Tecumseh Products Company

Gary G Twaddle

Norman E Jolliff

Richard T Ruebusch

Gordon C Dowen

A method of manufacturing a plurality of left hand control hydrostatic transaxles and a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles. The method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of substantially identical axle modules; providing a plurality of left hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules adapted to connect to respective axle modules to form left hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles, and a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules adapted to connect to respective axle modules to form right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles; attaching the plurality of left hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules to a first quantity of the plurality of substantially identical axle modules to form a plurality of left hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles; and attaching the plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transmission modules to a second quantity of the plurality of substantially identical axle modules to form a plurality of right hand controlled hydrostatic transaxles. In one form of the invention, the transmission module is aligned with the axle module by piloting the output means of the motor of a hydrostatic transmission module to the input drive of a reduction gear train of the transmission module.

Method for manufacturing transaxles

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.

Hydrostatic transaxle having axial piston motor and method for manufacturing transaxles

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 and hydraulically connected pump and motor disposed in the transmission casing. The 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. The pump and motor cylinder barrels are hydraulically connected through the pump and motor block at 90&deg; orientation, and 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. The brake disc is disposed on a distal end of the output shaft and a brake cover is fastened to the outer portion of the axle casing and substantially encloses the brake disc.

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Salem, IN, United States of America

Gary G Twaddle