How to Change the Oil in a Meyer Snow Plow

Meyer snow plows use hydraulic pressure to operate the pistons that operate the plow. Hydraulic oil, or fluid, is subject to contamination during normal use with air, water and dirt becoming trapped in the system. Contaminated fluid is subject to deterioration, and the more a unit is used, the more rapidly the fluid can break down. Changing the oil in a Meyer snow plow takes only a few minutes, and should be done regularly to keep the mechanism operating smoothly.

Things You'll Need

• Socket wrench set
• Torque wrench
• 3-foot hydraulic hose
• 2 hose couplers
• Empty plastic bottle
• Hydraulic fluid flush
• Fresh hydraulic fluid

Instructions

1. Disconnect the plow from the receiver. Open the drain on the fluid reservoir on the plow's pump with the socket wrench. Drain the fluid, and remove and clean the filter with hydraulic flush. Replace the filters and drain plug. Tighten the cover bolts with the torque wrench to 75- to 85-inch-lbs. Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid.

2. Turn the plow so it is face down, and set the bars to center. Disconnect the hose coupler from one piston and insert it into the empty plastic bottle. Attach one coupler to each end of the 3-foot hose and attach one end to the piston you removed the hose from and insert the other end onto the empty plastic bottle.

3. Place the bottle, with both hoses inserted, on the ground in a spot that is below the level of the pistons. Push the plow bar all the way to one side, compressing the cylinder on that side of the plow, emptying the fluid into the bottle. Push the bar to the opposite side, compressing and emptying the opposite cylinder.

4. Remove the hose attached to the collapsed cylinder from the drain bottle. Wipe it clean with the rag and insert it into the bottle of flush. Be sure the hose goes to the bottom of the bottle. Push the mounting bars to the opposite side, opening the collapsed cylinder while collapsing the open one. Remove the hose from the bottle of flush and disconnect it from the closed cylinder.

5. Remove the hose connected to the open cylinder from the bottle, wipe clean, and attach it to the coupler on the closed cylinder so that the two cylinders are linked. Push the bars from side to side, working the flush through both of the pistons. Allow the flush to set inside each piston for at least five minutes. Re-drain the system. If the flush looks excessively dirty, repeat the flushing procedure.

6. Clean the hose attached to the collapsed cylinder and insert it into the bottle of fresh fluid, being certain the hose reaches the bottom of the bottle. Push the mounting bars to the opposite side, drawing fresh fluid into the expanding cylinder. Remove the hose from the fluid, wipe clean, and attach the coupler to the open cylinder. Move the bar to center.

7. Reattach the plow to the vehicle and, using the plow controls, work the plow from side to side approximately 10 times to bleed air from the system. Top off the reservoir with fresh fluid.

References

• Hydraulics and Pneumatics: Hydraulic Fluid
• Snow Plow Contractors: Changing your hydraulic fluid

Resources

• MTS testing Solutions: Hydraulic Fluid Care Guide
• Meyer: Owner's Manuals