Patent ID: 7523571

Claim:
A machine, comprising: a) an engine mounted to an engine frame assembly, the engine frame assembly including a front mounting arrangement and a rear mounting arrangement for attaching different excavation implements; b) a drive frame assembly including a drive arrangement; and c) an adapter coupled to each of the engine frame assembly and the drive frame assembly, the adapter including: i) a pattern of bolt holes to fixedly couple the adapter to one of the engine frame assembly and the drive frame assembly; and ii) three sets of bolt holes, the adapter being coupled to the other of the engine frame assembly and the drive frame assembly by way of a selected one of the sets of bolt holes; d) wherein the drive frame assembly is selectively positionable in one of a number of positions relative to the engine frame assembly, the selected position corresponding to the selected one of the sets of bolt holes, and further corresponding to one or more selected excavation implements that are to be attached to one or both of the front and rear mounting arrangements, the number of positions including: i) a forward position wherein the drive frame assembly is located generally forward of the engine frame assembly; ii) a rearward position wherein the drive frame assembly is located generally rearward of the engine frame assembly; and iii) a central position located generally between the forward position and the rearward position.