Abstract: A lifting apparatus is provided that is especially suited for mounting on a towing vehicle and for lifting a vehicle. The invention comprises an L-shaped member with a boom leg. The L-shaped member pivots on a base frame pivot and an upper pivot. Linkage arms hingeably connect the upper pivot to a camming crank. The camming crank has a forward direction of rotation and a rearward direction of rotation, and an actuator pivot. In the forward direction of rotation, a force means rotates the camming crank about the upper frame pivot, causing the linkage pivot of the camming crank to pull the linkage arms, so that the linkage arms tilt the L-shaped bar and so raise the boom leg. In the rearward direction of rotation, the force means rotates the camming crank in the opposite direction about the linkage pivot, pushing the linkage arms so that the linkage arms tilt the L shaped bar, lowering the boom leg. The force means can be an extending and retracting actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder and piston.