About oil for hydraulic jacks: what kind of oil to pour in the rolling jacks?
To keep the hydraulic drive working, it needs a special liquid to protect it from wear and tear. Oil for a hydraulic jack helps the system function under various temperature and humidity conditions.
The main thing required of such oil is to carry out the transfer of energy in steering, propulsion and drive. This fluid. an irreplaceable assistant in maintenance of bridges, production mechanisms, locks and various devices that require lubricant.
There are different types of hydraulic oils:
- oil for industrial equipment and vehicles;
- oil for ships;
- oil for flying jacks;
- Oil for shock absorber and hydraulic brake systems.
Each type of fluid has its own composition, and therefore there is also a classification “A”, “B”, “C”:
- “A”. mineral oil without additives;
- “B”. with anticorrosive and antioxidant additives;
- “C”. refined oil, that contains anticorrosive, anti-wear and antioxidant additives.
There is also an international classification, according to which liquids are divided into synthetic, petroleum and water-glycol.
Qualitative characteristics of oils
When choosing a service fluid for tools, you should always pay attention to its qualitative characteristics and compare them with the model of the device, because each of them may have its own requirements.
The main properties of oil are: viscosity, resistance to corrosion, resistance to oxidation, flash and pour point, absence of aggression towards materials of the mechanism.
Viscosity. It directly affects the machine capacity, the movement of material through the machine components and the lubrication conditions in general. If viscosity is minimum, operation of the system is considered as more reliable, but it will be more quickly worn out by friction and at low values fluid leakage in the valves is still possible. Increased viscosity is not always good for the equipment, because at low temperatures or at low power the whole process becomes more difficult.
Corrosion and oxidation resistance.
The higher the oxidative and chemical stability of an oil, the longer it will be good for the equipment.
If there is not enough stability for oxidation, fluid viscosity begins to change and deposits appear. In addition, the material of the device, which can be metals and alloys, is affected by the oil. When oil oxidizes, acids and water are released, so that sooner or later the material begins to corrode. And to prevent this, corrosion inhibitors and special additives are added to the lubricant to slow down oxidation.
In addition to viscosity and resistance to oxidation, it is equally important whether the fluid foams or not. There are occasional spikes in pressure inside the equipment, and then air separates from the substance and then becomes foam, which is not very useful and also affects the appearance of erosion.
Qualitative characteristics of oils
When selecting maintenance fluid for your power tools you should always pay attention to its quality characteristics and compare them with the model of the device, because each of them may have different requirements.
Viscosity. It directly affects the power of the machine, the movement of material through the components of the device and the lubrication conditions in general. If the viscosity is minimal, the operation of the system is considered more reliable, but it will wear out faster with friction, and at low values it is still possible for leakage of fluid in the valves. Increased viscosity is not always good for the equipment, because at low temperatures or with low power the whole process becomes more complicated.
Corrosion and oxidation resistance.
If there is not enough resistance to oxidation, the viscosity of the fluid begins to change and deposits appear. In addition, the oil affects the material of the device, which can be metals and alloys. When oil oxidizes, acids and water are released, and consequently sooner or later corrosion of the material begins. And to prevent this, corrosion inhibitors and special additives are added to the lubricant to slow the oxidation process.
In addition to the viscosity and resistance of the oil to oxidation, whether the fluid foams or not is equally important. Occasionally there are pressure surges inside the equipment, and then the substance separates from the air and then becomes foamy, which is not very useful and also affects the occurrence of erosion.
Types of hydraulic jacks
Hydraulic jacks are available in different types: bottle, diamond, rack and pinion, roll-up, two-level and others. In addition, they can differ in design and drive type within the model range.
An example of a bottle jack
The bottle jack is the simplest of its counterparts. It has a working cylinder that is positioned vertically like a bottle. The bottle jack models are small in size, allowing them to be widely used by motorists on the road.
A car jack consists of a frame that holds the entire mechanism. The load is lifted by the hydraulic piston and lever system. To make this type of jack mobile, it is equipped with wheels. When heavy loads are lifted directly, the wheels are shifted in relation to the frame and then the load is applied only to the frame.
Rack and pinion jack example
On a rack-and-pinion jack, the load is lifted through a staggered movement of the load among the large and small areas. These pads are mounted on the rail, and the pressure is transmitted by the connecting rod. At the start of the lift, the rack and pinion jack handle is in an upright position and the load is on the large surface. When the lever is gradually lowered, the crank-rod rests on the small square and it transfers all the load to the upper stop. When the limit is reached, the pressure stops in the small area, the handle begins to rise again, and with it the lower stop.
Quality characteristics of oils
When choosing a service fluid for tools, you should always pay attention to its quality characteristics and compare them with the model of the device, because each of them may have different requirements.
The main properties of oil include: viscosity, corrosion resistance, resistance to oxidation, flash and pour point, and the absence of aggression towards the materials of the mechanism.
Viscosity. It directly affects the power of the machine, the movement of material through the nodes of the device and the lubrication conditions in general. If the viscosity is minimal, then the system operation is considered more reliable, but it will wear out faster with friction, and at low values still possible leakage of liquid in the valves. Increased viscosity is not always good for the equipment, since at low temperatures or with low power it complicates the whole process.
