A lifting apparatus (10, 70) for small vehicles, including a frame assembly (12), a pair of fabric webs (52a, 52b) attached to the frame assembly (12), and a pivotable lift assembly (30) with a pair of spaced-apart wheel holders for receiving and securing the forward wheels of a vehicle such as a lawn or garden tractor, golf cart, or the like. To use the apparatus (10), the operator positions the wheels of the vehicle (T) on the webs (52a, 52b), operably positions the forward wheels in the wheel holders, then drives the vehicle (T) over the webs (52a, 52b) while the lift assembly (30) pivots upwards.