HH-LA-U8: 4,000 N of Force in the Gap Between Light-Duty and Heavy-Duty
Every actuator lineup has an awkward gap. Below it sit the light-duty models — our U1 at 900 N and U2 at 1,500 N, built for recliners, small hatches and furniture mechanisms. Above it, the heavy lifters start: the U3 at 6,000 N, the U7 at 12,000 N. Between them is where a lot of real projects actually live — a workbench that needs to lift a loaded top, a hatch with two people's weight of gear on it, a machine cover that is simply too heavy for 1,500 N and wasteful to drive with 6,000 N.
That gap is exactly where the HH-LA-U8 sits: 4,000 N of push (about 899 lbs), in an aluminium-bodied actuator that is quieter and lighter than the heavy-duty range. This article walks through what it is, which version we sell, and how to tell whether it is the right size for your job.
The U8 in one table (the version we sell)
| Max push | 4,000 N |
| Max pull | 3,800 N |
| Self-locking force | 4,000 N |
| Speed | 5 mm/s no load · 3.5 mm/s at full load |
| Strokes | 50–450 mm (nine sizes) |
| Voltage | 12V or 24V DC |
| Current | 0.7 A (12V) / 0.4 A (24V) no load · 7 A (12V) / 4 A (24V) full load |
| Duty cycle | 10%–20% |
| Service life | 20,000–30,000 cycles |
| Protection | IP54 |
| Noise | Under 40 dB |
| Operating temperature | −20°C to +60°C |
| Limit switches | Built in |
| Mounting holes | Ø8.1 mm, both ends |
| Retracted length | Stroke + 110 mm (strokes under 300 mm) · stroke + 120 mm (300 mm and up) |
| Warranty | 12 months |
The motor is a 55 W brushed DC unit driving a nylon worm gear in an aluminium gearbox, with aluminium inner and outer tubes. The self-locking figure matters more than it looks: at 4,000 N of holding force, the U8 keeps its position when the power is off, with no brake and no standby current — a lifted load stays lifted.
Four gearings exist; we stock the strongest
The U8's gearbox can be built four ways. We stock the 5 mm/s version because it is the one that uses the full 4,000 N:
| No-load speed | Loaded speed | Max push | Max pull | Self-lock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mm/s | 3.5 mm/s | 4,000 N | 3,800 N | 4,000 N |
| 10 mm/s | 7 mm/s | 2,000 N | 1,800 N | 2,000 N |
| 15 mm/s | 10 mm/s | 1,500 N | 1,200 N | 1,500 N |
| 26 mm/s | 20 mm/s | 800 N | 600 N | 800 N |
The trade is the usual one: gearing for speed spends force. If your job needs one of the faster gearings more than it needs the force, message us — the 10, 15 and 26 mm/s versions are available as custom orders rather than stocked variants. The full-load current is the same across all four gearings: 7 A on 12V, 4 A on 24V.
Powering it
Size your supply for the full-load current, not the no-load figure. A 12V U8 under a real load draws up to 7 A, so a supply in the 10 A class gives sensible headroom; on 24V, up to 4 A, so a 5 A-class supply. Our guide to choosing a power supply for a linear actuator works through the arithmetic. The same check applies to control gear: whatever controller or switch you pair with it, confirm its current rating covers 7 A (12V) or 4 A (24V) before you wire it up.
Will it fit?
Retracted length is where actuator projects usually fail, so do this sum before ordering: a 300 mm-stroke U8 measures about 420 mm hole-to-hole when closed (300 + 120), and a 100 mm stroke about 210 mm (100 + 110). Your mounting points need that much room with the load fully down, plus clearance for the Ø8.1 mm mounting pins at both ends. Our retracted-length space check shows the full method with drawings.
Who the U8 is for — and who should size up or down
Choose the U8 when the load genuinely sits between roughly 1,500 N and 4,000 N of required push: loaded adjustable workbenches and lift tables, heavy hatches and machine covers, agricultural and mobility equipment, and furniture mechanisms that outgrew light-duty actuators. It also moves this much weight quietly — under 40 dB at work — and its JS-TGZ-U8 factory model is inside the model range of our CE attestation of conformity, which matters if the actuator ends up in a product headed for the EU.
Step down to the U2 if your load is under 1,500 N — you will pay less for force you never use. Step up to the U3 (6,000 N) or the U7 (12,000 N) if the load, the duty or the environment demands it; the full U-series comparison table puts every model's force, speed and protection rating on one page.
FAQ
Is the 4,000 N the same on 12V and 24V?
Yes. The force and speed figures are the same on both voltages; only the current differs (7 A full load on 12V, 4 A on 24V), which is why 24V is the easier option for long cable runs and shared supplies.
Can I run it continuously?
No — like most actuators in this class it is rated for intermittent duty, 10%–20% (for example, up to about 2 minutes of running in a 10-minute window at the upper rating, then rest). Size the job so the actuator works in bursts, not as a conveyor motor.
Is it waterproof?
It is IP54: protected against dust and splashing water from any direction. That covers rain-exposed and workshop use, not immersion — if the actuator will be submerged or pressure-washed, talk to us about a higher-rated model first.
Does it hold position with the power off?
Yes. The worm drive self-locks with up to 4,000 N of holding force, so a raised load stays where you left it without consuming power.
What if I need the 10 mm/s version?
Message us before ordering. The faster gearings are built as custom orders; tell us the stroke and voltage you need and we will confirm price and lead time.
See the HH-LA-U8 product page for the nine stroke sizes and current pricing (from $145), or compare the whole range in the U-series comparison table.