A refuse collection cart lifter is provided with a lock/release mechanism that prevents relative movement between the upper and lower hooks when the lifter is in the inverted position, but permits such relative movement when released so as to permit the lifter to have a an adaptable or “breakaway” feature This allows the lifter to be mounted on vertical surfaces that may prevent the lifter from retracting to a recessed position when in the lowered or retracted position, but still permit the first actuator arms supporting the lower hook to pivot freely with respect to the lift arms should an obstacle be engaged.