How to Fill a Craftsman 3-Ton Hydraulic Jack

by Tom Goode

Common hydraulic jacks permit lifting the heavy weight of vehicles with relatively low jacking force on the hand-operated handle. Each jack will have a design range, in particular, a minimum and a maximum height. A low hydraulic jack oil reservoir may decrease the maximum available height. The fairly simple procedure of adding oil to the reservoir when necessary can prevent losses in maximum jack height. The process involved in adding oil to the Craftsman 3-ton hydraulic floor jack also applies to many other models.

Step 1

Locate the round fill plug with Phillips-type slots in the top located just forward of the jack handle pivot point and centered side to side. Clean carefully around the plug area to prevent getting dirt into the reservoir when removing the fill plug.

Step 2

Lower the jack completely and use a large Phillips screwdriver to remove the fill plug. Add hydraulic jack oil to bring the oil level to the bottom of the fill hole and replace the plug.

Step 3

Open the floor jack release valve by turning the jack handle counter-clockwise. Move the jack handle up and down sharply several times to purge any air that may have gotten into the system.

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