Abstract: A steering mechanism for a vehicle having a frame and a prime mover is disclosed. Two steered wheels, steered by a steering mechanism, are near the front of the vehicle and a single non-steered wheel is near the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle has a deck that houses rotatable cutting blades. Portions of the deck are positioned in front of and adjacent each side of the rear wheel. A first rotatable cutting blade is positioned adjacent a first side of the rear wheel and a second rotatable cutting blade is positioned adjacent the opposite side of the rear wheel. One or more additional cutting blades are positioned in front of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes a pump running surface and a motor running surface connected by internal porting formed in a housing member. A valve is disposed in the housing and connects a sump formed by the housing and the internal porting. A trunnion includes a first arm engaged to a swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of opening the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the internal porting and the sump through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pump connected to two separate hydraulic motors by a center section. A brake puck is movable between a first position where it is disengaged from both hydraulic motors and a second position where the brake puck is engaged and provides a braking force to both hydraulic motors. A center section hydraulically connects the pump and motors and a charge pump is disposed on a separate face of the center section in a housing that both supports the charge pump and provides the gallery for the charged hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle drive apparatus having a hydraulic pump and a first and second hydraulic motor, each disposed on a center section, is disclosed. A main housing having a housing cover contains the hydraulic pump and the first and second hydraulic motors, which in turn drive first and second motor shafts, respectively. The first and second motor shafts are enclosed in first and second motor shaft housings, respectively, and the main housing combined with the housing cover and the first and second motor shaft housings form a sealed sump. The main housing has mounted thereon a pinion shaft, a pinion gear and a steering rack meshed with the pinion gear. A first steering arm is rotatably mounted to the first motor shaft housing and connected to the steering rack and a second steering arm is rotatably mounted to the second motor shaft housing and connected to the steering rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for accommodating fluid expansion and contraction within an axle housing or axle support structure of a hydrostatic transaxle is provided. A partitioning element separates the hydraulic fluid from an air chamber created at least partially by the partitioning element and the partitioning element has an internal volume that is in communication with the primary sump and the partitioning element expands to increase the size of its internal volume and thereby expand the volume of the sump.

Abstract: A three-wheeled mowing vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a frame and a prime mover. Two steered wheels, steered by a steering mechanism, are near the front of the vehicle and a single non-steered wheel is near the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle has a deck that houses rotatable cutting blades. Portions of the deck are positioned in front of and adjacent each side of the rear wheel. A first rotatable cutting blade is positioned adjacent a first side of the rear wheel and a second rotatable cutting blade is positioned adjacent the opposite side of the rear wheel. One or more additional cutting blades are positioned in front of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A valve for use between a first fluid side and a second fluid side is disclosed herein. The valve comprises a pair of subassemblies, each one slidable between a closed position and an open position. Each subassembly comprises a first component comprising a first component main body, a first component first end and a first component second end opposite the first component first end. A first component first extension is formed on each first component first end, the first component first extension comprising a diameter that is less than the diameter of the first component main body. Hydraulic pressure causes one subassembly to slide to its closed position, and causes it to engage the second subassembly, sliding the second subassembly to its open position.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive unit for use in a vehicle or other application incorporates a motor disposed in a housing and connected to a pump through a porting system, and an output shaft driven by the motor. A mechanical brake is used to brake the motor, while a valve provides a hydraulic brake for preventing flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. A brake actuator is connected to both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake, whereby actuation of the brake actuator causes both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake to be actuated.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a vehicle drive uses a drive gear having an interface element rotatable therewith, and a hub driving an output shaft. A ring is disposed proximate to and selectively engagable with the interface element. An adjustment mechanism moves the ring between an engaged position with the interface element to transfer rotational force from the drive gear to the shaft, and a disengaged position in which the ring is disengaged from the interface element. At least one spring engaged to the hub and the ring biases the ring to the engaged position.

Abstract: In a hydrostatic device using an axial piston pump, a yoke is mounted so that it contacts the movable swash plate of the hydrostatic transmission. The yoke is biased by a spring-type mechanism to force the swash plate to return to neutral, and the set position of the yoke plate may be externally adjusted. A bias or load arm rotatably fixed to a housing at one end and connected to a spring at the other end is engaged to the yoke to provide the return force to the yoke plate. The yoke plate may have two legs to provide a return to neutral force to the swash plate in either direction, or one leg to provide the return to neutral force in only a single direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive unit for use in a vehicle or other application incorporates a motor connected to a pump through a porting system and an output shaft driven by the motor. A mechanical brake is used to brake the motor, while a valve provides a hydraulic brake for preventing flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. A brake actuator is connected to both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake, whereby actuation of the brake actuator causes both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake to be actuated.

Abstract: A transmission disposed in a housing with a power take off clutch, the clutch including a planetary gear assembly, a cage having an internal gear form engaging a first set of clutch plates, and a second set of clutch plates interleaved with the first set of clutch plates. The sun gear is engaged to and selectively driven by the second set of clutch plates, and a clutch mechanism engages the clutch plates to transmit a rotational force of the cage to the sun gear. A power take off shaft extends into the housing and is driven by the planetary gear assembly. The power take off shaft has a second axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of a primary input to the transmission.

Abstract: A clutch for driving a pair of output axles for a drive mechanism includes a driven clutch bevel gear mounted on a clutch shaft. A pair of clutch rings is disposed on opposite sides of the bevel gear and slidable along a clutch shaft, to selectively engage a pair of driven gears. A pair of clutch arms engages the clutch rings for moving each clutch ring between its engaged and disengaged positions, and a plurality of springs disposed along the clutch shaft biases the clutch rings to their respective engaged positions. The drive mechanism may include a mounting member having a running surface for a hydraulic motor, a pair of arms on opposite sides and extending away from the running surface, wherein the clutch shaft extends between and is supported by the pair of arms.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly capable of precise control having a housing, a hydraulic mounting surface located in the housing, a cylinder block rotatably disposed on the hydraulic mounting surface, a motor shaft engaged to the cylinder block and supported proximate to a first end, a plurality of cooperating gears located in the housing and rotationally engaged to a second end of the motor shaft, an output shaft rotationally engaged to the plurality of cooperating gears, a speed sensor located proximate to one of the plurality of cooperating gears, wherein the speed sensor transmits a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the one of the plurality of cooperating gears.

Abstract: An apparatus for accommodating fluid expansion and contraction within an axle housing or axle support structure of a hydrostatic transaxle is provided. A partitioning element separates the hydraulic fluid from an air chamber created at least partially by the partitioning element and the partitioning element extends around a portion of the axle and at least a portion of the partitioning element is movable along the longitudinal axis of the axle to expand the volume of the sump.

Abstract: A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A steerable transaxle for a vehicle is disclosed. The transaxle employs a single hydraulic pump connected to two opposing hydraulic motors through a hydraulic circuit and steerable hub assemblies located at opposite ends of the housing. The hydraulic motors are offset at an angle so the central section of the transaxle is positioned out of the path of the turning wheels. A single brake puck may be employed to brake both hydraulic motors. An internal return-to-neutral mechanism having dual tines in order to maintain constant contact with a swash plate and nullify dead band effects is used.

Abstract: A drive apparatus is provided with a center section in a housing and having a hydraulic circuit formed therein with pump and motor running surfaces for connecting a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic motor. A pair of cylindrical openings may be formed on the center section opposite the pump running surface, and a passage in the center section connects the pair of cylindrical openings to form a fluid gallery to provide hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic circuit through a pair of check valves. A pair of caps on the center section to close off the fluid gallery, and an external charge pump to provide charged fluid to the fluid gallery, may also be provided.

Abstract: A variable speed transaxle is disposed in a transaxle housing and drives a pair of axle shafts. A pair of clutch assemblies using a plurality of gears may be engaged to the axle shafts to selectively engage and drive each axle shaft. Each clutch assembly uses a ring gear having planet gears running on a gear form, a planet carrier for the planet gears engaged to the axle shaft, a first clutch dog selectively engageable to a first engagement structure to prevent rotation of the ring gear; and a second clutch dog selectively engageable to a second engagement structure to prevent rotation of the planet carrier and thereby provide a braking force to the axle shaft.

Abstract: A drive assembly for powered equipment includes a housing having a gear drive disposed therein, with an input shaft extending into the housing and having a first end engaged to and powering the gear drive, and an output shaft powered by the gear drive. The output shaft extends out of the housing and has an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the input shaft. A support shaft for one of the gears in the gear drive is also located in the housing, where the support shaft has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to both the input shaft and the output shaft.