Hydraulic Jack Oil and its Fluid Properties

Each and every hydraulic system in use will definitely contain any type of hydraulic fluid. But, not a common hydraulic fluid is used in all applications. One needs to be utmost careful while choosing an appropriate hydraulic fluid for any system. For that, it is important to understand the properties of hydraulic fluid. Every fluid must be selected for a hydraulic system, by considering all the desired properties the fluid should exhibit. 

         As you know, jack oils are the fluid used in hydraulic jacks to easily lift any heavy object with a small applied force.  You can find hydraulic jack applications in material handling equipment, earthmoving equipment, and everywhere in the automobile workshops. It will be evident to you that this jack works on the basis of hydraulics. This article is to provide you with more details regarding hydraulic jack oil. It also, includes common jack oil varieties, hydraulic jack oil features, jack oil grades, and more.

          What is hydraulic jack oil and how is it different from ordinary hydraulic fluids? The answer is clear: hydraulic jack oil is a hydraulic fluid used for power generation, sealing, heat transfer, lubrication, and more. However, we differentiate these fluids on the basis of their properties. Most of the commonly used hydraulic jack oils are mineral oils that are insoluble in water. There are certain other hydraulic fluid properties that are necessary for hydraulic fluid, to use it with a hydraulic jack. Those hydraulic jack fluid properties are listed below.

• Viscosity: The hydraulic jack fluids are viscous fluids within the range of 22 cSt to 32 cSt @ 40°C. Maintaining the required viscosity is necessary for the smooth lifting operation of hydraulic jacks and hoisters. When the viscosity reduces, the lubrication property of fluid will decrease and damage the system components. Similarly, when viscosity increases, the jack oil flow will be interrupted and cause difficulty in lift/hoist. 
• Thermal Stability: Hydraulic jacks and hoists work at different temperatures. So, it is important for the hydraulic system to maintain the fluid properties to be compatible with extreme cold and hot operating conditions. That is when operating temperature changes, the system needs to adapt to that change without affecting the properties of jack oil. It is necessary to improve the thermal and chemical stability to enhance fluid life.
• Non-Corrosive: Most of the hydraulic jacks and hoists will contain metal surfaces. So, if non-compatible hydraulic oil for jacks is used, it can damage the metal surfaces of the jack. This is why non-corrosive hydraulic jack fluids are used.
• Filterability: Contaminated jack oil can be a reason for filter blockage. These blockages will resist the flow of fluid through the jack/hoist system and create difficulty in lifting loads. So, the hydraulic jack oil needs to be clean and filterable for smooth and efficient performance.

         Hydrolytic stability, fire resistance, anti-wear properties, anti-oxidant properties, etc… are some other required properties for hydraulic jack oil. ISO 150 and 8W32 Hydraulic jack oil are the commonly recommended hydraulic jack oil types that offer most of the mentioned properties. These jack oil types are normally mineral oil with some added addictives like anti-rust, anti-wear, anti-oxidant, cold flow, etc...  

          In hydraulic jacks/hoists, commonly detected problems are due to inappropriate fluid selection and low fluid levels. When the wrong hydraulic fluid is selected or when your system has a low fluid level, it will negatively affect the smooth performance of the hydraulic jack. To eliminate this problem, it is important to check the fluid level regularly and refill/replace the existing fluid with compatible jack oil as required.