Vehicle-mounted hoist systems and methods

A method of operating a lift assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a lift assembly comprising:
• a first support member;
• a second support member rotatably coupled with the first support member via a bearing, the bearing comprising gear teeth;
• a boom having a proximal end and a distal end, the boom proximal end coupled with the second support member and pivotable relative to the second support member about a first axis;
• wherein the second support member is rotatable relative to the first support member and to the gear teeth about a second axis, the second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
• and
• a lift line coupled with the boom distal end;
• coupling the first support member of the lift assembly with a roof of the vehicle;
• rotating the second support member about the second axis;
• and
• pivoting the boom distal end about the first axis through an angular displacement.

A method of operating a lift assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing a lift assembly comprising:
• a first support member;
• a boom pivotably coupled with a second support member;
• a gear arrangement disposed between the first and second support members, the gear arrangement comprising at least one gear having plurality of gear teeth;
• and
• a lift line coupled with the boom;
• attaching the first support member to the vehicle;
• pivoting the boom relative to the second support member about a first axis;
• rotating the second support member relative to the at least one gear and to the first support member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
• attaching a load to the lift line;
• and
• operating the lift assembly to move the load onto a roof of the vehicle.