Patent ID: 7644779

Claim:
A powered work apparatus comprising: a walk-behind power unit including: a power unit frame supported for movement over the ground by a pair of wheels, said frame forming handlebars for grasping by an operator to control a forward direction of movement of said power unit; an engine supported on said frame to provide a rotational power, said engine having a power output shaft extending in a generally vertical orientation and defining a substantially vertical axis; a support arm pivotally supported from said frame for pivotal movement about said vertical axis and extending forwardly thereof; and a pivot control apparatus operably associated with said support arm to control the pivotal movement of said support arm about said vertical axis; a work implement detachably connected to said power unit forwardly thereof, said work implement including: an implement frame including a mounting fixture positioned for detachable engagement with said support arm for mounting said work implement to said power unit so that said implement frame is pivotable through a generally horizontal plane about said vertical axis, said implement frame having an outrigger boom pivotally connected thereto; at least one ground engaging caster wheel operably connected to said implement frame for support of said implement frame in cooperation with said pair of wheels on said power unit; an elongated cylindrical work member rotatably supported on said implement frame; and a drive mechanism operably connected to said power output shaft of said engine to transfer rotational power to said cylindrical work member in a manner to rotate said cylindrical work member counter to the forward direction of movement; and a lift mechanism connected to said implement frame to move said cylindrical work member relative to said power unit frame about a generally horizontal axis between a lowered operative position and a raised transport position, said lift mechanism including a lift lever pivotally mounted on said frame of said power unit, a cam lever pivotally mounted in a support tower mounted to said implement frame, a connecting rod pivotally connected to said cam lever, and a connecting linkage interconnecting said lift lever and said connecting rod such that a rearward movement of said lift lever pulls rearwardly on said connecting rod which pivots said cam lever into engagement with said outrigger boom to force pivotal movement thereof relative to said implement frame.