An article transfer apparatus for moving at least one article from a first position to a second position wherein a single drive independently drives one of two lift arms that are reciprocally movable between the first position and the second position independent of one another. The article transfer apparatus provides a base member that is movable on a guide rail for movement along a predetermined path. First and second lift arms are movably supported on the base member for reciprocal and independent movement between the first and second positions. The movement between the first and second positions of the lift arms define a first path of travel, and the base member moving along the guide rail defines a second path of travel wherein the first path of travel is substantially perpendicular to the second path of travel. The single drive cooperatively engages the first and second lift arm to independently drive the first and second lift arms between the first position and the second position. A supporting means is provided to support one of the first and second lift arms in the first position when the other of the first and second lift arms is driven outside the first position by the single drive.