Abstract: A splitter gearbox for a four wheel drive, hydrostatically driven tractor integrates both the input drive train and the output drive train into a single gearbox. The drive mechanism eliminates the need for a separate mechanical gearbox by establishing pre-set fixed displacement settings that are electronically controlled along with the variable displacement of the hydrostatic motor and hydrostatic pump, to provide a smooth power shift through all ranges without requiring the tractor to stop. The drive mechanism is configured so that essentially all components are individually controlled so that the entire power generated by the tractor engine can be diverted to any one of the traction drive, the PTO mechanism, the auxiliary hydraulic drive or, to a somewhat lesser extent, the tractor hydraulic system. The splitter gearbox is mounted to the rear axle housing to allow the sharing of a common oil sump.

Abstract: A traction control module for a hydrostatic drive that has a hydraulic pump which drives at least two hydraulic wheel motors in a parallel closed looped configuration with each wheel motor. The traction control has a branch flow path that is in parallel with a main flow path. A dynamically balanced slidable valve acts between the main and the branch flow paths to control fluid flow to the associated wheel motor. When the load on one of the wheels is partially, but not entirely lost, the slidable valve reacts to maintain system pressure at substantially its preexisting level.

Abstract: A vehicle having a hydrostatic drive and a hydraulic control apparatus, in which the hydrostatic drive has a variable displacement hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor in a closed circuit, an internal combustion engine for driving the hydraulic pump and a variable displacement pump, producing a volumetric output flow, of an open circuit, and a retarder valve arranged in the open circuit and intended for the hydraulic absorption of braking energy. The retarder valve has a valve and a pressure-limiting valve, connected thereto, for throttling the volumetric output flow of the variable displacement pump. The variable displacement hydraulic pump, the variable displacement pump and the retarder valve are controlled by a digital electronic unit for the respective driving and working functions.

Abstract: A first hydraulic pump P1 driven by power of an engine and a first hydraulic motor M1 are fluidly connected so as to form a closed fluid circuit. An output shaft 2 of first hydraulic motor M1 is drivingly connected with a subtransmission 3. The output power from sub-transmission 3 drives main-driving wheels 5 and also drives a second hydraulic pump P2 fluidly connected with a second hydraulic motor M2 for driving sub-driving wheels 6. A clutch 7 is interposed between an output shaft 4 of sub-transmission 3 and an input shaft 9 of second hydraulic pump P2 or on the output side of second hydraulic motor M2. Second hydraulic pump P2 or second hydraulic motor M2 has variable displacement, so that second hydraulic motor M2 is drivingly accelerated in proportion to the degree of turning operation of a steering operating tool 31.

Abstract: A heavy burden transport vehicle comprises a plurality of wheels and hydropneumatic units each provided for each of wheels for driving each wheel, each hydropneumatic unit having a hydropneumatic motor for rotating the wheel, a hydropneumatic pump for feeding compressed operating fluid to the hydropneumatic motor, and a motor for driving the hydropneumatic pump.

Abstract: A mobile work vehicle with at least one driven axle assembly is connected to and driven by just one integrated hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is a low-speed radial-piston motor which has a hollow shaft of which the axis of rotation is concentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle assembly.

Abstract: A system for accelerating the front wheels of a vehicle, eg an agricultural tractor, on turning a corner, comprises steering angle sensors (21) which, via a control unit (22) enable or disable drive to the front wheels from a hydraulic motor (11). The drive from the hydraulic motor from the front wheels is via a one-way clutch (14). The hydraulic motor (11) is powered by a pump (6) driven either directly from the vehicle engine or from the main transmission.

Abstract: Hydrostatic unit for driving an industrial truck with a pump, a hydrostatic propulsion unit and additional users of hydraulic energy, wherein the pump is located on an axle body of a drive axle. A control valve for the pressurization of the propulsion unit and at least one control valve for the pressurization of an additional user are located on the axle body or at least partly integrating into the axle body. In one embodiment, the axle body is a control seat receptacle of the pump and at least one traction motor of the hydrostatic propulsion unit. The control valves can be actuated electrically or hydraulically.

