The Different Types of Hydraulic Lifts for Your Vessel

20 Feb The Different Types of Hydraulic Lifts for Your Vessel

Hydraulic lifts are more than just accessories, they’re essential for helping you effortlessly lift and lower your vessel when docking to ensure they’re safe and secure. If you’re considering a cantilever or vertical lift for your vessel, discover the features and benefits each can bring to help you decide the best lift for your setup.

Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts

These hydraulic lifts use hydraulic power to lift and lower boats onto and off the water. They utilize these systems principles, which involve force transmission through a pressurized fluid like oil or water.

With that, here are the components that give hydraulic remote vertical lifts their power to effortlessly lift boats:

1. Hydraulic cylinders – responsible for lifting and lowering the boat. Made with an aluminum hydraulic cylinder and utilizes biodegradable hydraulic fluid. 
2. Pumping system – responsible for generating hydraulic pressure by circulating hydraulic fluid through the system. It typically consists of a hydraulic pump, reservoir, and piping.
3. Control system – includes components that regulate the operation of the lift, such as valves, switches, and remote control devices.

Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts

Cantilever boat lifts raise and lower boats using a cantilever arm mechanism powered by hydraulic systems. These lifts offer the convenience of remote operation, allowing you to control the lifting and lowering of the boats from a distance using a remote control device.   

Here are the structural components that make hydraulic remote cantilever lifts powerful:

1. Cantilever arm – supports the boat’s weight while distributing the lifting force generated by the hydraulic system. Users can choose between a 48-inch or 60-inch lifting height for each lift.
2. Hydraulic system – the power source that drives the lifting mechanism of this lift. It comprises several components, including a hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic fluid reservoir, piping, and control valves.
3. Safety features – integral components that ensure the protection of the boat, lift, and users. Features may include large footplates, emergency stop buttons, and locking mechanisms.

Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts vs. Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts

Vertical and cantilever hydraulic lifts may both utilize hydraulic technology to function, but as described above, each contains different components that allow each lift to provide different functionalities when lifting and lowering your boat. So here’s a side-by-side comparison of both lifts to help your decision:

Functionality

Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts: These lifts are specifically designed for vertical lifting, raising boats straight out of the water. They’re ideal for areas with fluctuating water levels, or limited space where vertically lifting a boat is necessary.

Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts: Cantilever lifts primarily offer horizontal lifting capabilities, pivoting around a fixed point to raise the boat from the water. However, while they can lift boats vertically to some extent, their design is more suited for 

Efficiency and Productivity

(Speed and Precision)

• Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts: They are generally faster and more precise in lifting and lowering boats vertically. They provide efficient operation, making them suitable for quick and frequent use.
• Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts: They may take longer to lift and lower boats, especially if the boat needs to be maneuvered horizontally before lifting. However, they can still offer precise control over the lifting process.

(Adaptability to Different Tasks)

• Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts: Vertical lifts are specialized for vertical lifting and may not be as adaptable to tasks requiring horizontal movement or reach.
• Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts: Cantilever lifts are more adaptable to different tasks due to their horizontal reach and maneuverability. You can use them for lifting, positioning, and accessing boats in various locations.

Safety Considerations

(Operator Safety)

• Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts: Typically have safety features to protect operators, such as emergency stop buttons and safety rails. However, operators may have to be cautious of overhead clearance when operating the lift.
• Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts: They also have safety features, but operators need to be mindful of the cantilever arm’s movement and potential obstructions in its path.

(Load Stability and Control)

• Hydraulic Remote Vertical Lifts: They provide excellent load stability during the lifting process, as they raise the boat straight up out of the water. The hydraulic system ensures precise control over the lifting operation.
• Hydraulic Remote Cantilever Lifts: These may have slightly less load stability, especially if your boat needs to be maneuvered horizontally before lifting. However, their proper operation and use of safety features minimize risks.

Final Thoughts

Hydraulic lifts are necessary to ensure lifting and lowering your boat is secure and safe. So, if you’re deciding between a cantilever and a vertical lift, knowing their features can benefit your decision. Each has pros and cons depending on your vessel’s needs, size, and water conditions. You can check out more information on these lifts at Boat Lifts International today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why choose Hydraulic Cantilever lifts over Vertical lifts? 

You’ll want to choose cantilever lifts if you don’t want your boat to hang from cables and move around with the wind when docked. Its four-post style also detracts from the lake view even when the boat is not on the lift. So, the posts above the water don’t provide the clean look and finish many people look for at the lake.

When fully upright, the cantilever lift transfers the boat weight from the cylinders to the frame, adding to the boat’s safety without taking away from the view of the boat on the lift. When the boat is not on the lift, the lift can be lowered, and nothing additional is seen above the water line. 

2. Are cylinder technology and attachment applications ideal for boat lifts?

New engineering designs in both cylinder technology and attachment applications are providing more cost-effective and safer ways to lift heavier boats and store them more securely while saving the customer money in both initial purchase price and future maintenance.