Should I be considering something besides hydraulics?

Pneumatics can be easier and cheaper to deal with in some
circumstances. It's certainly a lot less messy when you spring a leak!

Get to know your local industrial surplus sources. Lots of pneumatic
and hydraulic surplus is available, but you have to know where to look.
If you're in southern california, one retail-friendly surplus house is
C&H Surplus in Pasadena.