Unidirectional implement operating apparatus

An implement operating apparatus comprising:

• a U-shaped drive frame comprising a base beam and right and left substantially parallel side beams extending rearward from corresponding right and left portions of the base beam and defining an open implement area between the right and left side beams;
• a front wheel supporting the base beam;
• right and left drive wheels mounted to the corresponding right and left side beams and supporting the right and left side beams, each drive wheel rotatable about a corresponding drive wheel axis that is fixed in a substantially horizontal orientation perpendicular to an operating travel direction that is substantially aligned with the right and left side beams;
• a power source mounted on the base beam and connected through a drive control to rotate the right and left drive wheels;
• a steering control operative to steer the drive frame over a ground surface along an operating path oriented in the operating travel direction;
• first and second implements, each implement configured to perform an implement operation and to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position;
• wherein the first and second implements and the drive frame are configured such that when each implement is in the idle position, the drive frame is movable rearward with respect to each implement to an implement loading position where each implement is connectable to the drive frame and is movable to an operating position where each implement is supported by the drive frame and is connected to an implement control system operative to control implement functions;
• wherein each of the first and second implements provides a beam lock connection between the right and left side beams;
• wherein when each of the first and second implements is in the operating position, the beam lock connection resists twisting movement of the right and left side beams to maintain the right and left drive wheels and the right and left side beams in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to each other;
• right and left twist struts fixed to the corresponding right and left side beams;
• wherein the beam lock connection includes right and left twist slots coupled with implement, and wherein while moving from the idle position to the operation to the operating position the right and left twist slots engage the corresponding right and left twist struts to resist twisting movement of the right and left side beams;
• wherein the first implement includes right and left wings extending laterally from the drive frame when the first implement is in the operating position and in a working configuration, and the right and left wings extend forward substantially aligned with the operating travel direction when the first implement is in a transport configuration mounted on the drive frame, and when the first implement is in the idle position;
• and
• wherein the first implement includes right and left wing supports operative to support the corresponding right and left wings in the transport configuration and in the idle position.