Abstract: A switchable powertrain comprises at least four points of freedom. The switchable powertrain comprises a main gear set configured for gear ratio selection, the main gear set comprising main gears coupled to a main shaft and second gears coupled to a second shaft. An adapter comprises a first selective coupling configured to selectively couple to the main shaft, and a second selective coupling configured to selectively couple to the second shaft. A first torque source and a clutch are configured for selectively coupling or decoupling first torque to the main shaft. A second torque source is configured for selectively outputting second torque to the first selective coupling or to the second selective coupling.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a transmission having an input shaft operably coupled to the engine, an output shaft operably coupled to wheels of the vehicle, a primary pump, and a secondary pump. The primary and secondary pumps are each configured to supply pressurized fluid to a valve body of the transmission. A controller is programmed to, in response to a loss of pressure of the primary pump and a speed of the output shaft exceeding a first threshold, shift the transmission to a neutral state, energize the secondary pump once the transmission is in the neutral state, and command the engine to idle speed.

Abstract: A gearbox having a longitudinally-oriented input shaft for transmitting rotational force from an engine; a gear drive train, for receiving rotational force from the input shaft, which includes a plurality of meshed gear pairs mounted on first and second shafts that are laterally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinally oriented input shaft; and in one aspect a fast-change gear assembly interposed in the gear drive train for changing the torque transfer characteristics of the gearbox.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a transmission including a plurality of shafts, each carrying a plurality of drive members, the drive members on each shaft arranged to operatively cooperate with those carried by at least one other shaft for transferring load between a torque input and a torque output of the transmission in use, the transmission being configured such that respective resultant gear ratios between the torque input and the torque output can be selected in use from each of a plurality of groups thereof by changing a load path between the torque input and the torque output, wherein each group of selectable resultant gear ratios has a load path feature for transferring load between a pair of the shafts which is common to the selectable resultant gear ratios within that group.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, an electric motor module, and a countershaft transmission module. The axle housing may have a first mounting flange and a second mounting flange. The electric motor module may be mounted to the first mounting flange. The countershaft transmission module may be mounted to the second mounting flange.

Abstract: A readjusting device is provided for compensating wear of a brake pad or multiple brake pads and/or a brake disc of a pneumatically actuatable disc brake for a vehicle. The readjusting device has a mechanical actuator, and the mechanical actuator converts a rotational movement of a brake lever into a rotational movement of a shaft. The shaft rotates at least one threaded spindle which acts on one of the brake pads. The readjusting device can carry out an advancing movement and a return movement of the threaded spindle, and the advancing movement and the return movement of the threaded spindle can be terminated by switching one or more couplings.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a transmission including a plurality of shafts, each carrying a plurality of drive members, the drive members on each shaft arranged to operatively cooperate with those carried by at least one other shaft for transferring load between a torque input and a torque output of the transmission in use, the transmission being configured such that respective resultant gear ratios between the torque input and the torque output can be selected in use from each of a plurality of groups thereof by changing a load path between the torque input and the torque output, wherein each group of selectable resultant gear ratios has a load path feature for transferring load between a pair of the shafts which is common to the selectable resultant gear ratios within that group.

Abstract: A transmission structure of a drilling machine contains: a housing, a drive shaft, a drive gear, a guide gear, a speed change gear assembly, a driven gear assembly, and a control knob. The housing include a first accommodation groove for housing the drive shaft, a second accommodation groove for accommodating the guide shaft, a third accommodation groove for housing the speed shaft, and a fourth accommodation groove for accommodating the driven shaft. The drive gear is connected on the drive shaft, and the guide gear is coupled on the guide shaft and meshes with the drive gear. The speed change gear assembly includes a connection gear and at least two speed change gears. The driven gear assembly includes at least two driven gears corresponding to at least two speed change gears respectively. The control knob configured to drive the driven gear assembly to move upward and downward.

Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a housing having a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and a hollow interior and an open-ended sleeve having a hollow interior and an extending flange, the extending flange having a top surface and a bottom surface. A resilient core, having a hollow interior, is positioned between and fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the housing and the top surface of the flange of the sleeve. The resilient core is disposed within a portion of the hollow interior of the open-ended sleeve. A first bushing is disposed within the interior of the sleeve. The first bushing has a flange including a bottom surface that overlays a top surface of the resilient core. A second bushing is disposed within the first bushing.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle comprising a switching element with a control geometry, an actuator, an actuating element, and a running roller. The switching element is arranged on an output element such that it is fixed in terms of rotation but can be moved axially into a first switching position and into a second switching position, an actuator operable for movement of the switching element from the first switching position into the second switching position and/or vice versa. The actuating element, via the actuator, actuates movement of the switching element from the first switching position into the second switching position and/or vice versa. The running roller is arranged on the actuating element.

Abstract: The reduction gear includes a pair of gears installed in parallel between two shafts and each provided with a mobile wheel free to move axially to engage in turn with one of the shafts and to transmit movement with different ratios. Since the gear teeth are helical, opposite forces on the reduction gear make it changeover from one reduction ratio to the other. No external control is necessary. Application to mechanical transmissions between an engine and a reversible electrical machine (starter or generator), that starts the motor with a large speed reduction and generates electricity with a smaller reduction.

Abstract: An interrocker assembly for a transmission includes at least two shift forks for actuating gears in the transmission, each of the at least two shift forks being pivotal and having an end offset relative to each other, at least two actuators cooperating with the at least two shift forks, one of the at least two actuators cooperating with one of the at least two shift forks, and an interrocker being pivotally movable and cooperating with each of the at least two shift forks to securely prevent two gears from being engaged at the same time.

Abstract: A work vehicle including: a transmission unit that is provided with, on a shaft that is provided in a power transmission path leading from an input shaft to a power transmission shaft but is not a speed change shaft, a gear member that has an engagement recess, and a claw member having an engaging claw that engages with the engagement recess and to which rotational power is transmitted. There are gaps in a rotational direction between the engaging claw and both ends, in the rotational direction, of the engagement recess.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission reverser may include a forward mode and a reverse mode. In the forward mode, a forward clutch is in the engaged condition causing an output gear to rotate with an output shaft. In the reverse mode, a reverse clutch and a disconnect clutch are in engaged conditions causing a counter shaft to rotate relative to the output shaft based upon the ratios of a first reverse gear to an idler gear and the idler gear to a second reverse gear and further causing the output gear to rotate relative to the counter shaft based upon the ratio of a third reverse gear to the output gear.

Abstract: A shilling device for a gear unit, having a shaft, on which a plurality of idler gears are mounted, it being possible for the idler gears to be connected to the shaft by means of switching pawls, the switching pawls being mounted rotatably and being capable of being actuated selectively by way of a camshaft, the camshaft being connected to drive means, in order to rotate the camshaft relative to the shaft in order to actuate the switching pawls, the camshaft having a plurality of actuating sections, in order to actuate the switching pawls which are assigned to the respective idler gears, wherein the actuating sections in each case have at least one surface section, and the surface sections which are assigned to the switching pawls of different idler gears have different pitches.

Abstract: Disclosed are a parking brake system of an EMB used in combination with a hydraulic device, and a parking brake control method for an EMB. The parking brake system of an EMB according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a pedal unit which has a configuration in which a pedal simulator and a master cylinder are coupled; electromechanical brakes (EMBs) each of which has a hydraulic piston device; first hydraulic lines which are connected so as to supply hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the hydraulic piston devices of the EMBs; first solenoid valves which are provided to change a communication state of the first hydraulic lines; second hydraulic lines which are extended between the first solenoid valves and the EMBs, and connected to a reservoir; and second solenoid valves which are provided to change a communication state of the second hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A supporting structure for a reverse countershaft of a transmission includes a transmission case, a partition wall and a boss, wherein the transmission case, the partition wall and the boss are formed integrally; a reverse idler gear installation space is provided between a side, close to a transmission main case, of the partition wall and the boss; and the partition wall is provided with a second reverse countershaft supporting hole and an auxiliary case countershaft supporting hole which are not concentric. In supporting structure for the reverse countershaft of the transmission, multiple ribs are used to support the boss of the reverse countershaft, the boss of the reverse intermediate shaft is cast until reaching the rear auxiliary case partition wall, and in combination with machining work, the reverse idle wheel space is milled by a disc milling cutter.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory power management assembly includes a vehicle speed sensor, an accelerator sensor, an accessory device, a power transmitting device and a controller. The power transmitting device receives rotational power from a power device and transmits it to the accessory device. The power transmitting device is switchable between a first operating state and a second operating state. In the first operating state the accessory device is operated at a first power consumption level and in the second operating state the accessory device is operated at a second power consumption level lower than the first power consumption level. The controller is configured to switch the switching part from the first operating state to the second operating state in response to determining that a current level of acceleration requested of the power device is of greater importance than operating the accessory device at the first operating state.

