Integrated transaxles for standing lawn mower

A standing lawn mower comprising:

• a frame;
• a right drive wheel supporting the frame;
• a left drive wheel supporting the frame;
• a prime mover supported by the frame;
• a cutting deck assembly supported by the frame for movement between a cutting position in which the cutting deck assembly is lowered with respect to the frame and a travel position in which the cutting deck assembly is raised with respect to the frame, the cutting deck assembly including a cutting deck and at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotating under the influence of the prime mover to cut vegetation when the cutting deck assembly is in the cutting position;
• a right side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel independent of the rotation of the left drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing;
• a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel independent of the rotation of the right drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing;
• and
• an operator platform for supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower, the operator platform being positioned at least partially behind the right and left integrated transaxles.