Abstract: A tow truck carrier with sub frame rails above the carrier chassis frame rails that also reduces platform height thereby presenting a lower center of gravity. Sub frame rails of rectangular steel tubing with the wider dimension of the tubing are used in a horizontal, low profile orientation, with the direct attachment of the lift cylinder ends to the sub frame rails or to a cross beam to lower the platform. The sub frame rails form a descending ladder frame with cross members attached via brackets so that they are lowered into the recess between the chassis side frame. A lifting bracket is welded to the underside of each sub frame rail underneath the overhang and adjacent to the chassis frame to accept the end of a lifting cylinder rod while leaving some space for sliding engagement of a platform beam which engages three edges of the sub frame rail.

Abstract: Wheel lift tow device for a tow truck includes a centrally located extendable support beam having a cross bar pivotably attached to it, so that it can be oriented obliquely for towing obliquely placed disabled cars, especially for front wheel drive vehicles. The telescoping slider arms of the cross bar provide lateral movement for a pair of swivel arm scoops, or claws, which cradle and lift a pair of wheels of the disabled vehicle. The swivel arm scoops are rotatable about a pivot on each telescoping slider arm, but in their position of use are supported by a lateral stop bracket, which supports the lateral forces of the wheel while in the cradled position and distributes the weight therefrom. The swivel arm scoop claws are configured to isolate the front end parts from the moving parts of the wheel lift.

Abstract: A motorcycle transport rack includes a pivotable crescent shaped channel cradling the front wheel of a motorcycle. The motorcycle front wheel is rolled into the channel causing the channel to pivot forward, lock in place and rise rearwardly preventing rearward exiting of the motorcycle while in place. The crescent shaped cradle holds the motorcycle in place without the need for raising the front or rear wheels of the motorcycle over an impediment blocking its removal. An optional guide base member is provided. The motorcycle transport rack can be used to tow disabled motorcycles or transport motorcycles in use.

Abstract: A wheel lift tow accessory device includes coupling knuckles which are pinned to the ends of the piston rods of two hydraulic cylinders, which are used to deploy and retract the rotatable arms of the wheel lift arm accessories. A plate of the wheel lift arm accessory has a recess to couple with a groove in the attachment knuckle. The plate is welded to the rotating subassembly of each of the two wheel lift arm accessories. A rotary cam pin lock is securely welded to the same subassembly and positioned in registration with the open end of the recess is used to lock the knuckle securely in place or to permit its withdrawal from the recess when detaching each removable wheel lift arm.

Abstract: An assembly of three useful components for towing, such as a unique three stage telescopic boom, a tow bar assembly and a wheel lift assembly. The boom has a cable winch and cable for lifting and accommodating the tow bar assembly, which are both available to tow a disabled vehicle, in conjunction with the alternate wheel lift assembly operable off the rear deck of a tow truck. The tow truck wrecker has three significant towing components not combined in other tow trucks. The three necessary components organized under the present invention are always accessible and easily stored in respective positions, which minimize visual obstructions to the tow truck operator from within the cab of the tow truck wrecker.

Abstract: A rear-lifting cradle lifts the rear of a modern transit bus by a wrecker even if it not designed for such lifting. A minimum of bus modification is needed for the use of this cradle. The cradle includes an assemblage of robust steel tube members including a crossbar, two frame extenders, and two slider arms. The bus modifications include replacing the rear plate of each of the two rear axle stabilizers. The two frame extenders couple into square holes in the replaced rear stabilizer plates while the posts bear on the top surface of the frame extenders. The slider arms have short columns and locator pins, which fit into the holes of the rear jacking plates, which are part of the bus. When the upwardly open forks of the lifting arms of a wrecker engage the crossbar of this rear-lifting cradle, the bus is lifted with the major stresses coupled into the main structural bus frame. Any residual lifting stresses are spread into the two rear jacking points, which are sufficiently robust to accept jacking stresses.

Abstract: A wheel lift tow device for a tow truck includes a centrally located extendable support beam having a cross bar pivotably attached to it, so that it can be oriented obliquely for towing obliquely placed disabled cars, especially for front wheel drive vehicles. The telescoping slider arms of the cross bar provide lateral movement for a pair of swivel arm scoops, or claws, which cradle and lift a pair of wheels of the disabled vehicle. The swivel arm scoops are moved by slotted plates having slots accommodating respective piston rods of each respective hydraulic cylinder providing movement of the swivel arm scoop claws. The cylinders are laid parallel to each other and are covered on all four sides by a cover sleeve.

Abstract: Accessories for tow trucks enable the tow truck to lift and tow heavy-duty vehicles, such as municipal buses and heavy-duty trucks. A bus adapter engages an anchor, which extends from the front or rear frame of the bus. The frame anchor may be a downwardly extending anchor member or horizontally extending anchor portion extending parallel to the frame of the bus. In an embodiment for lifting heavy duty multi-axle trucks, linear components slides into other linear component to form wheel lifts scoops. Some of the components include a hollow collar for joining the linear components Another adapter is a tow chain adapter, having therein a tow chain with a lifting hook for engaging a chain supporting frame portions of a heavy-duty vehicle such as a bus or a truck.

Abstract: Wheel lift tow device for a tow truck includes a centrally located extendable support beam having a cross bar pivotably attached to it, so that it can be oriented obliquely for towing obliquely placed disabled cars, especially for front wheel drive vehicles. The telescoping slider arms of the cross bar provide lateral movement for a pair of swivel arm scoops, or claws, which cradle and lift a pair of wheels of the disabled vehicle. The swivel arm scoops are rotatable about a pivot on each telescoping slider arm, but in their position of use are supported by a lateral stop bracket, which supports the lateral forces of the wheel while in the cradled position and distributes the weight therefrom. The swivel arm scoop claws are configured to isolate the front end parts from the moving parts of the wheel lift.

Abstract: Wheel lift tow device for a tow truck includes a centrally located extendable support beam having a cross bar pivotably attached to it, so that it can be oriented obliquely for towing obliquely placed disabled cars. The telescoping slider arms of the cross bar provide lateral movement for a pair of swivel arm claws, or claws, which cradle and lift a pair of wheels of the disabled vehicle. The swivel arm scoops are rotatable about a pivot on each telescoping slider arm, but in their position of use are supported by a lateral stop bracket, which supports the lateral forces of the wheel while in the cradled position and distributes the weight therefrom.