| As I am always looking for easier and more
comfortable ways to work on and service engines I recently made an auxiliary
enlarged work surface for a hydraulic lift cart bought at Harbor Freight.
The cart has a lifting capacity of 1100 pounds and a working height of
13 to about 36 inches. The original top measures 19.5 x 32 inches.
The new auxiliary top has a usable area of 28 x 44 inches.
I used some 1 inch thick plywood left over from
another project and normal construction grade 2 x 4 lumber for the project.
A hydraulic engine hoist (cherry picker) is
used to lift an engine on its cart and then place it on the lowered table.
Once on the table I chock the engine in place and then can raise it to
a comfortable working height. I have used it with several flywheel
engines in the 3 to 4 h.p. range and am careful to always lower it to minimum
height to move it from one place to another. Even fully extended
it feels quite stable.
I would never run the engine while it is on
the cart. Three coats of spar varnish will help preserve the wood
and keep oil, dirt, etc. from soaking in. The side rails help to
contain small dropped parts and the open corners allow drainage if the
engine is washed.
Below are some pictures of it in use and some
of the construction details. |
