Removing air from the hydraulic system

How to tell if there is air in the system.

Hydraulic system operation should be instant and smooth. For every pump stroke, the cylinder should rise evenly. If the cylinder movement is erratic or jerky, there may be air in the system.

How to remove air from the system

Air will always go to the highest point in the system. This includes the inside of the cylinder plunger. That is why the cylinder must be turned upside down (single-acting) or laid on its side (doubleacting) to get the air out.

(NOTE: double-acting cylinders must have the couplers facing up.)

Fully advance and retract the cylinder 2 or 3 times.You can usually hear the air escaping through the reservoir.