US Patent 7360358 Bypass mechanism for a hydraulic drive apparatus

A bypass mechanism for a hydraulic apparatus is provided, where a rotatable hydraulic component such as a motor cylinder block is disposed on a running surface and in fluid communication with a closed hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic component is drivingly engaged to a shaft, such as a motor shaft. An arm or similar mechanism is engaged to the shaft to move it from a standard operating position to a second position where the shaft engages the hydraulic component to lift the component off its running surface, thereby placing the hydraulic apparatus into bypass by opening the closed hydraulic circuit to a sump.