Steerable axles transaxle assembly

A drive assembly for driving and pivoting a wheel, the drive assembly comprising:

• a transmission;
• a pivot bearing support configured to be attached to the transmission and comprising a pivot bearing support opening having a pivot bearing mounted therein;
• a steerable axle support pivotably connected to the pivot bearing support;
• an axle rotatably supported in the steerable axle support;
• an axle gear fixed on a first end of the axle, wherein a second end of the axle is engaged to and drives the wheel;
• a driven shaft rotatably extending through the pivot bearing support and the steerable axle support and having a drivable gear fixed on one end of the driven shaft and a driving gear fixed on a second end of the driven shaft, wherein the driving gear is engaged to the axle gear;
• a sump configured to retain oil for lubricating at least a portion of the axle gear;
• and
• a fluid passage in communication with the sump for filling the sump with oil.

A drive and steering assembly for a vehicle having a frame, the assembly comprising:

• a steering device disposed on the vehicle and comprising a plurality of linkages;
• a first wheel and a second wheel, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are disposed on opposite sides of the frame from one another;
• a third wheel and a fourth wheel, wherein the third wheel and the fourth wheel are disposed on opposite sides of the frame from one another;
• a first steering assembly mounted directly on the frame adjacent the first wheel and comprising:
• a first pivot bearing support;
• a first steerable axle support engaged to the first pivot bearing support, and a first axle rotatably disposed in the first steerable axle support, wherein the first axle is engaged to and drives the first wheel;
• a first shaft extending through the first pivot bearing support and the first steerable axle support, and engaged to and driving the first axle, wherein the first shaft is disposed perpendicular to the first axle;
• and
• a first steering arm engaged to the first steerable axle support, wherein a first linkage of the plurality of linkages is engaged to the first steering arm to rotate the first steerable axle support with respect to the frame;
• a second steering assembly mounted directly on the frame adjacent the second wheel and comprising:
• a second pivot bearing support;
• a second steerable axle support engaged to the second pivot bearing support and a second axle rotatably disposed in the second steerable axle support, wherein the second axle is engaged to and drives the second wheel;
• a second shaft extending through the second pivot bearing support and the second steerable axle support, and engaged to and driving the second axle, wherein the second shaft is disposed perpendicular to the second axle;
• and
• a second steering arm engaged to the second steerable axle support, wherein a second linkage of the plurality of linkages is engaged to the second steering arm to rotate the second steerable axle support with respect to the frame, and wherein the second linkage is independent from the first linkage, such that the second steerable axle support may be rotated independently of the first steerable axle support;
• a third steering assembly mounted directly on the frame adjacent the third wheel and comprising:
• a third steerable axle support and a third axle rotatably disposed in the third steerable axle support and engaged to the third wheel;
• a third steering arm engaged to the third steerable axle support, wherein a third linkage of the plurality of linkages is engaged to the third steering arm to rotate the third steerable axle support with respect to the frame;
• a fourth steering assembly mounted directly on the frame adjacent the fourth wheel and comprising:
• a fourth steerable axle support and a fourth axle rotatably disposed in the fourth steerable axle support and engaged to the fourth wheel;
• and
• a fourth steering arm engaged to the fourth steerable axle support, wherein a fourth linkage of the plurality of linkages is engaged to the fourth steering arm to rotate the fourth steerable axle support with respect to the frame.