Abstract: A vehicle that has a frame, a front axle secured to the frame near the front thereof and a pair of rear axle shafts secured to the frame near the rear thereof. The vehicle also has a seat for at least two occupants and a dashboard. The vehicle further includes a load bed positioned on the vehicle which extends toward the rear of the utility vehicle from directly proximate the seat and over the rear axle shafts, and a prime mover mounted on the vehicle between the dashboard and the rear axle shafts. Finally, the vehicle has a hydraulic pump secured to the frame and coupled to a prime mover, a hydraulic motor, a gear box with a gear box input shaft driven by a hydraulic motor output shaft, a plurality of gears driven by the gear box input shaft and a differential driven by the plurality of gears.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed within. The utility vehicle includes a front axle, a pair of rear axle shafts, a seat with a minimum capacity of two occupants secured to the vehicle, an engine, having an engine output shaft, mounted between the front axle and the rear axle shafts and a least partially below the seat and a load bed. The utility vehicle also includes a hydraulic pump, driven by a pump input shaft, and a hydraulic motor, which drives a plurality of gears through a motor output shaft. The engine output shaft, the pump input shaft and the motor output shaft are generally parallel to the front axle and the rear axle shafts.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed within. The utility vehicle includes a frame with a front end and a rear end, a front axle secured to the frame, a pair of rear axles secured to the frame and a seat for at least two occupants positioned between the front axle and the rear axle shafts. The utility vehicle also includes a load bed positioned over the rear axle shafts, a prime mover having an output shaft, a hydraulic pump driven by the prime mover by a belt, a gear box with a gear box input shaft, a differential driving the rear axle shafts and a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump by hydraulic lines and drivingly engaged to the gear box input shaft.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed within. The utility vehicle comprises a front axle, a pair of rear axle shafts, a seat for at least two occupants positioned between the front axle and the rear axle shafts, a load bed positioned over the rear axle shafts, a prime mover with a prime mover output shaft with a pulley attached to the end of the prime mover output shaft. Further, the vehicle has a hydraulic drive system that has a hydraulic pump driven by a pump input shaft, a hydraulic motor located within a common housing with the hydraulic pump, and gears and a differential located in the common housing with the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor. The prime mover output shaft and the pump input shaft are parallel to the front axle and the rear axle shafts.

Abstract: A utility vehicle incorporating a frame, a load bed mounted at the rear of the frame and front and rear axles secured to the fame, has an engine mounted to the frame between the front and rear axles, a mechanical gear box secured to the frame and a differential mounted in the gear box and engaged to and driving the rear axles. A hydraulic pump housing is secured to the frame and has a pump input shaft extending therefrom. A hydraulic motor housing is secured to the frame and hydraulically connected to the pump. A motor output shaft, driven by the hydraulic motor, extends out of the motor housing and is engaged to a gear box input shaft.

Abstract: A housing for a hydrostatic transaxle is provided wherein the housing has a chamber in which is disposed a hydrostatic transmission and a chamber in which is disposed an axle shaft that is engaged to the hydrostatic transmission. The housing is also provided with a plurality of caps to cover the chambers.

Abstract: A casing adapted for use in carrying a transmission or transaxle assembly. The casing includes a main casing section having an opening and a cap disposed over the opening wherein the cap and the main casing section are adapted for snap fit engagement. In a first embodiment, the main casing section has a first lip formed around the perimeter of the opening and the cap has a second lip wherein the first and second lips are adapted for snap fit engagement. In a second embodiment, the main casing section has a lip formed around the perimeter of the opening and the cap comprises a plurality of clips wherein the lip and the plurality of clips are adapted for snap fit engagement.

Abstract: A hydrostatic zero turn transaxle is provided with two transmission housings, wherein the housings and the output axle for the hydrostatic transmission can be easily adapted to be use for left-hand or right-hand drive, without the need for changing the casing or any of the internal gearing. Such housing may be used to improve tracking efficiency in a zero turn vehicle. Another feature of the invention comprises the arrangement of axles and shafts relative to one another. A further feature of the invention is an improved parking brake feature comprising a brake shaft forming part of the output gear train and means for securing said brake shaft when the gear train is stopped to prevent movement of the gear train and the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydrostatic zero turn transaxle is provided with two identical transmission housings, wherein the housings and the output axle for the hydrostatic transmission can be easily adapted to be use for left-hand or right-hand drive, without the need for changing the casing or any of the internal gearing. A further feature of the invention is an improved parking brake feature comprising a brake shaft forming part of the output gear train and means for securing said brake shaft when the gear train is stopped to prevent movement of the gear train and the vehicle.

Abstract: A casing adapted for use in carrying a transmission or transaxle assembly. The casing includes a main casing section having an opening and a cap disposed over the opening wherein the cap and the main casing section are adapted for snap fit engagement. In a first embodiment, the main casing section has a first lip formed around the perimeter of the opening and the cap has a second lip wherein the first and second lips are adapted for snap fit engagement. In a second embodiment, the main casing section has a lip formed around the perimeter of the opening and the cap comprises a plurality of clips wherein the lip and the plurality of clips are adapted for snap fit engagement.