Harbor Freight Lift Hydraulics

[Marv 919]

Legs are getting weak. Need a way to convert the hydraulic lift cylinder to a power system. Has anyone worked out how to do that?

Marv

[Handy Don 12,131]

That is an interesting challenge. There is a LOT of leverage being applied to the hydro pump piston, especially if you have the 1,000 lb version fully loaded. And the piston is likely generating several 000's of pounds of force due to the scissor mechanism.

 

What comes to mind is an electric motor with a gear reduction driving a disc. A strut linking a shortened pump arm to a pivot on the edge of the disc supplies the reciprocating motion--think of the linkage on an oil well pump. I'd need to know what force is actually being applied to the arm to lift the table when at its maximum capacity to be able to size the components.

 

I'm discounting an external hydro pump, since the system is self-contained now, including the critical check valves. Also discounting replacing the cylinder with it custom-manufactured mounting points.

 

[lynnmor 7,302]

If you have compressed air, maybe someone adapted an air over hydraulic pump.  Here is a video for some ideas.

[Achto 27,502]

38 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

If you have compressed air, maybe someone adapted an air over hydraulic pump

 

When I worked at a Harley shop, all of our lifts operated on air alone. The ram was filled with air to raise the lift, drop a lock arm, release the air to let it rest on the lock arm.

 

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200715976_200715976?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Automotive > Automotive Lifts > Motorcycle Lifts&utm_campaign=Tuxedo&utm_content=71517&gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGn-t8MQoPcOp2sQn0NZl2kpiER9zDs7svha5wUi5dfXXfDyxGVGSpxoCeokQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Wonder if this would work out on a HF table?

[Achto 27,502]

One other option may be to find a used electric log splitter (for cheap of course) similar to the one in this link and use the pump from it to run your ram.

 

https://www.amazon.com/WEN-56207-6-5-Ton-Electric-Splitter/dp/B074H739NS/ref=sr_1_25?gclid=CjwKCAjwrqqSBhBbEiwAlQeqGlL_fjmYOW2nvKJdd78Tv6_wchPQUskvjrUUTHEGCesiarBQOQhhfhoCkxEQAvD_BwE&hvadid=580857058521&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9019452&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15245907109855739179&hvtargid=kwd-823748406370&hydadcr=25292_13493759&keywords=electric%2Bhydraulic%2Bpump%2B110v&qid=1649109195&sr=8-25&th=1

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by Achto

[c-series don 8,661]

I’m curious to see what happens here because I was thinking of doing the same thing. I have the same table. 

Edited April 4, 2022 by c-series don

[Shynon 7,459]

@prondzy put a Harbor freight air over hydraulic on his table.

[prondzy 3,881]

I added a HF 12ton air over hydraulic jack to mine. A little modification was needed but nothing too serious a little cutting and welding. Hands down a great decision never have to pump again. If you want more pics i can get them for you.

[Handy Don 12,131]

10 hours ago, prondzy said:

a little cutting and welding

Yep, and at the Perdue farms they only do a "little" processing on chicken! 

[prondzy 3,881]

5 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Yep, and at the Perdue farms they only do a "little" processing on chicken! 

Yes i get this term is vague. But you could modify a lift the way i did with a little steel, a grinder/cutoff wheel, a 110v welder and a drill. Pretty  simple 

[Marv 919]

To everybody: Thank you for your replies. That's kinda what I had in mind. Don't know if I am up to that though.

Marv