Abstract: A dog clutch for an automatic transmission includes a mating clutch that defines a plurality of helical splines and a sliding clutch that defines a plurality of helical splines. The helical splines of the sliding clutch mesh with the helical splines of the mating clutch in an engaged configuration. The dog clutch also includes a synchronizer positioned at the sliding clutch. A related automatic transmission is also provided.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission is provided with first and second coaxial input shafts, at least one mainshaft, and an output shaft that are coaxial with one another. The transmission has a countershaft offset from the first input shaft that supports seven countershaft gear elements drivably connected to respective gear elements on the first and second input shafts and the at least one mainshaft thereby forming seven forward gear meshes for the transmission. The seven forward gear meshes provide at least nine forward gear ratios for the transmission. The transmission is powershiftable between consecutive gear ratios of the at least nine gear ratios such that no torque interrupt occurs during sequential shifts.

Abstract: A gear shifting method and device of a multistage transmission in which gear shift of a main transmission and an auxiliary transmission is mechanically operated by operation of one shift lever The device is provided with: a cam mechanism that has a select operation output member and a shift operation output member, which separate, into shift operation and select operation for each direction, operation by operation of one shift lever that moves along at least one H-shaped shift pattern, a first cam groove that operates by the select operation, and operates a shift mechanism for the auxiliary transmission that shifts a shift fork for the auxiliary transmission, and a second cam groove that operates a select mechanism that selects a target shift fork from among a plurality of shift forks for the main transmission; and a shift mechanism for the main transmission that operates by the shift operation, and shifts the shift fork for the main transmission selected by the select operation.

Abstract: A speed change apparatus of a vehicle includes: a shift lever device; a gear transmission; and an operation force transmission mechanism for transmitting an operation force of the shift lever device to the gear transmission. The gear transmission includes: a shift mechanism operated by the operation force so as to switch the gear transmission between a plurality of shift positions; and a plurality of detent mechanisms for positioning and holding the shift mechanism at each shift position.

Abstract: Connection between a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and this connection is realised by means of a drive gearwheel on the drive shaft and a driven gearwheel on the driven shaft, whereby the drive gearwheel and the driven gearwheel are affixed in a housing, and this housing is on the one hand connected to a housing of the motor, and on the other hand is connected to a housing of the driven apparatus, and whereby the drive gearwheel or the driven gearwheel is a ring gear with internal toothing and the remaining gearwheel of the connection is a pinion with external toothing.

Abstract: A transmission unit for a vehicle driven by muscle power. The transmission unit has one through shaft and one output shaft, as well as at least two sub-transmissions and at least one intermediate shaft. In the transmission unit at least one of the intermediate shafts and the output shaft is formed as a hollow shaft which is arranged coaxially to another shaft of the transmission unit.

Abstract: A portable, stand-alone microfluidic interrogation device including a microprocessor and a touch-screen display. The touch-screen display can receive one or more user input to select a particular particle interrogation procedure, and subsequently show interrogation results. A microfluidic path extending through the interrogation device includes alignment structure that defines an interrogation zone in which particles carried in a fluid are urged toward single-file travel. Operable alignment structure may define sheath-, or non-sheath fluid flow. Desirably, a portion of the alignment structure is removable from the device in a tool-free procedure. The device may operate under the Coulter principle, and/or detect Stokes' shift phenomena, and/or other optically-based signal(s).

