Hydraulic or Crank?

[Nisswaguy]

I'm in the market for a new wheelhouse. Now that hydraulic frames have been around for a few seasons and they've become pretty popular, I'm wondering if anyone has had major issues with their hydraulics or if crank is the way to go. I know one of the scare tactics is to stay away from hydraulics because if they break down on the ice you're pretty much SOL. However I'm not getting any younger and I have a bad back. Hydraulics, for me, would make things a little easier. Any opinions on this subject would be greatly appreciated!

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Hydraulics have been around for a long time in fish houses. My uncle built a big one back in the 80s that they still use today (8'x22' I think). Shack Rack started in the 80s as well.

Whether you have hydraulics or cranks, if something breaks on the ice, you're gonna have a project. Worst case scenario is that something cuts a hydraulic line. Same as if you break a cable, your house is going to be sitting on the ice, and you'll need to jack it up with either a floor jack or bottle jack. Once it's up, you either replace the line, or put the safety pin in. If it were a crank, you'd do either a temporary repair on the cable, or replace it. I don't see it as too much different.

Lots of things you see every day use hydraulic systems of some type without any trouble. Brakes on a car, bobcats, cranes, lift systems on boat motors, airplane landing gear, dump trucks, etc. Once you use one in a fish house, you'd have a tough time going back! 10 seconds up, 10 seconds down!

[jerkbait]

I know if I did it again it would be hydraulic.

[Desperado]

Crank and cable is the last system I'd want

Hydralic is OK, but what ya gonna use to run the hydralic pump?

If your thinking an electric motor to run a hydralic pump, why not just go with electric lift?

My preference would be electric actuators (aka screw jacks, camper jacks)

[minnesotathorn]

i have electric rv jacks in my house. 1 up front & 1 on each wheel. i hate the system. all operate independely & since i don't have arms long enough to reach them all at one time it is a slow process. i am going to change it to hydraulic this year.

[Desperado]

with electric, there's no need to have to walk from one to the other

you can have the controls for all of them on one light switch panel

or a control on a 20 foot long cord (like a winch control)

if they lift the house too slow, you just need faster and/or more powerful model of electric actuator

[Nisswaguy]

If I went electric and tied them all into 1 switch would the motor heads have to be located in the wheel wells and subject to slush, salt and all kinds of road debris?

[Desperado]

I wouldn't tie them all into one switch

there are reasons you want to be able to operate each one separately at times

I'm just saying that you can have all three switches mounted right next to each other

[Desperado]

as far as road spray and such

that's the same place hydralic cylinders would be

and hydralic can have just as much problems as electric when subject to those conditions

BUT, there are things you can do to protect the parts that need to be protected the most from things like road spray

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

i have electric rv jacks in my house. 1 up front & 1 on each wheel. i hate the system. all operate independely & since i don't have arms long enough to reach them all at one time it is a slow process. i am going to change it to hydraulic this year.

I know of one person with electric jacks, and his thoughts about the system are the same. Very slow, he broke one jack, and had another burn out, just in the first winter. They are fairly spendy, but probably a little cheaper than a hydraulic setup.

[larryz]

This was my first year with my latest Ice Castle, Mille Lacs model with Berkon hydraulic frame. I would never go back to cranks and cables or go to electric. My remote key fob one button up and one down is slick!! You would not be sorry.

[Desperado]

So ....

When you're drilling holes inside this wheelhouse

What's the best power source for your auger ?

electric motor?

four stroke gas motor ?

two stroke gas motor ?

propane motor?

[Nisswaguy]

My guess is that it depends on what you define as "best".

[larryz]

I use a 4 stroke Strikelite, but I have been thinking about an electric.

The only thing about the Strikelite is the exhaust fumes. I have to fight with the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors for a short time. Not a big deal. But what is best is up to the individual.

[Desperado]

My guess is that it depends on what you define as "best".

Well that all depends on whether you're pulling the wheelhouse with a Ford, a Dodge, or a Chevy.

[Nisswaguy]

I couldn't help but get a chuckle Desperado! lol I can appreciate that "best" can come down to one mans opinion. My original question wasn't "what's best". It was simply to find out how people's experiences with hydraulic frames have gone for them. I currently have a crank system on my house now and I'm looking at purchasing a new house from a manufacturer who only offers hydraulics or crank wheelhouses. It sounds like electric my be my "best" option, however it's not currently available for the house I want. I can tell you though that if I were looking for versatility, mobility, thrill and extended season, I'd definitely be looking at a Wilcraft!! However it might be a challenge with my 1 year old and wife at this point in my life.

[pegleg]

I would also look at weight of each option as a factory. If the hydraulics add 500 to 1000 pounds to the weight of the house that could mean not getting out as early in the season and also pulling it in at the first sign of ice going bad.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

500 to 1000 pounds??! The entire system probably weighs 125 pounds. 50 for the pump and fluid, and about 20 for each cylinder. Throw in another 15 pounds for hoses and connections.

A quick look at Northern Tool shows a 2500 pound winch with auto brake weighs 12 pounds. A rough guess of 15 pounds for cable and pulleys gets you to around 50 pounds.

Looks like hydraulic would be around 75 pounds heavier.

[fsnrod]

So ....

When you're drilling holes inside this wheelhouse

What's the best power source for your auger ?

electric motor?

four stroke gas motor ?

two stroke gas motor ?

propane motor?

A hydraulic motor would be nice there also

[svonasek]

I built my house using 3 electric screw jacks. I'd go this route again and again. The hydraulic is for sure faster, but it's also more expensive. My screw jacks also have a manual backup option in case something with the motor goes wrong.

The other nice thing the electric has over both crank down and hydraulics is that it lifts the house straight up. So I can drill my hole and set it down right on top of the holes. The other option always seem to shift the house forward when you raise it up.

[bottom-bouncer]

In reallity all three systems will get the job done. And all three systems will also fail For me I look at wich one of the three will be the easiest to repair on a lake in the dark when its cold. At the bottom of my list is hydraulics. You will have leaks and sooner or later you will blow a hose. Good luck getting a replacement hose on a sunday afternoon in baudette or washkish.

[hawkeye43]

If you blow a hose, at least you can raise the house with another jack to get the pins in the wheels to get rolling down the road. Its the same with cables. You just need to bring the right tools along with on a trip.

[Bryce]

Blown hose on a Sunday = another day or two of fishing. Are the odds any better finding replacement parts for either of the other systems?

My hydraulic wheels and electric tounge jack both have manual backup in case of battery failure for plan B. Bottle jacks and blocking to get locking pins in place for plan C. What are your plans when your superior system breaks down?

[redrider]

With the hyd models can you operate them independtly

Or are all three hooked up together ?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

All 3 are hooked together, but you can do a little adjusting to have the wheels or tongue drop or raise first, at least on mine. Not sure about the others.