Abstract: Hoist apparatus of the type adapted to be mounted on a truck adjacent the truck bed, leaving the truck bed clear, for use in unloading or loading the truck or the like, and comprising a boom, hoist means on said boom, a vertical support column, said boom being mounted on the upper end of said column, and said support column being rotatably mounted for rotating said boom, drive gear means located adjacent the lower end of said support column, rack means meshing with said drive gear means, guide means for guiding movement of said rack to and fro relative to said drive gear, housing means supporting said vertical column, and at least partially embracing said drive gear and supporting said guide means, and, power operated means connected with said rack, and mounted on said housing, for driving said rack to and fro.