Abstract: An improved compact design for a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted on a center section in a housing, wherein the pump and motor are mounted at generally right angles to one another, and the longitudinal axis of the input shaft is located between a first and second parallel planes located at respective ends of the motor shaft and the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft is located between a third and fourth parallel planes located at respective ends of the pump shaft.

Abstract: An improved compact design for a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted on a center section in a housing, wherein the pump and motor are mounted at generally right angles to one another, and the longitudinal axis of the input shaft is located between a first and second parallel planes located at respective ends of the motor shaft and the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft is located between a third and fourth parallel planes located at respective ends of the pump shaft.

Abstract: An improved compact design for a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted on a center section in a housing, wherein the pump and motor are mounted at generally right angles to one another, and the longitudinal axis of the input shaft is located between a first and second parallel planes located at respective ends of the motor shaft and the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft is located between a third and fourth parallel planes located at respective ends of the pump shaft.

Abstract: An improved compact design for a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted on a center section in a housing, wherein the pump and motor are mounted at generally right angles to one another, and the longitudinal axis of the input shaft is located between a first and second parallel planes located at respective ends of the motor shaft and the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft is located between a third and fourth parallel planes located at respective ends of the pump shaft.

Abstract: An improved compact design for a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted on a center section in a housing, wherein the pump and motor are mounted at generally right angles to one another, and the longitudinal axis of the output motor shaft is located between the longitudinal axis of the pump input shaft and the longitudinal axis of the output axles.

Abstract: A brake design for a hydrostatic transaxle having a center section mounted in the transaxle housing and a pump and motor mounted on the center section. A disk brake assembly having at least one rotor is connected to the motor shaft and is entirely mounted in the housing. The design may also include a rotatable actuator mounted in the housing and extending therefrom for engaging the brake assembly.

Abstract: An improved compact design for a hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted on a center section in a housing, wherein the pump and motor are mounted at generally right angles to one another, and the longitudinal axis of the input shaft is located between a first and second parallel planes located at respective ends of the motor shaft and the longitudinal axis of the motor shaft is located between a third and fourth parallel planes located at respective ends of the pump shaft.

Abstract: A differential gear design is provided for use in a vehicle, where the planet gears are mounted in openings formed in a ring or bull gear. The planet gears are engaged to and drive bevel gears, which are engaged to output axle shafts to transfer power thereto. The ring gear openings support the planet gears in the direction of their axis of rotation so as to eliminate the need for a cross shaft which would engage and support the planet gears.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission having means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission, and the method for bypassing the hydrostatic porting to enable free wheeling of the vehicle. The bypass in one embodiment includes a plate or similar member and a rotatable lever or arm for engaging the plate to lift a hydrostatic pump or motor from its running urface in the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission having a hydraulic pump and motor for use in a vehicle, including a center section for mounting and operatively connecting the pump and motor, a rotatable output drive shaft engaged to the hydraulic motor, and a running surface and support members integrally formed with the center section to fully support the output drive shaft, and further including a thrust bearing mounted in a housing for the transmission to engage said hydraulic motor, where the thrust bearing is supported by the upper and lower casing sections of the housing.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a fluid pump and fluid motor mounted within a transmission housing, and a brake connected to the motor shaft. The housing includes upper and lower sections. The brake includes rotor and stator plates, and a pin for urging the rotor and stator plates into frictional engagement. The upper and lower sections are joined along a split line and each has a mating half-round section, for positioning the pin.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel apparatus for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient apparatus for braking the transaxle, an improved apparatus for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission. Also, an apparatus is provided for diverting the hydraulic fluid to a sump by lifting a cylinder block from a running surface of the hydrostatic transmission to quickly drain the fluid.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission for use in a transaxle comprising a means for mechanically diverting hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic transmission to a sump to enable the vehicle to be moved with minimal resistance from the hydraulic fluid by unseating at least one of the hydraulic displacement units from its running surface to allow the fluid to drain quickly from the transmission to the sump, and an improved check valve mechanism on the center section of the transmission.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: A transaxle with a hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for hydraulically reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a longer lasting, more effective means of preventing oil leakage from the axle shafts in the transaxle housing; a center section for the hydrostatic transmission supporting the output drive shaft, eliminating the need for additional bearing support; an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission also includes a pump and a motor whose orientation to one another may be varied according to the space requirements dictated by the size and configuration of the vehicle through the use of a helical gear.