Hydraulic pump (porta power)

[manoweb]

Hello I just got a manual hydraulic pump, which I believe is often generically called "porta power". I just need it one to perform a one-off operation so I got it from amazon, it is not intended for continuous or professional use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GSBPTWW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also got a new pulling ram from ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/291812390299

I am a little confused: when I pump, the ram comes in a little bit but on the upper stroke of the manual lever, it comes back out. Without a load, if I pump really fast I am able to somewhat gain some and very slowly retract the ram... but this is definitely not going to work with any relevant load I think. I unscrewed the bolt in the back of the pump, I tried to do things I've seen on youtube videos to bleed it, but it feels very odd. I can still return this pump in case it's broken but I want to make sure it's not user error... I remember many, many years ago my dad had a lot of hydraulic equipment, and I don't recall it so finicky to operate for a simple pull.

My son is helping me to show this in a video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rSu49uAscutfZjiK6

 

[mr.jake]

sounds like the outlet check valve isnt sealing when the handle is lifted

 

[mr.jake]

this might help

 

[Hiball]

It Could be a Valve seating issue, but I’d definitely make sure the pump is bled and the hydraulic line is clear of any trapped air.

 

[manoweb]

I also noticed that if I pump real fast at the beginning, after a certain point the ram starts to retract correctly mostly stopping the bobbing about... but I lose about half of useful travel

 

[manoweb]

Mr. Jake thanks for the video, I saw something similar before - yeah I understand the principle of a hand-operated hydraulic pump; however, I have never disassembled and serviced one. I am also not sure what the failure mechanism would be for the valve to not set correctly.
Hiball, as you can see from the video, I put the ram on the floor and I'm keeping the pump on the table, even slightly tilted up, I tried to hold it completely vertical with the bolt in the back open. I tried pumping it several times - as I mentioned in the previous post now I am getting half of useful travel. Not sure if I am doing this correctly, is there anything else I should do to bleed it?

 

[manoweb]

OK I pumped it 20 times back and forth and it seems now it's working as expected, without noticeable bobbing, albeit with no load. I wonder if it just had a lot of air in it, or maybe the ram did not come with any oil and I had to operate it many times to transfer enough hydraulic fluid? If I completely remove the bolt in the back, I see some oil in the hole, but I have no means to know if I need to add more now. Also, the label attached to the pump says I must keep it open when using - I thought that bolt was only for bleeding. Am I really supposed to open it every single time?

 

[The Cobbler]

to bleed porta powers I put the pump higher than the cylinder and work it several times . I had a duckbill that was adamant on not bleeding the air out... it took several tries to get it working properly . It was stubborn . I think it came without oil from the factory

 

[manoweb]

Yeah now it seems it's good but I wonder how to check for the correct oil level in the pump now.

 

[Daveyclimber]

Yep, gotta bleed them of air. Keep some fluid handy as the fitting will always lose some oil. I have a 10 ton Norco and a no name 20 ton setup. Both needed a top off after purging air and hooking up hoses.

 

[manoweb]

Yep, gotta bleed them of air. Keep some fluid handy as the fitting will always lose some oil. I have a 10 ton Norco and a no name 20 ton setup. Both needed a top off after purging air and hooking up hoses.

Do you have any idea if I should refill it from the bleeder screw in the back (photo above) or from the other screw near the valve? (see below)

 

[The Cobbler]

pretty sure the screw you loosen to let air in is where you fill it