Patent ID: 6715284
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: F01B,F16H

Abstract:
A zero-turn transaxle, comprising:a casing adapted to carry a single axle in one of a left-handed or a right-handed drive position; a hydraulic transmission mounted within the casing comprising a rotatable hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a rotatable hydraulic motor and a moveable swash plate cooperable with the rotatable hydraulic pump for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the rotatable hydraulic motor, the rotatable hydraulic motor being used to drive the axle; a rotatable trunnion arm coupled to the moveable swash plate, the rotatable trunnion arm extending from the casing; and a speed adjusting mechanism mounted to the casing and drivingly coupled to the rotatable trunnion arm, the speed adjusting mechanism being used to rotate the rotatable trunnion arm to change the orientation of the swash plate to change the speed and direction of rotation of the rotatable hydraulic motor; wherein the speed adjusting mechanism further comprises a return to neutral mechanism mounted to the rotatable trunnion arm in one of a plurality of rotational orientations with respect to the rotatable trunnion arm, the speed adjusting mechanism being adapted to bias and move the rotatable trunnion arm to a neutral position where the swash plate does not influence the speed and direction of rotation of the rotatable hydraulic motor.