Example loading apparatuses and vehicles that include loading apparatus are described. An example loading apparatus includes a frame, a lift arm, and an anchor member. The frame has a first mounting member, a second mounting member, a first guide rail, and a second guide rail. The first and second guide rails cooperatively define a slot. The lift arm has a lift arm first end, a lift arm second end, a lift arm first portion, and a lift arm second portion. The lift arm first portion is partially disposed within the slot. Each of the lift arm first portion and the lift arm second portion is moveable between a loading position and a dumping position. The anchor member is attached to the lift arm such that the lift arm is pivotable relative to the anchor member and moveable within the slot.

Example loading apparatuses and vehicles that include loading apparatus are described. An example loading apparatus includes a frame, a lift arm, and an anchor member. The frame has a first mounting member, a second mounting member, a first guide rail, and a second guide rail. The first and second guide rails cooperatively define a slot. The lift arm has a lift arm first end, a lift arm second end, a lift arm first portion, and a lift arm second portion. The lift arm first portion is partially disposed within the slot. Each of the lift arm first portion and the lift arm second portion is moveable between a loading position and a dumping position. The anchor member is attached to the lift arm such that the lift arm is pivotable relative to the anchor member and moveable within the slot.

A portable gantry crane formed of composite members includes a composite material I-beam. Two or more support members are formed of a composite material and each support member supports the I-beam when the portable gantry crane is in an upright position. Two or more end housings are included, each end housing enclosing a top end of one of the two or more support members and coupled thereto using adhesive. A plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure including a latch, and each end housing having a latch receiver, each latch in combination with a latch receiver allowing one of the latch structures to be releasably fixedly coupled with an end housing. In implementations a plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure having a latch structure enclosure and each latch structure enclosure at least partially enclosing one of the end housings.

A portable gantry crane formed of composite members includes a composite material I-beam. Two or more support members are formed of a composite material and each support member supports the I-beam when the portable gantry crane is in an upright position. Two or more end housings are included, each end housing enclosing a top end of one of the two or more support members and coupled thereto using adhesive. A plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure including a latch, and each end housing having a latch receiver, each latch in combination with a latch receiver allowing one of the latch structures to be releasably fixedly coupled with an end housing. In implementations a plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure having a latch structure enclosure and each latch structure enclosure at least partially enclosing one of the end housings.

A hoist mechanism for loading an object onto a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include an affixed roof rack having at least two transverse bars. The hoist mechanism includes: a horizontal bar and a vertical lift mechanism. The horizontal bar is affixable to a transverse bar, is hollow, and has an open end. The vertical lift mechanism is removably mate-able with the horizontal bar and includes: a vertical mast; a boom joined to the upper end; an insert bar fits into the open end, located away from the boom, and is releasably affixed in the horizontal bar; and a lift wire with a grapnel at a distal end, the lift wire running between the end of the boom and down the vertical mast. Wherein after the horizontal bar and insert bar are is affixed to the vehicle, the object is attached to the grapnel and hoisted onto the vehicle.

A portable crane formed of composite members. A composite mast is coupled to a composite boom. A boom end housing removably couples at a top of the mast and includes an enclosure. A first end of the boom couples within the boom end housing. A boom pivot couples to the boom end housing and couples the boom to the mast. An angle adjuster releasably secures the boom at a desired angle relative to the mast. In implementations an end cap is included at a second end of the boom, coupled to a sheave with a pin, the end cap covering a terminal end of a second end of the boom and extending along both sides of a slot in an upper surface of the second end and along a portion of a first side of the second end and along a portion of a second side of the second end.