A platform lift apparatus moves objects vertically within a structure such as between floors of a residential or commercial structure. A drive train comprises a rotatable shaft having plural lift drums and a motor operatively coupled to the shaft to cause selective rotation thereof. Each of the lift drums has an associated lift tether coupled thereto and wound thereon. A platform is coupled to respective ends of the lift tethers to suspend the platform from the platform receiving portion of the main body. The platform is selectively movable by operation of the drive train to travel vertically relative to the main body and is substantially nested within the platform receiving portion when at an uppermost point of travel. At least one load sensor is operatively coupled to at least one of the lift tethers to provide a load signal corresponding to load on the associated one of the lift tethers.