Thread: Hydraulic ram

I want to refill this ram....Should I just fill to the hole part way up the side?
Also do these types of ram operate horizontally?
Thanks

The ram I have that is similar to that will work either horizontally or vertically, but not inverted vertically.

Don't know about refilling them

Your right, just fill it to the hole when it's in the down position.
As for it getting used on it's side I have never tried it, but you will at least need to undo the nut at the top and turn the outer cylinder around so the filler hole is at the top and the pump is at the bottom, then try it that way and it should work.

Dave

As long as the pump has fluid reaching it and not air it will work.

Fill to the bung hole level.

Normally a tight non leaking rubber grommet fits the filler hole allowing the jack/ram to be used and carried in any position.

The fluid reservoir is a low/no pressure area and there should not be any leakage at the fill point.

Use proper jack oil to fill it.

You can use ATF in modern jacks with neoprene seals, but don't use it in any older jack (eg Lightburn vintage) which has leather seals, as the high detergent component will rot them.

Ordinary low viscosity car engine oil is however OK for old jacks - that's direct advice from Lightburn.

Rob

Supercheap have hydraulic jack oil for around $10 litre, for that price it's not worth using the wrong stuff in it.
I usually have a litre on hand for top ups my jacks.

I just grabbed the link, but I am sure it's closer to $10 at my local outlets.
Gulf Western - Hydraulic Jack Oil, 1 Litre - Supercheap Auto Australia

Dave

Hello,

I'm not sure if they are designed to be used horizontally or inverted. If they are used horizontally, as the ram extends and fills with oil from the reservoir, the oil level in the reservoir will deplete and there may come a point where the fluid intake into the pump will start to draw air. You will know when this happens as air is compressible and fluid is not, if the ram can be compressed under tension when being extended then it has drawn air into the system. Bleeding the air is fairly easy, just place in the upright position, un-nip the valve screw and push the ram back into its housed position and it will remove the air from the system.

If I was a betting person I would bet that it will not work in the inverted position, as the air gap in the oil reservoir will be up at the pump end.

As for type of oil, What Dave J. said. He's always right!

Cheers,

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

Hello,

I'm not sure if they are designed to be used horizontally or inverted. If they are used horizontally, as the ram extends and fills with oil from the reservoir, the oil level in the reservoir will deplete and there may come a point where the fluid intake into the pump will start to draw air. You will know when this happens as air is compressible and fluid is not, if the ram can be compressed under tension when being extended then it has drawn air into the system. Bleeding the air is fairly easy, just place in the upright position, un-nip the valve screw and push the ram back into its housed position and it will remove the air from the system.

If I was a betting person I would bet that it will not work in the inverted position, as the air gap in the oil reservoir will be up at the pump end.

As for type of oil, What Dave J. said. He's always right!

Cheers,

Simon

Only half the time Simon, I get it wrong a lot just like everyone else,

Vernon said earlier it wont work inverted vertically, and I agree with you both. I have had one of these rams fitted to my truck crane for over 10 years and they are a good reliable ram.
These jacks are made up with the main tube for the rod seals inside, then the outer pipe. The oil reservoir is between the outside pipe and the inside pipe.

If you laid it on it's side with the pump in the lower position I think it would work as the oil will run to the bottom, you may just need to keep the oil level higher than standard. I am not 100% sure of where the oil pick up hole is, so I would suggest undoing the large nut at the top and slipping the outer pipe off to see where it's located, but I think you should be right as far as oil pick up is concerned. You will need to do this anyway to turn the outer pipe around so the oil filler hole is at the top.

If you want the pump at the top, I don't like your chances as it is standard, but you could drill the oil pick up hole out (maybe tap it and thread the tube) and run a small tube around to the bottom for a pick up. I think a piece of car brake line would suit, which is easy enough to get hold of.

Dave

The point Dave made about running a pipe from the bottom of the oil space to the pump pick-up point works.
I've been using an ordinary truck jack inverted in my hydraulic press - after drilling the pick-up hole a little bigger to suit a press-fitted tube to the top of the jack (bottom in use now).
It has worked very well for the past 35 years, but it now leaks at the rod seal. I guess it has finally worn....

Originally Posted by Dave J

Vernon said earlier it wont work inverted vertically
Dave

Oops. I missed that!

Good idea about adding a dip tube to lower the fluid pick spot!

Simon