Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of left hand control hydrostatic transaxles and a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles.

Abstract: A modular hydrostatic transaxle includes an axle module removably connected to a hydrostatic transmission module. The axle module includes a differential connected to a reduction gear train and disposed in an axle casing. A pair of axles are connected to the differential and supported within the axle casing. The hydrostatic transmission module comprises a transmission casing separate from the axle casing. The hydraulic motor output connection includes a shaft piloted to an input drive of the reduction gear train, which constitutes the alignment mechanism of the transmission and axle modules. A portion of the pump and motor block forms an inclined surface which supports a face of a thrust bearing. At least one homogeneous low friction bearing strip is confined between the swash plate and the interior portion of the casing. A disconnect mechanism includes a spring that urges a sleeve to engage the output and input shafts.

Abstract: A powertrain module for a zero turn radius vehicle, such as a tractor or mower, the powertrain module generally including a structural member or mounting plate to which an engine, a pair of hydrostatic transmission modules, and a pair of axle drive units are attached to form a self-contained powertrain module which may be shipped as a single packaged unit for installation into the zero turn radius implement. The mounting plate provides structural rigidity between the powertrain components attached thereto, and the mounting plate of the powertrain module may be attached directly to the frame of the vehicle, or alternatively, may itself serve as a structural frame member for the vehicle.

Abstract: An implement having an engine and a transaxle which may be rigidly and directly attached to one another in a vertically stacked orientation to form an engine and transaxle module. The implement also includes ground engaging wheels attached to the transaxle axles, a handle allowing control of the implement, and one of a plurality of interchangeable working devices attached to the engine and transaxle module. For example, the implement may be a snow thrower having an auger assembly which is operatively coupled to one of the engine and the transaxle. The transaxle may include a pair of axially aligned axles which are selectively coupled together, such that when the axles are coupled together, the wheels are rotatably fixed together, and when the axles are not coupled together, the wheels are free to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission including a housing, a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, an output shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, a first pulley and a second pulley both having a common axis of rotation, a third pulley having an axis of rotation and rotatably attached to the drive shaft, and a belt. The output shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley each have a variable pitch diameter and changes in the first and second pulley variable pitch diameters being inversely proportional. The third pulley and one of the first and the second pulleys are in engagement though the belt.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle including first and second hydrostatic transmission modules and an axle drive housing. Each module includes a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor with the pump being of variable displacement and the motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement. The axle drive housing contains first and second gear trains and a pair of axles. One of the axles is operably coupled to the first transmission module motor through the first gear train, and the other of the axles is operably coupled to the second transmission module motor through the second gear train. Each of the hydrostatic transmission module housings is detachably fixed to the axle drive housing.

Abstract: A transaxle for a small utility vehicle or implement, including a casing, at least one rotatable shaft disposed in and extending from the casing, at least one brake disc rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, and at least one braking mechanism with at least a portion of the braking mechanism being externally mounted on the casing proximate the rotatable shaft. The braking mechanism includes at least one friction puck disposed proximate the brake disc, and a brake shaft including a cam surface having a longitudinal edge, wherein the brake shaft has an engaged position in which the longitudinal edge is in operative engagement with the friction puck and the friction puck is in pressing engagement with the brake disc and a disengaged position in which the longitudinal edge is out of operative engagement with the friction puck.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission including a housing, a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, an output shaft having an axis of rotation and rotatably supported in the housing, a first pulley and a second pulley both having a common axis of rotation, a third pulley having an axis of rotation and rotatably attached to the drive shaft, and a belt. The output shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft. The first pulley and the second pulley each have a variable pitch diameter and changes in the first and second pulley variable pitch diameters being inversely proportional. The third pulley and one of the first and the second pulleys are in engagement though the belt.

Abstract: An implement having an engine and a transaxle which may be rigidly and directly attached to one another in a vertically stacked orientation to form an engine and transaxle module. The implement also includes ground engaging wheels attached to the transaxle axles, a handle allowing control of the implement, and one of a plurality of interchangeable working devices attached to the engine and transaxle module. For example, the implement may be a snow thrower having an auger assembly which is operatively coupled to one of the engine and the transaxle. The transaxle may include a pair of axially aligned axles which are selectively coupled together, such that when the axles are coupled together, the wheels are rotatably fixed together, and when the axles are not coupled together, the wheels are free to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A walk-behind string trimmer including a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a rotary cutter carried by the frame and selectively engaged with the engine, a pair of ground engaging wheels, a transmission mounted by the frame and engaged with the engine, and a steering mechanism. The transmission has an output shaft and the steering mechanism includes a ratchet member driven by the output shaft, wherein the ground engaging wheels are selectively drivingly coupled to the transmission through the ratchet member.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a variable displacement pump including an input shaft and a pump cylinder barrel rotatably coupled to the input shaft, the pump cylinder barrel having a plurality of cylinder chambers arranged in parallel with other and distributed about the input shaft axis of rotation. Each cylinder chamber has a reciprocating piston therein which bears against a pivotable swashplate, the displacement of the pump being varied in response to changes in the position of the swashplate. A gerotor motor is attached to the pump and has an output shaft. The motor includes an engaged pair of inner and outer members, the outer member being eccentric relative to the inner member. The inner member is rotatably driven relative to the outer member by fluid received between the inner and outer members from the pump, the inner member being drivingly connected to the output shaft.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle assembly is drivingly connected to a power source and the power source is activated through an electric starter circuit. The hydrostatic transaxle includes an axial type hydrostatic transmission module having a pump which includes a plurality of axially arranged cylinders each including a piston therein. A tiltable swash plate includes a lateral surface rotatable within the hydrostatic transmission casing. The swash plate is in engagement with the plurality of pistons wherein tilting of the swash plate effectuates fluid displacement of the pump. A neutral switch is fixed relative to the transmission casing and includes a registering portion engaged with the swash plate to detect a neutral position and correspondingly allow starting of an electric starter through the starter circuit. A neutral adjustment assembly includes a control rod rotatably supported by the casing and a two piece shift lever is attached thereto.