Corrosion and oxidation resistance.
The higher the oxidation and chemical stability values of the oils, the longer they will be good for the operation of the equipment.
If there is not enough stability for oxidation, fluid viscosity starts to change and deposits appear. In addition, the material of the device, which can be metals and alloys, is affected by the oil. When the oil oxidizes, acids and water are released, so that sooner or later the material begins to corrode. And to avoid this, anti-corrosion additives and special inhibitors are added to the lubricant to slow down oxidation.
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In addition to the viscosity and resistance of the oil to oxidation, it is equally important whether the liquid foams or not. Inside the equipment, from time to time there are sharp spikes in pressure, and then the air separates from the substance and then becomes foam, which is not very useful and also affects the appearance of erosion.
Types, properties and characteristics of the hydraulic bottle jack
Jacks are divided into several types, the first division being the number of rods (half rods):
Fig. 2. Single rod jack
There is also a division according to the principle of the pump pumping liquid:
- Manual, actuated by user pressure on the lever
- the large pumps, designed for lifting huge weights, are driven by a separate actuator, a hydraulic pump or a hydraulic power unit.
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Figure 3. Double rod jack
Lifting capacity, an important parameter in determining the maximum mass to be lifted. This parameter is dependent on the volume of the working chamber and the strength of the load. Bottle-type devices have a lifting capacity from 2 to 100 tons.
Minimum lifting height, also called minimum lifting height. It is the height at which the load must already be in order to be able to place the jack under it. Pay attention to the minimum height if you choose the device for the car. The high jack is not the best choice if you have a low clearance, but a bottle-type device with a high construction will not work for you.
The maximum lifting height. The height to which the load can be lifted. The bottle-type have a feature on the support platform has a retractable screw that increases the minimum and maximum lifting height.
Types of jacks
To work with this device, no great physical effort is required. Just pull the lever and the hydraulic piston begins to lift the load. Such systems are capable of easily lifting a structure weighing 50 tons. The industry produces these systems of several types:
The main advantage of these products is their high lifting capacity. This made it possible to work with jacks at service stations, to perform various repair operations with any kind of heavy machinery.
The only disadvantage of this machine is that it is not possible to carry the jack upside down. Transportation should be carried out only in an upright position.
Types, properties and characteristics of the hydraulic bottle jack
Jacks are divided into several types, the first division goes by the number of rods (semi-jacks):
Fig 2. Single rod jack
There is also a division according to the principle of the pump pumping liquid:
- Manual, driven by user pressure on the lever
- Larger pumps, designed to lift a huge mass, are driven by a separate actuator, a hydraulic pump or a hydraulic station.
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Fig. 3. Double rod jack
Lifting capacity, important parameter for determining the maximum weight to be lifted. The parameter depends on the volume of the working chamber and the strength characteristics. Bottle-type machines have a lifting capacity of 2 to 100 tons.
The minimum lifting height, also known as the minimum lifting height. This is the height at which the load must already be located to be able to place the jack under it. Pay attention to the minimum height if you choose a device for the car. If you have a low ground clearance (ground clearance), the bottle-type device due to its high construction will not work for you.
Maximum lifting height. The height to which the load can be lifted. Bottle jacks have a special feature, there is a retractable screw on the support platform, which increases the minimum and maximum lifting height.
Types of hydraulic jacks
Hydraulic jacks are available in very different types: bottle, diamond, pinion, roll-up, two-level, and others. In addition, they can differ in design and type of drive within the model range.
An example of a bottle jack
The bottle jack is the simplest variety among its counterparts. It has a working cylinder positioned vertically, like a bottle. The bottle models are small in size, which allows them to be widely used by motorists on the road.
A bottle jack consists of a frame that holds the entire mechanism. The load is lifted by operating a hydraulic piston and lever system. To make this kind of jack mobile, it is equipped with wheels. When heavy loads are lifted directly, the wheels are shifted in relation to the frame and then the load is only on the frame.
Example of a rack and pinion jack
The rack and pinion jack lifts the load by shifting the load in stages among the large and small platforms. These pads are mounted on the rail and the pressure is transferred by the connecting rod. At the start of the lift, the rack and pinion jack handle is in the vertical position and the load is on the large plate. When the lever is gradually lowered, the rod rests against the small plate, which transfers the entire load to the upper stop. When the limit is reached, the pressure stops in the small area, the handle begins to rise again, and with it the bottom stop.
Why oil?
Not all oils have a positive or at least neutral effect on the metal of which the tool is made. Water, acids, alcohols and many other liquids cause a natural oxidation reaction, resulting in corrosion and rust. Some compositions react more quickly, others slower. Some can even corrode, either metal or rubber or Teflon gaskets and seals. Choosing which oil to pour in the hydraulic jack, you should be careful, because even in this category of substances there are undesirable mixtures (more about this below).
In fact, correctly chosen oil will not only do no harm to the system, but will also protect its components from wear and oxidation. Working in this fluid, the mechanism retains its original qualities for many years. With regular maintenance, even the most economical tool will easily last longer than an expensive one if the latter is not taken care of.
Having told about the influence of different mixtures on the mechanism, and having more or less argued the choice of the fluid, it is time to move on to the main topic and show what kind of oil is used in the hydraulic jacks. With examples and essentially what you can and should put in the system.
How to change the oil
What kind of fluid to fill in the jack? ATF (automatic transmission fluid) can be used as an alternative to hydraulic oil, depending on the fluid viscosity. However, some problems arise when using ATF as a hydraulic fluid. For example, additives in ATF can ruin hydraulic seals.
Unlike hydraulic oils, which are not designed to foam at high pressures, automatic transmission fluid is prone to foam when exposed to very high pressures. Finally, some cylinders are designed to work with certain fluids. And when this fluid is not used, the cylinder’s full potential is not unleashed. If it is a small manual hydraulic jack, you can use ATF. Otherwise, refrain from using it.
Automatic transmission fluid can function like hydraulic fluid. Use it if you’re stuck and don’t have the manufacturer’s recommended oil.
There are several vegetable oils that can be used as hydraulic fluids. They include oils derived from sunflower, soybean and canola seeds. The performance of these oils depends on the type of additives and the base oil selected. Vegetable oil has several advantages over its mineral counterparts when used as a hydraulic fluid.
Advantages include higher flash point of 3200 ° C, they are non-toxic, have higher lubricity and are biodegradable. Some of the limitations of vegetable oils include low oxidation resistance and poor low temperature performance. In addition, vegetable oil is quite expensive.
You have to be very careful when looking for hydraulic fluid substitutes. If you use the wrong fluid, the seals can swell. So don’t replace if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
Helpful Tips
If a complete hydraulic fluid change has been made, be sure to bleed. The brake fluid should be at the maximum height and the brake fluid should be at the maximum height of the jack. It is desirable to repeat the operation several times.
Brake fluid must not be poured into the system. Do not open the check valves. The bearings and springs of the jack can be damaged if not know how to do it.
Before using the equipment, be sure to read its technical description. If you follow the rules of operation, pour only quality lubricant, you can extend the life of the hydraulic jack. Read about 3T jack here.
Oil Change Recommendations
Before changing or topping up the service fluid, read and follow the recommendations in the jack Operator’s Manual.
It is not recommended to fill hydraulic jacks with brake fluid and alcohol-containing compounds. they can destroy the material of rubber gaskets and seals used in the construction of the device.
Fill oil into the jack in small portions, making sure no air bubbles form in the fluid. After filling, any air that does get inside with the oil must be vented. To do this, it is necessary to pump completely several times (up to the maximum and then down). The plug is then firmly seated in the fill hole.
Do not unnecessarily open the non-return and blocking valves. Valve springs and balls must be handled with great care.
Only use specialised quality filler compounds for the jack. Saving on quality will not only significantly reduce the life of the tools. Liquids not designed for hydraulic jacks reduce the safety of operation of these devices and cause accidents.
Timely maintenance and the use of quality oil for the hydraulic jack will ensure a long service life.
Tips for choosing oil
Quite a common question is what kind of oil is poured into the hydraulic jack. There are several varieties on sale:
Synthetic fluids are the most common. They are characterized by increased safety, because the production is represented by a complex technological process. Glycol versions are also widespread, the chemical composition of which determines the high performance characteristics. In terms of price and quality, the glycol oil surpasses almost all others.
The cheapest performance option can be called petroleum or mineral oils. However, before pouring them into the jack jack it is worth considering the relatively low performance.
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In some cases, used machine oil is poured. Specially formulated oil should be used, as it ensures long service life of the device. The lubricant should be changed at the moment when the device begins to malfunction.
What kind of oil is necessary for hydraulic elevators??
Hydraulic elevators work according to a special principle, and the fluid inside them is constantly under high pressure, because the higher it is, the higher the efficiency of the system. It goes without saying that if the pressure rises, so does the temperature inside the system, so the hoist oil must be heat resistant, and at the same time not change its fluidity and viscosity. In addition to everything else, hoists are often used in quite cold areas, and the oil inside them must also be resistant to low temperatures.
Example of a hydraulic hoist
Thus, it is possible to highlight the basic requirements for the fluid for hydraulic elevators:
Each of these attributes influences not only the performance of the substance, but also the entire service life of the oil. The better the quality of the oil selected, whether it’s a hoist or a jack, the longer it can last without replacement. Therefore, in this case, it is better to give preference to a proven manufacturer than to choose something of dubious quality, but cheaper.
Formulation types
For the hydraulic jack to work properly, it is necessary to use oil. Currently, there are several varieties of fluid. The main types include:
Each type is designed for specific purposes, so it is not possible to replace one with the other. Each group is available on the market in a wide range of products from various manufacturers.
Hydraulic oil is used for hydraulic jacks. It contributes to the normal operation of all mechanisms, increases the service life of the equipment.
Oil for hydraulic jacks is divided into three main groups:
They are distinguished by their wide range of uses. They are actively used in airplanes, marine equipment and ships, shock absorbers, jacks and engines.