Abstract: A device for loading and transporting patients or other objects from an irregular supporting surface. The device includes a main cabinet on which is supported a carriage including a belt for extension into lifting engagement with the article to be lifted. Adjacent each side of the cabinet are adjustable panels each of which also includes a carriage and carriage belt for engagement with the article lifted jointly with the belt on the cabinet. Powered arms within the cabinet position the joined carriages uniformly toward and away from engagement with the lifted article. The cabinet carriage and the panel carriages are pivotally connected to permit positioning of the panel carriages in an inclined manner to locate same according to the inclination of the load to be lifted. For powering the carriage and panel belts a system of cable reels is provided with certain of said reels mounted on the carriages and displaceable therewith during load pick up and retrieval.