A trencher includes a drive mechanism, a detachable digging box, and a digging support member. The detachable digging box receives power from an intermediate drive member transferring power from the drive mechanism to a trenching chain coupled to the detachable digging box. The drive mechanism and the detachable digging box are coupled to the intermediate drive member. The digging box support member includes a first end and a second end. The digging box support member is pivotably coupled to the detachable digging box at the first end of the digging box support member via a detachable coupler and pivotably coupled to a frame of the trencher at the second end of the digging box support member. The detachable digging box is detachable from the digging box support member via the detachable coupler without decoupling the intermediate drive member from the trencher.

A drive pod system for an excavator includes a first drive pod, a second drive pod, and a central gearbox. The first drive pod includes a first drive mechanism and a first drive pod frame, the first drive mechanism coupled to the first drive pod frame. The second drive pod includes a second drive mechanism and a second drive pod frame, the second drive mechanism coupled to the second drive pod frame. The central gearbox receives power produced by the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism and transfers the power to a ground manipulator apparatus of the excavator. The first and second drive pod frames are coupled to an excavator frame of the excavator.