10 tips for how to best maintain hydraulic jacks
1. Begin by removing all air from the hydraulic system before use. Unlike oil, air in a hydraulic system is dangerous because air is compressible and air in the system makes the operation of the cylinder piston unpredictable. Therefore, always remove air from a hydraulic system before using it. Start by turning the pump upside down and pumping the cylinder empty, after which the oil can flow back into the pump again, which must be higher than the cylinder. In this way, all air is removed from the system.
2. If you are working with a double cylinder, both couplings must always be connected. In this way, a flow of oil is ensured both in and out of the system. The principle behind a double or hydraulic return cylinder is that the piston's inward and outward extension is controlled by oil pressure. On the extension of the piston, the incoming flow of oil passes through the lower coupling into the lower chamber of the cylinder housing and this pushes the piston upwards. The oil in the upper chamber must exit to make room for the incoming oil. This outgoing flow of oil passes through the upper coupling into the cylinder housing back to the pump. The oil flow process is exactly the opposite of the piston stroke. If the pump has only one coupling, it is not compatible with a double-acting cylinder.
3. Avoid damaging the system.
a. To prevent damage, all parts of the hydraulic system must be protected from sparks when welding or grinding work is performed.
b. Use a saddle to protect the piston from being deformed. Deformed pistons can easily get stuck on the return stroke. In addition, the cylinder is eccentrically loaded because the damaged piston surface can no longer fully support the load.
c. Never lift the cylinder using the coupling or hose. Always use the handle fitted for this purpose, the cylinder housing or the lifting eyes.
d. Avoid damage to the hydraulic hose caused by kinks, knots or pinches, as such damage can cause leakage.
4. Only use cylinder accessories and tools for their intended purpose.
a. When installing and removing piston accessories, allow the piston to fully retract and extend using a pressure of approx. 50 bar. This prevents the piston from rotating at the same time.
b. Do not place a support on top of the piston. If a support is used, always place it under the cylinder. And always use original accessories that are fully compatible with the hydraulic system. This avoids inappropriate situations, such as slipping or breaking of parts under pressure.
c. Only connect an extension hose to the bottom of the cylinder itself, never to the piston. A maximum of two extension hoses can be connected to a coupling unit. The surfaces on which the weight is applied must be parallel, for example at the heart of the bottom plate and the saddle.
5. Make sure the cylinder is on a firm surface so it cannot roll or tip over.
6. Place load only on the middle of the cylinder.
Avoid skewed loads on the piston to prevent internal damage to the cylinder housing. Avoid eccentric loads of more than 5° on the cylinder.
7. Use more cylinder capacity than the required load:
Symmetrical load: total cylinder capacity = 1.5 x load.
Asymmetric load: total cylinder capacity = 2 x load.
8. Always release pressure from the system before disconnecting the hose or cylinder. This allows the couplings to be unscrewed by hand and at the same time prevents residual pressure from remaining in the system, which could cause damage during subsequent use.
9. Keep the system clean.
a. Avoid dirt in and on the couplings. Screw the dust caps together before using the system and clean them afterwards.
b. Painted, plastic and rubber parts are not resistant to corrosive acids or liquids. Use plenty of water to rinse all parts that come into contact with strong acids or liquids - except electrical components.
c. Dry the cylinder thoroughly if used in a wet environment. Apply a thin coat of preservative oil to the white or black parts to prevent rusting.
d. When storing the cylinder, lower the piston to prevent dirt from entering the cylinder.
10. Carry out regular cylinder maintenance and have the cylinder inspected every 12 months by an expert.
All types of hydraulic tools can become defective/worn out over time. Regular maintenance is required as well as an annual inspection by an expert to ensure that the tool remains usable for as long as possible.
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Johannesen Kran & Maskintransport has had a unique job in connection with the metro construction in Copenhagen; a load-bearing ceiling structure had to be raised the decisive 10 mm, so that old beams could come out and new ones in. But how do you do that when the building was both old and crooked? The solution was a complete package of products from this product category, which was used to create the necessary space for replacing the load-bearing beams.
Multifunctional jacks from Holmatro
Holmatro has developed a series of multifunctional hydraulic jacks based on users' experiences and wishes. The result is a new series of useful solutions for a wide range of industrial applications.
50 Models
The new series of hydraulic jacks comes in 50 different models and capacities and is equipped as standard with mounting holes in the bottom and threads in the collar. The models with a capacity of 50 tonnes are also equipped with an internal piston thread.
High quality
The new series is both durable and robust. The jacks are equipped with a selection of different unique functions that significantly extend the life of the tool.
Or see more about our selection of lifting equipment .
