AusBonsai

I've seen quite a few large trees in heavy pots on the forum - and I do have a couple myself, so I thought I'd post my version of a Scissor-lift. After checking out the prices of a commercially produced one, I thought I could make something similar for a lot less. All up, this cost me about $150.00 - and that included the trolley jack.

It's fairly heavy because I used 1.2mm 20x50mm hollow section tubing - but I can still lift if if I need to. It will extend over 2 metres high, but of course it doesn't really need to do that when lifting Bonsai pots, but it can also be used as a platform for reaching high places if necessary.

I looked round for a reasonably priced hydraulic ram and hand pump, but they were going to cost more than what it cost me to build the thing. So, I got a 1200kg trolley jack from Super-cheap Autos for just over $30.00.

I already had the wheels, but only one swivel one - that's why there is only one wheel on the front. It's still very stable though, and because the bottom rail is close to the ground, it can't really tip over very far.

The handle is a Lawn Mower handle cut and bent to shape, then welded together and the shaft for the handle is a piece of galvanized water pipe. The bearings that allow the cross braces to slide along (inside) the top and bottom rails are from lawn mower wheels - they fitted perfectly! The last photo shows the slots in the top rail and the bearing is right at the tip of the arrow. I welded pins into the cross brace and drilled a hole through them to take a spring clip - the tip of the yellow arrow points to the ring on the spring clip. The top of the brace that crosses that one is attached to the other end of the top rail, to give it stability. That one only swivels - it doesn't slide on a bearing. To allow the cross braces to swivel in the centre without binding on each other, I cut round discs from an ice-cream container and punched a hole in the centre and put it between the cross braces.

I'll take some more photos tomorrow to show more detail of how it was constructed.



Now, I need to pull it all to bits, wire-brush it all and give it a decent coat of paint.

Necessity really is the mother of invention

That's impressive work Tman!
Can you show a close up of how the top and bottom rails work. Close ups of everything will be great

Thanks Bretts, having a trade behind you sure comes in handy at times
I've added another photo showing the inside of one of the top rails with the bearing and spring clip, and edited the text to explain it. I'll see if I can take some more photos showing more details tomorrow.

Hi Tman , hope you got a patent on this .Mate i could use one of these for sure .Definately a worthy investment around here as i struggle with a lot of big stuff .I would need a stair climbing device or bigger wheels incorporated to travel around the terraces .Pretty handy with a stick welder {old bloke}and have contemplated making something to aid lifting and moving around the yard .Thanks for posting this motivational tool ,i need a break from carving to now constructing .Cheers Alpine

Great job Taff, I can remember us swaping some ideas about making these , I should get my finger out and get the welder going. I may have to go the pneumatic tyres with a large diameter, to get around some of my areas. Just the thing for us older guys, mate thats your crepe myrtle you have on it - looking good . I would like to see a little series of pics on that mate , it looks good. Well done!
Cheers Rod......

gday Taffy

I have been considering one of these guys for a while now too, it would be heaps handy if i wanted to get big trees again. Rod might remember us talking about it a while ago. Its interesting you made a three section scissor lift, i take it that was to use it for other things other than bonsai aswell?

jamie

I want what he's got

Rod, I was thinking exactly the same thing - and I do have six wheels here with pneumatic tyres (got them from the markets @ $12.00 each).

Jamie, it is only a two section lift but:

It will extend over 2 metres high, but of course it doesn't really need to do that when lifting Bonsai pots, but it can also be used as a platform for reaching high places if necessary.

I built the two sections because the trolley jack only has a lift of 300mm, and it's also offset from the centre. Without the second section it wouldn't have raised high enough. If I'd used an hydraulic ram instead of the trolley jack, it would have only needed one section.

Loretta,

Hey Tman, that is brilliant!! You really have to watch your back when you get into the big bonsai and also watch out for hernias too!!! I've had a hernia operation and as god is my witness, it's no fun at all. For the 1st 4 days it feels like someone is kicking you in the goolies non-stop (even when you are lying still in bed)

More importantly though Tman what is that exquisite tree in the 2nd photo? Could you take a close up of this and post it pls.????


Regards
'

John

Thanks Jester.
Haven't had a hernia myself, but a good friend of mine here is just getting over an operation on his - and I know what he went through, and yes, it sure is no joke!

That second tree is a Crape Myrtle - I'd just re-potted it. I only took it out of the seasol bath this morning, so I'll do some photos tomorrow (need some for my database anyway).

Rod wrote: , mate thats your crepe myrtle you have on it - looking good . I would like to see a little series of pics on that mate , it looks good. Well done!
Cheers Rod......

Hi Taff, As Rod said, how about a few more pictures of your crepe myrtle....I have one that I dug up from my yard a few weeks ago and it's about the same size as yours (I think)...just coming out with new shoots. I'd love to see a close up of yours.
cheers Loretta