Shop crane help - long ram jack not working

[DerStig]

Spent 5 hours on this HF 2 ton crane and if it werent for the fact that all HF stores in 50 mile radius are out of stock, I would have returned it by now.

Basically right out of the box, the jack wouldnt go up. I tried bleeding the air, no go. I opened the fill plug, no go. I even tried the method of turning the entire thing upside down after extending it and letting it sit. I do get a lot of air coming out of the release valve each time but still the jack doesnt go up.

I tried draining the entire oil and added hydraulic jack oil to it, still no go.

I guess I am missing something fundemental here. Can someone give me step by step instructions? Assume I know nothing

One thing that doesnt make sense to me is both the manual and what I read online says the cylinder has to be upright while filling oil or bleeding. How am I supposed to fill oil when the drain plug is on the side?

Also when I open the release valve and pump the handle, the fluid keeps pouring out. How do I know when to stop or when to add more oil?

Help!!!!

 

[BillK]

How am I supposed to fill oil when the drain plug is on the side?

I use a squirt top on the oil bottle. Like the ones that come with rear end lube bottles. You have to fill it with it upright. You just fill it to the level of the hole and that's it, usually about 3/4 of the way up the cylinder.

 

[BillK]

I do get a lot of air coming out of the release valve each time

Also not sure what you mean by this ?? The release valve releases the pressure internally, there should not be any air in it at all. How about a picture ?

 

[DerStig]

Also not sure what you mean by this ?? The release valve releases the pressure internally, there should not be any air in it at all. How about a picture ?

I mean the little thing you turn at the bottom the lower the jack, you unscrew it and I see hydraulic fluid and also some air bubbles come out. However, even when air bubbles stop coming out and just fluid does, the jack doesnt work.

 

[BillK]

I mean the little thing you turn at the bottom the lower the jack, you unscrew it and I see hydraulic fluid.

You should only have to turn it about 1/4 turn to lower the jack. You certainly don't have to remove it. Does it have a lever on it or do you use the handle to turn it ? Are you filling the jack up to the fill hole on the cylinder ?

 

[DerStig]

This is the manual of my crane: http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/35000-35999/35915.pdf

Well, the jack never raised so to be fair that little lever/screw thing hasnt done its job yet. So I dont know how it would work. That being said, to bleed the air (as in the air and fluid to exit), I have to jnscrew it all the way but not remove it.

Now that piece has a small metal rod which the big metal stick that you raise the jack attaches to. Technically as you said you turn a bit to lower it.

actually next to that, there is a big screw. I m not sure if thats the release valve. I never messed with it but probably its not.

One last thing I want to mention is, I dont know how relevant this is, but I found a small metal ball right next to the jack. I dont know where it could have come from but I m worried it can be from the jack itself? Dont know what to do. If you look at the page14 of that manual there is a "steel ball" (19A) right around where that release valve is. I'm not sure if this steel ball is what I have on my floor and what it does

 

[BillK]

One last thing I want to mention is, I dont know how relevant this is, but I found a small metal ball right next to the jack. I dont know where it could have come from but I m worried it can be from the jack itself? Dont know what to do. If you look at the page14 of that manual there is a "steel ball" (19A) right around where that release valve is. I'm not sure if this steel ball is what I have on my floor and what it does

Probably very relevant if it came out of the jack. It might be a check ball that keeps the fluid in the correct place as you operate the jack.

Take the release valve ( 18A in the drawing) completely out and use a little magnet to see if there is a ball in the hole where the valve goes. If not, put the little ball you found in the hole, put the valve back in and snug it down. Then see if it works.

Don't discount the fact that the ram could just be defective.

 

[DerStig]

Ok, will try that.

So there are two things that screw to the bottom of the ram. One is that release valve, the other is a much larger screw. I m guessing the second screw is something I shouldnt touch.

Also, to bleed the cylinder, how much do I need to unscrew the valve?

 

[BillK]

That being said, to bleed the air (as in the air and fluid to exit), I have to jnscrew it all the way but not remove it.

You do not have to unscrew the release valve all the way to bleed the cylinder. You only turn it about 1/2 turn counterclockwise as if you were releasing the jack to lower it. Read the instructions on page 9

 

[BillK]

the other is a much larger screw. I m guessing the second screw is something I shouldnt touch.

I only see the release valve and the pump part in the parts drawing. Is yours the same as the drawing ? A picture would really help.

 

[DerStig]

I only see the release valve and the pump part in the parts drawing. Is yours the same as the drawing ? A picture would really help.

I am not at home right now, when I go home will take a pic and post. Thanks for helping out.

 

[EOC_Jason]

FYI: The manual shows 2 steel balls for part 16A...

I don't know why there would be 2 in there, but then again I've never unscrewed the release valve all the way out on any of my jacks.

 

[BD1]

Could you return just the JACK and take the one from the FLOOR MODEL ??

 

[EOC_Jason]

Could you return just the JACK and take the one from the FLOOR MODEL ??

He said, "Spent 5 hours on this HF 2 ton crane and if it werent for the fact that all HF stores in 50 mile radius are out of stock, I would have returned it by now. "

I would assume he would have already done that if at all possible...

 

[csp]

Don't discount the fact that the ram could just be defective.

That would have been my first assumption, especially given the symptoms.

It should have worked correctly out of the box.

 

[DerStig]

Well, what a world something so small makes such a big difference the steel ball did! i put it in, close it and viola. The thing works like a charm.

As always, this forum has been amazing. Thank you so much.

One other issue I have with the jack is the plastic plug that is used for the filling hole is halfway ripped. I went to the hardware store and got a rubber cork, which was the closest thing they had. It seems to work but it doesnt look good and me being ****, I m not happy about it. Any ideas where I might find something more long term?

The hole measures 7.67mm or 0.30 inches. I believe its an 8mm plastic plug.

 

[DerStig]

Oh and I tried the display model swap but it had no fluid and no plug and it looked pretty beat up so that didnt work

 

[EOC_Jason]

Check the manual, there should be a phone number to call for tech support. Tell them the plug was messed up and they will ship you out a new one.