Cylinder Lifter vs Cylinder Carts, Grabbers and Lift Trucks
There's more than one way to get a heavy gas cylinder onto a welder, and some cost far less than a Cylinder Lifter. Here's an honest look at each option and when each one makes sense.
| Option | Getting it onto the welder | Strain on the worker | Speed | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifting by hand (hugging, walking or churning) | The worker hugs, tilts or "walks" the cylinder and lifts it into place by hand. | Takes the cylinder's full weight. | Quick, with no equipment to fetch. | Small, light cylinders, now and then. |
| Clamp-style cylinder grabbers | The clamp gives a better grip, but the worker still lifts the cylinder onto the platform. | Still the full weight, though it's easier to hold. | Quick to clamp on and off. | Occasional moves of small and medium cylinders on a tight budget. |
| Basic cylinder carts and hand trucks | Moves the cylinder across the floor. Lifting it onto a raised welder platform is still done by hand. | Low while moving; the full weight at the lift. | Fast for moving cylinders around the shop. | Moving cylinders around a site, or welders that hold cylinders at floor level. |
| Hand-crank winch lifters | The cylinder is strapped in and raised by turning a crank. | Low; the worker turns a handle instead of lifting. | Slower, because each lift takes a number of crank turns. | Occasional lifts of heavy cylinders when speed doesn't matter. |
| Hydraulic cylinder lift trucks | A hydraulic pump raises the cylinder, and many can lift higher than other options. | Low; the worker pumps a handle. | Moderate, because pumping takes a few strokes. | Frequent lifts onto higher platforms, or sites that handle many cylinders a day. |
 The Cylinder Lifter | Strap the cylinder on, roll it to the welder, and use the pivot to set it onto platforms up to 10" high. | The frame and pivot take the load; about 31 lb reaches the handle. | Moves and lifts with one tool, using a pivot instead of a crank or pump. | Welding shops, fabricators and training centers that change heavy cylinders (up to 220 lb, about 10" across) on welders up to 10" high. |
When a cheaper option is enough
If you only move a small cylinder now and then, a clamp-style grabber or a basic cart may be all you need. If your welders hold cylinders at floor level, a basic cart or hand truck can do the job. A hand-crank winch lifter can handle heavy cylinders when lifts are occasional and speed isn't important.
When the Cylinder Lifter is worth $1,750
It pays off when your team regularly changes heavy cylinders on welders with a platform up to 10" high. A large argon or mixed-gas cylinder can weigh around 176 to 220 lb, while NIOSH's recommended limit for a manual lift in ideal conditions is 51 lb. The Cylinder Lifter moves the cylinder and lifts it in one tool, with no motor or battery to charge. Compare its price with what a strain injury or a lost shift would cost your business.
When to look at something else
If you need to lift cylinders higher than 10", or handle cylinders heavier than 220 lb or wider than about 10", the Cylinder Lifter isn't the right fit, and a hydraulic lift truck may suit you better. It's also made for professional and commercial use, not home workshops.
Try it without the risk
The Cylinder Lifter costs $1,750, with free shipping across the USA in 3-5 business days and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