Abstract: An axle driving unit having a housing (21,22) for supporting a first axle (17) for mounting thereon a first driving wheel (3L), and a longer second axle (18) for mounting thereon a second driving wheel (3R). The axle driving unit is eccentrically mounted on a body frame (1) in proximity to the first driving wheel (3L). A speed change transmission (T) is disposed in an enlarged region of the housing that extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axles (17,18). The axle driving unit can thus be easily disposed to the side of a chute (6) of a rear-discharge type lawn tractor.

Abstract: A street cleaning vehicle comprises a street cleaning apparatus, and an engine having a mechanical power output. A differential and axle assembly has a first drive input drivable in a first phase by the mechanical power output of the engine through a mechanical coupling and a second drive input drivable in a second phase by the mechanical power output of the engine through a hydraulic power system, and drive axles drivable by a selected one of the first drive input and the second drive input, so as to propel the street cleaning vehicle. A selectably operable switching mechanism is included to effect a selected one of the first and second phases.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle hydraulic drive system of the type including a plurality of fluid pressure actuated wheel motors (13,15) connected in a parallel circuit with a source (17) of pressure. A flow restrictor valve (65) is disposed in a downstream conduit (27) of each of the wheel motors (13,15). The method involves determining the theoretical fluid flow for each motor, the actual fluid flow through each motor, and generating an error signal (107) which is then used to bias the restrictor valve (65) toward a flow restriction position. The disclosed method can be used to achieve steering at greater than kinematic, by scrubbing the inside front wheel, or can be used to prevent wheel slip of propulsion wheels, or can be used to prevent scrubbing of a wheel during hydrostatic braking, or can even be used to achieve vehicle steering.

Abstract: A left hydraulic pump 3L connected to a left wheel and a right hydraulic pump 3R connected to a right wheel are interconnected by a first oil passage 21 and a second oil passage 22 to constitute a closed circuit. First and second variable throttle valves 8L and 8R are mounted between the first and second oil passages 21 and 22 and a tank 6. A first on-off valve 11L is disposed between two working chambers 9L.sub.2 and 9L.sub.3 of the left hydraulic pump 3L and the second oil passage 22, and a second on-off valve 11R is disposed between two working chambers 9R.sub.2 and 9R.sub.3 of the right hydraulic pump 3R and the first oil passage 21. For example, if the first variable throttle valve 8L is throttled, the pressure in the first oil passage 21 is risen to open the first on-off valve 11L, thereby increasing the amount of oil discharged from the first hydraulic pump 3L.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transmission has a housing comprised of two separable elements detachably joined together along a substantially horizontal parting plane. A hydrostatic transmission including a hydrostatic pump, a hydrostatic motor, and a center section is separately mounted within the housing. The center section comprises a generally L-shaped member having a hydrostatic pump and motor mounting surfaces thereon disposed at right angles to each other. A pair of fluid ports is on each of the mounting surfaces, and internal passageways are in the L-shaped member connecting each of the fluid ports on one of the mounting surfaces with one of said fluid ports being on the other of the mounting surfaces. The L-shaped member comprises first and second legs integrally joined and extending at right angles to each other, with the first leg normally extending in a horizontal direction, and the second leg normally extending in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: A left hydraulic pump connected to a left wheel and a right hydraulic pump connected to a right wheel of a vehicle are connected by a first oil passage and a second oil passage to constitute a closed circuit, and first and second variable throttle valves are provided between the first and second oil passages and the tank. Either one of the first and second variable throttle valves is throttled to cause the first and second hydraulic pumps to produce a braking force and a driving force, respectively, thereby controlling a yaw moment. At the same time, when either one of left and right wheel suspensions expands, the roll rigidity of the vehicle increases or decreases to vary the cornering forces of the wheels, thereby producing a yaw moment which assists in the yaw moment produced by the first and second hydraulic pumps.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transmission has a housing comprised of two separable elements detachably joined together along a substantially horizontal parting plane. A hydrostatic transmission including a hydrostatic pump, a hydrostatic motor, and a center section is separately mounted within the housing. The center section comprises a generally L-shaped member having a hydrostatic pump and motor mounting surfaces thereon disposed at right angles to each other. A pair of fluid ports is on each of the mounting surfaces, and internal passageways are in the L-shaped member connecting each of the fluid ports on one of the mounting surfaces with one of said fluid ports being on the other of the mounting surfaces. The L-shaped member comprises first and second legs integrally joined and extending at right angles to each other, with the first leg normally extending in a horizontal direction, and the second leg normally extending in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus, which contains two separately driven hydrostatic transmissions (HSTs) in a single housing, is made compact to improve the running operational efficiency of a working machine. In particular, power from a prime mover is transmitted to an input pulley so that the power is speed-changed by the two HSTs to drive left and right axles through left and right power transmitting means. The HSTs, power transmitting means and the axles are disposed substantially symmetrically laterally in the housing. The housing comprises parts coupled with each other such that joints between the parts are disposed in horizontal planes substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the axles.

