Hydraulic jacks are a great tool for any heavy lifting project. Whether individuals need to lift a car, a much larger truck, or even a portion of their house, hydraulic jacks can handle the job. However, when that jack begins to fail, it is important both for functionality and safety that the individual see to immediate and effective hydraulic jack repair.
The basic hydraulic jack has many individual parts that work together to achieve the machine’s ends. A fluid reservoir houses the hydraulic fluid, usually oil, contained at high pressure. This reservoir is contained within a heavy hydraulic cylinder, into which a ram piston is forced in and out of the unit with the fluctuations of that pressure. The operator controls the buildup of pressure with a pump that forces greater and great pressure with each individual stroke. As the pressure builds, the piston is forced further out of the cylinder, causing the jack to lift whatever it is holding. To lower it, the operator uses a release valve, which slowly decreases the pressure and lowers the jack at a safe pace.
The most common failures in a hydraulic jack are due to a loss of pressure in the hydraulic system. Improper seals around the piston, leaking fluids from the reservoir chamber, and pumps that are compromised can all cause sudden losses of pressure, causing the pistons to break or the hydraulics to give out unexpectedly. This can cause damage to the suddenly dropped car or house, and it can be incredibly dangerous to anyone under or around the lifted object.
Luckily, there are ways to avoid such catastrophic failures. By engaging in easy and necessary hydraulic jack repair, individuals can protect themselves and their investments. Most commonly, such repair requires the removal and replacement of any broken seals and the regulation of clean fluid levels. These are fairly easy repairs, and on most jacks, operators can easily fix the unit without professional help. With a proper manual of the unit and a simple hydraulic jack repair kit, most handy individuals can dismantle, repair, and reassemble the jack without any complications.
Calling in the Experts
In some cases, though, do-it-yourself repair is inadvisable. When the jack is controlled by an electric motor or contains a multitude of custom parts, it can be difficult for those unfamiliar with the model to properly reassemble the unit so that it runs safely and effectively. Likewise, if there are crucial components that are broken, it might make more sense to replace the whole unit. For instance, a warped or ballooned cylinder tube, bent or broken piston, or a punctured reservoir will all cost more to repair than any replacement unit.
A properly functioning jack can be incredibly useful. However, when any part of it is compromised due to normal wear and tear, broken seals, or bent pistons, using it can put people’s lives at risk. Always be sure to properly evaluate the condition and functionality of any jack before using it to lift heavy objects, and never hesitate to contact a hydraulic jack repair technician if any part of the tool seems to be worn down or broken.