Rack and apparatus for supporting wheels

A system for removing, storing and installing tyres on a heavy vehicle, the system comprising:

• an apparatus and a rack for holding a wheel in an upright position,
• the rack having a base and a pair of arms, wherein:
• each arm is pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration, the arms are arranged to extend generally upwardly so as to receive an upright wheel therebetween and a folded configuration, and the arms are foldable inwardly onto the base;
• the apparatus being engageable with the rack with the upright wheel received thereon,
• the apparatus comprising:
• a rack engagement assembly configured to engage accessible portions of the rack and to support the rack holding the tyre when so engaged;
• a lifting assembly for raising and lowering the rack engagement assembly and the rack, when so engaged by the rack engagement assembly, and
• wherein, when the rack is so engaged, the apparatus is positionable relative to the heavy vehicle and movable away from the vehicle for facilitating removal and installation of the wheel and
• wherein, when the apparatus and engaged rack is removed from the vehicle, the lifting apparatus is configured to lower the rack to the ground and disengage from the rack so as to store the upright wheel within the rack.