Abstract: A boom accessory for a tow truck having an underlift hoist includes a frame that is lockable onto the hoist by retraction of a ram of the hoist against the frame, the frame having an upwardly and rearwardly extending trailer coupling mount and a pivotally connected platform latch assembly for connecting a fifth-wheel trailer. In one version, the trailer coupling mount is interchangeable with a sheave mount for a sheave assembly by which a winch of the tow truck can hoist a load such as a disabled vehicle to be recovered. Also disclosed are a method for connecting a trailer to be towed, and a method for selectively hoisting a load or towing a fifth-wheel trailer as the load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing high-strength and high-conductance copper and silver materials comprising the steps of combining a predetermined ratio of the copper with the silver to produce a composite material, and melt spinning the composite material to produce a ribbon of copper and silver. The ribbon of copper and silver is heated in a hydrogen atmosphere, and thereafter die pressed into a slug. The slug then is placed into a high-purity copper vessel and the vessel is sealed with an electron beam. The vessel and slug then are extruded into wire form using a cold hydrostatic extrusion process.