A hydraulic lifting system is more than a cylinder and a pump. To raise a heavy load with control, crews may need hydraulic cylinders, the right pump style, manifolds, pressure gauges, valves, hoses, cribbing, and other accessories that help manage load movement and pressure throughout the lift.
On many jobsites, hydraulic equipment is common enough that the accessories can be easy to overlook. But the details matter. Choosing the right components before the job starts can help crews stay on budget, reduce downtime, and avoid scrambling for missing equipment once the lift is underway.
This guide explains key hydraulic lifting system components to consider when planning a jacking or lifting application.
The first step is understanding how much control the lift requires. Not every hydraulic lifting application needs the same level of synchronization, but every setup needs to match the load, tolerance, lift points, and jobsite conditions.
Before selecting equipment, consider:
If the load must stay extremely level across multiple lift points, the pump and control system become especially important.
Enerpac Sync Lift EVO Series 4 – 36 Point Lift System
For applications that require very close synchronization between leading and lagging cylinders, a synchronous lifting system may be the best option.
A synchronous pump system uses computer-controlled operation to monitor and adjust lifting movement across multiple points. This helps keep the load more level when small differences in cylinder movement could create alignment issues, structural stress, or unsafe conditions.
Synchronous lifting systems are often used for applications such as:
For example, LGH rents the Enerpac EVO-series computer-controlled hydraulic lift system. This computerized hydraulic lifting system is designed to control movement between leading and lagging cylinders with a high degree of accuracy. This type of system can be helpful when the lift requires more control than a manual or basic pump setup can provide.
The Enerpac SFP series split-flow hydraulic pump.
For applications that require controlled lifting but do not need computer-managed synchronization, a split-flow pump may be a practical option.
A split-flow pump distributes oil flow across multiple outlets to help cylinders move more consistently. This can provide a high level of accuracy without the full control system of a synchronous lifting setup.
Split-flow pumps may be useful for:
A split-flow pump can help simplify multi-point lifting when crews need better control than separate pumps and manual adjustment can provide.
For non-critical lifts where relative accuracy is acceptable, crews may use manual pumps, manifolds, and pressure gauges. This type of setup gives the operator more direct control over oil flow and pressure at each cylinder.
A manual setup may include:
With this approach, operators monitor pressure readings and adjust flow manually. In multi-point applications, gauges can help identify whether one cylinder is carrying a disproportionate share of the load.
Manual setups can be effective for simpler applications, but they require careful planning, communication, and operator attention.
Once the pump type is selected, the hydraulic cylinders and related accessories can be matched to the application.
The right cylinder depends on the load, clearance, stroke, lifting height, and whether the load needs to be held for an extended period.
Common cylinder considerations include:
If the lift involves limited clearance, low-profile cylinders may be needed. If the load needs to remain elevated for a longer period, lock nut hydraulic cylinders may be the better choice.
When a load must remain raised for an extended period, lock nut hydraulic cylinders can provide mechanical load holding after the cylinder extends. These cylinders include a threaded plunger and lock nut that can be tightened into position to help support the load mechanically.
This makes them useful for:
Check valves can help prevent reverse oil flow, but they should not be treated as a replacement for proper load support. For extended load holding, a lock nut hydraulic cylinder may be the more appropriate option depending on the lift plan.
Valves are small components, but they can make a major difference in how a hydraulic lifting system behaves.
A needle valve helps control the flow of hydraulic oil. This can be useful when crews need to moderate the speed of extension or retraction.
A check valve allows hydraulic fluid to flow in one direction while helping prevent reverse flow. Check valves can be useful in certain hydraulic setups, but the full system still needs to be planned and monitored carefully.
Valve selection becomes especially important when working with low-profile cylinders, pancake cylinders, or pumps that actively pull oil back into the reservoir. In some cases, rapid retraction can damage the cylinder or affect the load if flow is not controlled properly.
LGH stocks hydraulic lifting accessories like manifolds, gauges, and more.
Manifolds and pressure gauges help crews monitor and control hydraulic lifting systems.
