Abstract: A vehicle such as a front engine tractor is adapted to utilize conventional steering and propel controls with a drive and steer type transmission. The transmission permits the vehicle to be driven and steered through its rear wheels, thereby permitting it to turn about one wheel and/or about an axis between its wheels. A substantial portion of the engine weight is carried on the vehicle frame forwardly of the transmission. Front castered wheels enable the vehicle to be easily steered by the drive wheels. A conventional type steering wheel is provided with a mechanical linkage extending between it and the transmission. Conventional type controls are also provided to propel or power the vehicle in a forward or rearward direction and within a range of speeds.

Abstract: A lawn tractor vehicle having a front mounted engine and a drive and steer type of transmission having vehicle components supported by the vehicle frame in such a manner to establish a weight distribution between the front and rear pairs of wheels that allows the effective use of a drive and steer type of transmission with a lawn tractor having a front mounted engine, and which enhances the performance, stability and handling of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle such as a lawn and garden tractor is adapted to utilize conventional steering and propel controls with a drive and steer type transmission. The transmission permits the vehicle to be driven and steered through its rear drive wheels, thereby permitting it to turn about one wheel and/or about an axis between its wheels. Front castered wheels enable the vehicle to easily steered by the drive wheels. A conventional type steering wheel is provided with a mechanical linkage extending between it and the transmission. Conventional type controls are also provided to propel or power the vehicle in a forward or rearward direction and within a range of speeds. With conventional type steering and propel controls adapted to be utilized with the drive and steer type transmission, operation of spin-turn vehicles is made simple and more efficient as well as reducing the time required to learn to operate and maneuver the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive and steer transmission having primary gears having circumferences approximately four times as large as the respective secondary gears they operatively engage, and an effective gear reduction is thereby established which is beneficial to use of a drive and steer type of transmission with a front engine riding lawn mower.

Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: A steering linkage coupled with a drive and steer transmission allows a steering wheel to be turned a maximum of between ninety and one-hundred-eighty degrees from a neutral straight forward position, and is adjustable for altering the maximum degree to which the steering wheel is turnable from the neutral forward position.

Abstract: A steering mechanism that controls a drive and steer transmission and that causes the transmission to execute turns in the direction a steering wheel is turned when operating in either the forward or reverse direction of travel. In response to operator engagement of a drive control, an actuation linkage shifts an elongate member within a slot formed in a cam member that pivots in response to turning of a steering wheel. Shifting of the rod member between two positions on either side of the cam member pivot axis causes the drive and steer transmission to steer the vehicle in the desired direction when the vehicle is traveling in both forward and reverse.

Abstract: A steering mechanism that controls a drive and steer transmission and that causes the transmission to execute turns in the direction a steering wheel is turned when operating in either the forward or reverse direction of travel. In response to operator engagement of a drive control, an actuation linkage shifts an elongate member within a slot formed in a cam member that pivots in response to turning of a steering wheel. Shifting of the rod member between to positions on either side of the cam member pivot axis causes the drive and steer transmission to steer the vehicle in the desired direction when the vehicle is traveling in both forward and reverse.

Abstract: A pivotable hood structure is provided for use with a vehicle such as a lawn and garden tractor. The structure includes a pair of spaced apart pins carried on the tractor frame near the front end to be receivable in bracket openings carried on the hood. The bracket includes guide surfaces which aid in positioning the pins relative to the openings while also supporting the weight of the hood during installation and removal of the hood. A latching structure is provided between the pins and bracket to secure the pins in place. The pivotable hood structure provides a swingable mounting for the hood as well as quick mounting or removal of the hood without requiring the use of tools.

Abstract: A variable speed snowmobile transmission includes a torque converter defined by primary and secondary pulleys connected together by a drive belt. The primary pulley includes an axially fixed pulley half located inboard of an axially shiftable pulley half and a speed sensitive mechanism; and the secondary pulley includes an axially shiftable pulley half located inboard of an axially fixed pulley half and a torque sensing mechanism.

Abstract: A variable speed secondary pulley includes a first pulley half and an abutment member connected together and mounted for rotation on and axial movement along a sleeve at axially spaced locations at the opposite sides of a second pulley half immovably fixed to the sleeve. The second pulley half includes a hub provided with axially inclined cam surfaces which are engaged with complementary surfaces provided on a hub of the abutment member. A compression spring is coxially mounted on the sleeve and is compressed between the second pulley half and the abutment member so as to urge the pulley halves toward each other while the cam surfaces serve as a torque responsive means which develops decreasing axial forces in response to decreasing driven shaft torque to effect increasing separation of the pulley halves. Means are provided for manually adjusting the preset torsional load in the spring without dismantling the pulley.