Patent ID: 7234301
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A drive apparatus for driving a vehicle, comprising: a common housing forming a hydraulic sump; a first hydrostatic transaxle located in the common housing and comprising: a first hydraulic pump driven by a first input shaft; a first swash plate engaged to the first hydraulic pump; a first control member engaged to the first swash plate for changing the rotational position of the first swash plate; and a first hydraulic motor in fluid communication with the first hydraulic pump and drivingly linked to a first output shaft; a second hydrostatic transaxle located in the common housing and comprising: a second hydraulic pump driven by a second input shaft; a second swash plate engaged to the second hydraulic pump; a second control member engaged to the second swash plate for changing the rotational position of the second swash plate; and a second hydraulic motor in fluid communication with the second hydraulic pump and drivingly linked to a second output shaft; and an electronic steering control system located on the vehicle and operatively engaged to both the first and second control members, whereby operation of the electronic steering control system controls the output of both hydrostatic transaxles.