Abstract: An adjustable hydrostatic control system that adjusts in length to locate mutual neutral locations while transmitting the necessary torque through mating sliding spines.

Abstract: The mower has at least two independently driven wheels that are each capable of bi-directional rotation. The at least two wheels are independently driven so that operation of the at least two wheels causes the at least two wheels to independently rotate which propels and steers the mower. A microprocessor controls the operation of the at least two wheels in accordance with signals received by the microprocessor. The mower has at least one controller. The at least one controller sends signals to the microprocessor that the microprocessor uses to control the operation of the at least two wheels. The operation of the at least one controller causes the at least two wheels to propel and steer the mower.

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 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 back-up steering system is provided having a hydraulic pump, an accumulator, a mode control valve, a main solenoid valve, and a pair of back-up solenoid valves. The system is connected, to left and right service brakes. The hydraulic pump and the accumulator are both connected to a main hydraulic line. The main solenoid valve is connected to the main line, a common fluid sump, and the mode control valve. The back-up solenoid valves are each connected to the main line, the sump and the mode control valve. The service brakes are connected to the mode control valve. During normal operation the mode control valve is set so that the service brakes are in fluid communication with the mode control valve and the main solenoid valve. When the main solenoid valve is actuated the pump is in fluid communication with both service brakes for simultaneous actuation thereof, in response to operator induced braking.

Abstract: A land vehicle has four wheels (10) by which the vehicle is driven and steered and the wheels are driven by hydraulic motors (11). In one arrangement the vehicle is steered by at least one pair of steerable wheels and supply of fluid to the motors is arranged to reduce the speed of a wheel or wheels at one side of the vehicle during turning. The vehicle can also be operated in the skid steer mode with the wheels locked in a straight ahead position.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically assisted braking and steering system of a vehicle having a hydraulic pump communicating with a hydraulic steering assist device and including a hydraulic brake assist device coupled in series between the pump and the steering assist device includes the provision of a flow splitter which operates to reduce the interdependence of the hydraulic brake and steering assist devices on the flow of fluid from the pump. The flow splitter communicates with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the brake assist device and is operative when the back pressure from the brake assist device exceeds a predetermined control value to divert a fraction of the flow of fluid around the brake assist device directly to the steering assist device, thereby providing sufficient flow to operate both the brake and steering assist devices within their normal design limits, rather than having the brake assist device starve the steering assist device when under heavy load.

Abstract: A steering arrangement is provided for a work machine that includes a braking device, actuated by an actuation switch, to hold an operator input device in a predetermined position during operation. The braking force of the braking device can be overcome by the operator to make steering adjustments. The work machine may include a second steering arrangement on an opposite side of the work machine to improve operator visibility during close operation. A selector switch is used to select between one or the other steering arrangements.

Abstract: A control system for a skid steer vehicle reads a load height sensor, a load amount sensor, and a vehicle speed sensor to derate the otherwise commanded acceleration, deceleration and turning rate on the vehicle when the vehicle has too great a load, too high a load, or the vehicle is going too fast.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle with steerable suspension has hydraulic motors coupled to four steerable wheels. The wheels are turned by hydraulic actuators and the vehicle is steered either by turning the wheels or by driving the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle in opposite directions and skid steering the vehicle.

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: Controllability of a vehicle such as a skid steer loader is improved and the burden on an operator is reduced. When operation is conducted according to the first operation pattern, the pattern switching lever of the first switching valve is switched to the first operation pattern side and the pattern switching lever of the second switching valve is switched to the first operation pattern side. Furthermore, when operation is conducted according to the second operation pattern, the pattern switching lever of the first switching valve is switched to the second operation pattern side and the pattern switching lever of the second switching valve is switched to the second operation pattern side. Moreover, when operation is conducted according to the third operation pattern, the pattern switching lever of the first switching valve is switched to the third operation pattern side and the pattern switching lever of the second switching valve is switched to the third operation pattern side.

Abstract: A Zero Turn Radius vehicle is provided that utilizes a drive system including a single hydraulic variable displacement pump and dual variable displacement hydraulic motors connected respectively one to each of two ground engaging wheels for use in steering and propelling the vehicle. The configuration of the drive system allows for proper ZTR steering of the in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A brake-actuating steering and braking control system for a tracked vehicle is provided with a braking control subsystem, a steering control subsystem, and right and left side brake-actuating subsystems. The braking control subsystem includes a brake pedal and is connected to brake mechanisms of each brake-actuating subsystem. A user may depress the brake pedal to apply a braking force to right and left side track assemblies of the tracked vehicle via the brake mechanisms to thereby slow or stop the tracked vehicle. The steering control subsystem includes a steering wheel and is connected to each of the brake mechanisms. The user may rotationally displace the steering wheel, which applies a braking force to the track assembly corresponding to the direction of rotational displacement of the steering wheel via the corresponding brake mechanism to thereby turn the tracked vehicle.

Abstract: The aim is to improve operability in vehicles such as skid steer loaders and to reduce the burden on the operator. It is made easy to switch between a first operation pattern wherewith only one operation apparatus of two operation apparatuses is used in driving two actuators, and a second operation pattern wherewith the two actuators are driven using both of the two operation apparatuses. It is made possible to hold operation positions, and to release held positions, whether with an operation lever apparatus that is capable of operation in only one directional component or with an operation lever apparatus that is capable of operation in two directional components in the forward and backward direction and in the left and right direction. When a change to a first combination is designated by a pattern switching lever, the first combination (first operation pattern) is switched to by switching means.

Abstract: A Zero Turn Radius vehicle is provided that utilizes a drive system including a single hydraulic variable displacement pump and dual variable displacement hydraulic motors connected respectively one to each of two ground engaging wheels for use in steering and propelling the vehicle. The configuration of the drive system allows for proper ZTR steering of the in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A motion control system for controlling the motion of a crawler having a left and right track. The system comprises a pivotally mounted controller; a steering control system hydraulically communicable with a pressurized fluid supply, a brake of each of a left and right track of a crawler and a clutch of each of a left and right track of a crawler, a direction control system hydraulically communicable with a pressurized fluid supply, a forward and a reverse transmission signal input, a steering speed controlling system for controlling the speed of a left track and a right track, and a transmission gears controlling system. The steering speed controlling means includes at least one selector. The transmission gear controlling means includes at least one transmission gear selector. The steering control means is positioned so that pivoting the controller in a first series of planes operates the steering control system.

Abstract: Each drivable axle of the apparatus has two hydraulic motors, one for each side of the vehicle. The apparatus includes two analogous closed transmission circuits, one for each side of the vehicle. The hydraulic motors of the second axle are dual-capacity motors having three main connections. In each closed circuit, the first main connection of the dual-capacity motor and the first main connection of the motor of the first axle are respectively connected continuously to each of the two ports of the pump of the circuit in question, and each circuit further includes a selector having at least two positions and disposed on interconnection ducts between the pump, the second and third main connections of the dual-capacity motor and the second main connection of the motor of the first axle.

Abstract: A steering apparatus with excellent operability, which is especially excellent in minute steering operability, is provided. For this purpose, the apparatus includes a steering operation shaft (6) rotating almost horizontally, and a lever (3) which is coupled to the steering operation shaft (6), separated by a predetermined horizontal distance from the steering operation shaft (6), and which turns almost horizontally to rotate the steering operation shaft (6).