Abstract: A cooling fan or use with a hydraulic pump having an input shaft in a hydrostatic transmission includes a rotatable hub having a central body portion and an axially extending peripheral surface and a plurality of blades that extend radially outward from the peripheral surface. The cooling fan also includes an attachment aperture defined by the central body portion and an integral flange that axially extends from the central body portion. The integral flange defines a guard space having an area that is less than an area defined by the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A filter component includes a cartridge portion including a filter media, and a plug assembly on which the cartridge portion is mounted and in fluid communication with the cartridge portion. The plug assembly comprises a first plug and a second plug, the first plug being larger than the second plug. The second plug is fixed to an inner surface of the first plug in an installed state and is removable from the first plug in a draining state. The first plug further defines a drain port, wherein in the installed state the second plug plugs the drain port and in a draining state the second plug is removed from the first plug to permit draining fluid through the drain port. The filter component may be incorporated into a hydrostatic transmission to permit controlled draining of fluid from the hydrostatic transmission that does not result in an oil mess.

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: An example pump includes: (i) a swash block having (a) a first trunnion arm, (b) a second trunnion arm, and (c) a first curved support surface and a second curved support surface disposed on an exterior surface of the swash block; and (ii) a housing comprising (a) a first bore, (b) a second bore, and (c) an internal chamber having a first curved bushing and a second curved bushing, where the swash block is supported within the internal chamber of the housing by the first trunnion arm being positioned in the first bore of the housing, the second trunnion arm being positioned in the second bore of the housing, the first curved support surface being positioned against the first curved bushing of the housing, and the second curved support surface being positioned against the second curved bushing of the housing.

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. The center section and the motor are configured for the hydraulic separating forces of the motor to be reacted only into the center section. The center section has two internal passages between pump kidney ports and motor kidney port, and the motor kidney ports are raised in elevation relative to the pump kidney ports. The internal passages run parallel to each other as they rise in elevation. A hydrostatic transmission includes the sub-assembly enclosed by a housing, in combination with a pump and output shaft assembly. For installation, the output shaft assembly is configured as a separate component from the sub-assembly of the center section and the motor.

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 cooling fan or use with a hydraulic pump having an input shaft in a hydrostatic transmission includes a rotatable hub having a central body portion and an axially extending peripheral surface and a plurality of blades that extend radially outward from the peripheral surface. The cooling fan also includes an attachment aperture defined by the central body portion and an integral flange that axially extends from the central body portion. The integral flange defines a guard space having an area that is less than an area defined by the peripheral surface.

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: Provided is an electro-hydraulic drive system including first and second electro-hydraulic transmissions for driving respective wheels, the transmissions each including an electric motor, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a hydraulic motor drive by the hydraulic pump. When used in a turf vehicle, such as a zero-turn-radius mower, the electro-hydraulic drive system operates the wheels independently from an engine of the mower, thereby allowing the mower to be moved without having to start the engine. In this way, power consumption is lowered and total efficiency of the mower is increased.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-hydraulic drive system including first and second electro-hydraulic transmissions for driving respective wheels, the transmissions each including an electric motor, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a hydraulic motor drive by the hydraulic pump. When used in a turf vehicle, such as a zero-turn-radius mower, the electro-hydraulic drive system operates the wheels independently from an engine of the mower, thereby allowing the mower to be moved without having to start the engine. In this way, power consumption is lowered and total efficiency of the mower is increased.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-hydraulic drive system including first and second electro-hydraulic transmissions for driving respective wheels, the transmissions each including an electric motor, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a hydraulic motor drive by the hydraulic pump. When used in a turf vehicle, such as a zero-turn-radius mower, the electro-hydraulic drive system operates the wheels independently from an engine of the mower, thereby allowing the mower to be moved without having to start the engine. In this way, power consumption is lowered and total efficiency of the mower is increased.

