Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes a directional control transmission assembly and a variable speed drive assembly. A transmission drive belt extends between the variable speed drive assembly and the directional control transmission assembly to transmit force from the variable speed drive assembly to the transmission assembly when the transmission assembly is in a forward drive condition and when the transmission assembly is in a reverse drive condition. A main drive belt extends between the variable speed drive assembly and a source of power to transmit force to the variable speed drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a linkage assembly operable to move the variable speed drive assembly toward the directional control transmission assembly to change the variable speed drive assembly from a first condition in which the directional control transmission assembly is driven at a relatively low speed and a second condition in which the directional control transmission assembly is driven at a high speed.