Abstract: A drive device comprising improved components is described. The drive device may be of various known types that require the use of a steering clutch, axle support housings, and a vent that may either seal an internal sump or open the sump to an external atmosphere. The drive device is shown with a walk-behind vehicle that may include a snow thrower or blower.

Abstract: An emergency braking system for use in connection with a drive apparatus including a drive belt and pulley system for transferring power from a prime mover to a transmission or transaxle. The braking system includes a pulley engaged to the drive belt and a spring engaged to the pulley to provide a bias force thereto. When tension from the belt is removed from the pulley, the spring forces the pulley into engagement with an actuator to engage a brake mechanism.

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 variable speed transaxle is disposed in a transaxle housing and drives a pair of axles extending horizontally from opposite sides of the housing. An external mounting surface is formed on the housing to mount a prime mover thereon. A power take-off assembly may be engaged to and driven by the prime mover output shaft and disposed at least partially in the transaxle housing. A power take-off shaft powered by the prime mover extends horizontally from the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axles. 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.

Abstract: A compact gear drive assembly for powered equipment includes a housing having a first opening, and an input shaft having a first end located in the housing and a second end extending from the housing through the first opening. The gear drive assembly further includes a first stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first end of the input shaft, a second stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first stage gear reduction, and an axle engaged to and driven by the second stage gear reduction.

Abstract: A drive device comprising improved components is described. The drive device may be of various known types that require the use of a steering clutch and a reduction gear set. The drive device may be applied to, but is not limited to, a walk-behind vehicle that may include a snow thrower or blower.

Abstract: A variable drive apparatus having a housing in which a motor is located, the motor being engaged to and driving a motor shaft. The motor may be a hydraulic motor, and a hydraulic pump, center section and gear train may also be located in the housing. Formed on internal surfaces of the housing are a first pocket that supports and rotatably confines one end of the motor shaft, and a second pocket that supports and rotatably confines the other end of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A variable speed transaxle is disposed in a transaxle housing and drives a pair of axles extending horizontally from opposite sides of the housing. An external mounting surface is formed on the housing to mount a prime mover thereon. A power take-off assembly may be engaged to and driven by the prime mover output shaft and disposed at least partially in the transaxle housing. A power take-off shaft powered by the prime mover extends horizontally from the housing in a direction perpendicular to the axles. 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.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a transmission housing with a transmission disposed therein and driven by a prime mover. A first axle drive mechanism is disposed in a first housing and driven by a first output shaft that extends from a first end of the transmission housing. A first drive axle is driven by the first axle drive mechanism and drives a first wheel. A second axle drive mechanism is disposed in a second housing and driven by a second output shaft that extends from a second end of the transmission housing. A second drive axle is driven by the second axle drive mechanism and drives a second driven wheel. The transmission housing, the first housing and the second housing at least partially define an operable space. An input shaft is engaged to the transmission extends into the operable space.

Abstract: A compact gear drive assembly for powered equipment includes a housing having a first tubular extension, and an input shaft having a first end located in the housing and a second end extending from the housing through the first tubular extension. The gear drive assembly further includes a first stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first end of the input shaft, a second stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first stage gear reduction, and an axle engaged to and driven by the second stage gear reduction.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a motor, gear reduction set and axle disposed in a housing is disclosed. A brake assembly may be mounted externally to the axle housing portion of the assembly to provide braking for the output axle. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the axle housing portion, an external surface of a ring gear and a hydraulic motor port block.

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: An emergency braking system for use in connection with a drive apparatus including a drive belt and pulley system for transferring power from a prime mover to a transmission or transaxle. The braking system includes a pulley engaged to the drive belt and a spring engaged to the pulley to provide a bias force thereto. When tension from the belt is removed from the pulley, the spring forces the pulley into engagement with an actuator to engage a brake mechanism.

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 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 hydraulic motor assembly having a motor and gear reduction set mounted in a housing. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the external surface of the ring gear and the hydraulic motor port block. The motor assembly may also include pressure relief valves or neutral valves in the motor port block and a brake assembly mounted in the port block or on the motor housing to provide braking for the output axle.

Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings, where each output axle is connected to its respective hydraulic motor through a gear train in the axle housing. A brake is provided on each axle housing to directly engage one of the gears in the gear train to provide a braking force for the output axles.

Abstract: A valve for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first and a second fluid side is provided. The valve comprises a valve body and an aperture extending through the valve body. The aperture comprises an inner wall, a first aperture diameter at the first end of the aperture and a second aperture diameter at the second end of the aperture. The valve further comprises a first valve insert positioned in the aperture with a first insert diameter and a first mating feature. The first insert diameter is larger than the first aperture diameter. The valve further comprises a second valve insert having a first width, a second width and a second mating feature. The first width is larger than the second aperture diameter. The first mating feature cooperates with the second mating feature to engage the first valve insert to the second valve insert.

Abstract: In a hydraulic drive apparatus such as a transaxle, a rotatable hydraulic pump and rotatable hydraulic motor are disposed in a housing forming a sump. A hydraulic mounting member such as a center section is disposed in the sump and includes a pump mounting surface for the pump and a motor mounting surface for the motor, with hydraulic porting formed in the center section for connecting the mounting surfaces. The center section includes a channel formed on an external surface thereof, and at least one of the housing members is engaged to the center section to close the channel and form a fluid passage in the center section. This engagement is either direct, such as through sealant, or indirect through a cover.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for a motor assembly including a motor and a reduction gear assembly driving an output shaft or axle is disclosed. A brake rotor is driven by the motor shaft and a brake puck is operatively engageable with the brake rotor for moving the brake rotor toward a braking surface. A brake cam shaft is rotatably supported about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft and engages the brake puck so that rotation of the brake cam shaft about its axis forces the brake puck to move the brake rotor toward the braking surface.