Patent ID: 6986406

Claim:
An axle driving apparatus comprising; a first housing member and a second housing member joined to the first housing member along a joint surface to form a sump; a center section mounted in the sump and comprising a pump running surface and a motor running surface formed generally perpendicular to the pump running surface; an axial piston pump positioned on the pump running surface and an axial piston motor positioned on the motor running surface; a thrust bearing mounted in the sump and engaged to the axial piston motor, wherein the center section is located entirely in the first housing member and between the joint surface and the thrust bearing; a motor shaft engaged to and driven by the axial piston motor, wherein a first portion of the motor shaft is supported by the center section and a second portion of the motor shaft extends through the plane formed by the joint surface and is supported by the second housing member; and a pair of axles mounted in the housing, where one axle extends out of the first housing member and the other axle extends out of the second housing member.