How to fill the jack with oil?

Lifts are used to cope with the lifting of cars and other heavy objects into the air alone. They can be bought at construction and specialized stores. A special solution is also sold there, which needs to be regularly replaced so that the device does not fail. The unit works in such a way that the liquid inside presses on the cylinder, which, in turn, makes the object lift off the ground and begin to rise. The jack can be controlled manually, as well as by means of an electric drive.

In almost any repair of a small car, truck or any other vehicle, a lift is a must. It follows that it must be constantly kept in good working order. Regular lubrication is a factor in the correct condition of the appliance.

To change the filling in the lift, the motorist does not need any special additional devices. Before changing the oil, you need to make sure that it is really time to do it. First you need to pay attention to such a detail as the plunger. If it descends smoothly, at low speed under force (most often this happens after lifting the weight or a little later), then this is a clear signal that it is time to change the fluid in the elevator.

Both situations signal that the oil is already spoiled, needs to be replaced, or simply not enough. For example, this may be due to a leak, which mainly occurs due to the fact that the device was not transported correctly. In the event of a leak, air bubbles fill the entire free space, and the device will soon malfunction.

In order to change or pour the required amount of oil into the lift, it is necessary to prepare in advance:

• paper (you can take magazines);
• flat screwdriver;
• jack fluid (hydraulic or oil is also suitable);
• plastic bottle;
• a piece of fabric;
• empty bucket.

Before you start replacing the filler, you need to figure out which material is best for this. There are several popular types of forklift fluids:

• mineral (oil);
• glycolic;
• synthetic.

The third is considered to be the safest, but it is quite expensive and not every motorist can afford to buy it regularly. Synthetic oil is created using the most sophisticated technologies, which explains its quality. Glycolic liquid is considered no less popular and good in quality. It does not harm the metal, which means it will not cause corrosion. For the price, it is unlikely to be lower than synthetic oil. Oil liquid is the most budgetary remedy. It is also well suited for lifts, but it cannot guarantee excellent and long-term performance.

For those who prefer very cheap products, ordinary engine oil is also suitable. Just make sure it's clean before pouring it into the device. It is better to take a high quality liquid, even if it is more expensive. The lubricating oil should be as follows:

• well filterable;
• with a low level of foam formation;
• with a high temperature limit and viscosity index;
• with good rust protection.

Oil selection is the first step in preparing for a change. Then you need to do the following:

1. disassemble the device and clean the entire mechanism;
2. if dirt or rust appears on the piston, they must be removed;
3. if the gaskets are worn out, they must be replaced with new ones;
4. open the release valve: this is necessary in order for the plunger to move from top to bottom;
5. remove residual stress by turning the release valve clockwise.

Below are the main stages of changing the fluid in a hydraulic jack with your own hands.

1. With a screwdriver unscrew the device itself and carefully remove it from the forklift.
2. Take out the previously prepared empty waste oil container and a rag... The rag will come in handy later for cleaning the lift.
3. Find the neck. Most often, it is located on the very body of the device.
4. Remove the plug (oil). It is usually located inside the cylinder, in its center.
5. Place the appliance so that he was lying on his side. Then drain the old oil into the bucket and use a rag to clean up any spilled past the bucket.
6. Carefully pour new oil into the device through the opening... It is very important to prevent the metal ball from falling out as it serves as a valve. It is worth pouring until the oil starts to pour out or reaches a special mark (it is not available on all devices). Then you need to stop right away, making sure that nothing superfluous, including dirt, gets into the device.
7. If there is not enough oil, you just need to gently add it in small portions.
8. Close the drain hole with an oil plug, then close the vent valve.
9. Place again device for the lift.
10. Blow all the air out accumulated in the device.
11. Raise and then lower the device several times, to make sure everything is functioning correctly and no mistakes are made.

Initially, the instruction looks similar: you need to check that the device is fully lowered. Then you need to find the plug (usually located on the top of the cylinder) and remove it. After that, filling from a previously prepared vessel is poured into the device. Oil is poured into this vessel at the stage of preparation, cleaning it from air bubbles. Note that the liquid level must not completely reach the fill hole; the fill must be 1/8 inch behind.

Now let's consider changing the oil in the last rolling jack. This process is very easy, even an inexperienced motorist can quickly cope with it:

1. remove the rubber plug from the device and make sure that there is really not enough oil in the lift or it is out of date;
2. drain the oil into a bucket / basin;
3. using a special syringe, fill in the selected new oil or add the same if it is not enough;
4. put the plug back in the same hole;
5. bleed the rolling jack to make sure everything is working properly.

Those companies that produce motor lubricants sometimes additionally produce hydraulic fluids for cars and trucks. These fluids can be used to fill not only the jack, but also the brake systems. In addition to the usual special oil, industrial types of oils are sometimes used (such as I-12A, I-30A, I-50A)... However, here you need to be careful and have a good understanding of cars or carefully study this topic: some oils are prohibitively viscous and are not suitable for every device. They can also damage the jack by causing corrosion.

In general, the device can work even if water is simply poured into it, however, this way the surface will quickly become covered with rust and it will most likely be impossible to return to previous work. Those who like to fill in ordinary engine oil in jacks will face the same problem, just later: water also accumulates in the device from ordinary engine oils. Over time, it will fail.

For the forklift to work properly, the hydraulic fluid must be changed regularly. It is inconvenient to work alone - here it is better to take someone as your assistant. Before starting to pour in liquid, it is important to first carefully study the instructions for using the device and do everything as indicated in it, since, depending on the type of device, changing the liquid can take place in different ways. Without special need, it is better not to disassemble the device completely once again, as there is a risk of losing the ball or ruining the valves.

It is strongly discouraged to fill the jack with liquid containing alcohol. The use of alcoholic liquids will also lead to corrosion and further malfunction of the device. In addition, no valves other than the outlet must be opened. Opening the non-return or overload valves can harm the bearing or the spring, so even in such a simple operation as changing the oil in the device, you should be extremely careful and accurate.

It is recommended not to spare money for filling. It is better to take more expensive, but with positive characteristics (viscosity, composition), then it will need to be changed less often, and the lift will last longer, since it will not rust and deteriorate soon... Experts do not recommend mixing expensive and cheap liquids, as this will only worsen the effect.

As soon as there is less oil than the device requires, you will immediately notice how much more difficult it will be to lift heavy objects. This is the first signal that you need to top up or change the special solution. After the primary signs of a malfunction have been detected, it is advisable to eliminate it as soon as possible, then the device will always be in optimal working condition, and the car owner will be able to avoid accidents that may occur due to a device malfunction.

See below for how to pump a hydraulic jack.