Patent ID: 8360706

Claim:
A side recovery system for a recovery vehicle having a longitudinal axis extending in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle, the system comprising: a base configured to be supported on the vehicle; a boom supported by the base and having a first end and a second end, the boom being rotatable relative to the base about a first axis configured to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle between a first position and a second position, the second end of the boom being positioned at a first side of the vehicle in the first position and at an opposite second side of the vehicle in the second position; a first sheave supported at the second end of the boom and configured to receive a load bearing cable, the cable configured to remain received by the first sheave as the boom rotates between the first position and the second position; a winch supported at the base, the winch having a drum configured to receive the cable; and a cable guidance system for directing the cable from the winch to the first sheave, the cable guidance system comprising: a second sheave coupled to the base and associated with directing the cable when the boom is in the first position; a third sheave coupled to the base and associated with directing the cable when the boom is in the second position; and a winding system having a lead sheave and a support member for supporting the lead sheave, the lead sheave being configured to direct the cable from the winch to at least one of the second sheave and the third sheave, the support member being rotatable about an axis.