Abstract: A power system including an engine having a crankcase and a vertical output shaft, and a pump unit having a housing fixed to the engine crankcase and including at least one hydrostatic pump operatively coupled to the engine output shaft. The hydrostatic pump has fluid ports through which the pump unit is placed in fluid communication with at least one hydrostatic motor located outside the pump unit housing.

Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled implement, such as a snow thrower or lawnmower, for example, is provided. The implement includes first and second transmission modules associated with a common single axle to which a pair of drive wheels is attached. The first and second transmission modules are operable exclusively with respect to one another to drive the axle and the wheels in a forward and reverse direction, respectively. A control member mounted to the handle of the implement includes a forward bail member pivotable to rotate the control member in a first direction to urge the wheel to rotate in a forward direction, and a reverse bail member pivotable to rotate the control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to urge the wheel to rotate in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle including first and second hydrostatic transmission modules and an axle drive housing. Each module includes a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor with the pump being of variable displacement and the motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement. The axle drive housing contains first and second gear trains and a pair of axles. One of the axles is operably coupled to the first transmission module motor through the first gear train, and the other of the axles is operably coupled to the second transmission module motor through the second gear train. Each of the hydrostatic transmission module housings is detachably fixed to the axle drive housing.

Abstract: A powertrain module for a zero turn radius vehicle, such as a tractor or mower, the powertrain module generally including a structural member or mounting plate to which an engine, a pair of hydrostatic transmission modules, and a pair of axle drive units are attached to form a self-contained powertrain module which may be shipped as a single packaged unit for installation into the zero turn radius implement. The mounting plate provides structural rigidity between the powertrain components attached thereto, and the mounting plate of the powertrain module may be attached directly to the frame of the vehicle, or alternatively, may itself serve as a structural frame member for the vehicle.

Abstract: A transaxle for a small utility vehicle or implement, including a casing, at least one rotatable shaft disposed in and extending from the casing, at least one brake disc rotatably fixed to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, and at least one braking mechanism with at least a portion of the braking mechanism being externally mounted on the casing proximate the rotatable shaft. The braking mechanism includes at least one friction puck disposed proximate the brake disc, and a brake shaft including a cam surface having a longitudinal edge, wherein the brake shaft has an engaged position in which the longitudinal edge is in operative engagement with the friction puck and the friction puck is in pressing engagement with the brake disc and a disengaged position in which the longitudinal edge is out of operative engagement with the friction puck.

Abstract: A neutral brake system for use in a hydrostatic transmission to automatically apply a brake when the hydrostatic transmission is shifted to neutral. The neutral brake system includes a hydraulically-released, spring-activated brake mechanism in direct fluid communication with the main hydraulic passages which form a hydraulic circuit between the pump and the motor. When the hydrostatic transmission is shifted to neutral, a brake spring biases a brake lever into contact with a pair of friction pads to engage a brake disk splined to the output shaft of the motor to stop the vehicle. When the hydrostatic transmission is shifted out of neutral, a charge of hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic circuit causes a piston within a brake release chamber to override the biasing force of the brake spring, and to urge the brake lever out of contact with the friction pads such that the friction pads are disengaged from the brake disk, and the output shaft of the output shaft of the motor may freely rotate.

Abstract: A snow thrower having a frame, an engine attached to the frame and having a horizontal output shaft, the output shaft having a first axis of rotation, a first rotary member rotatably fixed to the engine output shaft, and a rotating auger connected to the frame, the auger having a second axis of rotation. A second rotary member is rotatably fixed to the auger, the first and second rotary members forming a first pair of rotary members and being in selective operative engagement with each other, whereby the auger is selectively driven by the engine. An axle is connected to the frame and has a third axis of rotation, the first, second and third axes of rotation being substantially parallel. A third rotary member in is operative engagement with the axle, and a pair of ground-engaging wheels is attached to the axle.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a hydrostatic transmission module including a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor, the pump being of variable displacement, the motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement; an axle drive unit including a housing and a speed reduction gear train having an input and an output disposed in the axle drive housing, the motor being operably coupled to the gear train input; a differential assembly having a rotating casing, the rotating casing being external to the transmission housing and axle drive unit housing; and a pair of axles extending from the differential assembly casing.