Abstract: A parallel-series four-wheel-drive hydraulic circuit for a riding lawn mower. The lawn mower includes first and second hydraulic circuits. The first hydraulic circuit comprises a first hydraulic motor drivingly connected to a first wheel, a second hydraulic motor drivingly connected to a second wheel, a hydraulic pump connected in series with said first and second hydraulic motors, and a first fluid path allowing recirculation of hydraulic fluid through the second motor so that the speed of the second motor can increase relative to the speed of the first motor. Correspondingly, the speed of the second wheel can increase relative to the speed of the first wheel. A first conduit communicates between the first and second motors, a second conduit communicates between the second motor and the pump, and the fluid path communicates between the first and second conduits. The fluid path includes a check valve preventing reverse fluid flow through the fluid path from the first conduit to the second conduit.

Abstract: A transmission for a twin-screw extruder with a housing (1) that accommodates a take-off shaft (5) driven by a gear and another take-off shaft (11) driven by the first take-off shaft and two distributor shafts (9) on each side. The housing is divided along a sectional joint (18) into directly connected halves (19 & 20). The housing has only one sectional joint, which is vertical and extends along the second take-off shaft. The second take-off shaft and the distributor shafts are accommodated in the sectional joint, the first take-off shaft in one housing half (20), and the driveshaft in the other housing half (19).

Abstract: In a road finished having rear and front wheel carriage units and a hydrostatic all-wheel drive, wherein in addition to rear drivable wheels, at least two front wheels are drivable with a hydrostatic single wheel drive unit which contains a speed-variable hydraulic motor, each single wheel drive unit comprises a hydraulic speed-adjustable motor, a planetary gear set which drives the wheel in a gear reducing manner, and a unidirectional overriding clutch which is arranged between the hydraulic motor and the planetary gear set for either positively connecting the hydraulic motor automatically in the forward drive direction with the planetary gear set or for completely releasing the motor from the planetary gear set.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus having a common housing of at least two separable pieces for a hydrostatic transmission comletely contained within the housing. A pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles extend from the housing. The housing pieces are separable at a horizontal parting plane.

Abstract: A heavy duty hydrostatic transmission having an input into a combined separable pump/motor driven through a shaft in the transmission housing and a "U" shaped double back space conserving gear reduction drive to the axle differential.

Abstract: A power unit for a front drive vehicle having a horizontally opposed engine mounted longitudinally, a clutch, a transmission and a differential, in which a differential housing integrally formed with a transmission housing is disposed at a space adjacent to the frontally offset cylinder block of left or right cylinder blocks and a left and right axle shaft is extended from the differential housing respectively. Further, the differential housing is connected by a fastening bolt with a slide bush to a lower case of the engine so as to support the reaction force derived from the axle shafts. The power unit thus constituted offers a short length of a front overhang of the vehicle and the compactness of a power unit.

Abstract: An hydraulic drive system for driving a plurality of wheels of a vehicle. The drive system comprises an hydraulic fluid source, at least two motors for driving the vehicle wheels, a pump connected between the fluid source and the motors for drawing hydraulic fluid from the source and forcing the fluid to the motors, at least two flow restrictions, and at least two load-reaction compensators. Each of the motors drives at least one of the wheels at varying speeds in response to varying rates of fluid flow supplied to the motor from the fluid source. Each of the flow restrictions is positioned between the pump and at least one of the motors. Each restriction varies the rate of fluid flow to at least one of the motors in response to changes in fluid pressure upstream from the restriction. Each of the compensators is connected between the pump and at least one of the restrictions.

