How hangar stowage changes carrier lift use

What was the front lift typically used for?

Usually to raise aircraft towards the catapult, although hangar stowage could make the forward lift useful for lowering aircraft as well.

The usual division is to bring aircraft up forward towards the catapult and use other lifts to take aircraft below. Hangar stowage can override that pattern. Aircraft in the after hangar may be easier to raise on the after lift, while aircraft stored forward may be lowered through the forward lift. Different lifts give access to different hangar spaces, so actual movements need not follow the ideal operating scheme.