Help with issues with mid-rise lift

[BK911]

I bought the harbour freight mid lift rise about 2 months ago. I've finally gotten around to setting it up. It needs 220V so I wired it up to the dryer plug so I can just plug it in when needed without running another circuit.

The problem is... it doesn't work! I verified I am getting 220V to the motor. The motor spins, but the pump never primes. I have the reservoir filled with hydraulic fluid. The directions call for iso vg 32. I am using mobil dte 24 iso 32 hydraulic oil light. Is it the wrong fluid? Or does this thing need to be primed somehow?

Looking in the reservoir it doesn't look like anything is going on. WTF??

Help!!

Thanks,
BK

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by BK911

I bought the harbour freight mid lift rise about 2 months ago. I've finally gotten around to setting it up. It needs 220V so I wired it up to the dryer plug so I can just plug it in when needed without running another circuit.

The problem is... it doesn't work! I verified I am getting 220V to the motor. The motor spins, but the pump never primes. I have the reservoir filled with hydraulic fluid. The directions call for iso vg 32. I am using mobil dte 24 iso 32 hydraulic oil light. Is it the wrong fluid? Or does this thing need to be primed somehow?

Looking in the reservoir it doesn't look like anything is going on. WTF??

Help!!

Thanks,
BK

I have a Bend Pak mid rise, and IIRC, I had to crack open the hydraulic line where it attached to the lift to bleed it.

[M.D. Holloway]

Its the right fluid (BTW< my stuff never came?) - might have to bleed the lines - disconect thte return line and see what you get out.

[MotoSook]

There is no return line on the lift, just two lines going to the rams.

You'll have to loosen the fittings at the ram end of the feed line to bleed the air out.

I don't recall having to do that when I filled my HF lift the first time.

[BK911]

I don't even have the hose connected yet. I put my finger over the connection and can't feel any pressure at all. And when I look in the reservoir it doesn't look like anything is even trying to happen.

It's 240V single phase, so I can't have the pump spinning backwards, right?

And that's a negative on the fluid LubeMaster. I appreciate the attempt though.

[MotoSook]

It can't run in reverse (alternating current). Check that the releases/bleed valve isn't hung up. Use the lever on the release to push down on it and release, then try the pump.

My HF lift ran on 120 VAC even though they advertised 240 VAC. It has a normal grounded plug on it.

[BK911]

So Souk, you just wired yours up, added fluid, pushed the button and away it went? No bleeding or anything?

Maybe I need a bigger hammer?

[MotoSook]

Mine came with the plug already connected to the motor for 120 VAC service. I seem to recall installing the hydraulic lines. Then it was fluid and up it went.

I think even if you have air in the line, the pump should just push the air into the rams. Eventually with use the air will be worked out of the rams/system. This is probably why I can't remember bleeding my lift. It's been 4 or 5 years and I no longer have the lift.

If the motor is running on your lift, but there is no fluid moving out to the end of the hose, I would suspect the release valve is stuck open. So you're just circulating the fluid through the pump and back into the tank.

Try laying the motor dolley flat on the garage flow to burp any air out of the pump. Maybe even give the pump a blip or two.

[BK911]

Ok, I took out the check valve, hit the button, and the pump started blowing bubbles in the reservoir. I'd say it's trying to pump backwards. WTF is going on?!