Hydraulic jack oil change?

[Jersey Drew]

I just purchased a new Jack today (Daytona low profile/long reach) and in the instructions it says to change out the oil every three years. I have two older Craftsman ones that I have never change the oil on and they are probably 20 years old. Should I even bother changing the oil in those?

 

[Djosbun]

I would change it. It's a simple job.

-- Dave

 

[ajchien]

Cleanliness of Jack oil will prolong seal life and decrease wear on the cylinder walls. How often you need to change the oil is variable, likely depends on a lot of factors. I’ve seen 10 year old Jack oil come out pretty clean in one Jack while another Jack had all sorts of particulates in the oil.

 

[Boilerhouse]

A few years ago I rebuilt my 12 year old floor jack and the old oil was gross. So this thread reminds me that it's time to replace the oil.

 

[Jersey Drew]

I decided to go to the store and get a bottle of fluid. The first Jack (old black craftsman 3t) had one of those little rubber mushrooms and the oil came out disgusting. I got it all set but there is almost kind a like a dead spot in the swing range on the way up. If you pull the handle half way up it will have some free play back down to the 1/4 mark unless you let it hang put there for a bit then it can pressurize at that point. If you go all the way up it has full pressure through the entire swing. That rubber mushroom sucked to get back on though.

The second one (craftsman 1.5t aluminum race style jack) had a screw so it was way easier and went faster and smoother. That oil came out looking new. That one now works perfect.

 

[Qualitytools]

Is there a recommended oil for those jacks? Is there a variation like motor oil weight 0-W20 or something like that?

 

[Indexmill]

Is there a recommended oil for those jacks? Is there a variation like motor oil weight 0-W20 or something like that?

How about just buying oil... labeled as jack oil?

 

[anndel]

I have 3 jacks and replace the oil every year.

 

[Sumboodie]

If it works, don't mess with it. Hydraulic oil is good for thousands of hrs of run time.