lifting mechanisms and controls are all contained in a shallow area under the platform for maximum compactness and corresponding increasing versatility referring to fig1 a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of this invention 10 is shown a wheelchair carrying platform 20 sized to receive a standard wheelchair occupied by a user is bounded on each side by two rigid vertical side rails 32 which extend upwards from the corners 22 of the platform and by front and back panels 34 and 30 respectively a reinforcing transverse brace 38 solidly connects the two vertical portions of each side rail 32 to form a one piece unit to provide a strong handle bar and to retain the wheelchair securely in place during the use of the lift the front panel 34 is attached to the front vertical portions of the side rails 32 on the other hand the solid back panel 30 is fastened through multiple hinges 24 along the back edge 26 of the carrying platform 20 and can swing open to rest on the surrounding ground when the platform is lowered all the way thus providing a ramp shown in fig2 for a wheelchair to be either pushed or wheeled onto the platform in its closed position the panel 30 provides a backstop to hold the wheelchair safely in position while on the platform a lever arm 40 rigidly attached as by welding to the back panel 30 is actuated by a hydraulic ram and controls the position of the panel in its motion as it swings around the set of hinges 24 as explained in.