Methods for lifting

Methods for lifting equipment such as utility vehicles (e.g., three-wheeled commercial mowers, four-wheeled vehicles, outdoor power equipment, etc.) for inspection, servicing and repair purposes are disclosed. The lifting methods use apparatus which includes spaced-apart tool bars and wheel lift means carried by the tool bars. The wheel lift means are movable along the tool bars and preferably are also movable transversely of the tool bars and are able to engage the wheels of the vehicle even when the vehicle is not aligned parallel to the tool bars. When the tool bars are raised, the wheel lift means cause the vehicle to be lifted. The underside of the vehicle is unobstructed to enable access to all portions of the vehicle or its components (e.g., cutting blade, etc.). The apparatus preferably includes releasable locking members for preventing the tool bars from moving downwardly.