The question of what kind of oil is poured into hydraulic jacks is not asked by many car enthusiasts, despite the popularity of the devices not only among service center workers, but also among ordinary car owners.
The design seems simple, reliable, unpretentious in everyday life, and you simply don’t want to pay extra attention to it. But in reality, lubricating fluid is the main design element, on which safety and ease of use directly depend.
Tips and tricks
If you approach the question of what kind of oil to pour into a jack thoroughly, you will notice the widest range available in stores.
And it’s not easy to understand how one lubricant differs from another and which one is more suitable for your mobile lifting mechanism. Today there are three types of oil and lubricating fluids on sale:
- Glycolic ones are expensive because they are difficult to manufacture. To create them, phosphoric acid esters, chloride compounds and glycols themselves, that is, organic alcohols, are used.
- Petroleum (mineral) is the cheapest option for lubricating fluid, which, unlike others, provides protection against oil starvation. This is due to low turnover. But this same property leads to the main disadvantage - the inability to “work” in the cold. At low air temperatures, the viscosity increases so much that the oil practically ceases to be liquid.
- Synthetic is the best option in terms of performance and cost. They are safe, can be used in different weather conditions and guarantee normal hydraulic operation.
It is important to note: Pouring used machine oil into the hydraulic jack is not allowed, since it cannot ensure long-term operation of the device.
Qualitative characteristics of the liquid
The most important indicator of high quality hydraulic oil is its viscosity. It determines how easily the parts of the device will move. That is why, when choosing a liquid, they strive to use the optimal viscosity value. The properties of the liquid are influenced by the temperature index (viscosity index). It should have high values .
Hydraulic oil never oxidizes. It has excellent anti-corrosion characteristics, which increase the service life of the jack.
Features of the hydraulic jack device
What experts pour into a hydraulic jack and why they make this particular choice becomes clear if you study the features of its design and operation.
The oil liquid here is located in the reservoir as long as the lift is inoperative.
The stop is lowered to the zero position, but as soon as you start to lift it up, the lubricant begins to flow into the cylinder block. Therefore, it is important that the viscosity of the oil is not too high.
So, the process of pumping liquid is controlled by a pump and two valves (discharge and suction). When the pump piston rises, it creates a vacuum because the suction valve draws out the oil and lubricants.
When the piston is lowered, the reverse process occurs, but under the action of the discharge valve. As the liquid in the working compartment increases, the stop, together with the load in the form of a car, rises upward.
A simple but effective mechanism that does not fail if the oil meets all viscosity and fluidity requirements.
BelAK BAK.00059
Production - China
Warranty - 6 months
Cost - 909 rubles
When looking at this jack, the question arises: does it really have a lifting capacity of 2 tons? This is the lightest and thinnest test sample among the samples. Apart from the jack itself and the handle, there is nothing in the original box - the worst equipment of all. But there is at least one rubber gasket attached to the jack so that the threshold does not get compressed.
How to choose oil for using a hydraulic jack
An oil suitable for a dolly lifting mechanism must contain a large number of special additives. They guarantee the “correct” consistency of the liquid in terms of its fluidity. Here's what you should pay attention to before purchasing:
- Viscosity index. The optimal option is slightly above average, that is, in the range from 32 to 46 VG.
- Degree of filtration. It is not indicated on the packaging as a specific indicator, but it is known that in cheap oil and lubricants they do not pay attention to sufficient filtration properties. Therefore, it is better to buy liquid from a well-known brand.
- Presence of anti-corrosion properties. This is especially important if hydraulics are not used often, that is, the mechanism is idle.
- Operating temperature range. The climate in which the hydraulic jack is used is important here.
Important to note: It is better not to use industrial oils for the lifting device. A much more suitable option would be automotive lubricants that are poured into the engine.
Stvol SDR2370
Production - China
Warranty - 1 year
Cost - 829 rubles
The owner of the brand clearly tried to classify this type of jack-note as a men's accessory. The jack is painted military green (it might just get lost in the grass). The gray corrugated cardboard box looks quite cheap compared to the bright packaging from competitors. Inside the box, in addition to the jack, there are instructions, a warranty card and a folding hook handle. Of all the competitors, this champion has the lowest claimed lift height. The jack has a rubber gasket on the base plate.
What lubricants should not be poured into the jack?
If you think that you can pour any oil and lubricant into a hydraulic lifting mechanism, and the efficiency of its use will not decrease, then you are mistaken.
The structure will be able to function normally for some time, but its service life will be significantly reduced. If you're lucky, you'll notice problems not when your favorite car is lifted. If you are unlucky, the consequences can be very dangerous and unpleasant.
Experts do not recommend pouring brake fluid into the jack. It contains too much water, which in a confined space of a lift, especially one that is rarely used, will quickly lead to the appearance of rust.
Experts do not identify any other “contraindications,” but still be careful and do not try to save money by purchasing products from an unknown manufacturer or lubricants similar to oil. This is the only way to protect the device from destruction.
