Abstract: A rotary cutter lifting apparatus comprising a table plate having an opening and an upper surface, a carriage disposed beneath the table plate and adapted for supporting the rotary cutter, and an adjustment mechanism positioned entirely below the table plate upper surface and operable through the opening. A method of operating a rotary cutter lifting apparatus comprising the steps of positioning the rotary cutter lifting apparatus having a carriage and an adjustment mechanism entirely below a table plate upper surface having an opening, and operating the adjustment mechanism through the opening.