Electric cylinder instead of hydraulic HELP!!!

[deere_x475guy]

Hey gang I need some input here. My neighbor just got his hands on an older JD model 494a planter. It didn't have the hydraulic cylinder needed to raise and lower the wheels. They want to pull it behind their pickups and asked me about using a electric cylinder to do this. I don't know squat about electric cylinders and cost and after doing a quick google and having a look on ebay I realized there was a lot I didn't know. The hydraulic cylinder that should be on this is a 3x8 with clevis pins at both ends. Do any of you know where I might find a comparable electric cylinder they could by? Any idea of costs? How about amp draw and needed relays or switches?

TIA
Bob

 

[Farmerford]

Bob:

Are you referring to a 12volt linear actuator where a dc motor turns a nut that extends/retracts an acme threaded shaft? They have some at Surplus Center.

I don't think I have ever seen a 12 volt one that had much force. A 3" diameter hydraulic cylinder on a 2000 psi system will produce 14,000 pounds of force on extend. If the planters require that kind of force, I doubt you will find a 12 volt actuator to operate them. Most of those I have seen are well under 1,000 pounds. I installed one on an old Mercedes 280SL to push the convertible top out of the well, and it had about 100 pounds of force.

You could use a 12volt dc hydraulic pump, like is used on truck liftgates and dump trailers, but the total cost would be several $100 at least.

 

[bobodu]

Might be easiest and cheapest to rig a power steering pump to a lawn mower engine.Or if it's just for transporting the planter,consider using a high lift bottle jack.

Here ya go...I used one of these to power a log splitter then put it on my dump truck running off a small engine.Pump and valve combo.All you'd need is a little propane bottle tank and a small engine.Put the whole thing in the bed of the truck and run hoses.
eBay: Hydraulic Pump & Valve for a Log Splitter Cylinder (item 230137791706 end time Jun-08-07 11:30:43 PDT)

I made a portable power unit from a wheeled fire extinquisher and use it to run the splitter and various hydraulic jacks.

 

[john_bud]

I made a portable power unit from a wheeled fire extinquisher and use it to run the splitter and various hydraulic jacks.

Now that's clever!

I've turned a lawn mower into a generator with the addition of an alternator, but wouldn't have thought of making one into a hydraulic power unit.

Nice.

jb

 

[bobodu]

Here's the pump/engine on the dump truck.I had everything on hand and it saved me the headaches of finding a clutch and bracketing a pump on the engine.Found the snowblower in the trash along side the road..cute little Honda.Ran a longer starter rope through a piece of conduit over to the driver side along with a choke cable and kill switch.Using QDs on the hoses allows me to run a splitter or whatever needs power off this too.

 

[BTDT]

Check out this thread. He has the idea that you need to use, 12v hyd. pump to operate cylinder.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/87841-dump-trailer.html

Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

Our transport truck has a pony motor running a hyd pump to lift the tail ramps..it's a good setup.. easy to mantain lawnmower engine..

Soundguy

Here's the pump/engine on the dump truck.I had everything on hand and it saved me the headaches of finding a clutch and bracketing a pump on the engine.Found the snowblower in the trash along side the road..cute little Honda.Ran a longer starter rope through a piece of conduit over to the driver side along with a choke cable and kill switch.Using QDs on the hoses allows me to run a splitter or whatever needs power off this too.

 

[deere_x475guy]

Bob:

Are you referring to a 12volt linear actuator where a dc motor turns a nut that extends/retracts an acme threaded shaft? They have some at Surplus Center.

I don't think I have ever seen a 12 volt one that had much force. A 3" diameter hydraulic cylinder on a 2000 psi system will produce 14,000 pounds of force on extend. If the planters require that kind of force, I doubt you will find a 12 volt actuator to operate them. Most of those I have seen are well under 1,000 pounds. I installed one on an old Mercedes 280SL to push the convertible top out of the well, and it had about 100 pounds of force.

You could use a 12volt dc hydraulic pump, like is used on truck liftgates and dump trailers, but the total cost would be several $100 at least.

Yes, this is what they would like to accomplish. I think by time the pay for a electric cylinder they will have more than exceeded the cost of what the others have posted here. Thanks everyone I will let them know.

 

[sr160009]

I know they use them on ATV plows, might try there.

 

[Gryantaylor]

I don't have any personal experince with them but here is a link to one that is rated up to 3 tons. I've also seen smaller ones in NorthernTool


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