Zero turn transaxle

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle frame having a prime mover mounted thereon;
• a first axle housing mounted on one side of the vehicle frame, and a first output axle mounted in the first axle housing;
• a second axle housing mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle frame, and a second output axle mounted in the second axle housing;
• a transmission comprising a transmission housing mounted to both the first and second axle housings and having a hydraulic sump formed therein;
• a hydrostatic transmission mounted in the sump and comprising a center section having hydraulic porting mounted therein, a first hydraulic pump mounted on the center section and driven by a first pump input shaft, a first hydraulic motor mounted on the center section and operatively connected to the first pump and to the first output axle, a second hydraulic pump mounted on the center section and driven by a second input shaft, and a second hydraulic motor mounted on the center section and operatively connected to the second hydraulic pump and to the second output axle;
• a vehicle deck mounted on the vehicle frame;
• and
• belting driven by the prime mover and connected to the deck, whereby at least a portion of the belting passes between the first and second axle housings.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle frame having a prime mover mounted thereon;
• a first axle housing mounted on one side of the vehicle frame, and a first output axle mounted in the first axle housing;
• a second axle housing mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle frame, and a second output axle mounted in the second axle housing;
• a transmission comprising:
• a transmission housing mounted to both the first and second axle housings and having a hydraulic sump formed therein;
• a hydrostatic transmission mounted in the sump and comprising:
• a center section having hydraulic porting mounted therein;
• a first hydraulic pump mounted on the center section and driven by a first pump input shaft;
• a first hydraulic motor mounted on the center section and operatively connected to the first pump and to the first output axle;
• a second hydraulic pump mounted on the center section and driven by a second input shaft;
• and a second hydraulic motor mounted on the center section and operatively connected to the second hydraulic pump and to the second output axle.