Rotary rolling jack

[merlinpro]

About a week ago, I bought a "Rotary lift company" rolling jack, 3500lb lifting capacity. Was a smokin' deal, so had to get it!

Can't say how old it is, but would guess 10-15yrs? It must have been a commercial unit as its built way better than the ones I see now.

The model # is FC5279

I think it might need a little fluid in the pump as it just doen't make it to its full lifting capacity.

I cant find any info on this model, and the tag on the jack is all but worn off.
I need to know what kind fluid to add...I took out the plug and it was sorta "red" in color, it smelt like power steering fluid, not like reg hydraulic, but that cant be right, can it?

Just dont want to add something I shouldn't. if anyone can help...thanks in advance. Dave,.

 

[Junkman]

If it is red, it is probably transmission fluid. Most people that don't understand hydraulics think that transmission oil is the same as hydraulic oil. The one property that they have in common is that neither will foam under normal conditions. It probably originally came with hydraulic fluid, and along the way, that got changed out for transmission fluid. One of the reasons that people do this is because transmission fluid will help to keep the seals from leaking, whereas hydraulic fluid has no additives to keep seals from leaking. I would drain the unit, and refill with Dextron ATF at this point, since you have no way of knowing exactly what is in the unit now..

 

[merlinpro]

Thanks junkman...

That was my plan if there was a question...to drain and use hyd fluid.

Just needed that all important second opinion!

 

[55dude]

it probably uses AW46 hyd. oil and napa usually carries it. just for the record most hyd. oil comes in 32,46,68 designations that are temp. related low(32) med(46) high(68). AW stands for "ANTI-WEAR" for extended seal life.