An electric actuator for use with a drive apparatus is disclosed herein. An electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position a control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. A slip clutch is disposed between the worm drive and spur gear reduction to protect the components of the reduction gear train, and to also place a limit on the torque applied to the control shaft. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector.

A drive and control system is disclosed for use on a zero turn vehicle having a pair of drive motors, an operator drive input capable of providing a drive signal corresponding to a desired drive status by an operator and an operator steering input capable of providing a steering signal corresponding to a desired steering of the vehicle. Sensors on the vehicle generate signals corresponding to roll, pitch and yaw. A stability control module includes a processor receiving the steering and drive inputs and provides output signals to the drive motors. Upon initialization of the vehicle, the processor determines initial orientation parameters from the sensors and determines if the input and steering are in neutral. When the drive input is not in neutral, and the steering is in neutral, the processor determines desired pitch, yaw and roll parameters. The processor receives additional sensor signals during operation to monitor pitch and roll of the vehicle and if a measured parameter exceeds the desired parameter, the processor will vary the output signals to the drive motors to provide a heading correction to the vehicle.

A drive and control system is disclosed for use on a zero turn vehicle having a pair of drive motors, an operator drive input capable of providing a drive signal corresponding to a desired drive status by an operator and an operator steering input capable of providing a steering signal corresponding to a desired steering of the vehicle. Sensors on the vehicle generate signals corresponding to roll, pitch and yaw. A stability control module includes a processor receiving the steering and drive inputs and provides output signals to the drive motors. Upon initialization of the vehicle, the processor determines initial orientation parameters from the sensors and determines if the input and steering are in neutral. When the drive input is not in neutral, and the steering is in neutral, the processor determines desired pitch, yaw and roll parameters. The processor receives additional sensor signals during operation to monitor pitch and roll of the vehicle and if a measured parameter exceeds the desired parameter, the processor will vary the output signals to the drive motors to provide a heading correction to the vehicle.

A hydraulic system for controlling at least one steerable caster wheel of an agricultural machine includes a first actuator having a piston and including an inboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a first side of the piston to move the piston in a first direction, and an outboard fluid port for supplying fluid to a second side of the piston to move the piston in a second direction. A first fluid pressure equalizer is fluidically coupled to the first side actuator and operable to equalize fluid pressure over a period of time between the first side and the second side of the piston of the first side actuator.

A small electric vehicle includes: a body with a forward, backward, and a width direction; left and right driving wheels in the width direction of the body; free wheels, apart from the driving wheels, in the forward and backward direction; left and right motors to respectively transmit power to the left and right driving wheels; left and right rotation speed sensors detecting rotation speeds of the respective motors; an operation unit with an operation element; and a control unit controlling the motors according to an operation on the operation element, the control unit calculates target rotation speeds of the motors, based on a target vehicle speed provided by an operation position of the operation element, and on a target vehicle angular velocity provided by the operation position of the operation element and by the actual speed of the vehicle, and control the left and right motors such that actual rotation speeds of the motors follow the respective target rotation speeds.

A small electric vehicle includes: a body with a forward, backward, and a width direction; left and right driving wheels in the width direction of the body; free wheels, apart from the driving wheels, in the forward and backward direction; left and right motors to respectively transmit power to the left and right driving wheels; left and right rotation speed sensors detecting rotation speeds of the respective motors; an operation unit with an operation element; and a control unit controlling the motors according to an operation on the operation element, the control unit calculates target rotation speeds of the motors, based on a target vehicle speed provided by an operation position of the operation element, and on a target vehicle angular velocity provided by the operation position of the operation element and by the actual speed of the vehicle, and control the left and right motors such that actual rotation speeds of the motors follow the respective target rotation speeds.

A vehicle (2) is provided for use for movement across a surface (18). The vehicle (2) includes a body (4), steering means to allow the selective steering of the vehicle (2) via first and second sets of a plurality of drive wheels (11, 12), a first set (11) mounted on one side (14) of the body (4) and a second set (12) mounted on the opposing side (16) of the body (4) so as to contact with the surface (18). At least one wheel in each set (11; 12) is provided so as to be in greater traction and/or grip with the said surface (18) than the other wheels (11; 12) in the set (12) to thereby achieve an improved steering system which requires low power consumption to achieve the steering and thereby reduce the power demand on the batteries of the vehicle (2) which are provided to drive the vehicle (2) and prolong the time of usage of the vehicle (2) between battery charging being required.

A vehicle (2) is provided for use for movement across a surface (18). The vehicle (2) includes a body (4), steering means to allow the selective steering of the vehicle (2) via first and second sets of a plurality of drive wheels (11, 12), a first set (11) mounted on one side (14) of the body (4) and a second set (12) mounted on the opposing side (16) of the body (4) so as to contact with the surface (18). At least one wheel in each set (11; 12) is provided so as to be in greater traction and/or grip with the said surface (18) than the other wheels (11; 12) in the set (12) to thereby achieve an improved steering system which requires low power consumption to achieve the steering and thereby reduce the power demand on the batteries of the vehicle (2) which are provided to drive the vehicle (2) and prolong the time of usage of the vehicle (2) between battery charging being required.

An axle drive apparatus of the present invention includes an adapter unit that has an adapter case connectable to an axle drive case while supporting a first motor, an adapter input member connected to an output shaft of the first motor by connection of the first motor to the adapter case, an adapter output member that is connected to an axle drive input member of the axle drive apparatus by connection of the adapter case to an axle drive case, and an adapter power transmission mechanism that operatively transmits the rotational power of the adapter input member to the adapter output member. The axle drive apparatus is connectable to a vehicle frame through an axle drive case side frame connecting part and an adapter case side frame connecting part respectively provided at the axle drive case and the adapter case.

An axle drive apparatus of the present invention includes an adapter unit that has an adapter case connectable to an axle drive case while supporting a first motor, an adapter input member connected to an output shaft of the first motor by connection of the first motor to the adapter case, an adapter output member that is connected to an axle drive input member of the axle drive apparatus by connection of the adapter case to an axle drive case, and an adapter power transmission mechanism that operatively transmits the rotational power of the adapter input member to the adapter output member. The axle drive apparatus is connectable to a vehicle frame through an axle drive case side frame connecting part and an adapter case side frame connecting part respectively provided at the axle drive case and the adapter case.