Zero-turn radius lawnmower with suspension system
Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.
1. A transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment, the transaxle drive system comprising:
a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley;
a plurality of transaxle assemblies configured and arranged to be driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley, the plurality of transaxle assemblies comprising:
a first transaxle assembly supported by a first subframe of the at least two subframes, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least a portion of at least one belt;
a second transaxle assembly supported by a second subframe of the at least two subframes, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least a portion of at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley; and
wherein the plurality of transaxle assemblies are configured and arranged to be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.
2. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source includes at least one auxiliary drive pulley coupled to a power take-off shaft.
3. The transaxle drive system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one auxiliary drive pulley is positioned between the plurality of transaxle assemblies and rear wheels of a mower.
4. The transaxle drive system of claim 3 , wherein the mower includes a mower deck positioned between front and rear wheels of the mower, the mower deck coupled to and supported by the frame.
5. The transaxle drive system of claim 4 , wherein the mower deck comprises a cutter assembly coupled to and configured to be driven by the auxiliary drive pulley using at least one endless belt.
6. The transaxle drive system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of transaxle assemblies are positioned between the cutter assembly and the at least one auxiliary drive pulley.
7. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the subframes is coupled to the frame using at least one compressible component.
8. The transaxle drive system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one compressible component comprises rubber or other elastomeric polymer.
9. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transaxle assemblies include drive axles configured and arranged to enable drive wheels to be independently suspended by the at least two subframes.
10. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein the at least two subframes are positioned coupled to opposite sides of the frame.
11. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein the subframes each include a pivot coupled to the frame about a pivot axis.
12. The transaxle drive system of claim 11 , wherein the pivot axis of each subframe are parallel.
13. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first transaxle assembly and second transaxle assembly comprises a hydrostatic transaxle.
14. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first transaxle assembly and second transaxle assembly are configured and arranged to be belt-driven by the at least one power source during pivotal motion about the frame.
15. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , further comprising a pulley and belt drive assembly, the pulley and belt drive assembly including:
at least one belt idler pulley positioned outside of the subframes and supported by the frame; and
wherein the at least one belt is an endless belt, the
at least one endless belt coupled with the at least one belt idler pulley and at least one driven pulley, the at least one driven pulley positioned suspended by at least one of the subframes.
16. The transaxle drive system of claim 15 , wherein the pulley and belt drive assembly further comprises at least one backside idler pulley coupled to the least one endless belt.
17. The transaxle drive system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one endless belt is further coupled with the at least one drive pulley; and wherein the at least one backside idler pulley is configured and arranged to pivot with respect to the at least one drive pulley.
18. The transaxle drive system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drive pulley is driven by a drive shaft of the at least one power source, the drive shaft including an axis of rotation.
19. The transaxle drive system of claim 18 , wherein the first transaxle assembly is configured and arranged to be driven by the at least one power source while pivoting about the axis of rotation.
20. The transaxle drive system of claim 19 , wherein the second transaxle assembly is configured and arranged to be driven by the at least one power source while pivoting about the axis of rotation and the first transaxle assembly.