Abstract: A modular porting manifold for a hydrostatic transmission that serves as an end cover for the hydraulic motor, and which may be modularly interfaced with multiple different pump configurations having the same or similar pump interface across the different pump configurations. A pump interfacing section of the porting manifold may have a mating surface that interfaces with a corresponding mating surface of an outwardly addressable manifold of the pump. The pump interfacing section of the porting manifold may have at least two ports for communication of hydraulic fluid with the pump, in which the at least two ports are laterally spaced apart in the same horizontal plane to align with at least two corresponding ports on the pump manifold that are also in the same horizontal plane, which may provide less complex and easier to manufacture flow passages for the porting manifold and/or pump end block.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for restricting rotation of a rotatable member of a mowing machine, thereby controlling rotation of a wheel of the mowing machine, includes a brake member fixable on the rotatable member, and a gripping member for engaging and disengaging the brake member for restricting or permitting rotation of the rotatable member. A thrust link is coupled to the gripping member such that movement of the thrust link causes the gripping member to engage or disengage a radially outer surface of the brake member. For example, the gripping member may be biasedly engaged with at least a partial circumferential extent of the brake member such that actuation of the thrust link causes disengagement of the gripping member from the brake member.

Abstract: A zero turn mower vehicle 10 includes left and right hydrostatic transmissions 11a, 11b driving wheels 15a, 15b. The transmissions 11a, 11b each include a swashplate type axial piston hydraulic pump 17 having a swashplate 22. A system 12 and method controls each pump 17. A controller 31 receives input signals and provides output signals to electric motors 33a, 33b to control each swashplate 22. Operator interface input devices 30a, 30b provide inputs to controller 31. Angle sensors 35a, 35b provide additional inputs to controller 31. Displacement amplifiers 36a, 36b amplify displacement of each swashplate 22, and torque amplifiers 34a, 34b amplify torque of electric motors 33a, 33b.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for restricting rotation of a rotatable member of a mowing machine, thereby controlling rotation of a wheel of the mowing machine, includes a brake member fixable on the rotatable member, and a gripping member for engaging and disengaging the brake member for restricting or permitting rotation of the rotatable member. A thrust link is coupled to the gripping member such that movement of the thrust link causes the gripping member to engage or disengage a radially outer surface of the brake member. For example, the gripping member may be biasedly engaged with at least a partial circumferential extent of the brake member such that actuation of the thrust link causes disengagement of the gripping member from the brake member.

Abstract: A center section/motor sub-assembly for use in a hydrostatic transmission includes a center section having a pump running face for interfacing with a pump and a motor running face for interfacing with a motor, and a bore extending laterally through the center section from the motor running face. A spool valve is received in the bore and includes a fluid pathway for providing fluid communication between the pump running face and the motor running face. The sub-assembly further includes a motor having a rotor and a motor stator secured to the center section adjacent to the motor running face in a manner that permits rotation of the rotor. The center section is configured for the hydraulic separating forces of the motor to be reacted only into the center section. A hydrostatic transmission includes the sub-assembly enclosed by a housing, in combination with a pump and output shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrostatic transmission including a pump/motor module having a reservoir housing and a hydraulic pump and motor disposed in the reservoir housing, and a speed reduction module having a speed reduction housing coupled to the reservoir housing and a speed reduction assembly disposed in the speed reduction housing. The speed reduction assembly includes an input member driven by the output shaft of the hydraulic motor, an output member rotationally connected to the input member by one or more belts/chains, and an axle shaft driven by rotation of the output member. By providing the speed reduction assembly in a separate housing from the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing, the speed reduction assembly is isolated from the hydraulic fluid thereby preventing particulates from the speed reduction assembly from entering the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump having a swash plate tiltable about a swashplate tilt axis, wherein rotation of the swashplate changes the title angle and effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. A controller is operatively coupled to the swashplate to effect rotation of the swashplate, the controller including a processor and memory, and logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the logic configured to automatically control at least one vehicle characteristic independent of a user input command.

Abstract: A center section/motor sub-assembly for use in a hydrostatic transmission includes a center section having a pump running face for interfacing with a pump and a motor running face for interfacing with a motor, and a bore extending laterally through the center section from the motor running face. A spool valve is received in the bore and includes a fluid pathway for providing fluid communication between the pump running face and the motor running face. The sub-assembly further includes a motor having a rotor and a motor stator secured to the center section adjacent to the motor running face in a manner that permits rotation of the rotor. The center section is configured for the hydraulic separating forces of the motor to be reacted only into the center section. A hydrostatic transmission includes the sub-assembly enclosed by a housing, in combination with a pump and output shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pump having a swash plate tiltable about a swashplate tilt axis, wherein rotation of the swashplate changes the title angle and effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. A controller is operatively coupled to the swashplate to effect rotation of the swashplate, the controller including a processor and memory, and logic stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the logic configured to automatically control at least one vehicle characteristic independent of a user input command.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission system includes a pump including a rotatable swash plate, wherein rotation of the swashplate effects a change in volumetric displacement of the pump. An actuator is coupled to the swashplate, the actuator operative to effect rotation of the swashplate to change the volumetric displacement of the pump. An electronic controller is operatively coupled to the actuator, the electronic controller configured to command the actuator to effect rotation of the swashplate.

Abstract: A zero turn mower vehicle 10 includes left and right hydrostatic transmissions 11a, 11b driving wheels 15a, 15b. The transmissions 11a, 11b each include a swashplate type axial piston hydraulic pump 17 having a swashplate 22. A system 12 and method controls each pump 17. A controller 31 receives input signals and provides output signals to electric motors 33a, 33b to control each swashplate 22. Operator interface input devices 30a, 30b provide inputs to controller 31. Angle sensors 35a, 35b provide additional inputs to controller 31. Displacement amplifiers 36a, 36b amplify displacement of each swashplate 22, and torque amplifiers 34a, 34b amplify torque of electric motors 33a, 33b.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrostatic transmission including a pump/motor module having a reservoir housing and a hydraulic pump and motor disposed in the reservoir housing, and a speed reduction module having a speed reduction housing coupled to the reservoir housing and a speed reduction assembly disposed in the speed reduction housing. The speed reduction assembly includes an input member driven by the output shaft of the hydraulic motor, an output member rotationally connected to the input member by one or more belts/chains, and an axle shaft driven by rotation of the output member. By providing the speed reduction assembly in a separate housing from the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing, the speed reduction assembly is isolated from the hydraulic fluid thereby preventing particulates from the speed reduction assembly from entering the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing.