Refilling the Hydraulic Jack Fluid

19 May, 2010- Hydraulic jacks are commonly used for various lifting processes. Like other hydraulic equipments, hydraulic jacks also work on the principle of fluids. The moment the jack handle is moved to and fro, the fluid is moved into the cylinder, making the lifting pad of the jack rise to the required level. The proper maintenance of hydraulic jack includes the changing of hydraulic fluid on a regular basis. Here's the step by step procedure to do the same:



Step 1
Since some jacks carry rubber oil fill plugs while others have a metal threaded plug, the very first thing to do is to locate the oil fill plugs which are generally placed about two third upwards on the jack cylinder. Step 2
The next thing on the list is to remove the oil plug, for which one needs to set the jack in a way that the cylinder stands upright. In case the jack has a rubber plug, try to pry the oil plug using a flat blade screwdriver while metal plug should to be screwed out using a hex wrench in a counter clockwise direction.

Step 3
Now the jack has to be laid on its side so that the oil fill hole is faced downwards. This way the hydraulic fluid would be drained out completely. Collect the drained fluid into a drain pan.

Step 4
Now, take a plastic squeeze bottle (with a pointed tip) and fill it with the fluid. Put the tip of this bottle into the jack's oil fill hole and squeeze it until the jack is filled with sufficient amount of fluid.

Step 5
Once the jack is filled with the fluid, replug the oil fill hole with its requisite rubber or metal plug.

Step 6
Lastly, following the golden rule of cleanliness, wipe the spilled over fluid with a piece of cotton cloth.