hydraulic upgrade

[Bulldoggr]

Can anyone tell if they know where I can take my ice castle and upgrade my manual winches to a hydraulic system. I hope this is not against the rules of the site , for me asking the question

[aczr2k]

I think that would be a big job since the frame might be entirely different, not saying that it couldn't be done but I think it would be cheaper to trade. If you go Ice Castle again, be sure and get a Berkon frame.

On second thought you could call Berkon Industries directly and ask them about converting yours.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

There was a company doing a retrofit a few years ago. I think it was about $3k.

Personally, I'd sell the house and take that $3k to put towards an Ice Castle on the Berkon frame to get the torsion axles vs leaf springs.

[Sonicrunch]

Can anyone tell if they know where I can take my ice castle and upgrade my manual winches to a hydraulic system. I hope this is not against the rules of the site , for me asking the question

Sweet idea!!

I used to be in hydraulics. I'm going to check with some of my old co-workers and get back to you.

PM me and bug me if I take to long to get back to you.

[Bulldoggr]

I would very happily spend 3 to 4 K to do the retro fit. even though my Ice house is emaculate, it would cost me less to do it this way to trade it in on one that has hydraulics

[B-man715]

What about mounting a cylinder vertically next to each tire like guys do with electric jacks?

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Here is a post from last year. Frame Upgrade

Feldy posted that he purchased electronic winches from Northern Tool. Looks like a good idea.

[outkast7222]

What about mounting a cylinder vertically next to each tire like guys do with electric jacks?

That's what I was thinking about doing to mine.

[crappiekid]

I agree with the Lip Ripper. I also loved my house and did not like the idea of selling. Put on C L and see what you might get for price. I like the hydraulic lift. Another perk is the increased space in the house where the leaf spring / arm had to swing up. I also suggest torsion axel.

[sportfish]

I have the electric wenches on my house , so far they are great ! I had a hydrolic house last year and loved it , it was so fast up and down ! The winches are slower but I don't brake a sweat cranking

[Sonicrunch]

What about mounting a cylinder vertically next to each tire like guys do with electric jacks?

That is what I am thinking as well. It would be the method with he least unknowns for a hydraulic system. However using electric winches would be simpler yet.

Bulldogger, what model fishouse do you have?

[Wes Ellis]

My brother and cousin just but elect jacks on both of there's . They love them.

[Bulldoggr]

I have a 2011 8x16 Spirit. I thought about the electric winchs . I found a model I like for 129.00 each from Northern Hydraulics that are rated at 3500 #'s. But after I thought about it more, cables still break! so I kinda would like to go Hydraulics.

I know hydraulics have hoses and they could burst. but I like the idea of hydro.

[Wes Ellis]

No cables on the elect Jack. I think they got them for $100. each or so. Just put a round sleeve with a hole on the house, put a pin in to hold or remove the jack.

[broman]

I wonder if there's any way to retrofit one of these on a fishhouse?

[Sonicrunch]

With a welder, anything is possible.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I know hydraulics have hoses and they could burst.

I don't think you have to worry about that too much, as long as you use strong enough hoses. Mine are rated for 7,000#, I think. I'm on my 2nd hydraulic house, and I've used them down to -40 without any problems.

[outkast7222]

Snow plows use hyd hoses and rarely have problems. Just saying.

[fsnrod]

Google electric camper jacks or electric trailer jacks.

[highlife4me]

I have heard of a lot more problems with broken winches, cables and leaf springs than problems with a hydraulic house. Actually the only problem with a hydro frame I have heard of is from a home made frame that wasn't designed heavy enough.