An electronic drive control system for a vehicle having a right and left drive wheels and a pair of actuators engaged to respective control arms of the associated variable drive units. A pair of speed sensors are in electrical communication with the respective variable drive units and a controller. The controller receives signals from the speed sensors and determines at least one operational output of each variable drive unit based on the received signals, calculates adjustments to at least one of the actuators and adjusts at least one of the actuators to move the respective control arm of the drive unit to effectuate the desired operational output of the variable drive units.

An electronic drive control system for a vehicle having a right and left drive wheels and a pair of actuators engaged to respective control arms of the associated variable drive units. A pair of speed sensors are in electrical communication with the respective variable drive units and a controller. The controller receives signals from the speed sensors and determines at least one operational output of each variable drive unit based on the received signals, calculates adjustments to at least one of the actuators and adjusts at least one of the actuators to move the respective control arm of the drive unit to effectuate the desired operational output of the variable drive units.

Axial ball joint (1), particularly for use in a steering gear (7), which includes a joint housing (2) open on a first side for receiving a joint ball (4) attached to a joint stud (5). A housing stud (3) is arranged on the joint housing (2). A damping device (10) is provided on the side of the joint housing (2) on which the housing stud (3) is formed. The damping device (10) includes an elastic damping element (11) made of plastic with a metallic insert (12). The metallic insert (12) is embedded in the material of the elastic damping element (11) by injection molding.

A vehicle with driving and steering rear wheels includes a rear suspension system having a support frame mounted on the vehicle body. For each rear wheel, a wheel support is connected to the frame by oscillating arms. An actuator is mounted on the frame, with control rods, protruding from opposite ends of the actuator body, and connected to the wheel supports by control arms. Within a space between the rear wheels, there is a rear motor or differential. The actuator body is mounted on the frame along a transverse direction spaced apart from an axis of the rear wheels to avoid interference with the motor or differential. The control arms are substantially parallel to a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, or form an angle therewith not exceeding 15 degrees. The control rods are connected to the control arms with the interposition of a transmission.

An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.

A vehicle includes a pair of front wheels, a frame portion, a drive source, a pair of suspension assemblies, a pair of drive shafts, a steering wheel, and a transfer mechanism which transfers movement of the steering wheel to the pair of front wheels. Each of the pair of suspension assemblies includes an upper arm supported pivotably by the frame portion, a lower arm supported pivotably by the frame portion below the upper arm, and a knuckle arm connecting the upper arm and the lower arm to each other. The transfer mechanism includes a steering shaft portion extending from the steering wheel and rotates with the steering wheel, a rack-and-pinion portion provided at a tip region of the steering shaft portion, and a pair of tie rods extending in a width direction of the vehicle and connecting the rack-and-pinion portion to the pair of knuckle arms. Each of the pair of drive shafts passes through between the upper arm and the lower arm, whereas each of the pair of tie rods passes above the upper arm.

A vehicle includes a pair of front wheels, a frame portion, a drive source, a pair of suspension assemblies, a pair of drive shafts, a steering wheel, and a transfer mechanism which transfers movement of the steering wheel to the pair of front wheels. Each of the pair of suspension assemblies includes an upper arm supported pivotably by the frame portion, a lower arm supported pivotably by the frame portion below the upper arm, and a knuckle arm connecting the upper arm and the lower arm to each other. The transfer mechanism includes a steering shaft portion extending from the steering wheel and rotates with the steering wheel, a rack-and-pinion portion provided at a tip region of the steering shaft portion, and a pair of tie rods extending in a width direction of the vehicle and connecting the rack-and-pinion portion to the pair of knuckle arms. Each of the pair of drive shafts passes through between the upper arm and the lower arm, whereas each of the pair of tie rods passes above the upper arm.

A power machine includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a steering actuator, a hub, a link and a bell crank. The plurality of wheels are in contact with a ground surface that serves as a horizontal reference. The steering actuator is mounted on the frame and is configured for substantially vertical extension and retraction. The hub includes a stationary portion and a rotatable portion, wherein one of the plurality of wheels is mounted on the rotatable portion to pivot about a first axis. The link has a first end pivotally connected to the rotatable portion of the hub. The bell crank comprises first, second and third pivot joints. The first pivot joint is attached to an end of the steering actuator, the second pivot joint is attached to the stationary portion of the hub, and the third pivot joint is attached to a second end of the link.

A power machine includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a steering actuator, a hub, a link and a bell crank. The plurality of wheels are in contact with a ground surface that serves as a horizontal reference. The steering actuator is mounted on the frame and is configured for substantially vertical extension and retraction. The hub includes a stationary portion and a rotatable portion, wherein one of the plurality of wheels is mounted on the rotatable portion to pivot about a first axis. The link has a first end pivotally connected to the rotatable portion of the hub. The bell crank comprises first, second and third pivot joints. The first pivot joint is attached to an end of the steering actuator, the second pivot joint is attached to the stationary portion of the hub, and the third pivot joint is attached to a second end of the link.