Abstract: A bi-directional wedge clutch, including: an outer race; first and second inner hubs; a wedge plate, radially located between the outer race and the inner hubs; and an axially displaceable activation hub engaged with the inner hubs and arranged to: for a free-wheel mode, rotate at least one of the inner hubs in a first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, such that the wedge plate is free of contact with the outer race; and for a locking mode, rotate the at least one of the inner hubs in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, to non-rotatably connect the wedge plate with the outer race and the inner hubs.

Abstract: A transmission includes a main shaft, a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and a first clutch to drivingly couple the main shaft and the first input shaft. A second clutch drivingly couples the main shaft and the second input shaft. A torque converter is selectively driven by one of the first input shaft and a first speed gear set. The first speed gear set is driven by the other of the first input shaft and the torque converter. A second speed gear set is driven by the second input shaft.

Abstract: This drive apparatus includes a first rotation mechanism portion including a first driven gear portion rotated by a first drive gear portion rotating about a first axis and a second rotation mechanism portion including a second driven gear portion rotated by a second drive gear portion rotating about the first axis.

Abstract: A compact creeper gear arrangement (70) for a multiple speed transmission (12) in which the creeper gear input (78) and output shafts (88) are laterally spaced from and parallel to the major shafts within the transmission. The creeper gear arrangement (70) utilizes an input gear (74) integral with one of the speed range gears (72) and selectively coupled to a shaft (24) that provides an input to a mechanical front wheel drive assembly (41). The creeper gear arrangement (70) is a dual speed selectively engageable transmission where much of the mechanism is located within otherwise unused space within the transmission.

Abstract: A freewheeling synchronizer for a power transmission device includes a clutch race rotationally fixable to a component of the power transmission device, and a synchronizer hub disposed radially outwardly of the clutch race and unidirectionally rotatable relative to the clutch race. The clutch race and synchronizer hub are freewheelable relative to one another.

Abstract: A method of identifying a synchronous position of a synchronizer actuator fork includes sensing a deceleration rate of a first shaft, when a synchronizer is positioned in a neutral position, to define a first rate of deceleration. The synchronizer is moved along the first shaft from the neutral position toward a gear with a synchronizer actuator fork. A deceleration rate of the first shaft is sensed, while the synchronizer actuator fork moves the synchronizer along the first shaft, to identify a change from the first rate of deceleration to a second rate of deceleration. The location, of the synchronizer actuator fork relative to the first shaft, at which the rate of acceleration of the first shaft changes from the first rate of deceleration to the second rate of deceleration, is identified as the synchronous position of the synchronizer actuator fork.

Abstract: An impact switching device of an impact drill gearbox includes a gearbox front shell, an output shaft, a torque regulating mechanism, an impact mechanism, a decelerating mechanism and a gear shifting mechanism. The gearbox front shell on its top is prominently mounted with threaded columns. The gear shifting mechanism includes a function switching loop, a circular adjustment screw, a gear shifting gasket and stop posts. The adjustment screw is in thread connection to the threaded columns. The stop posts are connected to the gearbox front shell. The lower ends of the stop posts are connected with the decelerating mechanism. The gear shifting gasket is slidingly connected to the gearbox front shell along the vertical direction. The upper end face of the gear shifting gasket is prominently provided with position-limiting bosses.

Abstract: A shift actuator of the present invention includes a first and a second fluid pressure chamber providing fluid pressure to each of a first and a second piston, a hydraulic control device for regulating pressure of hydraulic oil discharged from a hydraulic source and supplying the same, a first and a second oil passage communicated from the hydraulic control device to each of the first and the second fluid pressure chamber, a first and a second connecting portion for connecting the first oil passage with the first fluid pressure chamber and the second oil passage with the second fluid pressure chamber, and a first and a second orifice portion having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first and the second oil passage provided to each of the first and the second connecting portion.

Abstract: A drive apparatus driven by a prime mover and having a variable speed transmission disposed within a housing is disclosed. A power take off is driven by an output shaft of the prime mover and selectively drives a power take off output shaft. The variable speed transmission drives a transmission output shaft, which in turn drives a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism. A first drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the first clutch mechanism and a second drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the second clutch mechanism.

