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Hydraulic-Powered Floor Pit Covers Itself
Before I poured the concrete floor in my shop I decided a service pit would be a great addition, but I didn't want to have to cover the hole with heavy planks when I wasn't using it. I knew that when I was in a hurry, I wouldn't want to take the time to drag a bunch of planks around. But if I left it open, it would be
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Hydraulic-Powered Floor Pit Covers Itself FARM SHOP Maintenance 27-2-2 Before I poured the concrete floor in my shop I decided a service pit would be a great addition, but I didn't want to have to cover the hole with heavy planks when I wasn't using it. I knew that when I was in a hurry, I wouldn't want to take the time to drag a bunch of planks around. But if I left it open, it would be an accident waiting to happen," says Arvin De Cook, Sully, Iowa.
"I decided to build a retractable hydraulic floor inside the pit that would raise up flat with the shop floor. I put a 5-ton wagon hoist at each end of the 17-ft. long pit and built a strong steel floor on top of them - using two 16-ft. long pieces of 4 by 8-in. steel tubing. I ran four 2-in. electrical conduits to the sidewalls of the pit from the side of the shop. The conduits are big enough for hydraulic hoses and air hose for tools, as well as an electric line for lights and outlets.
"Three heavy steel tie-downs were anchored to the concrete floor on either side of the pit, providing a great place to chain equipment when it becomes broken or bent. The equipment is chained down over the moveable floor, and then the floor is raised to put pressure on the bent equipment.
"The hydraulic-controlled floor works great for changing tires. A pickup can be driven over the pit and the floor raised a few inches to lift part or all of the pickup off the floor.
"Hydraulic power comes from a used electric motor, a hydraulic pump from a combine, and five valves from a loader tractor.
"Total cost of the pit was less than $500. I've used wagon hoists for other things over the years and they need very little maintenance. This hoist and platform are built much heavier than they need to be. It makes doing routine maintenance cleaner and eaiser so you tend to do it in a much more timely manner."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Arvin De Cook, 9658 Hwy. F 62 E, Sully, Iowa 50251.
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