Abstract: A mechanical handling vehicle of comparatively slow speed having a drive arrangement comprising an axle with a hydraulic motor of a hydrostatic transmission mounted at each end thereof, the axle having spaced axially extending passages with which the motors communicate hydraulically for the supply and return of hydraulic fluid to and from the motors. The motors may be of a slow speed type and have their rotors secured directly to the vehicle drive wheels. Preferably there are two such through axially extending passages arranged so that depending upon the operation of the pump output one of the passages conveys fluid to the motors and the other one conveys the return flow back to the pump, the roles of these passages being reversed when the pump is reversed. The pump may be built into the axle or mounted thereon in direct hydraulic communication with the axially extending passages.