Abstract: In an hydraulic pressure supply apparatus for a transmission having an input shaft connected to a drive shaft of a prime mover mounted on a vehicle through a torque converter with a lockup clutch, it is configured to have a hydraulic pump drawing up and discharging operating oil; a regulator valve regulating discharged pressure to a line pressure; first and second switching valves supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second clutches; a first hydraulic control valve supplying the regulated line pressure to the lockup clutch; a third switching valve connected to an output port of the first hydraulic control valve; and first and second electromagnetic valves connected to operating ports of the first, second and third switching valves and adapted to switch among the first, second and third switching valves upon being energized and deenergized.

Abstract: A dual clutch type transmission has first and second sections which respectively include first and second clutches. The clutches may be operated to allow torque transfer from an input to an output by way of the first section or the second section. One or more additional gear ratios is provided by a torque transfer pathway connecting the first and second sections such that torque is delivered from the input to the output by way of one or more stages of the first section and one or more stages of the second section. The additional gear ratios may comprise extra low gear ratios. Some embodiments provide transmissions suitable for driving pumps for use in hydraulic fracturing of geological formations.

Abstract: A manual transmission includes an input member, an output member, a transmission input shaft, a countershaft, a reverse shaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.

Abstract: An electric vehicle transmission, the transmission comprising an input shaft arranged to be driven by an electric motor, an output shaft arranged to transfer drive from the input shaft to driving wheels of the vehicle to which the transmission is fitted, a first clutch for engaging/disengaging a first gear ratio of the transmission, a second clutch for engaging/disengaging a second gear ratio of the transmission, and a fluid pump driven in response to rotation of the output shaft, wherein the first clutch is biased to engage said first gear ratio in the absence of pressure from the fluid pump.

Abstract: An automated manual transmission for a vehicle includes an input shaft and an output shaft disposed parallel to each other, a controller and a plurality of external gear trains, planetary gear devices and friction elements. Each external gear train comprises two external gears coaxially and respectively provided on the input and output shafts, and selectively engaged with each other to form a series of gear stages. Each planetary gear device selectively connects one of the two external gears in a corresponding external gear train such that a state of transmitting rotating force to a shaft, on which the selected external gear is provided, can be changed. Each friction element controls rotation of a rotational element of a corresponding planetary gear device. The controller controls the friction elements in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle, thereby shifting the gear stages.

Abstract: A transmission system has a clutch module which has a single input and two outputs, where clutch devices are located between the outputs and the input. The transmission system further includes a transmission module which has two inputs and a single output, the transmission module comprising at least two sub-transmissions where at least a single speed transforming gear or a single transmission clutch is located between an input and an output of each sub-transmission. The two outputs of the clutch module are connected here to both inputs of the transmission module.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided that includes a gearbox operable to selectively couple a relatively high pressure spool shaft to a relatively low pressure spool shaft. In one form the gearbox includes a cone clutch that engages a male member of the cone clutch to a female member of the cone clutch during an engine start of the gas turbine engine. A relatively high pressure of a working fluid can be used to bring the male member and the female member together. A spring can also be used to urge the male member and the female member apart when the working fluid is at a relatively low pressure.

Abstract: A method of engaging a form-interlocking shifting element to obtain a gear in an automatic transmission in which at least one further, frictional shifting element is involved in obtaining the gear to be engaged and a shifting element, not involved in obtaining the gear to be engaged but which serves as a synchronizing shifting element, is actuated in order to synchronize the interlocking shifting element to be engaged. The further, frictional shifting element, involved in engaging the gear, is engaged and then disengaged, to a defined extent, to bring the frictional shifting element to a slipping condition, in order to ensure the engagement of the interlocking shifting element.

Abstract: A transmission for a motorcycle has an input shaft, an output shaft, a plurality of speed change input gears, and a plurality of speed change output gears, and performs shifting by a shift mechanism. The speed change input gears are fixed to one of the input shaft and the output shaft, e.g., the input shaft, in the axial direction and about the axis, the speed change output gears are fixed to the output shaft in the axial direction and are fitted to be rotatable about the axis, and a plurality of slider rings for dog-coupling are fixed to the other shaft about the axis and are provided to be slidable in the axial direction. An engaging hole is formed in the slider rings, and the speed change gears on the other shaft are formed with an engaging projection which can engage with the engaging hole by the movement of the slider rings in the axial direction.