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. The center section and the motor are configured for the hydraulic separating forces of the motor to be reacted only into the center section. The center section has two internal passages between pump kidney ports and motor kidney port, and the motor kidney ports are raised in elevation relative to the pump kidney ports. The internal passages run parallel to each other as they rise in elevation. A hydrostatic transmission includes the sub-assembly enclosed by a housing, in combination with a pump and output shaft assembly. For installation, the output shaft assembly is configured as a separate component from the sub-assembly of the center section and the motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus is provided with a return to neutral mechanism for returning a trunnion control bracket arm to a neutral position. The return to neutral mechanism comprises a pair of springs, one spring connecting a fixed bracket to a first rotatable bracket and the other spring connecting the fixed bracket to a second rotatable bracket. The mechanism uses springs with different spring constants and the springs are attached to the brackets in a single plane.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump, a top housing that houses the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic motor. An endblock sub-assembly has a pump running face for interfacing with the hydraulic pump, and a motor connection portion for interfacing with a hydraulic motor. The enblock sub-assembly forms a porting manifold for communicating hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor includes an internal rotor set, and the hydraulic motor is secured to the endblock sub-assembly in a manner that permits rotation of the rotor set. The top housing is fixed to the endblock sub-assembly such that the housing and endblock sub-assembly form a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid. The motor connection portion of the endblock sub-assembly supports the hydraulic motor externally to the top housing. The hydrostatic transmission is suitable for incorporation into various light vehicle categories, including zero-turn radius vehicles.

Abstract: A return to neutral mechanism is provided for hydraulic apparatuses such as motors/pumps that utilize a swashplate and a trunnion arm to control flow. The return to neutral mechanism includes two rotating brackets which have ends aligned to a single plane. Two springs are utilized and attached to the ends of the two rotating brackets giving the force mechanism the ability apply the force in a direct path, reducing friction, increasing life, and improving accuracy. This design is an “x” type mechanism, the force arms are in-line and do not cross, the force is applied equally on both sides of the fulcrum and therefore balanced. The mechanism can be can be used with compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs, or leaf springs.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump, a top housing that houses the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic motor. An endblock sub-assembly has a pump running face for interfacing with the hydraulic pump, and a motor connection portion for interfacing with a hydraulic motor. The enblock sub-assembly forms a porting manifold for communicating hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor includes an internal rotor set, and the hydraulic motor is secured to the endblock sub-assembly in a manner that permits rotation of the rotor set. The top housing is fixed to the endblock sub-assembly such that the housing and endblock sub-assembly form a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid. The motor connection portion of the endblock sub-assembly supports the hydraulic motor externally to the top housing. The hydrostatic transmission is suitable for incorporation into various light vehicle categories, including zero-turn radius vehicles.

Abstract: A shroud 10 is carried by a housing 14 of a hydraulic machine 12. The shroud 10 at least partially encloses a rotating fan 74 disposed on a rotating shaft 72 that extends from the housing. The shroud 10 includes a mounting portion 22 having a peripheral mounting wall 50 that encircles the housing 14 with an interference fit and that includes tapered slots 60 for receiving tapered cooling fins 62 of the housing 14. The shroud 10 also includes a shroud portion 20 formed of integral one piece construction with the mounting portion. The shroud portion 20 includes a peripheral shroud wall 30 and a perforated shroud cover wall 38. The shroud portion 20 is arranged in cantilever relation to the mounting portion 22. A stop member 40, 44 engages a rotating end of the shaft 72 to limit deflection of the cantilevered shroud member toward the fan 74.

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: Provided is an electro-hydraulic drive system including first and second electro-hydraulic transmissions for driving respective wheels, the transmissions each including an electric motor, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a hydraulic motor drive by the hydraulic pump. When used in a turf vehicle, such as a zero-turn-radius mower, the electro-hydraulic drive system operates the wheels independently from an engine of the mower, thereby allowing the mower to be moved without having to start the engine. In this way, power consumption is lowered and total efficiency of the mower is increased.