The resistive device is an assembly unit comprising a casing, a piston slidably disposed in the casing, and second fluid sealed in the casing. The second fluid is different from the first fluid. The casing is fitted into the hole provided in the housing. The retaining member retains the casing in the hole.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprising a combination of a speed-change HST for coupling a variable-capacity pump and a motor with a fluid on the one hand and a steering HST for coupling a variable-capacity pump and a motor with a fluid on the other hand, configured in such a manner that the two HSTs are accommodated in a common housing. The motor output of the speed-change HST is transmitted to a differential arrangement for differentially coupling a pair of axles, and the motor output of the steering HST is transmitted to a differential arrangement for differentially coupling a pair of steering output shafts. One of the steering output shafts and one of the axles are power-coupled to one transmission train, while the other steering output shaft and the other axle are power-coupled to the other transmission train which applies a turning effort to the other axle in the direction opposite to the turning effort applied to the first axle by the first transmission train.

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: A hydrostatic transmission comprising a housing formed with a fluid sump, a center section disposed within the fluid sump, a hydraulic pump mounted on the center section, and a hydraulic motor mounted on the center section. A fluid passage is formed in the center section for hydraulically connecting the hydraulic pump with the hydraulic motor. A bore is open at an outer surface of the center section in communication with the fluid passage. An output operation device is provided for controlling discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump. The output operation device is moved to an operational position from a neutral position. A piston having an outer surface is reciprocally inserted into the bore so as to be allowed to project outward from the center section. A valve is disposed within the bore for opening and closing the bore to and from the fluid passage. The valve is biased to be closed by a spring disposed between the valve and the piston.

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: The present invention provides a riding lawn mower comprising: two pairs of ground engaging wheels 2, 2 and 3, 3 disposed at front and rear portions of a vehicle frame 5; a cutter blade 9 supported by the vehicle frame 5; a drive source 7 mounted on the vehicle frame 5 and having an output shaft 8 extending downwardly; a transmission 20 including i) a casing 21; ii) an input shaft 22 substantially vertically supported by the casing 21, and iii) a pair of axles 4, 4 extending substantially horizontally in opposite directions, the pair of axles supporting each one of the two pairs of ground engaging wheels, the transmission 20 being arranged below the drive source 7 and having the input shaft 22 coupled substantially coaxially with the output shaft 8 of the drive source 7 non-rotatably relative thereto; and power transmitting members 10 and 11 for the cutter blade 9, the power transmitting members 10 and 11 being provided to rotate with the output shaft 8.

Abstract: A running vehicle comprises a steering operation tool, a pair of running-driving axles, a pair of running wheels drivingly connected with the pair of running-driving axles, a first differential unit interposed between the pair of running-driving axles, a first hydrostatic transmission for transmitting a driving force to the first differential unit, a pair of steering output shafts, a second differential unit interposed between the pair of steering output shafts, a second hydrostatic transmission for transmitting a driving force to the second differential unit. The second hydrostatic transmission drivingly interlocks with the steering operation tool so that the output speed and direction of the second hydraulic transmission is changed by manipulation of the steering operation tool.

Abstract: A multi-wheel vehicle provided with at least six running wheels, that is, a pair of first running wheels serving as driving wheels, a pair of second running wheels such as castors disposed before or behind said pair of first running wheels so as to be laterally turned in the traveling direction of said vehicle, and a pair of third running wheels disposed before or behind said first running wheels. The vehicle comprises a prime mover, a speed change operation means, a steering operation means, a transmission drivingly connected with said prime mover, and a pair of running-driving axles onto which said respective first running wheels are attached. The transmission applies composite force of first equal rotational forces in the same directions and second equal rotational forces in opposite directions onto said pair of first running wheels. The speed change operation means is manipulated so as to regulate the direction and magnitude of said first rotational forces.