Abstract: A transaxle apparatus is constructed so that left and right axles, two hydrostatic transmissions (HSTs), one for driving a vehicle and the other for steering it, and a differential unit for differentially connecting said axles with each other are together contained in a housing. The driving HST is disposed so that its hydraulic pump and motor are aligned along either a left or right side of the housing. The steering HST is disposed so that its hydraulic pump and motor are aligned along either a front or rear side of the housing. The differential unit is laterally opposite to the driving HST. Either the left or right axle crosses the driving HST between its hydraulic pump and motor. The two HSTs are provided with one or two flat center sections disposed in the housing. The cylinder blocks of the hydraulic pumps and motors of the two HSTs are mounted on either a top or bottom surface of the center section or sections.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprising a combination of a speed-change HST for coupling a variable-capacity pump and a motor with a fluid on the one hand and a steering HST for coupling a variable-capacity pump and a motor with a fluid on the other hand, configured in such a manner that the two HSTs are accommodated in a common housing. The motor output of the speed-change HST is transmitted to a differential arrangement for differentially coupling a pair of axles, and the motor output of the steering HST is transmitted to a differential arrangement for differentially coupling a pair of steering output shafts. One of the steering output shafts and one of the axles are power-coupled to one transmission train, while the other steering output shaft and the other axle are power-coupled to the other transmission train which applies a turning effort to the other axle in the direction opposite to the turning effort applied to the first axle by the first transmission train.

Abstract: The present invention provides a riding lawn mower comprising: two pairs of ground engaging wheels 2, 2 and 3, 3 disposed at front and rear portions of a vehicle frame 5; a cutter blade 9 supported by the vehicle frame 5; a drive source 7 mounted on the vehicle frame 5 and having an output shaft 8 extending downwardly; a transmission 20 including i) a casing 21; ii) an input shaft 22 substantially vertically supported by the casing 21, and iii) a pair of axles 4, 4 extending substantially horizontally in opposite directions, the pair of axles supporting each one of the two pairs of ground engaging wheels, the transmission 20 being arranged below the drive source 7 and having the input shaft 22 coupled substantially coaxially with the output shaft 8 of the drive source 7 non-rotatably relative thereto; and power transmitting members 10 and 11 for the cutter blade 9, the power transmitting members 10 and 11 being provided to rotate with the output shaft 8.

Abstract: A clutch-brake interlocking mechanism interlocks a brake with a clutch to prevent the brake and the clutch from being disengaged simultaneously so as to prevent a vehicle from inadvertently moving on a slope. The interlocking mechanism includes: (a) a friction clutch 10 including a drive-side member 11 and a driven-side member 12, wherein the drive-side member 11 and the driven-side member 12 are engaged when the drive-side member 11 is pressed toward the driven-side member 12; (b) a friction brake 20 including a brake member 22 (and 23) and a brake disk 21, wherein the brake member 22 and the brake disk 21 are engaged when the brake member 22 is pressed toward the brake disk 21; and (c) a coupling member 30 for pressing the drive-side member 11 and the brake member 22.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly includes a disc-shaped input gear receiving drive force and having a central portion, an outer portion around the central portion, and one or more open space portions formed between the central portion and the outer portion. A pair of output shafts extend opposite each other along the axis of the input gear and one end of each of the output shafts is loosely fitted in a central bore formed in the central portion of the input gear. A pair of side bevel gears is provided each of which is fixedly attached near the end of each output shaft closer to the input gear. One or more support shafts extend radially from the central portion into the open space portions of the input gear. One or more bevel pinions is rotatably supported on the one or more support shafts, respectively, to mesh with the pair of side bevel gears. A friction mechanism is located in at least one of one or more open space portions that permits the bevel pinion to rotate with rotational resistance.

Abstract: In a transmission (10) comprising a casing (12), a vertical input shaft (13) having an upper end which extends upwardly of the casing and carries an input pulley (14), and a horizontal wheel axle (18) for driving a pair of mower-drive wheels (3), the input shaft intersects the wheel axle at a location in close proximity to the axle and is supported by top and bottom walls (12a, 12b) of the casing. The vertical shaft and horizontal axle are connected by a hypoid gearing (26) having a hypoid pinion (27) mounted on the shaft and a larger hypoid gear (29) mounted on the axle. The transmission has a compact configuration while the input shaft is supported in a stable manner and while the transmission efficiency between the shaft and axle is kept high. Preferably, the larger hypoid gear is rotatably mounted on the axle and a frictional clutch (32) is disposed between the gear and axle.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus which houses a hydraulic transmission and axles in an axle casing. A pump shaft projects outwardly from the axle casing for inputting engine power. A power take-off shaft, connected in association with the pump shaft, is juxtaposed with the pump shaft in the axle casing, whereby there is no need to separately provide a power take-off route from the engine to the hydraulic transmission. A power transmission route from the engine to the hydraulic transmission is also used as a power take-off route, thereby enabling the power take-off shaft to be driven. The power take-off shaft is juxtaposed in the vicinity of the axle casing to simplify power transmission from the power take-off shaft to a working machine.

