08-28-2013, 09:49 AM
Hello Steve,
The Air/Hydraulic pumps are really good compared to the tennis elbow you get from long pump handles and having to go through 500 strokes just to get to the start position, the problem is however that you do lose feel as the air is either on or off, I have used air pressure regulators to limit the pressure in the past and they do work but it's not the same as feeling the direct feedback through the handle, another option is to tee into the hose and fit a hand pump for when you need the feel (or feel the need?).
The air powered bottle jacks have the hand pump integral with the base so are a good compromise. I have a very expensive "Enerpac" Pneumatic/Hydraulic pump that I picked up cheaply NOS, it suffers from the "lack of feel" problem and is also the pump for the 6" ram, so, no feel and 125 tons of force is a bit of a worry, an old employee suggested using a truck air brake treadle valve which is a progressive pressure control valve so might be a bit like having some feel back, right now I'm not sure.
Another option is to cannibalize a pneumatic/hydraulic bottle jack and convert it into a porta power pump (really quite simple) so I will have both the Air and Hand power options available, but it will cost me money when I've already got the Enerpac unit, I suppose I could fit a quick connect hose fitting into the Enerpac- Ram circuit and connect my hand pump when required.
Sorry, i think I've just been brainstorming while typing here, anyhow That last one is my answer.
Best Regards
Rick
The Air/Hydraulic pumps are really good compared to the tennis elbow you get from long pump handles and having to go through 500 strokes just to get to the start position, the problem is however that you do lose feel as the air is either on or off, I have used air pressure regulators to limit the pressure in the past and they do work but it's not the same as feeling the direct feedback through the handle, another option is to tee into the hose and fit a hand pump for when you need the feel (or feel the need?).
The air powered bottle jacks have the hand pump integral with the base so are a good compromise. I have a very expensive "Enerpac" Pneumatic/Hydraulic pump that I picked up cheaply NOS, it suffers from the "lack of feel" problem and is also the pump for the 6" ram, so, no feel and 125 tons of force is a bit of a worry, an old employee suggested using a truck air brake treadle valve which is a progressive pressure control valve so might be a bit like having some feel back, right now I'm not sure.
Another option is to cannibalize a pneumatic/hydraulic bottle jack and convert it into a porta power pump (really quite simple) so I will have both the Air and Hand power options available, but it will cost me money when I've already got the Enerpac unit, I suppose I could fit a quick connect hose fitting into the Enerpac- Ram circuit and connect my hand pump when required.
Sorry, i think I've just been brainstorming while typing here, anyhow That last one is my answer.
Best Regards
Rick
Whatever it is, do it today, Tomorrow may not be an option and regret outlasts fatigue.