Abstract: A wheel driven by a planetary reduction gear train has a disc brake pack acting between a fixed member and a rotating member for stopping or slowing the rotation of the wheel. The disc brake pack is mounted between the fixed and rotatable members before the planetary reduction gear set is assembled on the shaft making it possible to service the disc brake pack without removing the wheel from the shaft. In one embodiment, the sun and planet gears act as a pump for circulating cooling fluid to the disc brake pack.

Abstract: An axially compact clutch and brake mechanism. Inner and outer concentrically mounted clutch and brake drums intermittently coupled respectively by packs of interleaved friction discs and plates are operated by a pressure plate disposed intermediate the clutch and brake disc and plate packs and responds to an annular hydraulic piston to alternately engage the clutch or engage the brake. Brake and clutch packs are axially spaced along the length of concentric input and output shafts while the piston is located radially inwardly of one of the packs and is not axially spaced therefrom so as to reduce the axial length of the assemblage. The mechanism further includes structure whereby the piston is not forced to rotate within its cylinder to thereby lengthen the life of the same.

Abstract: a step assembly for a vehicle includes a cable supported step member that has retaining elements which function to prevent rotation of the step about the cable.