Abstract: A method of shifting ranges within a transmission is provided. The method of an embodiment includes determining an intention to change from a first mode to a second mode in the transmission, determining the first mode of the transmission, which includes a first range clutch in an engaged condition and a first synchronizer in a first engaged condition, determining the second mode of the transmission, which includes a second range clutch in an engaged condition and a second synchronizer in a first engaged condition, engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition, disengaging the first range clutch, engaging the second range clutch, and disengaging the first synchronizer from the first engaged condition.

Abstract: A method of shifting ranges within a transmission is provided. The method of an embodiment includes determining an intention to change from a first mode to a second mode in the transmission, determining the first mode of the transmission, which includes a first range clutch in an engaged condition and a first synchronizer in a first engaged condition, determining the second mode of the transmission, which includes a second range clutch in an engaged condition and a second synchronizer in a first engaged condition, engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition, disengaging the first range clutch, engaging the second range clutch, and disengaging the first synchronizer from the first engaged condition.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission may include a first mode in which a low range clutch is engaged and a first synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing an output shaft to rotate relative to a first range shaft based upon a ratio of a first range gear to a second range gear. The transmission may include a second mode in which a high range clutch is engaged and a second synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing the output shaft to rotate relative to a second range shaft based upon a ratio of the first range gear to the second range gear. A shift from the first mode to the second mode includes engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition before disengaging the low range clutch and engaging the high range clutch.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission may include a first mode in which a low range clutch is engaged and a first synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing an output shaft to rotate relative to a first range shaft based upon a ratio of a first range gear to a second range gear. The transmission may include a second mode in which a high range clutch is engaged and a second synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing the output shaft to rotate relative to a second range shaft based upon a ratio of the first range gear to the second range gear. A shift from the first mode to the second mode includes engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition before disengaging the low range clutch and engaging the high range clutch.

Abstract: A final drive for a work machine includes a housing, a pinion gear, a first idler gear, a second idler gear, and a bull gear. The pinion gear is restrained within the housing. The first idler gear and the second idler gears are rotatably connected to the housing and positioned for engagement with the pinion gear. The bull gear is rotatably connected to the housing and positioned for engagement with the first idler gear and the second idler gear. The housing, the pinion gear, the first idler gear, and the second idler gear are configured to permit the pinion gear to float between the first idler gear, and the second idler to provide even sharing of the load from the pinion gear to the first idler gear and the second idler gear.

Abstract: A hydromechanical powertrain for a ground vehicle. The powertrain, more specifically a transmission, includes an input shaft that is coupled to a rotational power source and an output shaft that is coupled to a load. A first hydrostatic unit coupled to a first gear, while a second hydrostatic unit is selectively coupled to one of a pair of clutches. The first of the clutches has a first clutch gear that is selectably coupled to a first mode gear, which is in turn rotationally fixed to the output shaft. The second of clutches has a second clutch gear that is selectively coupled to a second mode gear, which is in turn rotationally fixed to the input shaft. Also coupled to the input shaft is a planetary gear set.

Abstract: A hydromechanical powertrain for a ground vehicle. The powertrain, more specifically a transmission, includes an input shaft that is coupled to a rotational power source and an output shaft that is coupled to a load. A first hydrostatic unit coupled to a first gear, while a second hydrostatic unit is selectively coupled to one of a pair of clutches. The first of the clutches has a first clutch gear that is selectably coupled to a first mode gear, which is in turn rotationally fixed to the output shaft. The second of clutches has a second clutch gear that is selectively coupled to a second mode gear, which is in turn rotationally fixed to the input shaft. Also coupled to the input shaft is a planetary gear set.

Abstract: A mechanism for powering a combine header unit at infinitely variable speeds. A primary motor is coupled to a primary input shaft via a clutch, a variable-speed secondary motor is directly coupled to a secondary input shaft, and the header unit coupled to a header output shaft. A planetary gear-train couples the primary input shaft, the secondary input shaft, and the header output shaft to each other. A primary brake is coupled to the primary input shaft, and a secondary brake coupled to the secondary input shaft. A control circuit is employed to command the operation of the clutch, the secondary motor, the primary brake, and the secondary brake in response to operator commands.

Abstract: A PTO transmission transmits power from an engine-driven shaft to a PTO shaft. The transmission includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by the engine-driven shaft. A planetary transmission unit includes a ring gear driven by the engine-driven shaft, a planet carrier drivingly coupled to the PTO shaft, planet gears rotatably mounted on the planet carrier and in meshing engagement with the ring gear, and a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears and drivingly connected to a fixed displacement variable speed hydraulic motor hydraulically driven by the pump. A one-way clutch is coupled to the sun gear. The one-way clutch allows the sun gear to rotate in only one direction so that at rated engine speed all power is transmitted mechanically.

