An axle driving apparatus includes a housing for supporting an axle, a hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a center section. The center section has a pump mounting surface and a motor mounting surface substantially perpendicular to each other. A rotational axis of a motor shaft is disposed lower than a plane located at the pump mounting surface. The center section includes a narrow portion and a wide portion. The narrow portion is defined between a first side and a second side opposite the first side in a direction along the rotational axis of the motor shaft. The wide portion is formed adjacent to the narrow portion. A first extension of the wide portion is defined by a width that extends from the first side in the direction along the rotational axis of the motor shaft and a length that extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor shaft. A second extension of the wide portion is generally defined by the pump mounting surface formed thereon.