Q: Transfer pdf files from Mac hard drive to ipad?

Transferring pdf files the desktop Mac to my iPad used to be simple.

How did you do it before?

What version of ios?  What version of Mac OS X?

There are lots of ways of moving files.

A simple and popular way to copy files and share files among your devices.

https://www.dropbox.com/

"Box lets you store all of your content online, so you can access, manage and share it from anywhere. Integrate Box with Google Apps and Salesforce and access Box on mobile devices" Rated the most secure cloud storage by SkyHigh Networks.  You can buy a license to run box one of your servers.

https://www.box.com/

Using iTunes to transfer files:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4094?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Files Connect -- "Cloud Storage services like Dropbox, MobileMe iDisk, Google Docs/Picasa, Facebook photos, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV ... AFS (Apple File Shares) SMB (Windows shares)  protocols"

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/files-connect/id404324302?mt=8

"The kiteworks mobile file sharing solution provides secure creation, viewing, and sharing of enterprise content on smartphones and tablets while providing IT and security teams the administrative controls to manage user privileges and access rights necessary to ensure enterprise security and compliance."  " Includes choice of private cloud on-premise."

http://www.accellion.com/solutions/mobile-enablement/mobile-file-sharing

"Dukto is a simple application that allows you to share files between devices connected to the same (wireless) LAN network."

http://www.tidal.it/?page_id=309&lang=en

http://www.msec.it/blog/?page_id=11

You could look into Apple's airdrop. 
"To share content with AirDrop, both people need one of these devices using iOS 7 or later, or a Mac with OS X Yosemite"
Use AirDrop to wirelessly share content - Apple Support

Robert

Thanks for the green border.

I've used iExplorer too although I don't use tethering much.

http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/