Skyway S018010050
Production - China
Warranty - 1 year
Cost - 1179 rubles
The jack has a split metal insert under the car's sill, as well as a handle hook that is a different design than all the others, with a twist handle, which is short for palm grip. Inside the original packaging there is a warranty card, instructions for use and a branded bag for transporting and storing the jack. Neither on the jack itself nor on the packaging was it possible to find a single sign of circulation of the product on the market of the Eurasian Economic Union, indicating the certification of this product.
Oils recommended for use in hydraulic jacks
There is also such a list and it includes mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants. The specific choice depends on the weather conditions in which the device will be operated.
In regions with warm winters, where the air temperature does not drop below -15 degrees, an inexpensive mineral water will do. Car enthusiasts living in the middle zone should pay attention to “synthetics”. Those who are familiar with harsh winters will have to invest in semi-synthetic oil.
If we talk about specific options, experts consider the following to be interesting in terms of price-quality ratio:
- Mineral oil I-20A belongs to the industrial class, but has universal characteristics that work well in various devices and mechanisms.
- Mobil SHC 524 synthetic fluid - provides an increase in the jack's maintenance interval, guarantees good filtration and increases the wear resistance of the structure.
- Semi-synthetic fill ISO VG 32 - intended for use in difficult climatic conditions and under frequent loads. In other words, it is appreciated by service station specialists who use the jack every day.
It is important to note: The oil and lubricant in the hydraulic jack is changed at least once a year if we are talking about private use, or monthly if the device is used in service centers.
Airline AJ-R-02
Production - China
Warranty - 1 year
Cost — 1049 rub.
The jack is packed in a branded box, on which photographs of the product are visible from different angles. The jack is equipped with a folding handle with a rubber joint at one end and a hook at the other. There is a bag with a black logo for easy storage and transportation, as well as a universal passport with the characteristics of all types of jack products and a warranty card. The jack is painted in orange powder paint and has an additional rubber loading pad to prevent damage to the raised part of the vehicle.
General procedure for changing oil in a bottle jack
You can change the oil in a bottle jack, as it is sometimes called, yourself. And this needs to be done immediately after you notice changes in the smoothness of the mechanism’s raising/lowering. Follow the step by step instructions:
- Drain the oil through a special connector. Be patient and careful.
- Disassemble the lift to be able to clean it of dirt and corrosive deposits.
- Check the condition of the sealing elements and, if necessary, replace them with new ones.
- Reassemble the structure and lower it to the minimum.
- Turn the valve all the way and press the stem firmly.
- Remove the plug from the top of the cylinder.
- Fill in new oil and lubricant and pump the piston several times to make sure that there are no air bubbles left.
When pouring, use an oil can to avoid spilling liquid and getting everything dirty. And try not to lose the small ball while draining. It is this that serves as the valve, so operating the jack without the element will be impossible.
AVS JA-2000R
Production - China
Warranty - 1 year
Cost - 1209 rubles
Packaged in a branded cardboard box, the jack comes with a flip-up handle with a swivel hook for convenience, a universal warranty card, instruction manual and a branded jack case. The jack has a rubber gasket in the loading area to prevent damage to the vehicle's sill.
Overview of species
Today, several types of this product are used. Many people believe that, in principle, there is not much difference in how to fill the jack. You can fill in any product that is intended specifically for hydraulic equipment and tools, in particular for jacks. This is partly true, but each type of oil has its own specific properties that may be useful or even necessary in certain conditions. There are currently several different types of oils on the market with different characteristics.
Audi 7L6.011.031.B
Production - no data
Warranty - no data
Cost — 7030 rub.
The standard VAG jack supplied for the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 models does not have packaging, so it was not possible to obtain information about its supplier. They are also not included in the standard Audi dealer program. Only the cost and carrying capacity of the device are known. In addition, the jack has a number of design features that are absent on other samples.
The jack screw has fine threads, which increases the number of turns but reduces the torque required to produce lift. The counter-thread was not made in a steel pin, as in other samples, but in a special plastic spacer, which further reduces the friction force that occurs when the screw rotates. In addition, a removable plastic attachment for the fingers is placed on the base, through which the screw rotates, so with a little effort on the screw you can lift an ordinary car without even the handle.
The base on which the jack rotates is shaped like a hexagon, so that a 17mm socket can be placed on it and the car can be quickly lifted even with a wrench.
The handle is a 17mm ratchet wrench.
The synchronizers are made of 5 mm thick steel and welded to the jack frame: this guarantees a long service life without damaging the synchronizers, which is the main reason for the failure of conventional jacks with synchronizers stamped at the same time as the frame.
IMPORTANT! The main reason for failure of diamond jacks is lifting the car onto an uneven surface or the absence of blocks of blocks under the wheels that prevent it from moving.
The diamond jack is very demanding to follow these rules. In addition, to extend service life, it is necessary to prevent dry friction and the entry of dirt and dust into the “screw pin” pair. Make sure there is no grease or sand on the screw threads. If the screw is dry, then before starting work it is necessary to remove dust and sand and lubricate the screw