Abstract: The drive device for an agricultural harvester includes a gear unit (5) driven by an internal combustion engine through a hydrostatic transmission comprised of a hydraulic pump (1) and a hydraulic motor (2). The transmission unit (5) drives a pair of drive wheels (12) through the differential (8). A power takeoff device (13) is installed between the hydraulic motor (2) and the transmission unit (5) and a clutch is installed between the power takeoff device (13) and the transmission unit (5) thus permitting operation of the power takeoff device while power to the drive wheels is disconnected. A brake (4) is provided on the transmission unit and a brake is provided for each of the drive wheels (12).

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and-an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: A fluid coupling is combined with a one way clutch for the direct drive of a wheel from a small engine. The fluid coupling is mounted in cantilevered support or two ended bearing support from a small engine and has a small diameter inner driven shaft and a larger diameter out wheel driving shaft for contacting and directly driving a wheel. The inner driven shaft connects to a pump having a relatively larger outer diameter than either the driven or driving shaft. This pump is mounted on the opposite side of the driven wheel from the engine. The one way clutch is mounted between the inner and outer driven shafts and engages with only one direction of relative rotation between the wheel and engine. At any time that the speed of the engine is less than the current rotating speed of the wheel, the clutch engages.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.

Abstract: A center section for a hydrostatic transaxle has a generally L-shaped member having a hydrostatic pump and motor mounting surfaces thereon disposed at right angle to each other. The L-shaped member has first and second legs at right angles to each other with the pump and motor mounting surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles has an L-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, and is mounted within the housing. The center section has passages and ports which are interconnected by certain passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast. The center section has hydraulic pump and motor mounting surfaces on legs extending at right angles to each other.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles has an L-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, and is mounted within the housing. The center section has passages and ports which are interconnected by certain passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast. The center section has hydraulic pump and motor mounting surfaces on legs extending at right angles to each other. The pump has a vertical input shaft extending through the housing and an axis of rotation at right angles to a housing parting plane.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: The field of the invention is one in which an electric motor drives a helically grooved shaft to displace a hydraulic fluid pumping piston to feed the hydraulic fluid under pressure through a flow directing and control system to energize the motion of a piston on a helically grooved second shaft to drive the second shaft which is able to supply the motion power to drive a vehicle, or to provide power to drive a shaft for other useful purposes, and to apply the mechanical advantage to be developed between pistons having a small and a large area relationship in a closed hydraulic fluid circulating loop where electric drive for one piston results in power output from the other piston.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain with regenerative braking includes a plurality of wheels and a brake pedal which, upon engagement, is activated first into a first zone of operation and then into a second zone of operation. A braking detector detects either a released state or an engaged state for the brake pedal and, if in the engaged state, detects if the pedal is in the first or the second zone of operation. Friction brakes brake a pair of the wheels, responsive to detection of the brake pedal within the second zone of operation. The hydraulic portion of the drivetrain includes an accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure and a reservoir for storing the hydraulic fluid at a lower pressure. A pump/motor is located in the high pressure line for operation as a motor to drive the drive wheels in a drive mode and for operation as a pump driven by the drive wheels in a braking mode.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A fluid coupling directly-drive a wheel from a small engine. The fluid coupling is mounted in cantilevered support or two ended bearing support from a small engine and has a small diameter inner driven shaft and a larger diameter out wheel driving shaft for contacting and directly driving a wheel. The inner driven shaft connects to a pump having a relatively larger outer diameter than either the driven or driving shaft. This pump is mounted on the opposite side of the driven wheel from the engine and preferably includes rotating vanes within one half a toroidal path having an attached eccentrically mounted toroidal plug for causing helical rotation of fluid about the plug. A turbine mates to the pump and includes rotating vanes within the other half of the toroidal path, these vanes being shaped around the toroidal plug of the pump.

