Monday, April 22, 2013

Secrets of the Modern Repo Man - US News and World Report

Secrets of the Modern Repo Man - US News and World Report:



Secrets of the Modern Repo Man

High-tech gizmos make it easier and safer to snag the cars of delinquent borrowers

April 28, 2009 
Jerr-Dann ElementCar and Driver magazine called this marvel of modern hoisting "the most awesome tool since the invention of the Slim Jim." Once the device is backed up to a car, an operator armed with a remote control can nab the target in eight seconds in the comfort of the front seat. The Element's boom and wheel lift combine engineering smarts with simple physics. After the driver backs the lift's arm against the front of a car's front tire, the arm pivots around to find the other front tire. Two more metal arms slide out to find the back of the front tires, locking them for a quick tow. A promotional video from Jerr-Dan shows how an operator can even grab a tightly parked car from the side. The lift also levels itself and can tilt for a car that's parked on a hill. "This means you make more picks in multiple situations, and that gives you a competitive edge," Jerr-Dan says. Figure about $55,000 for a truck and Element system.

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