How about modifying your lift rod? You could give it two positions: blowing and transport. If you take a stub of 1/2" round stock and weld it...I don't know 1.5" in front of the end it would give you more lift. You would have to experiment with the distance and figure out how far is enough, but pulling a cotterpin and adjusting the rod is a lot easier than fabbing up a front cylinder.
Bill
The rod would look something like this.
|