초록 ▼

An embodiment of the present invention involves a zero turn drive apparatus. The zero turn drive apparatus has a housing, which has a first and a second end. The housing has a first end cap mounted on the first end of the housing, and a second end cap mounted on the second end of the housing. A hydr

An embodiment of the present invention involves a zero turn drive apparatus. The zero turn drive apparatus has a housing, which has a first and a second end. The housing has a first end cap mounted on the first end of the housing, and a second end cap mounted on the second end of the housing. A hydraulic pump is rotatably mounted on each end cap, and each hydraulic pump is driven by a pump input shaft. A gear chamber is interposed between each pump. A power take off mechanism is engaged to the housing, and an output shaft extends from the power take off mechanism. An input shaft, which is engaged to each of the pump input shafts, extends into the power take off mechanism and is selectively engaged to the output shaft.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A hydraulic apparatus, comprising: an input shaft driven by a prime mover, the input shaft positioned at a first end of the hydraulic apparatus; a pair of hydraulic pumps driven by the input shaft, wherein the input shaft is positioned between and drives the hydraulic pumps;

What is claimed is: 1. A hydraulic apparatus, comprising: an input shaft driven by a prime mover, the input shaft positioned at a first end of the hydraulic apparatus; a pair of hydraulic pumps driven by the input shaft, wherein the input shaft is positioned between and drives the hydraulic pumps; and a hydraulically actuated power take off unit having an output shaft, the power take off unit positioned at a second end of the hydraulic apparatus, opposite the first end; wherein the input shaft and output shaft are collinear. 2. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 1, wherein a charge pump, positioned coaxially with the input shaft, provides pressurized fluid for hydraulic actuation of the power take off unit. 3. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 2, wherein the charge pump is positioned internal to a housing containing the pair of hydraulic pumps. 4. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 3, wherein the charge pump is connected to an external reservoir and filter. 5. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 2, wherein the charge pump is mounted on a component, and a valve for providing pressurized fluid to actuate the power take off unit is mounted within the component. 6. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power take off unit further comprises a brake, wherein the brake stops movement of the output shaft when the power take off unit is in a non-actuated condition. 7. A charge fluid circuit for a hydraulic apparatus, the charge fluid circuit comprising: a charge pump driven by an input shaft; a first and a second passage extending from the charge pump, generally perpendicular to the input shaft, to a first hydraulic pump positioned to a first side of the input shaft and to a second hydraulic pump positioned to a second side of the input shaft generally opposite the first side, respectively; and a third passage extending from the charge pump to a hydraulically actuated power take off unit. 8. The charge fluid circuit of claim 7, wherein the charge pump is generally coaxial with the input shaft. 9. The charge fluid circuit of claim 7, wherein the charge pump draws fluid from an external reservoir. 10. The charge fluid circuit of claim 7, wherein the input shaft directly drives the charge pump. 11. The charge fluid circuit of claim 7, wherein the power take off comprises an output shaft and a brake, wherein the output shaft is stopped by the brake when hydraulic pressure is released from the hydraulically actuated power take off unit. 12. The charge fluid circuit of claim 7, wherein the third passage is generally parallel to the input shaft and contains a valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to and from the hydraulically actuated power take off unit, and wherein the third passage is connected to a brake and a clutch of the hydraulically actuated power take off unit. 13. The charge fluid circuit of claim 12, wherein the valve alternatively provides pressure to actuate the clutch and release the brake, and removes pressure from the clutch and the brake to permit the brake to stop an output shaft of the hydraulically actuated power take off unit. 14. A hydraulic apparatus, comprising: a housing forming a sump; a first end cap having hydraulic porting attached to a first end of the housing; a first charge pump attached to a portion of the first end cap external to the sump; a second end cap having hydraulic porting attached to a second end of the housing; a second charge pump attached to a portion of the second end cap external to the sump; and a hydraulically actuated power take off attached to a side of the housing; wherein pressurized fluid from at least the first charge pump is connected to the hydraulically actuated power take off at least partially by way of a first hydraulic hose, wherein the first hydraulic hose is connected at one end to an external portion of the first end cap, and connected at the other end to the power take off. 15. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an input shaft, wherein the input shaft is directly connected to the power take off and indirectly connected to the first charge pump and the second charge pump. 16. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first charge pump and the second charge pump are generally symmetrically disposed opposite each other about the input shaft. 17. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first charge pump and the second charge pump are positioned to be in mirror symmetry to each other with the input shaft positioned halfway between the first charge pump and the second charge pump. 18. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a valve that alternatively permits pressurized fluid to actuate the power take off or prevents pressurized fluid from actuating the power take off. 19. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 18, wherein the power take off comprises an output shaft and a brake positioned to stop the output shaft, wherein the output shaft is stopped by the brake when the valve prevents pressurized fluid from actuating the power take off. 20. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 15, wherein the housing is a unitary housing comprising a first opening that is covered by the first end cap, a second opening covered by the second end cap, and a third opening sealed by a cover to which the power take off is connected. 21. The hydraulic apparatus of claim 15, wherein pressurized fluid from the second charge pump is also connected to the hydraulically actuated power take off at least partially by way of a second hydraulic hose, wherein the second hydraulic hose is connected at one end to an external portion of the second end cap, and connected at the other end to the power take off.