Abstract: A portable hydraulic lift is provided for supporting lamps and the like at selected vertical positions. The disclosed lift includes five concentrically positioned risers which slide with respect to one another. The lowermost first or base riser has a collapsible support structure for positioning the risers vertically, and the uppermost fifth riser has an attachment for lamps and the like. A hydraulic ram is positioned within the risers so that the ram piston is fixed with respect to the third riser, and the ram cylinder is fixed with respect to the fourth riser. Chain and sprocket assemblies are situated within the risers to cause equidistant relative movement of each inner riser with respect to its next adjacent outer riser, as the hydraulic ram is activated. Moreover, a fixed-length fluid pathway is provided for the hydraulic fluid from a reservoir situated within or adjacent to the base riser, to the hydraulic ram, as the risers move upwardly or downwardly.