Abstract: An intergrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior therefor exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A transaxle with a hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for hydraulically reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a longer lasting, more effective means of preventing oil leakage from the axle shafts in the transaxle housing; a center section for the hydrostatic transmission supporting the output drive shaft, eliminating the need for additional bearing support; an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission also includes a pump and a motor whose orientation to one another may be varied according to the space requirements dictated by the size and configuration of the vehicle through the use of a helical gear.

Abstract: A compact integrated transaxle has a two-piece transaxle casing for rotatably mounting a pair of oppositely extending axles along a peripheral seam formed between an upper casing part and a lower casing part. A hydrostatic transmission is also mounted in the transaxle casing and has a center section positionable in the transaxle casing with a pair of perpendicular faces each mounting a hydraulic displacement unit. One of the center section faces defines a hydraulic pump mounting surface and is offset from the plane defined by the peripheral seam. A counter-rotating intermediate shaft is interposed between an output shaft on one of the hydraulic units and the axles and is journalled within the transaxle casing offset from the plane defined by the peripheral seam.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission having a housing with a sump and a pair of hydraulic displacement units interconnected by first and second fluid passages. A pair of bypass valves can be opened to place said first and second fluid passages in fluid communication. A recess, formed in the lower part of the housing, holds make-up oil and communicates with said first and second fluid passages when the bypass valves are opened. A passage extends upwardly from the housing recess and has its upper end normally sealed by seal means. A manually operable bypass rod extends lengthwise of the passage into the area of the housing recess and has structure associated therewith for causing opening of the bypass valves.

Abstract: A housing support for a hydraulic displacement unit swashplate wherein the swashplate extends across the split line between a two-part housing for the hydraulic displacement unit. The housing support is provided by a support surface formed on one housing part and which has extensions thereof extending beyond the housing part. These extensions protrude into the other housing part when the two housing parts are assembled together at the abutting split line. These surface extensions are preferably in the form of a pair of fingers which are spaced from each other to straddle a bearing positioned in a bearing cavity formed in the two housing parts. This enables the fingers to be of sufficient structural section to withstand the hydraulic forces imposed on the part of the swashplate supported thereby.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: New butenolide derivatives of the formula ##STR1## a process for preparing them and herbicidal compositions containing them. These derivatives are useful in the control of parasitic weeds of the genera Striga and Orobanche.

Abstract: Active compounds, some of which are new, are described for the control of various parasitic weeds of the genus Striga and Orobanche. These compounds all include cyclic lactone structures and are related to the naturally occurring substance strigol. Methods of synthesis of the compounds are given, as well as compositions and methods for controlling the parasitic weeds.

Abstract: Sheets of material, wood veneers in particular, are assembled into a continuous, linear, composite stack by arranging a first stack of sheets above a lineal conveyer with the sheets progressively lapped by predetermined increments in the direction of movement of the conveyer. The bottom-most sheet is deposited on the conveyer. The conveyer is advanced a predetermined linear travel increment while placing the first sheet of a second stack on the introduced with its leading end overlapping the trailing end of the sheet from the first stack already there.The stepwise advancement of the conveyer is continued while alternately depositing and lapping additional sheets. When the first stack has been completely deposited, the second stack is elevated above the conveyer and a third stack interleaved with the second stack in the same progression. This sequence is continued indefinitely, producing a continuous, linear, composite stack of sheet materials.