A manifold can distribute hydraulic flow to multiple cylinders. Manifolds may be used independently or connected together depending on the complexity of the lifting setup. Individual ports with shut-off valves allow crews to control which cylinders receive oil flow.
Pressure gauges help operators monitor pressure at each cylinder or circuit. This can help identify uneven load sharing, especially in multi-point lifting applications.
Together, manifolds and pressure gauges can help crews:
For many hydraulic lifting applications, gauges are not optional extras. They are important tools for understanding what is happening in the system.
Depending on the job, additional hydraulic or mechanical equipment may be needed to complete the lift.
Other equipment to consider may include:
In some applications, crews may need additional height below the load before a hydraulic cylinder can be placed. In others, a mechanical jack or spreader jack may be needed to create the clearance required for the main lift.
The best time to identify these needs is before the equipment arrives on site.
A hydraulic lifting system from LGH jacking up a large bridge section.
A hydraulic lifting system may include hydraulic cylinders, a pump, hoses, couplers, manifolds, pressure gauges, valves, cribbing, and load-spreading equipment. More complex systems may also include synchronous controls, split-flow pumps, lock nut hydraulic cylinders, or additional jacking equipment.
The exact setup depends on the load, number of lift points, required accuracy, available clearance, and how long the load must be held.
For example:
Hydraulic lifting applications can be delayed when small but important accessories are left out of the plan. Missing valves, gauges, hoses, manifolds, or cribbing can slow down the job and force crews to adjust in the field.
Before finalizing a hydraulic equipment rental, review the full setup from pump to cylinder. Make sure the system accounts for lifting, lowering, load holding, monitoring, support, and access.
Proper preparation can help crews avoid unnecessary downtime and keep the lift moving more smoothly.
LGH rents hydraulic cylinders, pumps, manifolds, pressure gauges, valves, and hydraulic accessories for lifting, jacking, positioning, and load-holding applications.
Our rental specialists can help review your load weight, number of lift points, tolerance requirements, stroke, clearance, pump needs, and accessory requirements to help determine the right hydraulic lifting system components for your job.
Whether your project requires a synchronous lifting system, split-flow pump, lock nut hydraulic cylinders, manifolds, pressure gauges, needle valves, check valves, or other hydraulic accessories, LGH can help match the right rental equipment to the application.
A hydraulic lifting system depends on more than the cylinder alone. Pumps, manifolds, gauges, valves, hoses, cribbing, and accessories all play important roles in controlling the lift and supporting the load.
The right setup depends on how level the load must remain, how many lift points are involved, how long the load must be held, and how much manual control the application allows. Synchronous lifting systems, split-flow pumps, manual pump setups, lock nut hydraulic cylinders, needle valves, check valves, manifolds, and pressure gauges each solve different jobsite challenges.
For help choosing hydraulic lifting system components for your next project, contact LGH today or call 800-878-7305 to speak with a rental specialist.
A hydraulic lifting system uses hydraulic pressure to raise, lower, position, or hold a load. It may include cylinders, pumps, hoses, manifolds, pressure gauges, valves, and load-support accessories.
A hydraulic lift may require cylinders, a pump, hoses, fittings, manifolds, gauges, valves, cribbing, and load-spreading equipment. The exact components depend on the load, number of lift points, lift height, and control requirements.
A synchronous lifting system should be considered when multiple lift points must move with very tight accuracy. These systems are commonly used for structural lifting, bridge work, and other applications where the load must stay level.
A split-flow pump distributes hydraulic oil flow across multiple outlets to help cylinders move more consistently. It is useful for controlled multi-point lifting when full computer-controlled synchronization is not required.
Pressure gauges help operators monitor pressure in the hydraulic system. In multi-point lifts, gauges can help identify whether one cylinder is carrying more load than the others.
A needle valve helps control oil flow. It can be used to moderate extension or retraction speed and provide more controlled movement.
Lock nut hydraulic cylinders should be considered when a load needs to be lifted and mechanically held for an extended period. The lock nut provides mechanical load holding after the cylinder is extended.
Yes. LGH rents hydraulic cylinders, pumps, manifolds, gauges, valves, and other hydraulic accessories for lifting, jacking, positioning, and load-holding applications.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. With over 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
