How to identify the source of a hydraulic oil leak on a Quikstak "smart-stacker" from Simpro.
The hydraulic circuit on a Quikstak is very simple, and the potential sources of an oil leak are:
- The ram seal in the top of the ram
- The weld on the ram head
- The weld on the ram base
- The hose connection to the ram
- The hose connection to the power-pack
- The oil filler plug
- The connection of the tank to the power-pack body
It is important to correctly identify the source of any leaking oil, if a leak is to be repaired quickly and efficiently.
Oil can sometimes run, pool, or drip which can lead persons to assume a leak is coming from some place other than the actual fault site.
If the source of the leak is not immediately apparent, use the following procedure:
- Wipe all oil off the machine with a clean rag. Raise the forks fully and wipe the body of the lift ram all around. If there is any oil sitting on the ram support bracket on the front of the chassis, wipe that up. Also wipe underneath the chassis as oil can sometimes accumulate there.
- Remove the access panel, and separate the batteries slightly to give access to the filler plug. Unscrew the plug and make sure the oil level is at least 2cm below the top of the tank when the forks are right down. If the oil is white-coloured and foamy there may be a fault with the pump shaft seal, or the machine may have been overloaded. This can make the oil get hot and expand, causing it to overflow out the filler plug. This is not a machine fault and requires a change in operating procedures to resolve.
- If the oil level is OK, put a load on the forks, raise a little, and leave overnight or for several hours. Raise the forks fully, and look to see where oil has leaked. If the ram seal or head weld is leaking, there will be a film of oil down the body of the ram. If it is the bottom weld or the hose-to-ram fitting, oil will be sitting in the ram mount bracket. If it is the hose-to-power-pack fitting, oil will have dripped onto the chassis, then run through and dripped on the floor under the machine.
- If it appears to have come from a hose fitting, firstly check that the connections are tight.
- One other possibility is the joint between the tank and the power-pack body. If this is faulty it will leak the same regardless of whether there is any load on the forks or not.
Once the source of the leak has been identified contact Simpro or an agent for details as to how to repair it.