Gas Lift cylinders for Mule bed ??

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Has anybody built a lift for a mule bed? )</font>

You mean </font><font color="blue" class="small">( built )</font> as opposed to </font><font color="blue" class="small">( bought )</font>?

 

[HerbTx]

Yep, like as in put a linear actuator in or something to make a lift for the bed rather than buy one at the store???

 

[jinman]

I see two choices you could make, but I think either of them would result in something similar to the OEM or 3rd party bedlifts and you'd spend nearly as much or more for the component parts. Here's one link to a manufacturer of linear actuators in the UK.

Power Jacks Linear Actuator

For the pure hydraulice solution, you will probably have to use a DC powered hydraulic powerpack and cylinder like the ones you can order from Northern Tools and Equip. I have an old Jacobsen 3-wheeler (made by EZ-Go) that used this method for its bedlift. The powerpack and cylinder would be about $475 and then you'd have to adapt it with mounting plates.

Both of these methods will work, but most people opt for buying a OEM kit that comes with all the parts for about the same price.

The attachment is a bedlift from CMC in Oklahoma. They normally make power trim equipment for boats. I installed it on a Kawasaki Mule and it can lift 1200# in the bed with ease. For the price, $600, I just couldn't see going thru all the hassle of building my own. This kit took about 45 minutes to install and works great. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[HerbTx]

Do you have contact information for CMC?

Thanks,

Herb

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you have contact information for CMC?

Thanks,

Herb )</font>

Herb, I'm going to have to eat a little crow, /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif but the price I quoted you above is wrong. I guess I could plead old age and memory loss, but the fact is my bed-lift was $699. I didn't buy it directly through CMC, but got it from Beartooth Kawasaki and had it shipped to me. Here is a link to the thread I posted back in January of 2004. In that thread, you will see a link to Beartooth.

If you want a linear actuator, you can get one from Essex at www.essexmfg.com or by calling 1-888-643-7739. They are located in Southlake, TX. Their linear actuator kit is listed on their pricelist at $517 (...not memory, I'm looking at it right now. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif). They might be a few dollars more because they've adjusted their prices upward over the last year due to materials price increases.

Mule Bed-lift