Abstract: A rear hydraulic outrigger assembly for a rotator or similar mobile wrecker wherein the rear outriggers are constructed and arranged to diverge rearwardly from the outrigger and are capable of outward lateral extension for increased stability. The rear outrigger includes a vertically extending portion and horizontally extending position which can be telescopically extended away from the rotator thereby increasing stability during loaded operation. This allows a large vehicle which requires rear stabilization room in the center part thereof for an underlift or similar structure while maintaining down and out stabilization advantages.

Abstract: Wheel cradles for a wheel lift towing system are quickly and easily coupled to or uncoupled from opposing ends of a cross arm assembly associated with a towing vehicle. The cradles are coupled to the cross arm by sliding the cradles laterally in a substantially horizontal plane from outside the ends of the cross arm. Such lateral insertion facilitates coupling of the wheel cradles to the cross arm in situations of difficult access to the towed vehicle's wheels, for example, when the towed vehicle is positioned with two of its wheels abutting a curb. An arrangement for coupling a back-up safety line, such as a safety chain, between the towing and towed vehicles provides additional protection against accidental dislodgement of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Wheel cradles for a wheel lift towing system are quickly and easily coupled to or uncoupled from opposing ends of a cross arm assembly associated with a towing vehicle. The cradles are coupled to the cross arm by sliding the cradles laterally in a substantially horizontal plane from outside the ends of the cross arm. Such lateral insertion facilitates coupling of the wheel cradles to the cross arm in situations of difficult access to the towed vehicle's wheels, for example, when the towed vehicle is positioned with two of its wheels abutting a curb. An arrangement for coupling a back-up safety line, such as a safety chain, between the towing and towed vehicles provides additional protection against accidental dislodgement of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Wheel cradles for a wheel lift towing system are quickly and easily coupled to or uncoupled from opposing ends of a cross arm assembly associated with a towing vehicle. The cradles are coupled to the cross arm by sliding the cradles laterally in a substantially horizontal plane from outside the ends of the cross arm. Such lateral insertion facilitates coupling of the wheel cradles to the cross arm in situations of difficult access to the towed vehicle's wheels, for example, when the towed vehicle is positioned with two of its wheels abutting a curb. An arrangement for coupling a back-up safety line, such as a safety chain, between the towing and towed vehicles provides additional protection against accidental dislodgement of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Wheel cradles for a wheel lift towing system are quickly and easily coupled to or uncoupled from opposing ends of a cross arm assembly associated with a towing vehicle. The cradles are coupled to the cross arm by sliding the cradles laterally inward in a substantially horizontal plane from outside the ends of the cross arm. Such lateral insertion facilitates coupling of the wheel cradles to the cross arm in situations of difficult access to the towed vehicles wheels. The cradles are decoupled from the cross arm by sliding the cradles laterally outward in a substantially horizontal plane following concurrent rotation of a pivotable latching member and depressible plunger release mechanism. Such concurrent actuation prevents premature decoupling of the wheel cradles during operation of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A towing vehicle that has a tiltable boom includes wheel lift apparatus including a support plate adapted for attachment to the bumper of the towing vehicle and carrying a slideway receiving a vertically moveable slide gate and a lifting beam pivotably mounted on the gate for rotational movement from a stored position within the bed of the towing vehicle to operative positions extending rearwardly of the towing vehicle. The support carries pivotable legs moveable by linkage attached to the beam, the legs having sockets for receiving lugs secured to the beam when the beam is in the operative positions. When the beam is in the operative positions the gate may be lowered to drop the beam for loading a disabled vehicle onto wheel receiving members carried by the beam. The gate is thereafter raised together with the beam for towing the disabled vehicle. The gate is raised and lowered by the tiltable boom or a winching cable and the legs preclude the beam from tilting downwardly.