Abstract: A hydraulic lift system comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders with pistons therein, having piston rods that are mechanically interconnected so that the pistons and piston rods move upwards and downwards in unison. A hydraulic fluid communication sub-system is operable to deliver fluid from a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to at least a first cylinder to drive the pistons through an upstroke, from the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to a second cylinder to drive the pistons through a downstroke, and from the first cylinder to the second cylinder. A hydraulic fluid flow control system selectively directs fluid from the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid either to the first cylinder to drive the pistons upwardly or to the second cylinder to drive the pistons downwardly. During the downstroke, hydraulic fluid flow control system directs hydraulic fluid from the first cylinder to the second cylinder help drive the pistons downwardly.