Abstract: A transmission for a self-propelled walking lawn mower is disclosed, the transmission comprising:i) a casing;ii) input and output shafts supported by the casing, the output shaft driving ground engaging wheels of the mower and the input shaft receiving drive force from an engine of the mower wherein the input shaft extends substantially perpendicular to the output shaft and is located almost directly above the output shaft;iii) a drive gear secured on the input shaft;iv) a driven gear rotatably mounted on the output shaft and meshing with the drive gear; andv) a clutch for transmitting the rotation of the driven gear to the output shaft.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus which houses a hydraulic transmission and axles in an axle casing. A pump shaft projects outwardly from the axle casing for inputting engine power. A power take-off shaft, connected in association with the pump shaft, is juxtaposed with the pump shaft in the axle casing, whereby there is no need to separately provide a power take-off route from the engine to the hydraulic transmission. A power transmission route from the engine to the hydraulic transmission is also used as a power take-off route, thereby enabling the power take-off shaft to be driven. The power take-off shaft is juxtaposed in the vicinity of the axle casing to simplify power transmission from the power take-off shaft to a working machine.

Abstract: A transmission assembly adapted to be mounted on a front of a vehicle axle casing as a substitute for a hydrostatic transmission comprises a transmission casing (1) and a drive shaft (2) at a high level, a speed-change shaft (4) at a low level, and an intermediate shaft (3) at a level intermediate between the drive and change shafts. These shafts extend within the transmission casing axially of this casing. The intermediate shaft is located aside in a direction across the casing. A clutch (5) is disposed on the drive shaft at an axial mid portion of this shaft, and a hollow shaft (6) which is driven to rotate by the drive shaft through the clutch is disposed on the drive shaft at one axial side of the clutch. A first mechanical speed-change mechanism (7) is disposed between the hollow shaft and intermediate shaft, whereas a second mechanical speed-change mechanism is disposed between the intermediate shaft and change shaft.

Abstract: A transaxle assembly for small-scaled, self-propelled machines of a relatively simple structure includes an axle-locking mechanism which is housed in an axle casing (19). The locking mechanism comprises left and right rotors (47L, 47R), each having teeth (47a) thereon and mounted fixedly on left and right wheel axles (20L, 20R), and left and right locking members (49L, 49R) each having at least one pawl (49a) engageable with the teeth. The locking members are mounted on a control shaft (50), which extends parallel to the wheel axles, such that these members are moved rotationally by a rotational displacement of the control shaft so as to cause locking engagement between the pawls and teeth. A torque spring (53) is preferably employed for causing lock-operating movement of the locking member by the control shaft. The transaxle and locking mechanism can be handled as a unit in a self-propelled machine so that assembling of the machine is made easier.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus which houses a hydraulic transmission and axles in an axle casing. A pump shaft projects outwardly from the axle casing for inputting engine power. A power take-off shaft, connected in association with the pump shaft, is juxtaposed with the pump shaft in the axle casing, whereby there is no need to separately provide a power take-off route from the engine to the hydraulic transmission. A power transmission route from the engine to the hydraulic transmission is also used as a power take-off route, thereby enabling the power take-off shaft to be driven. The power take-off shaft is juxtaposed in the vicinity of the axle casing to simplify power transmission from the power take-off shaft to a working machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking system for an axle driving system for a working vehicle. The braking system comprises disc brake units which are disposed in recesses provided at the right and left sides of a transmission case, and a brake pedal and/or a hand-brake lever which can operate the disc brake units simultaneously. The construction of the present invention results in increased durability and braking capacity. The present invention allows the vehicle to travel in a straight line while stopping, notwithstanding the presence of a differential gear. In addition, the braking device is easily assembled and results in increased support rigidity for the axles.

Abstract: A carrier has a rear wheel driving transmission which comprises a drive shaft extending longitudinally of the body of the carrier, and an output shaft disposed approximately horizontally away from an intermediate shaft below the drive shaft. This arrangement renders the transmission flat, thereby making it possible to position a power take-off device in a clearance between the transmission and a body frame. Consequently, the rear wheels of the carrier can be arranged at a rearward portion of the body, with the engine and load carrying platform of the carrier positioned at a low level, to give improved running stability to the carrier.

