A lifter automatically adapts to pick up different style residential refuse collection carts. An upper movable clamp bar cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a smooth-sided cart with a single upper lifting lip. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lifts carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces (e.g., bars). Hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of smooth sided carts, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging other type carts. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, obtained by alternate extension/retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending face plate prevent cart scarring. Adjustment for different height carts is provided by a vertical lift assembly which uses a hydraulic sequencing valve to first raise the lifter for engaging the cart and then to cycle through a dumping process. Vertical lift adjustment uses a pair of guide rods with pairs of slip fit bushings for improved dynamic operational stability. A movable valving member is engaged by a piston for automatically reducing the flow rate of hydraulic oil as the piston nears the end of its cycle, i.e., as a cart is being fully inverted and dumped. Such action dampens cart and apparatus wear and strain. The piston responsive variable valving features are also useful with devices other than cart lifters.