Vehicle-Mounted Hoist Systems and Methods

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

• providing a lift assembly comprising:
• at least one support member, the at least one support member having a longitudinal axis;
• a mast having a proximal end and a distal end, the mast having a mast axis, wherein the mast is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end via at least one first gear;
• a boom pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end;
• and
• a lift line coupled with the boom;
• coupling the lift assembly with a roof rack of the vehicle;
• and
• turning the at least one first gear to cause the mast to pivot from a first position, at which the mast axis and the longitudinal axis extend along parallel planes, to a second position, at which the mast axis extends along a plane that is disposed at an angle to the plane along which the longitudinal axis extends, wherein the angle exceeds 90 degrees.

A method of operating a lift assembly for a vehicle, the vehicle being disposed on a non-level surface, the method comprising:

• providing a lift assembly comprising:
• at least one support member;
• a plurality of jacks coupled with the at least one support member;
• a mast having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the mast is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end via at least one gear;
• a boom pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end;
• and
• a lift line coupled with the boom;
• coupling the lift assembly with a roof rack of the vehicle such that the plurality of jacks are disposed between the roof rack and the at least one support member;
• actuating at least one of the plurality of jacks to level the at least one support member relative to a horizontal plane;
• and
• turning the at least one gear to level the mast relative to a vertical plane disposed at a right angle to the horizontal plane.