A wheel lift tow truck is a type of tow truck designed to lift and transport vehicles, typically when they’re disabled or illegally parked. Here’s how it works:

Positioning the Tow Truck: The tow truck is positioned so that its front wheels are aligned with the vehicle to be towed.

Lifting Mechanism: The wheel lift system consists of a hydraulic or mechanical arm (known as the “wheel lift” or “cradle”) that extends out from the rear of the tow truck. This arm is adjustable to fit various wheel sizes and widths.

Securing the Vehicle: Once the wheel lift is extended, it is placed under the front or rear wheels of the vehicle, depending on which wheels are to be lifted. The system often has adjustable clamps or forks that secure the wheels to the lift.

Lifting the Vehicle: The hydraulic or mechanical system then lifts the vehicle by raising the wheel lift. This lifts the wheels off the ground, allowing the vehicle to be towed without dragging the other wheels.

Transporting the Vehicle: With the front or rear wheels lifted, the tow truck can now transport the vehicle to the desired location. The vehicle’s wheels that are not being lifted remain on the ground and roll along as the truck moves.

Lowering and Releasing: At the destination, the wheel lift is lowered to gently place the vehicle back on the ground. The clamps or forks are then removed, and the wheel lift is retracted back into the tow truck.

The wheel lift tow truck is especially useful for towing vehicles with manual transmissions or those that are otherwise unsuitable for flatbed towing. It’s also generally quicker to operate compared to flatbed tow trucks, which can be advantageous in some situations.