Development of a Hydromechanical Steering Transmission

The advantages of infinitely variable ratio steering and propulsion for track laying vehicles are well known. Studies and demonstrator programs in the past decade have indicated that the hydromechanical transmission has the most promise of providing infinitely variable ratio for military vehicles. In 1966 the Army launched a program to develop the hydromechanical transmission to “production ready” status. This paper describes that program, the transmission selected, and some of the problems encountered in the transition from the demonstrator stage to one of readiness for military application.