Hydrostatic mechanical wheel drive

The hydrostatic-mechanical drive system for a chain dredger comprises a radial piston engine (1) which drives the central wheel (2) of a planetary drive (3). A wheel mounting (9) which carries a hub (7) on a hub mounting (5) is positioned between the planetary drive and engine. A gear system (10 -12) transfers axial force from the engine to the hub mounting while the radial force is transferred to the central wheel of the planetary drive.