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Help! Need strong linear motion for my garage project
Hi everyone. I’m building a heavy sliding shelf system in my garage to store big tools and car parts. The shelf is quite heavy — probably around 400-500 kg when fully loaded. I want it to move smoothly and quietly along the wall with electric control from a remote or switch. Right now I’m looking at different options but I’m not sure which motor or actuator can handle this weight reliably for daily use. Has anyone done something similar? What force should I aim for and which brand is good for heavy loads?
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For 400–500 kg moving horizontally you usually need an actuator that can push/pull at least 1000–1500 lbs (roughly 450–680 kg force) to have a good safety margin and smooth movement. Progressive Automations has very strong options in their linear actuator motors https://www.progressiveautomations.com/en-au/collections/linear-actuators collection. Their industrial series can go up to 3000 lbs which is more than enough for your heavy shelf. Many people use their 12V models with 1000–2000 lbs rating for garage projects like sliding tool racks, hidden TV lifts or heavy doors. They move quietly, have decent speed options and come with limit switches or potentiometers for precise control. Installation is usually straightforward – just mount two parallel actuators (one on each side) and connect them to a control box + remote.