Abstract: A high crop agricultural vehicle has a chassis supported at an elevated position on front and rear sets of wheels. The front wheels are turnable through an arc of greater than 90.degree. so that they can be turned to a lateral travel position which is perpendicular to the direction of normal forward travel. In that lateral travel position the vehicle can be driven sideways. This allows the vehicle to be easily manoeuvred as well as facilitating the mounting of agricultural implements into the space between the front and rear wheels. The rear wheels are preferably momented in a castor-type mounting assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch driven steerable drive axle system for a four-wheel drive vehicle, such as a front mount mower, including a rotary power source, a driven front axle, a mechanical rear axle converting power from the rotary power source into tractive power at a set of wheels attached thereto, a steering mechanism connected to the rear wheels, an electromagnetic clutch between the power source and mechanical rear axle, and a transducer which provides input representative of the turning and/or tractive power status of the mower to a microprocessor which may send current to the clutch. Having a plurality of frictional clutch disks, the clutch selectively transmits driving power to the secondary axle based on input current applied by the microprocessor. With the disks separated, the rotary power source and steerable axle are uncoupled. The rear wheels are allowed to freewheel, reducing skidding during turns in forward and reverse.

Abstract: An electric car is powered from a primary power source in the form of a three-phase parallel resonant electric motor operated at a constant speed (the speed of resonance). The electric motor is provided with operating power from an invertor coupled to storage batteries in the electric car. The motor drives a main hydraulic pump, which is hydraulically connected with a pair of variable displacement drive motors, each connected to different drive wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The fluid flow through the pump is varied from 0% to 100% to control the speed of operation of the drive motors connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic engine apparatus and method that converts pulsed electromagnetic energy into mechanical force and motion. The engine apparatus produces usable mechanical power by pumping action made possible by a reciprocating piston in a cylinder acting on a fluid that is responsive to the pulsed electromagnetic energy. The cylinder is provided with check-valved input and output ports at both ends of the cylinder, which output ports are hydraulically coupled to a hydraulic motor for delivering mechanical power from the hydraulic motor's output drive shaft. The piston has embedded permanent magnets that coact with the pulsating electromagnets to produce the reciprocating action. The piston permanent magnet has prodruding ends which are received within central bore portions of core members of the electromagnets for producing increased magnetic pull.

Abstract: An electric drive system for tracklaying vehicles includes a pair of electric motors and an infinitely variable speed, hydromechanical steering transmission including a pair of hydrostatic propulsion units and a plurality of planetary gears sets. The hydrostatic units are driven by one or both of the electric motors to produce separate hydrostatic propulsion outputs which are combined with the mechanical outputs of the motors by the planetary gear sets to generate separate hydromechanical propulsion outputs on right and left transmission output shafts for vehicle propulsion and steer in two speed ranges.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing an accumulator for pulsation absorption on a feeding passage between a hydraulic pressure generating device and hydraulic pressure booster equipment, and to provide a restriction on a section of the feeding passage between the accumulator and the hydraulic pressure generating device. As the result, the pulsation caused by a pump is reduced by the restriction, and the pulsation thus reduced is absorbed by the accumulator. Therefore, pulsation is effectively decreased by the restriction and the accumulator, and the pulsation transmitted to the hydraulic pressure booster equipment is quite small.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for earth moving machines of simplified structure which allows ready access to the various parts thereof for servicing. The arrangement includes a controlled hydrostatic motor dispersed between a fluid power pump associated with the internal combustion engine of the machine and which is connected through its drive shaft to the universal drive shaft of the machine at a point between the rear wheel driving axle and the universal joint associated therewith.

Abstract: A first wheel positioned on a first side of a vehicle is driven by a first reversible hydraulic motor. A second wheel positioned on a second side of the vehicle is driven by a second reversible hydraulic motor. A first valve controls the drive direction and speed of operation of the first hydraulic motor. A second valve controls the drive direction and speed of operation of the second hydraulic motor. An actuator shaft is connected with the first and second valves. Linear movement of the actuator shaft along its axis actuates both of the valves in either a forward or a reverse direction. The actuator shaft is also rotatable about its axis. Rotation of the actuator shaft about its axis actuates one of the valves in the forward direction and the other of the valves in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A vehicle having a length, a front end and a substantially opposing rear end useful for propelling an implement pivotably coupled thereto at or near the front end. The vehicle comprises two driven wheels located at or near the rear end and positioned to rotate in a direction generally parallel to the length of the vehicle; a power system acting to provide power to rotate the two driven wheels; at least one non-steered wheel located at or near the front end, the non-steered wheel being rotatable about an axis which axis is at least partially rotatable; and a seat acting to provide a location at which a human being can sit on the vehicle and control the vehicle. The vehicle is sized so that the human being sitting in the seat is capable of directly steering the pivotably coupled implement.