How to Maintain a Bottle Jack

Editor:Lituo Machinery │ Release Time:2025-04-09 

Bottle jacks are one of the most common lifting tools in daily car repairs and industrial operations. They are widely favored for their small size, strong load-bearing capacity, and simple use. However, even the best tools need regular maintenance and care, otherwise they will affect efficiency or cause danger. Today we will talk about how to properly maintain and maintain bottle jacks?

1. Regular inspections to detect problems early and deal with them early

One of the most common problems with bottle jacks is oil leakage in the hydraulic system, stuck lifting or unable to return to position. To avoid these situations, be sure to perform the following inspections before and after each use:

Inspection content includes:

  • Whether the outer shell is cracked or deformed

  • Whether there are oil stains on the surface of the hydraulic cylinder
  • Whether the piston rises and falls smoothly
  • Whether there is an abnormal sound or shaking

If oil leakage or inability to rise and fall is found, stop using it immediately and check the oil level or whether there is internal damage.

bottle jacks

2. Regularly replace the hydraulic oil to keep it "powerful"

Hydraulic oil is the "blood" of the bottle jack, playing multiple roles such as transmission, lubrication, and rust prevention. It is recommended to replace the hydraulic oil every year or every 6 months if it is used frequently.

The replacement steps are as follows:

  1. Lower the jack and completely release the internal pressure;

  2. Unscrew the oil release screw to discharge the old oil;

  3. Wipe the internal residue with a clean cloth;

  4. Inject new, qualified hydraulic oil;

  5. Operate the lifting and lowering several times, exhaust the air and check the sealing.

Note: Never use inferior or mismatched hydraulic oil, which will cause problems such as damage to the seal ring and reduced efficiency.

3. Maintain the seals to avoid "internal injuries"

The seal ring is a key part to ensure that the hydraulic system does not leak. It will age or wear after long-term use. You can refer to the following methods:

  • Avoid impurities from entering the hydraulic oil system

  • Keep the bottle plug sealed when not in use to avoid dust and moisture intrusion

  • If oil leakage or slow lifting is found, first check whether the seal ring is worn and deformed

You can buy a matching seal set in a professional store for replacement, which is simple and convenient.

4. Anti-rust and moisture-proof, extend the service life

The bottle jack is mostly made of steel structure. If it is in a humid environment for a long time, it is very easy to rust or even get stuck. Here are a few tips:

  • Put it in a dry and ventilated place when not in use

  • Apply a layer of lubricating oil to the piston rod to prevent oxidation

  • Avoid long-term outdoor storage or immersion in water

  • Clean and oil it regularly, especially the threads and hinges

5. Proper use is also a kind of "maintenance"

Wrong use will greatly shorten the life of the bottle jack. For example:

Overload use: Exceeding the rated tonnage can easily cause structural deformation or even bursting;

Use on tilted or soft ground: unstable and easy to tip over, injuring people and damaging property;

Long-term support: Bottle jacks are not suitable for long-term load support and should be used with brackets.

Complying with the instruction manual is the most basic respect for the tool and the key to extending its life.

bottle-jack

6. "Three Do's and Three Don'ts" during Storage

Three Do's:

  • Put away the piston rod to avoid long-term exposure

  • Check and test the function regularly

  • Keep away from high temperatures, humidity and corrosive substances

Three Don'ts:

  • Don't put heavy objects on the jack for a long time

  • Don't use it casually in extremely cold or hot environments

  • Don't violently operate or disassemble structural parts

Conclusion: Small maintenance brings great safety

Although the bottle jack is small, it can "lift heavy things with ease" at critical moments. Proper maintenance not only extends the life of the tool, but also ensures the safety of the user. I hope that today's article can help you better understand the maintenance skills of the bottle jack and add a sense of peace of mind to your daily maintenance.

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