Powered ambulance cot with an automated cot control system

A powered ambulance cot (10) and methods of raising and lowering the cot as well as loading and unloading the cot are disclosed. The cot includes a support frame (12) and legs (20, 40), each leg having a wheel (26, 46). An actuator (16) of an actuation system interconnects the frame and legs, and is configured to effect changes in elevation of the frame relative to the wheel of each of the legs. A control system controls activation of the actuation system, and detects both the actuator at a first location relative to the frame, where the first location is remote from a second location and which situates an end of the actuator that is remote from each wheel closer to the frame, and a presence of a signal requesting a change in elevation of said support frame to thereby cause the legs to move relative to the support frame.