A tie down apparatus for securing an item is shown and described herein. The tie down apparatus may include first and second body members, where the first body member is configured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member and the second body member is configured to be located and rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. The tie down apparatus may also include first and second locking members each extending through the first and second body members, respectively, where rotating the first and second body members about the respective first and second axes engages the first and second locking members and generally prevents removal of the first and second body members from the first and second receiving member, and a safety chain holding member selectively engaged with either of the first and second body members.

A tow bar apparatus for a motorized utility cart is provided. The apparatus allows a utility cart user to tow a shopping cart. The tow bar is adapted to attach to any shopping cart by way of a universal attachment member. The opposing end of the apparatus includes a pair of spaced of laterally spaced attachment arms which are joined to a transverse attachment bar having clamps adapted for connection to the shopping cart. The universal attachment member is removably attached and may be modified to accommodate a specific make and model of scooter. The apparatus is reconfigurable depending upon the physical layout of the utility cart. An articulating arm is connected between the attachment member and the attachment arms to allow for an articulating attachment to the shopping cart.

A motorcycle towing hitch 20 includes a receiver 22 to which is attached a lift system 24. The lift system 24 is operable to raise and lower a cradle 26 which receives the front wheel 30 of a motorcycle 32 to hold the front wheel captive in the cradle. The cradle 26 is hinged relative to the lift system to be rotatable about an upright axis 28, for instance, when towing the motorcycle around a corner. A restraint system 34 is provided for preventing the handlebars of the motorcycle to rotate relative to the motorcycle frame. In this manner, when the motorcycle is towed around a corner, the motorcycle frame does not tilt downwardly into the corner as would be the case if the motorcycle frame were permitted to rotate relative to the motorcycle handlebars when negotiating a corner.

A motorcycle towing hitch 20 includes a receiver 22 to which is attached a lift system 24. The lift system 24 is operable to raise and lower a cradle 26 which receives the front wheel 30 of a motorcycle 32 to hold the front wheel captive in the cradle. The cradle 26 is hinged relative to the lift system to be rotatable about an upright axis 28, for instance, when towing the motorcycle around a corner. A restraint system 34 is provided for preventing the handlebars of the motorcycle to rotate relative to the motorcycle frame. In this manner, when the motorcycle is towed around a corner, the motorcycle frame does not tilt downwardly into the corner as would be the case if the motorcycle frame were permitted to rotate relative to the motorcycle handlebars when negotiating a corner.

An apparatus for interconnecting a hand truck or dolly to a vehicle receiver or hitch while hauling a heavy load. The apparatus includes a base, an extendable lever arm and a separable intermediary glide. The base couples with the hand truck, the lever arm is extendable from the base, and the intermediary glide interconnects the lever arm to a receiver attached to a vehicle.

A coupling mechanism for removably coupling a storage cart to a surface maintenance machine includes a cart-side connector connectable to the storage cart and a machine-side connector connectable to the surface maintenance machine. The coupling mechanism includes a connecting rod engageable with the machine-side connector. The coupling mechanism includes a bracket assembly positioned between the cart-side connector and the machine-side connector. The bracket assembly can receive the connecting rod to engage therewith to facilitate a first relative movement between the connecting rod and a portion of the bracket assembly in a direction perpendicular to a floor surface on which the surface maintenance machine is traveling, and a pivoting of the bracket assembly about a pivot axis passing through the connecting rod.

A refuse vehicle includes a lift assembly configured to engage and lift a refuse receptacle, an electrical energy system configured to store power and supply power to the refuse vehicle, and a controller configured to determine an amount of power required to move the refuse vehicle to a charging location, measure one or more electrical attributes of the refuse vehicle to determine an amount of length of time the refuse vehicle can operate based on a remaining power of the electrical energy system, and limit operations of one or more components of the refuse vehicle based on a comparison of the amount of power required to move the refuse vehicle to the charging location and the amount of length of time the refuse vehicle can operate.

A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a powered suspension system supporting a rear of the vehicle at a height and a controller. The controller acquires position data for a coupler of a trailer, determines when the position data indicates that a hitch ball of the vehicle is aligned with the coupler, and causes the powered suspension system to raise the height of the rear portion of the vehicle until a threshold resistance value is detected.

A front tow extended saddle configured for mounting a vehicle to a towing vehicle and a method of towing a vehicle using the front tow extended saddle are provided. The front tow extended saddle includes front, middle, and rear portions, with the front and rear portions extending along different planes. A protective cover extends along the front tow extended saddle and is supported above the wheels of the towing vehicle.

A refuse vehicle including a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, the body assembly defining a refuse compartment, an electric energy system configured to store power and supply power to the refuse vehicle, and a power control system configured to measure one or more electrical attributes of the refuse vehicle and determine a power profile for the refuse vehicle, the power profile describing a length of time the refuse vehicle can continue to operate based on a remaining power of the electrical energy system, and wherein the power control system controls operation of a lift assembly of the refuse vehicle based on the power profile.