Abstract: In a vehicle having an engine, crankshaft and pump assembly in an engine housing, the pump assembly includes a pair of rotatable pumps located in the engine housing and engaged to respective cradle bearing supports. A single pump shaft driven by the crankshaft has an axis of rotation parallel to that of the crankshaft, and engages and drives both rotatable pumps. The pump assembly also includes a first support plate on which one of the rotatable pumps is disposed and a second support plate on which the other of the rotatable pumps is disposed, and both cradle bearing supports are disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate.

Abstract: A center section or other mounting member for mounting and hydraulically connecting a pump and motor, includes a first piece having a running surface for the pump and connected to hydraulic porting and a second separable piece having a running surface for the motor and connected to the hydraulic porting. A spacer is disposed between the first piece and the second piece for hydraulically connecting the first piece and the second piece and for modifying the distance between the pump running surface and the motor running surface, whereby the first piece is physically separated from the second piece. Two such mounting members may be used at opposite ends of a main housing with a drive device having two pumps and two motors.

Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly is provided which includes a coil plate non-rotatably captured between the upper housing and the lower housing and having affixed thereon a ring shaped coil, a clutch rotor rotatably secured to the shaft and having a groove configured to accommodate therein the ring shaped coil, and a clutch output assembly having a clutch/brake disc and a clutch output shaft. The clutch/brake disc and the clutch output shaft are attached to one another by a plurality of springs. The clutch/brake assembly may be mounted on a deck of a lawnmower to drive a blade.

Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having multiple steering positions to actuate the corresponding brake mechanism and opposite drive mechanism and a neutral position to actuate both drive mechanisms. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate the brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that enables control of the brake clutch assemblies by the steering switch. The system may include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator and steering switches, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.

Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for use on a vehicle or industrial application having a housing in which an end cap is disposed. Multiple hydraulic pumps driven by a prime mover are mounted on the end cap and connected to hydraulic ports formed in the end cap. An auxiliary pump may be drivingly coupled to the prime mover and a power take off unit may also be connected thereto. The end cap may further include a charge pump mounting surface and a charge port for connecting a charge pump.

Abstract: A pump and engine combination having a pair of hydraulic pumps and at least a portion of the engine disposed in a portion of an engine housing that defines a sump, and the hydraulic pumps each have a trunnion that extends out of one of the sidewalls of the sump portion of the engine housing. The trunnions may be detachably connected to swash plate bodies engaged to the pumps in order to facilitate assembly of the combination.

Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a pair of pumps mounted in a common housing and having coaxial input shafts and an input shaft mounted in the common housing perpendicular to the two pump shafts. A pair of center sections or end caps including hydraulic porting are mounted to opposite ends of the common housing, and each center section has a hydraulic motor mounted thereon external to the common housing.

Abstract: A modular drive system for a zero turn radius vehicle having a central gear box with a vertical input shaft, a central drive train that powers a variety of left and right side drive mechanisms, and a power take off mechanism having a clutch and brake assembly. The vertical input shaft is a through-shaft design that allows the central gear box to be mounted with either end of the through-shaft oriented in an upward direction. A screw-on filter acts in conjunction with a charge pump to remove debris from the central gear box's hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A drive apparatus having a compact gear reduction is disclosed, where an output pinion gear is fixed on a motor shaft and drives a reduction gear train to provide power to a gear drive powering at least one axle shaft or a differential. The reduction gear set includes multiple reduction gears disposed between the output pinion gear and the axle or differential, and at least one of the plurality of reduction gears is rotatably disposed on the motor shaft. One of the plurality of reduction gears may be mounted on an axle shaft.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a zero turn vehicle or similar application comprising a housing forming a cavity and having an input shaft driving a continuously variable transmission comprising first and second rotatable elements and output shaft is driven by the second rotatable element.

Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.

Abstract: A dual pump apparatus having two pumps mounted in a housing, where the housing comprises two elements mounted on opposite sides of a hydraulic mounting member or center section. The pumps are mounted on one side of the hydraulic mounting member in a pump cavity, and the hydraulic mounting member and second housing element form a drive cavity in which gears or an endless coupling member such as a chain or belt to connect the two pump input shafts are located.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a transmission housing with a transmission disposed therein and driven by a prime mover. A first axle drive mechanism is disposed in a first housing and driven by a first output shaft that extends from a first end of the transmission housing. A first drive axle is driven by the first axle drive mechanism and drives a first wheel. A second axle drive mechanism is disposed in a second housing and driven by a second output shaft that extends from a second end of the transmission housing. A second drive axle is driven by the second axle drive mechanism and drives a second driven wheel. The transmission housing, the first housing and the second housing at least partially define an operable space. An input shaft is engaged to the transmission extends into the operable space.

Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.

Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a pair of axial piston pump assemblies in an inline relationship, each pump assembly having an end cap mounted to a pump housing to form a sump. The pump assemblies are mounted to a gearbox at one end thereof, and an input shaft extends into both pump housings and the gearbox to drive the axial piston pumps and one of the gears. A power take off mechanism is also engaged to the gearbox at another end thereof and includes a drive shaft at least partially disposed in the gearbox and driven by one of the transmission gears, and an output shaft extending in the opposite direction from the drive shaft.

Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment. Features of the controller assemblies and packaging described herein allow for, among other things, modularity, scalability, and improved heat transfer.

Abstract: A module for use in connection with a dual pump apparatus, where each pump is hydraulically connected to a separate hydraulic motor. The module may include motors and/or an engine for ease of installation in a vehicle, providing flexibility for different applications. Various brackets, stabilizers and other elements are provided to assist in securing the module to the vehicle.