Abstract: In a tractor having a mid-PTO shaft (13) and a rear-PTO shaft (22) which are journalled in a transmission casing (10) disposed between left and right rear wheels (12), a PTO-selecting clutch (20) for selectively operating both of or any one of the PTO shafts is disposed on a rear end portion (13a) of the mid-PTO shaft. The selecting clutch includes an input gear (17), drivenly connected to a drive shaft (14) through a PTO-clutch (15) and through a first gearing (16), and an intermediate gear (19) drivingly connected to the rear-PTO shaft. In a preferred embodiment, a second rear-PTO shaft (24) is provided on which the intermediate gear is fixedly mounted. The selecting clutch disposed on the mid-PTO shaft contributes to make the structure and parts of power take-off transmission assembly largely common between tractors having both of the mid- and rear-PTO shafts and having only a mid-PTO shaft.

Abstract: In a vehicle transmission assembly comprising a transmission casing (15) which supports axles (16) of forcedly driven rear wheels (12) and includes therein a rear-PTO shaft (18) and mid-PTO shaft (19), first input shaft (28) of a lower level and second input shaft (27) of a higher level for transmitting power into the transmission casing are provided such that the first input shaft is located aside in a direction across the casing. The first input shaft is connected drivingly to the wheel axles through a change speed gearing (31) disposed at a relatively high level, differential gearing (32) and final speed-reduction meshing gears (72, 73). A PTO-clutch (40) is disposed on the rear of the transmission casing between a drive shaft (38), co-axial with and coupled to the second input shaft, and a hollow clutch shaft (39) mounted rotatably on the drive shaft.

Abstract: In a transmission comprising a plurality of freely rotatable gears (11F.sub.1 -11F.sub.6) on a transmission shaft (10), each of shift keys (13) slidably disposed within the shaft is connected pivotally to a shift collar (14) using a pin (15). The collar includes a diameter-reduced cylindrical extension (18) having therein slots (18a) through which base end projections (17) of the keys extend radially outwardly of the shaft. The shift keys are biased to pivot for a selective gear-coupling operation by coned disk springs (19) which are disposed on the cylindrical extension and between the collar and the projections.The disk springs (19) which do not require an enlargement of the outer diameter of shift collar (14) effect a large biasing force upon shift keys (13) for the gear-coupling operation. Further, the disk springs mounted on the cylindrical extension (18) do not cause, when the collar is shifted, a rubbing engagement with the shaft (10) so that a lightness of the shifting operation is assured.

Abstract: In a transmission comprising a plurality of freely rotatable gears on a change-speed shaft, shift keys slidably disposed within the shaft are supported by a shift collar pivotally but non-slidably by an engagement of the keys with the inner circumference of shift collar. The shift keys are biased to pivot for a selective gear-coupling operation by compression leaf springs disposed between an end face of the shift collar and base end projections of the shift keys.The springs arranged outside the shaft will not require a particular design of the keys and contribute to prolong the life of shift keys. The support structure for shift keys by the shift collar as well as the arrangement of key-biasing springs will secure a compactness of the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission shaft (62) mounting thereon fluid-operated clutch means (68) which discontinues selectively the input of power to such shaft is enclosed at one end portion thereof by a hollow cylinder (86) projected inwardly from an inner wall surface of transmission case (28) for power transmission. An annular groove (89) formed to said one end portion of shaft (62) at the outer peripheral surface thereof and communicated to the clutch means (68) via fluid path (85) in the shaft (62) is sealed by the hollow cylinder (86) so as to form an annular fluid chamber (90) which constitutes a rotary joint portion of fluid conduit line for the clutch means (68). Braking mechanism of a brake (69) associated with the clutch means (69) for braking the shaft (62) in the non-operated state of clutch is arranged within the hollow cylinder (86) by employing such cylinder as brake case.

Abstract: Transmission for working vehicles having forcedly driven rear wheels (2) as well as rear-PTO shaft (17) and mid-PTO shaft (19) for driving working implements is disclosed. The transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission (7) fixedly provided on the front of transmission case (8) so as to use pump shaft (23) thereof for the input of working implement-driving power at a high level into transmission case (8) from which the rear-PTO shaft (17) extends backwardly at a middle level and so as to permit a low level arrangement of the mid-PTO shaft (19). Within the transmission case (8), clutch means (31, 36) and speed-change means (32) for PTO-line are arranged at an upper half whereas speed-change gearing (43) and differential gearing (44) for vehicle drive line are arranged at a lower half by employing motor shaft (22) of the hydrostatic transmission as input shaft. A compact arrangement of transmission components is achieved so that transmission case (8) may be reduced in length as well as in weight.