Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership

Bryce E Steenburg

Douglas W Bell

Raymond M Hauser

Lonnie E Holder

Thomas A Roth

Thomas Kopel

B Keith Harshman

Thomas P Gavin

Michael Lee Bennett

Thomas D Wiley

A hydrostatic apparatus is disclosed. The hydrostatic apparatus comprises a pump, an input shaft, a fan and a fan shroud. The pump comprises a housing, an end cap, a first end and a second end. The input shaft extending from the first end and the second end of the pump. The fan is attached to one end of the input shaft. The fan shroud is also attached to the pump.

Fan shroud for pump

A front steering module adapted for integration with the subframe of a zero-turn radius vehicle incorporating an electronic steering apparatus. The module provides both front wheel steering and corresponding control inputs for the electronic steering apparatus. The module has a frame member having a pair of steered wheel assemblies mounted thereto and a mounting member for attachment to the vehicle. The module further comprises a steering mechanism and a steering position sensor for providing input to the electronic steering apparatus.

Front steering module for a zero turn radius vehicle

A steering apparatus for a zero-turn radius vehicle using a steering mechanism coupled to a first set of wheel assemblies by a plurality of cables. User input to the steering mechanism causes the cables to turn the first set of wheel assemblies about a vertical axis. Specifically, the cables link the steering mechanism to cam mechanisms that are attached to each wheel assembly. The design of the cam mechanism, which preferably includes two cams of varying radii, enables the two wheel assemblies to rotate about their vertical axes at varied degrees of rotation and greater than ninety degrees from the forward facing position, thereby resulting in zero-turn radius capability.

Steering system for a zero-turn radius vehicle

A control mechanism for a transmission such as a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle which simplifies construction and enables the user to change the orientation of the transmission in a vehicle. A first linkage member is rotatably mounted on a support rod and has first and second oppositely extending arms mounted thereon. The arms of the first linkage member are attached to the vehicle drive control and the transmission control arm. A second linkage member is rotatably mounted on the first linkage member and also has two arms oppositely extending therefrom which are connected to a vehicle brake control and the transmission brake mechanism. This second arm of the second linkage member may be engaged to a return arm that is connected to a transmission brake arm by a spring device.

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Mattoon, IL, United States of America

Bryce E Steenburg