LIFT DOWN! Any experts on Atlas lift cylinders?

[FTG-05]

I was using my Atlas 12k lb 2 post lift to service my 96 Pathfinder when the lift suffered a severe hydraulic leak. It appears to be coming from the right side (power unit side) cylinder at the cylinder end where it meets the rod. As you can see from the Atlas Owner's Manual pic below, there are no other hydraulics parts other than the cylinder (no lines or fittings etc.).

So, I need to remove the cylinder to send it out for service; I don't *think* it will require replacement (at +$1000!!!). I didn't put the lift together (it was here when I bought the place) so I don't know what it took to install it.

I would *appear* that it's just a matter of disconnecting the hydraulic line at the bottom, then lifting the cylinder up and out. ???

ETA: Right now, the lift is up about 80% high; that's as far as it went before it ran out of oil. Hopefully, it's high enough to remove the cylinder as-is.

Pics:










Piss-poor pic of the bottom of the cylinder; the OM shows no hardware down there holding the cylinder in place, just the hydraulic fitting.




Any help or comments are appreciated!

 

[jack stand]

I think you should be able to lower it for cylinder removal.
That cylinder looks serviceable from the pic. and you just need a seal kit.
Good luck

 

[Jetfixr320]

You will need to add oil. Then actuate the lift higher to get it off of the locks then lower the lift.
Or possibly leave it as is if its on the locks, and remove the cylinder.

 

[jack stand]

Wouldn't that make removing the cylinder difficult possibly having to remove it from the top?
(I've serviced cylinders but never from a lift)

 

[FTG-05]

Wouldn't that make removing the cylinder difficult possibly having to remove it from the top?
(I've serviced cylinders but never from a lift)

Look at the bottom of the cylinder (Fig 32, 2nd to last pic). See that collar near the bottom of the cylinder? That's the only thing lifting the carriage near as I can tell. Which means it has to come out the bottom. Thank goodness it was near the top before it ran out of oil!

Thanks,

 

[FTG-05]

I think you should be able to lower it for cylinder removal.
That cylinder looks serviceable from the pic. and you just need a seal kit.
Good luck

Item #61-7, Part #209075.

ETA: I also found this part number at this site: https://www.sviinternational.com/product/pv-12p-hydraulic-cylinder/

Part # BH-7166-269

 

[BillK]

Would I be out of my mind to recommend getting in touch with Atlas ?????? I am usually game to fix anything but that could be dangerous. I would want to know the proper procedure.

Lifts - Atlas

Atlas Automotive Equipment has grown to become one of the most well-known and well-respected names in the automotive Industry for Car Lifts and Automotive Equipment for over 40 years. The team behind the Atlas Automotive Equipment brand has spent years developing a line of products including the...

www.atlasautoequipment.com

 

[FTG-05]

Already did that. Do you have any idea of the failure rate of companies responding to their own internal "Contact Us" system?

Dismal is a complement.

 

[Wrench97]

lift it as high as it will go, drop it down on the locks, disconnect the top of the cylinder and lower the cylinder, with the ram collapsed in the cylinder disconnect the hose and lift out of the bottom. It weighs 50-75lbs

 

[BillK]

Already did that. Do you have any idea of the failure rate of companies responding to their own internal "Contact Us" system?

Dismal is a complement.

Did the thought ever come to you to pick up your phone and call them ????? That always works for me.

(866) 898-2604

 

[xjfish]

I'm guessing their customer service probably kinda *****. I have almost the same lift. Finding accessories/parts isn't very easy. However, it is a fairly common lift that is still manufactured. I swear I ran across a seal kit for those rams and considered buying just to have in stock. I believe Wrench 97 is correct on procedure. I have the manual somewhere. Private message me if you can't find what you need, I can look.

 

[Ashgrove]

Did the thought ever come to you to pick up your phone and call them ????? That always works for me.

(866) 898-2604

Agree, had an issue with our 12 year old in-floor scissor lift. Called, described my issue, he asked "what color control board". Two days later the new controller was in my shop.

 

[BillK]

Agree, had an issue with our 12 year old in-floor scissor lift. Called, described my issue, he asked "what color control board". Two days later the new controller was in my shop.

I don't understand why people are so afraid to actually call and talk to someone in person ? That is always my first step.

 

[Max78]

Another option is to locate a local cylinder rebuilder. I have had several of my cylinders on my skid steer rebuilt successfully through local vendors. I would hope that those cylinders have a standard size that most builders could get, but I'm not sure.

 

[aka Larry]

I removed the cylinders from my Atlas 9K from the top. They are heavy as hell, but otherwise they just lift right out.

I bought a seal kit to attempt to do it myself, but I quickly discovered it wasn't quite as easy as I thought. I took it to a local shop who replaced the seals in both for $140, and it was well worth it.

 

[FTG-05]

Did the thought ever come to you to pick up your phone and call them ????? That always works for me.

(866) 898-2604

Did you stop to think that I already did that? Atlas is SOL; the manufacturer for my lift was Direct Lift. Apparently, they parted company back before 2013.

DL's telephone service *****; it doesn't matter what answer machine hell option you pick, they end up disconnecting me. My bet is their e-mail isn't any better. They only have two 2 post lift options; neither of them show parts support. There is no parts support link on their website.

Since the Owner's Manual I have is for a later model Atlas lift (it was the only 12k lb lift owner's manual they had), the OM I have and therefore the part numbers I was looking up are no longer valid.



You want to make any more snotty comments, feel free to pick another thread.

 

[aka Larry]

DL's telephone service *****; it doesn't matter what answer machine hell option you pick, they end up disconnecting me. My bet is their e-mail isn't any better. They only have two 2 post lift options; neither of them show parts support. There is no parts support link on their website.

Unless you really want to DIY, my suggestion (having BTDT) is to find local cylinder re-build shop. The cylinders your lift has likely aren't special, and probably use standard seals.

The shop I used look like it was straight out of 1950. Dim lighting, little cardboard bins for parts, etc. The guy that did the work on mine had been doing it for 30+ years and probably could have done it blindfolded.

 

[FTG-05]

Jason will have the first cylinder done tonight. He said once one cylinder seals fail, 90% of the time, the other goes out shortly thereafter. Hence, I ordered another seal kit this morning, having it sent directly to him. I don't want to run the risk of losing $65 worth of hydraulic oil.

Time to remove the other cylinder now.

Using my tractor and forks to lift the lift arms as high as possible. I was afraid that I would have to remove the lift arm stop plates (the right one is barely visible upper left) but that fear turned out to be baseless. My BIL helped me remove the first cylinder; with two people, it was fairly easy. I hope to do the 2nd by myself (fingers crossed).



Number on the cylinder:



According to the Direct Lift Owner's Manual that DL sent me a couple days ago, the cylinder part number is YG15-9100. The seal kit part number is YG15-9180. Cost is $128 with shipping, direct from DL but ordered via Derrick Weaver (one of DL's distributors) from DFW.

 

[FTG-05]

Unless you really want to DIY, my suggestion (having BTDT) is to find local cylinder re-build shop. The cylinders your lift has likely aren't special, and probably use standard seals.

The shop I used look like it was straight out of 1950. Dim lighting, little cardboard bins for parts, etc. The guy that did the work on mine had been doing it for 30+ years and probably could have done it blindfolded.

I have a local guy who does cylinder repair on the side. He did my log splitter 21-ton cylinder years ago.