Recognizing Signs Of Trouble With A Hydraulic Jack

When it comes to hydraulic tools, few can be as complicated as hydraulic jacks. You depend on your hydraulic jack for consistency and reliability, but these tools are not immune to wear and tear. Understanding some of the most common signs of trouble with hydraulic jacks can help you determine when you might need to reach out to a local hydraulic tool repair technician. Here are some of the most common issues to be aware of.

Jack Extension And Release Issues

The jack depends on consistent, reliable pressure behind the system to operate the mechanisms correctly. When the hydraulic pressure in the system falters, it can be insufficient for the tool to properly extend or release. When you notice that it is not articulating the way that it should, a repair technician should assess the hydraulic pressure and test the system for any leaks or vulnerabilities.

Excessive Squeaking

Sometimes, the jack wheels start squeaking if the bearings have not been lubricated recently. You can apply lubricant to the wheels to stop the squeak, but if the lubricant doesn't resolve the problem, you'll want to have a repair technician check it out and potentially replace the wheel assemblies. Ignoring this problem could leave you with wheels that seize or lock up when you need them most.

Kickback From The Jack Handle

There should be no kickback when the jack extends, especially not anything significant enough to jostle you. If you feel anything like that, it's important to shut down the hydraulic jack right away and reach out to a repair technician. Failure to do so could result in serious injuries for both the operator and anyone else in the vicinity.

Ram Response Issues

When the rams on your hydraulic jack aren't responding the way that they should, it may be a problem with the hydraulic fluid. Check the levels of the fluid or have a technician test the system for leaks. If your hydraulic fluid is low or milky, it's important to reach out for repairs right away because both of these problems indicate issues with the system.

These are just a few of the things that you need to understand when it comes to dealing with hydraulic jack repairs. When you know how to spot problems with the jack, it's easier to keep everyone on the site safe. Reach out to a technician who offers services like Greenlee hydraulic tool repair for more information. 

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