Hydraulic or Crank down

[huntingmaxima]

I am building my second wheel house, the first was crank down. Am I missing out on anything by not going hydraulic on this one? I am leaning toward the crank again because I am worried about the possible problems with the hydraulic system.What do you guys think?

[hawkeye43]

I have had hydraulic house for 16 years now and would never go cranks. The house has been froze down in ice 4" and it popped loose. With a drop hitch that you don't have to unhook from a truck, less than 3 min. to be up to move. If you build a house that you don't have to put things away, it the best.

[Bryce]

Won't own one without it. Have a new house picked out for next year but won't pull the trigger until the mfg.'s plans for adding hydraulics pan out. You are entering a limited market by wanting hydraulic. DIY adds some leeway but anything prebuilt is generally at the top of the price scale. I've already had the war department look at it and 20k didn't seem to phase her too badly. Time to start adding goodies I guess.

[End of the Line]

I like mine alot. Although its hand pump I cant say I enjoy that too much, so I am converting to electric. But after owning a hydraulic I wouldnt go back to a crack again either.

[huntingmaxima]

You guys w/hydraulics, do you have to put an additive in your fluid? I was told that should do that it does not get any condesation in it. how does it work on the very cold days?

[oil painter]

Dont know if this hwlps or not but we use airplane hydro fliud in tailgates on work trucks, when cold they operate just like warm weather...

[End of the Line]

Just make sure your system has a lightweight oil like transmission fluid. I was at Burntside and when we jack the house Sun morning it was -7. Do you put additives in your rear end on your car or in the transmission when it gets cold?

[hawkeye43]

That is all I use is transmission fluid. My pump is under the wheel well so it notsuper cold. -20 it worked fine

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Being in the “Hydraulics” business I would recommend to definitely go with hydraulics.

I would recommend going with a 12 VDC power unit (this for convenience) with a hand pump override (this for a backup).

There is really nothing that can go wrong with a hand pump and two cylinders. When using 12 VDC for a power source you are always susceptible to something going bad.

Although you probably will never use the hand pump you know it is there.

You can always make a handle go up and down you cannot always find 12 VDC just lying around.

Hydraulic, Hydraulic, Hydraulic,

You will never be sorry especially if you are talking 20K, this should be an automatic option.

And “Yes” use a very lightweight & thin oil.

End of the Line,

I am unsure of the point you are trying to make…

Just make sure your system has a lightweight oil like transmission fluid. I was at Burntside and when we jack the house Sun morning it was -7. Do you put additives in your rear end on your car or in the transmission when it gets cold?

[Bryce]

No special additives put in by me unless it was there from the start. Had to add a little fluid due to my playing around with the system. No manual backup on mine which has made me wonder at times but never failed me. I know I've raised mine at -15. Still 7 seconds or so and ready to roll. Often thought how nice it would be to connect the system to the toungue jack. Now that would be slick.