Frame raising multi-use paving tractor with blind mateable quick connecting tool attachments

A method of deploying multi-use road-paving equipment comprising the steps of:

• providing a paving tractor with a first detachable road-paving tool attachment operatively coupled thereto at a first connection point, where said first connection point is at an adjustable rear location on said paving tractor, where adjustment of the adjustable rear location is accomplished by manipulating a frame raise capability of the paving tractor;
• replacing said first detachable road-paving tool attachment with a second detachable road-paving tool attachment without welding or cutting metal at said first connection point;
• where said first detachable road-paving tool attachment is configured to perform a substantially different task than said second detachable road-paving tool attachment;
• and wherein said paving tractor is a self-propelled vehicle configured to be driven by a driver located on and at a rear end of said paving tractor, said paving tractor further comprising a hopper disposed forward of said rear end, and means for conveying paving material from said hopper to said rear end;
• comprising the steps of:
• causing said first detachable road-paving tool attachment, while coupled to said paving tractor, to be disposed at substantially the same level as a tractor operating surface upon which said paving tractor is disposed;
• causing a vertical separation between said tractor operating surface and said first detachable road-paving tool attachment to decrease;
• wherein said step of causing a vertical separation is accomplished by a manipulation of the frame raise capability of the paving tractor;
• supporting said first detachable road-paving tool by deploying structural support members which are stowed and unused on said first detachable road-paving tool during operation of said first detachable road-paving tool and deployed at a time of detachment from said paving tractor;
• lowering a first stowed support member;
• so as to maintaining a substantially constant alignment of said first detachable road-paving tool both before and after detachment from said paving tractor;
• and,
• using the frame raise capability of said paving tractor to further lower said first detachable road-paving tool attachment;
• detaching the first detachable road-paving tool attachment from the paving tractor and driving the paving tractor away from first detachable road-paving tool attachment;
• backing the paving tractor up to the second detachable road-paving tool attachment;
• causing a tractor portion of a blind mateable connector to be in crude alignment with a conical tool attachment portion of a blind mateable connector on said second detachable road-paving tool attachment by merely backing up the paving tractor;
• causing the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to come into a requisite minute alignment with the paving tractor by merely backing up further and allowing the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to shift;
• attaching the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to the paving tractor, with bolts which are substantially smaller in cross-section than a widest portion of the conical tool attachment portion;
• causing the second detachable road-paving tool attachment to raise slightly by manipulating the frame raise capability of the paving tractor;
• raising a second support member to a stowed position;
• and
• driving the paving tractor with the second detachable road-paving tool attachment attached thereto.