Abstract: A manual transmission for vehicles minimizes rotational inertia and improves rattle as a consequence of preventing unnecessary idling of a first speed gear and a reverse speed gear by maintaining a first input gear to be a free gear state at all shift-speeds except a first forward speed and a reverse speed.

Abstract: Two-gear transmissions for electric machines are provided, which include a primary shaft; a secondary shaft; a first gear set which includes a first driving gearwheel and a first driven gearwheel, one of these gearwheels including a first hub and a ring gear; a second gear set which includes a second driving gearwheel and a second driven gearwheel; an overrunning clutch interposed between the ring gear and the first hub; a first coupling device arranged to connect the ring gear for rotation directly with the respective shaft and comprises a second hub and a sliding sleeve; a second coupling device arranged to connect either the second driving gearwheel or the second driven gearwheel for rotation with the respective shaft; connection elements connecting the first hub for rotation with the second hub; and elastic elements applying on the first and second hubs a biasing torque to urge them towards an end-of-travel position.

Abstract: This invention provides a common means of coupling an alternative power source to a vehicle's drive wheels which is particularly well suited for use with a countershaft-type transmission. This invention also addresses clutch wear by eliminating the need to engage the frictional clutch to launch the vehicle. This invention also improves the acceleration of the vehicle compared to a typical dry friction clutch launch by relying on the HLA system to transfer more power to the drive wheels more quickly than would be transferred by a typical launch engagement of a dry friction clutch in a commercial vehicle.

Abstract: In a vehicle power unit including a twin clutch type transmission that includes a pair of main shafts and clutches mounted on mutually different shafts, to enable compact shaft arrangements and to achieve a reduction in the size of the unit and the surrounding areas. Axial centers of a shift drum and a countershaft are disposed across a line that connects axial centers of main shafts in a side view as viewed from a direction of an axis of each of the main shafts and the countershaft.

Abstract: A transmission includes first and second rotating shafts arranged in parallel and multiple gear sets including gears fixed to the first rotating shaft and rotatable gears rotatably supported on the second rotating shaft. Each gear set includes first and second engagement units engaged with first and second engagement-target portions formed on end surfaces of each rotatable gear and transmitting torque in first and second rotational directions; and a shift mechanism axially and independently moving the first and second engagement units. Each one of the first and second engagement units has a slanted portion allowing the engagement unit to withdraw from the rotatable gear when the other one of the engagement units is disengaged and torque transmitted in a corresponding direction is input. Each one of the first and second engagement unit of each gear set moves integrally with the other one of the engagement units of an adjacent gear set.

Abstract: In a stepwise automatic transmission, a mass is concentrated in a longitudinal direction thereof. The stepwise automatic transmission includes an input shaft, an intermediate shaft, an output shaft, a first clutch which is connected and disconnected in accordance with a rotation speed of the input shaft, first and second power transmission mechanisms, and a second clutch which is connected and disconnected in accordance with rotation speed of the intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft is disposed rearward of the input shaft. When the first clutch is connected, the first power transmission mechanism transmits rotation of the input shaft to the intermediate shaft. The second clutch is provided on the intermediate shaft. When the second clutch is connected, the second power transmission mechanism transmits rotation of the intermediate shaft to the output shaft. A front end of the second clutch is located forward of a rear end of the first clutch as viewed from an axial direction of the input shaft.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle includes two driven axles, wherein at least one of the axles can be connected and disconnected, with a variable speed transmission having at least one input shaft, two driven shafts, each driven shaft driving a respective axle, and several forward gears and optionally one reverse gear which can be switched via gear wheels and synchronous couplings. The drive arrangement can be easily switched between different drive modes by dividing the variable speed transmission into two sub-transmissions, of which one sub-transmission drives exclusively a first axle via a portion of the forward gears and the one driven shaft and the second sub-transmission drives both driven shafts via the remaining portion of the forward gears and optionally the reverse gear.