An easy way to solo lift the RV-12 to do wheel maintenance or put it on sawhorses is this Harbor Freight hydraulic table cart. It can lift 1000 pounds, the whole RV-12, although I wouldn’t suggest lifting the whole plane since there isn’t strong structure where the CG is located.
To have the handle fold away from the table remove both handle brackets and release bar as one unit and rotate the assembly 180 degrees. Remove handle and turn it 180 to its original position facing back.
I also added an eye bolt and 12 inch chain & hook to the front of the table.
I lift (and pull) at the jacking points and where Van’s recommends. When lifting I use a rolled up furniture blanket between the table and airplane.
Pulling down on the tail eye lifts the nose of the plane making nose wheel work easy, add 25 pounds of weight on the table to keep the table on the ground.
To put the plane on the sawhorses I pull down at the tail tie down eye lifting the nose of the plane and slide the front sawhorse in place. Then lift at the tail tie down and put the rear sawhorse in place.
To work on the main wheels I lift on the wing tie down eye.
