What To Consider When Operating A Hydraulic Jack
Hydraulic jacks are common in the construction, automobile, and marine industries. They are used to lift heavy objects or loads by applying force via a Hydraulic cylinder and creating pressure in the cylinder chamber.
How do Hydraulics work?
Hydraulic jacks work by taking advantage of fluid mechanics. When two cylinders are connected by an incompressible fluid such as Hydraulic fluid or jack oil, when one cylinder is compressed, that pressure will be passed onto the other cylinder. As pressure is equal to the force per unit area, when one cylinder is larger than the other, it will experience a force multiplication effect. In other words, even though the pressure on both cylinders is equal, the force produced in the larger cylinder will be proportionally higher based on the area of the cylinder.
What to consider when operating a Hydraulic jack
Before operating a Hydraulic jack, you should always ensure you have received the proper training and feel confident operating it.
Check the Hydraulic jacks’ load capacity
Before loading any jack, you need to know its load capacity to avoid overburdening it. Exceeding a load capacity can result in serious damage. Standard load capacities range from 15 to 30 tons. If you are unsure of a Hydraulic jack’s load capacity, check with the manufacturer.
Ensure you are wearing PPE
Wearing PPE can help to prevent or minimise injury. Whilst there is no specific PPE required when operating a Hydraulic jack, gloves, steel cap boots, and safety google are recommended.
Know how to troubleshoot basic issues
The most common issue with Hydraulic jacks is that they can’t lift the load. The most common reasons for this issue are trapped air, malfunctioning ram, rust, lack of lubrication, overloading, and incorrect oil level.
Hydraulic Oil Leakage: Oil leaks can occur both internally and externally. Internal leaks can be hard to identify and often need a professional to fix them. External leaks will be visible during an inspection, and replacing the seals/o-rings will typically fix the issue.
Restricted Jack Wheel Movement: Moving a Hydraulic jack from one area to another requires a working jack wheel. Keeping the jack wheel well lubricated is the best way to prolong its life and prevent early wear and tear.
Hydraulic jacks are a popular choice for a good reason, they are reliable, and when well-maintained, they can last decades. Having common sense and keeping these things in mind will help you get the best out of your Hydraulic jack.
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Product Type: POST TENSION AND STRESSING JACK
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Power Team Monostrand Stressing Jacks are the most durable in the industry.
- Ideally suited for work on slab-on-grade where dirt, heat and high volume use take their toll.
- Available in single or double-acting models.
- Standard single-acting units have a 10″ (254 mm) stroke. Other stroke lengths are available on special order.
- Dead-end seaters for production work and field work available on special order. (Part #400120)
- Service repair is simple; components are long lasting and easily replaced.
- 3″ (76,2 mm) detachable seater nose assembly easily replaced with optional 6″ (152,4 mm) nose assembly.
- The jack of choice for highrise and elevated work, thanks to fast return time and light weight.
- All hydraulic fluid controls are internal; more efficient and safer operation during tensioning and retraction.
- Standard double-acting units have an 8 1/2″ (216 mm) stroke; others available on special order.
- Specially designed Power Team Control Valves are available for post tensioning jacks.
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