Patent ID: 8117934

Claim:
A shift mechanism for a transmission having a first combination of gears and a second combination of gears, the shift mechanism comprising: a rod member; and a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to an end of the rod member and being configured to move the rod member between a first position at which the first combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, a second position at which the second combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, and a third position at which neither the first nor the second combination of gears is engaged to transmit power, the hydraulic actuator including a first piston slidably connected to the rod member, a second piston fixedly connected to the rod member, and a housing configured to receive the first and second pistons to form three chambers, the housing having only two fluid conduits in communication with the three chambers, wherein the first piston does not fully encompass the second piston, and wherein the rod member does not sealingly engage the first piston.