Hydraulic cylinders, miniature 4 post lift

[slow-poke]

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to hydraulics, beyond using a bottle jack.

I have the need to raise lower a work bench that weighs about 1000lbs by 6" from time to time. I'm toying with the idea of integrating four bottle jacks or hydraulic cylinders into the legs.

it would be much better if cranking one handle would "pump up" all four cylinders simultaneously. Is there an easy way to plumb hydraulic lines from one bottle jack to the other three to make a miniature 4 post lift?

Alternatively I could use some sort of small hydraulic cylinders with 6" stroke.
Please share your ideas/ knowledge.

Thanks

 

[C-Bag]

I use one of the 1000lb hydraulic lift tables from HF. It has a welding top on it and is one of my portable tables. Was less than $300 7-8yrs ago. 99% of the time it’s locked in the up position which I use channel clamps on the side rails to hold it in place to take the pressure off the hydraulics.

 

[Firstram]

Could you use 4 trailer tongue jacks coupled together with chain?

 

[fixit]

ENERPAC hand pump and 4 cylinders if you have unlimited funds

 

[wayback machine]

I use one of the 1000lb hydraulic lift tables from HF. It has a welding top on it and is one of my portable tables. Was less than $300 7-8yrs ago. 99% of the time it’s locked in the up position which I use channel clamps on the side rails to hold it in place to take the pressure off the hydraulics.

This is exactly what I do - Right down to the welding table top.
I modified the HF lift cart, by raising the pivot point of the cart handle, so it folds down flat over the welding table.
That way I can store it UNDER my workbench - If I want, I can just put a couple blocks on the welding table, and easily jack up the workbench :~)

 

[slow-poke]

ENERPAC hand pump and 4 cylinders if you have unlimited funds

No to the unlimited funds, I prefer the bubble gum and duct tape MacGyver type approach, hence the bottle jacks.

 

[slow-poke]

I use one of the 1000lb hydraulic lift tables from HF. It has a welding top on it and is one of my portable tables. Was less than $300 7-8yrs ago. 99% of the time it’s locked in the up position which I use channel clamps on the side rails to hold it in place to take the pressure off the hydraulics.

I have never used one if these, just from looking at them, I get the impression that with a heavy load raised up they would be somewhat unstable?

Regardless my table is a larger than the cart, I think I need to lift in all four corners.

 

[hman]

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to hydraulics, beyond using a bottle jack.

I have the need to raise lower a work bench that weighs about 1000lbs by 6" from time to time. I'm toying with the idea of integrating four bottle jacks or hydraulic cylinders into the legs.

it would be much better if cranking one handle would "pump up" all four cylinders simultaneously. Is there an easy way to plumb hydraulic lines from one bottle jack to the other three to make a miniature 4 post lift?

Alternatively I could use some sort of small hydraulic cylinders with 6" stroke.
Please share your ideas/ knowledge.

Thanks

I'd be concerned with the possibility of an unbalanced load, causing one or more of the cylinders to sag (while causing the others to extend). Some kind of fancy valving arrangement might be necessary .... but complex and difficult to implement.

 

[wayback machine]

I thought you just wanted to raise and MOVE the bench - If you want to raise and WORK on it at different heights, then the lift cart won't work.
I like the idea of trailer jacks at each corner - a bit tedious, to go back and forth raising each one, but if you made marks on them, so you'd know when the table was level, probably not too bad. Unless you had to do it several times a day - Then it might get old ;~)
They also make these in electric powered versions (12V), for larger travel trailers - If you had a power source, they could maybe be rigged to work all 4 simultaneously.

 

[Charles scozzari]

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to hydraulics, beyond using a bottle jack.

I have the need to raise lower a work bench that weighs about 1000lbs by 6" from time to time. I'm toying with the idea of integrating four bottle jacks or hydraulic cylinders into the legs.

it would be much better if cranking one handle would "pump up" all four cylinders simultaneously. Is there an easy way to plumb hydraulic lines from one bottle jack to the other three to make a miniature 4 post lift?

Alternatively I could use some sort of small hydraulic cylinders with 6" stroke.
Please share your ideas/ knowledge.

Thanks

Maybe this could work for you. Modified trailer jacks fitted inside 3x3"x1/8" table legs.