Abstract: A PTO transmission transmits power from an engine-driven shaft to a PTO shaft. The transmission includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by the engine-driven shaft. A planetary transmission unit includes a ring gear driven by the engine-driven shaft, a planet carrier drivingly coupled to the PTO shaft, planet gears rotatably mounted on the planet carrier and in meshing engagement with the ring gear, and a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears and drivingly connected to a fixed displacement variable speed hydraulic motor hydraulically driven by the pump. A one-way clutch is coupled to the sun gear. The one-way clutch allows the sun gear to rotate in only one direction and prevents overspeeding of the PTO shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism for powering a combine header unit at infinitely variable speeds. A primary motor is coupled to a primary input shaft via a clutch, a variable-speed secondary motor is directly coupled to a secondary input shaft, and the header unit coupled to a header output shaft. A planetary gear-train couples the primary input shaft, the secondary input shaft, and the header output shaft to each other. A primary brake is coupled to the primary input shaft, and a secondary brake coupled to the secondary input shaft. A control circuit is employed to command the operation of the clutch, the secondary motor, the primary brake, and the secondary brake in response to operator commands.

Abstract: A transmission is provided having a sun gear, ring gear and planet carrier mounted in a housing. A plurality of planet gears are rotatably mounted to the planet carrier. The planet carrier is connected to one of either an input shaft or an output shaft while the ring gear is connected to the other of either the input shaft or output shaft. A clutch engageably and disengageably couples the sun gear for rotation with one of the input or output shafts to which the planet carrier is coupled. A brake engageably and disengageably fixes the sun gear against rotation relative to the housing. A hydraulically engaged/spring disengaged non-rotating piston is mounted in the housing and is slidable in response to fluid pressure between an engaged position for engaging one of the clutch and the brake and a retracted position for disengaging the one of the clutch and the brake.

Abstract: A planetary gear transmission is provided having a sun gear, ring gear and planet carrier mounted in a housing. A plurality of compound planet gears are rotatably mounted to the planet carrier. The planet carrier is connected to one of either an input shaft or an output shaft while the ring gear is connected to the other of either the input shaft or output shaft. A clutch engageably and disengageably couples the sun gear for rotation with one of the input or output shafts to which the planet carrier is coupled. A brake engageably and disengageably fixes the sun gear against rotation relative to the housing. A hydraulically engaged/spring disengaged non-rotating piston is mounted in the housing and is slidable in response to fluid pressure between an engaged position for engaging one of the clutch and the brake and a retracted position for disengaging the one of the clutch and the brake.

Abstract: An infinitely variable four mode hydro-mechanical transmission has a planetary system including three planetary gear sets, four clutches and a reverse brake. A first hydrostatic unit is geared to the second row ring of the planetary system. A second hydrostatic unit is geared to the planet carrier via a first clutch in Modes One and Four. The second hydrostatic unit is geared to the second row sun of the planetary system via a second clutch in Modes Two and Three. A third clutch connects the planet carrier to the output in Modes One and Two. A fourth clutch connects the second planetary row sun gear to the output in Modes Three and Four. A reverse brake is attached to the third planetary row. When the reverse brake is engaged and both the third and fourth clutches are disengaged the third row sun and thus the transmission output is driven in reverse.

Abstract: A PTO transmission includes a split power transmission unit having an output member connected to a PTO shaft, a first input connected to an engine output shaft and a second input connected the output of a variable speed drive unit. A control unit controls the speed of the variable speed drive unit as a function of sensed engine speed and maintains the PTO shaft at a constant speed. The split power transmission is preferably a planetary gear unit. The variable speed drive unit preferably includes a variable displacement hydrostatic pump driving a fixed displacement hydrostatic motor which drives a sun gear of the planetary gear unit. This system transmits power to the PTO shaft from both the engine and from the variable speed drive unit. The control unit may also control the variable speed drive unit so that the speed of the PTO shaft is maintained at a desired ratio with respect to the ground speed, or so that the speed of the PTO shaft is maintained at a speed set by an operator.

Abstract: A PTO transmission includes a split power transmission unit having an output member connected to a PTO shaft, a first input connected to an engine output shaft and a second input connected the output of a variable speed drive unit. A control unit controls the speed of the variable speed drive unit as a function of sensed engine speed and maintains the PTO shaft at a constant speed. The split power transmission is preferably a planetary gear unit. The variable speed drive unit preferably includes a variable displacement hydrostatic pump driving a fixed displacement hydrostatic motor which drives a sun gear of the planetary gear unit. This system transmits power to the PTO shaft from both the engine and from the variable speed drive unit. The control unit may also control the variable speed drive unit so that the speed of the PTO shaft is maintained at a desired ratio with respect to the ground speed, or so that the speed of the PTO shaft is maintained at a speed set by an operator.

Abstract: A differential lock is activated by a non-rotating piston mounted substantially inside the side quill of the differential. Non-rotating seals are provided between the side quill and the piston to form a pressure chamber for the piston. A thrust bearing is provided between the piston and the pressure plate of the clutch of the differential lock to transmit force from the piston to the clutch while allowing relative rotation therebetween.