One-man lower cowl removal & installation jack

[Z W]

1 hour ago, Fly Boomer said:

Did you bleed it?

Didn't need to. Worked fine out of the box. I've had to bleed other hydraulic jacks in the past though and have never had a problem doing that either.

[Max Clark]

I just revisited this thread and thinking about buying the same table... the size and capacity (500 lbs) feel like a bit much.

What about a motorcycle lift instead?

https://a.co/d/4yleIyN

Similar thought just smaller.

[affricate]

On 3/1/2025 at 12:04 PM, Z W said:

Update - Received the Franklin 500lb hydraulic lift from Harbor Freight. Tested it out today. Worked absolutely great. The angle it lifts the cowl at was perfect. Made reinstalling it alone probably easier than with a helper that's never done it before. I used a moving blanket on the table for padding.

Not nearly as elegant or cool as the one @JimK made, but I'm not much of a woodworker. And another rolling table to have around the hangar may come in handy for other jobs.

Link to the lift table:

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/lifts-cranes-stands/hydraulic-lifts-carts/500-lb-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-70726.html

 

And you got the harbor freight moving blanket to match! 

[201Steve]

The hydraulics of an old office chair slightly modified is plenty strong to lift the cowling. 

[Fly Boomer]

18 minutes ago, 201Steve said:

The hydraulics of an old office chair slightly modified is plenty strong to lift the cowling. 

I have an old office chair.  What modifications did you make?

[201Steve]

@Fly Boomer depends on the chair. I’ve had luck taking the back off the chair just using the butt pad but they all have plates that screw to a cushion. You could replace the chair with a piece of thin plywood, whatever you want. It’s basically a table lift that doesn’t need to pick up 5k lbs. 

[Fly Boomer]

18 minutes ago, 201Steve said:

@Fly Boomer depends on the chair. I’ve had luck taking the back off the chair just using the butt pad but they all have plates that screw to a cushion. You could replace the chair with a piece of thin plywood, whatever you want. It’s basically a table lift that doesn’t need to pick up 5k lbs. 

that’s a good idea.  The back on the chair I have won’t allow me to get close enough (partly because of my 3-blade prop).  I’ll try taking the back off, and then figure out what comes next.  Thanks.