Maintain a Pro Lift F Series Hydraulic Floor Jack

Described below are the steps necessary for the disassembly, inspection, servicing, and reassembly of the Pro-Lift F-Series Hydraulic Floor Jack. Included are general operating instructions and troubleshooting techniques necessary for proper performance.

Steps

Lifting

  1. Secure the object being lifted. Ensure that the load that is to be lifted has been properly secured to prevent inadvertent movement during the lifting process.
  2. Close the release valve using the handle. Locate and close the release valve by turning it fully clockwise. Remove the handle from the handle sleeve.
    • Do not over-tighten when closing the release valve as damage to the threads and seals may occur.
  3. Position the jack saddle. Center the saddle under the proper designated lift-point.
  4. Raise the jack to lift the object at the point. Insert the handle into the handle sleeve and begin pumping the saddle up to the lift-point.
  5. Re-verify the lift-point, saddle position, and proper base support for the jack itself to insure a safe lift.
  6. Lift the load to the desired height. Pump the handle until the load reaches the desired lift height.
  7. Transfer the load to the jack stand. Immediately transfer the lifted load to an appropriately-rated jack stand(s).

Lowering

  1. Raise the supported load. Raise the supported load just high enough to clear the jack stand(s).
  2. Remove the jack stand(s). Remove the jack stand(s) carefully as to not come into contact with the jack. Use caution when working in and around the jack while supporting a load.
  3. Lower the load to its objective point. Using the handle, turn the release valve counter-clockwise no more than a 1/2-full turn!
  4. Remove the jack from the load. Once the load has been safely lowered, remove the jack and push the saddle to its fully-down position to reduce exposure of the hydraulic ram to contamination and corrosion.

Maintenance (MODE)

  1. Place the jack on a level work surface. Place the jack onto a clean, clutter-free, and level work surface prior to beginning any type of maintenance.
  2. Remove the cylinder cover plate. Remove the center cover plate from the jack by gently pulling it straight upwards. The plate is simply pressed down onto the jack's frame, held in position by a supporting frame-pin that passes through the frame and a notch cut into the plate.
  3. Lower the cylinder using the handle. Open the release valve to allow the saddle to descend to its fully-down position.
  4. Perform a lubrication step. Periodically lubricate pivot points, axles, and hinges to insure safe and reliable performance of the unit. This is also to prevent rust and corrosion and to assure that all wheels, casters, and pump assemblies can move freely.
  5. Perform a cleaning cycle periodically. Check the pump piston and ram for signs of rust or corrosion. Clean as needed with an oily cloth.
    • Never use any type of abrasive material to clean the machined surfaces of the pump piston or the cylinder ram!
  6. Store the floor jack. Store the jack with the pump piston, cylinder ram, and saddle in the fully-down position. Open the release valve (no more than a 1/2-turn). This will help prevent rust and corrosion on these critical surfaces.

Adding Hydraulic Fluid

  1. Open the oil filler plug. Locate the oil filler plug on top of the hydraulic reservoir (cylinder). Using a flat-head screwdriver gently pry the rubber-plug out of the reservoir.
    • The oil filler plug is typically painted the same color as the jack. This essentially conceals it to make it appear as part of the reservoir assembly when in fact the plug itself is a rubber press-fitted seal.
    • Caution: The hydraulic fluid located inside the reservoir could very well be under pressure when removing the plug. Insure that proper safety equipment is used when performing this step to prevent injury. Also, take necessary steps to prevent loss of the plug should the pressure eject it from the port.
  2. Add the hydraulic fluid. Begin adding hydraulic fluid into the reservoir until the fluid level is approximately 3/16" from just covering the inner-cylinder as viewed from the oil filler plug hole.
    • If too little or too much fluid is added, the jack will experience a wide-range of performance issues. Troubleshooting of the unit may be necessary and damage to the jack may occur if the issues are not properly resolved prior to use.
  3. Bleed the hydraulic system of excess fluid, once the suitable amount of fluid has been added to the reservoir.

Bleeding the Hydraulic System

  1. Pump the jack to bleed the hydraulic system. Open the release valve, ensuring the jack is fully lowered. Leave the valve open and pump the jack 20 strokes to bleed any air that is trapped in the hydraulic system.
    • Use a blunt screwdriver to gently push one side of the rubber stopper to release any air pressure from inside the oil reservoir. Sometimes oil may escape with the air under pressure and it has been known for the stopper to be pushed out, so it's best to use some paper towel and press on the stopper with one finger whilst releasing the air.If the jack is still not working properly repeat this procedure.
    • The hydraulic fluid located inside the reservoir could very well be under pressure when removing the plug. Insure that proper safety equipment is used when performing this step to prevent injury. Also, take necessary steps to prevent loss of the Plug should the pressure eject it from the port.
  2. Recheck the hydraulic fluid level in the reservoir to insure that it is at its proper point. If additional fluid is required due to the evacuated air, follow the instructions in the above section.
  3. Retest the hydraulic system. Pump the saddle to its fully-up position.
    • If the saddle will not raise, or only partially raises, then repeat the steps in this section or refer to the troubleshooting checklist.
    • If the saddle does raise to its designed height, repeat the steps in this section until no more air is heard escaping from the reservoir each time the oil filler plug is removed.

Removing Hydraulic Fluid

  1. Open the oil filler plug. Locate the oil filler plug located on top of the hydraulic reservoir (cylinder). Using a flat-head screwdriver gently pry the rubber-plug out of the reservoir.
    • The oil filler plug is typically painted the same color as the jack. This essentially conceals it to make it appear as part of the reservoir assembly when in fact the plug itself is a rubber press-fitted seal.
    • Caution: The hydraulic fluid located inside the reservoir could very well be under pressure when removing the plug. Insure that proper safety equipment is used when performing this step to prevent injury. Also, take necessary steps to prevent loss of the plug should the pressure eject it from the port.
  2. Remove the hydraulic fluid. Fluid can be removed by simply tipping the jack onto its side and allowing the fluid to drain from the reservoir into a suitable container.
    • Dispose of hydraulic fluid (used or otherwise) in accordance with local regulations.
    • Removal of any or all of the hydraulic fluid from the system may very well introduce air into the unit. Insure that the system is fully-bled prior to returning the jack to service.

Warnings

  • Changing the threshold of the check-valve could lead to personal injury or death should the valve open unexpectedly while under load!
  • Lift loads only at specified lift-points.
  • Do not move or dolly the load while it is supported by the jack.
  • Use the jack as a lifting-device only.
  • Study, understand, and follow all instructions provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with and on the device before use.
  • Do not exceed the rated capacity of the floor jack.
  • Use only on a hard, level surface.
  • Immediately after lifting, support the load with appropriately rated jack stands.
  • Never work on, under, or around a load supported only by this device.
  • Do not alter this device in any way.
  • Maintenance or adjustment to the load check-valve is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. The threshold of the valve itself has been set by the factory at 4000 lbs (2 tons) and should never be changed!

Things You'll Need

  • Hydraulic fluid
  • Needle-nose pliers

Related Articles

References

  • Pro-Lift Model F-332 Hydraulic Floor Jack Operating Instructions & Parts Manual - Publication F-332-M1 Revised July 2009.
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