Tire handler having tire lay flat capability

A tire handler for handling a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

• a frame;
• a tire gripping assembly having a tilt assembly and an arm assembly coupled thereto;
• the arm assembly having first and second vertical telescoping arms coupled at respective upper and lower ends to respective first and second ends of first and second horizontal telescoping arms;
• the arm assembly having first and second upper arms and first and second lower arms mounted on the first and second vertical telescoping arms proximate the respective upper and lower ends thereof, the first and second upper arms and the first and second lower arms adapted to grip the tire;
• the first and second vertical telescoping arms having respective first and second vertical arm actuators;
• the first and second horizontal telescoping arms having respective first and second pairs of horizontal arm actuators;
• and,
• a lifting assembly mounted on the frame, the lifting assembly having first and second vertical lift actuators mounted on the frame and coupled to the tilt assembly;
• wherein the first and second vertical arm actuators and the first and second pairs of horizontal arm actuators are operable to move the first and second upper and lower arms between an expanded position and a contracted position to thereby release and grip the tire;
• wherein the first and second vertical lift actuators are operable to move the tire gripping assembly between a lowered position and a raised position to thereby lower and raise the tire;
• and,
• wherein the tilt assembly is operable to move the arm assembly between a vertical position and a horizonal position to thereby stand upright and lay flat the tire.