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A hydrostatic transaxle including first and second hydrostatic transmission modules and an axle drive housing. Each module includes a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor with the pump being of variable displacement and the motor being rotated at various speeds and

A hydrostatic transaxle including first and second hydrostatic transmission modules and an axle drive housing. Each module includes a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor with the pump being of variable displacement and the motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement. The axle drive housing contains first and second gear trains and a pair of axles. One of the axles is operably coupled to the first transmission module motor through the first gear train, and the other of the axles is operably coupled to the second transmission module motor through the second gear train. Each of the hydrostatic transmission module housings is detachably fixed to the axle drive housing.

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1. A hydrostatic transaxle comprising:first and second hydrostatic transmission modules, each said module comprising a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor, said pump being of variable displacement, said motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reve

1. A hydrostatic transaxle comprising:first and second hydrostatic transmission modules, each said module comprising a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor, said pump being of variable displacement, said motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement; andan axle drive housing containing first and second gear trains, and a pair of axles, one of said axles being operably coupled to said first transmission module motor through said first gear train, the other of said axles being operably coupled to said second transmission module motor through said second gear train;wherein each of said hydrostatic transmission module housings is detachably fixed to said axle drive housing. 2. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 1, wherein said axle drive housing is substantially Y-shaped and has a longitudinal center portion and a pair of arm portions extending from said center portion, a said axle extending from each said axle drive housing arm portion, and one of said hydrostatic transmission modules is located on opposite sides of said axle drive housing longitudinal center portion. 3. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 2, wherein said axle drive housing defines a space between said arm portions. 4. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 3, wherein said space includes an electromagnetic clutch disposed therein for rotating a blade. 5. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 1, wherein said first hydrostatic transmission module motor and said first gear train are selectively coupled together and said second hydrostatic transmission module motor and said second gear train are selectively coupled together. 6. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 1, wherein said first and said second transmission modules are substantially mirror image versions of each other. 7. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 1, wherein said first and said second transmission modules are independently controlled. 8. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 1, wherein said first and said second gear trains are independently operable relative to each other. 9. A zero turn radius vehicle comprising:a frame;a transaxle attached to said frame and comprising:first and second hydrostatic transmission modules, each said module comprising a transmission housing, a rotating fluid pump and a rotatable fluid motor, said pump being of variable displacement, said motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement; andan axle drive housing containing first and second gear trains, and a pair of axles, one of said axles being operably coupled to said first transmission module motor through said first gear train, the other of said axles being operably coupled to said second transmission module motor through said second gear train;wherein each of said hydrostatic transmission module housings is detachably fixed to said axle drive housing; anda pair of ground engaging wheels, one said ground-engaging wheel connected to each said axle. 10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said first hydrostatic transmission module motor and said first reduction gear train are selectively coupled together and said second hydrostatic transmission module motor and said second reduction gear train are selectively coupled together. 11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said axle drive housing is substantially Y-shaped and has a longitudinal center portion and a pair of arm portions extending from said center portion, a said axle extending from each said axle drive housing arm portion, and one of said hydrostatic transmission modules is located on opposite sides of said axle drive housing longitudinal center portion. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said axle drive housing defines a space between said arm portions. 13. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising an electromagnetic clutch disposed in said space and a rotating blade mounted to said frame, said ele ctromagnetic clutch rotating said blade. 14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said first hydrostatic transmission module motor and said first gear train are selectively coupled together and said second hydrostatic transmission module motor and said second gear train are selectively coupled together. 15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein, when at least one of said first and said second hydrostatic transmission modules is uncoupled from its respective one of said first and said second reduction gear trains, said vehicle remains mobile on said ground-engaging wheels. 16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said first and said second transmission modules are substantially mirror image versions of each other. 17. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said first and said second gear trains are independently operable relative to each other. 18. A hydrostatic transaxle for use in a zero turn radius mower having a rotating blade, said transaxle comprising:a first hydrostatic transmission module and a second hydrostatic transmission module, said first and said second hydrostatic transmission modules being substantially mirror image versions of each other, said first and said second modules each comprising:a transmission housing;a variable displacement rotating fluid pump, said pump disposed within said transmission housing; anda rotatable fluid motor disposed within said transmission housing and in fluid communication with said pump, said motor being rotated at various speeds and in forward and reverse directions in response to changes in pump displacement; andan axle drive, said first and said second transmission modules being detachably fixed to said axle drive, said axle drive comprising:an axle drive housing;a first reduction means and a second reduction means disposed in said axle drive housing; anda pair of axles rotatably supported in said axle drive housing, one of said axles being operably coupled to said first transmission module motor through said first reduction means, the other of said axles being operably coupled to said second transmission module motor through said second reduction means. 19. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 18, wherein said axle drive housing is substantially Y-shaped and has a longitudinal center portion and a pair of arm portions extending from said center portion, a said axle extending from each said axle drive housing arm portion, said axle drive housing defining a space between said arm portions. 20. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 19, wherein said space accommodates an electromagnetic clutch located therein which is selectively coupled to a mower blade. 21. The hydrostatic transaxle of claim 18, wherein said first hydrostatic transmission module motor and said first reduction means are selectively coupled together and said second hydrostatic transmission module motor and said second reduction means are selectively coupled together.