Laycock Pillar lift... HELP!!!

[Bayside]

Hi Guys,

I have a two pillar Laycock vehicle lift that Im using for my build. The unit has been sat idle for a while outside the workshop (its permanent home) but had been working perfectly until around seven or eight months ago.

In order to reinstate it I cleaned the pick up filter and changed the hydraulic oil before flicking the switch and hoping for some movement (no weight on it at the time). Alas no movement

The motor spins up no problem it is a model that has direct drive to the pump unit above the hydraulic reservoir that I could see and therefore no belt slip causing lack of drive to the pump.

There is suction at the pick-up point in the reservoir.

No leaks that I can see

Any ideas?

Does the system need to be primed or bled?

Headed to the yard tomorrow to see if I can work it out but some pointers would be VERY helpful!

[Bayside]

its normally an o ring on a non return valve a round flap type, i did this for a living about 20 years ago, i dont recall the model but bradbury lifts used to suffer the same. could be the non return valve is just stuck open dunno any more details?

Thanks for the input

Ill take a photo of the unit and the pump workings tommorrow and post them to see if it jogs a memory.

Ill have a poke around in the morning and see if I can figure out anything else that could be wrong didnt really have time today.

If I cant locate the return valve maybe you can mark it up on one of the photos.

[Webbo]

Could be the pressure relief valve letting by at low pressure, is it a hand operated spool valve ? If so is that operating correctly ? Is there anywhere you can fit a pressure gauge to check the pressure could be the pump. Should not need to be bled as it would be an open loop Hydraulic system.

[Bayside]

Could be the pressure relief valve letting by at low pressure, is it a hand operated spool valve ? If so is that operating correctly ? Is there anywhere you can fit a pressure gauge to check the pressure could be the pump. Should not need to be bled as it would be an open loop Hydraulic system.

Im new to these peices of kit and hydraulics so trying to identify the items listed in the posts. How do I know if its a hand operated spool valve?

It has a long lever to operate the switch I would imagine that this also mechanically operates something in a valve - I take it this is what you mean rather than it having a up down switched button control panel?

[Bayside]

check this stuff out too...most of it is bolox spares, but the odd o ring etc might sort your issue look in particular at the control valve service kit, im suspecting the ptfe/nylon ball is worn...its a long shot, but i bet that acts as a non return valve.

If the valve is hand operated will I find it at the end of the control lever? I take it that the unit can be split down and the ball / seals replaced?
heres another source but i think they are calling the non return valve the releif valve, its probably only an o ring not over £100 of spare part.

Hoping I can find a cheap fix rather than forking out that much. Its not my lift so hopefully I can split the cost with him.

this might be your culprit on the other hand i might just be burbling as ive just noticed the time

Im headed to the yard today so will try to get the pics and have a proper look at how the unit works.

[Webbo]

Im new to these peices of kit and hydraulics so trying to identify the items listed in the posts. How do I know if its a hand operated spool valve?

It has a long lever to operate the switch I would imagine that this also mechanically operates something in a valve - I take it this is what you mean rather than it having a up down switched button control panel?

Sorry, A hand operated spool valve in your case would most likely have three pipes going into it, Flow/pressure in flowing through the valve back to tank.Probably one pipe going out to lifting rams if it comes down on own weight. If its electricly operated which by your description it probably is, you will have the switch/lever will electricly operate a solinoid valve which will be mounted to a block of metal/manifold. You may need to start from there ie making sure the switch has power, is sending power to the solinoid and the solinoid is working. As you say its been standing outside it may just be an electrical conection. Hope this helps.

[Bayside]

Ok Ill take a look a report back

From memory there is one pipe out to the ram and when the lever is switched to down the motor does not spin (making me think its a gravity return) - although with the arms on the floor it may be that it does not activate as it is at its lowest point.

[Webbo]

It should lift from any point, have a look send some pics maybe.

[Bayside]

Ok Its been a while but finally got to have a proper look at the Pillar lift and took some photos so that it would make it clearer what Im talking about.










Ok so we had the tank off the bottom and tried the following:

Jacking up the arms on the ram side to try to prime the system..... wouldnt budge

Cracked open the unions and making sure that the pick up was in the oil bled the air out of the system.... no joy

Then noticed that the oil coming back out of the return was cloudy probably just cavitation - the oil in the tank was fresh.

Also saw that no matter which way the pump was engaged ie in the up or down position there was no movement at the ram and the return feed flowed continuously.... does this mean that the return valve may be busted or jammed open? Or does this signal the potential O ring issue mentions above?

Hopefully the pictures will allow someone to point out what the bits are that are the likely culprits - It looks simple but is causing no end of head scratching.

[meooo]

Is the ram corroded and seized up?

[Webbo]

Have you tried stripping what looks like the pressure relief valve ? The one with the lock nut and large threaded bolt on the pressure side of the pump, as mentioned could be letting by .

[Bayside]

The bit that has the big black thing that looks like a nut and below it a three way piece of plumbing?

Hang on Ill do a pic!

[Bayside]

Bit in the Red box or bit in the Blue box below (Pic 1)?



Bit in the Red box or bit in the white box below (Pic 2)?



Answers on a postcard.......

[Bayside]

I think the relief valve is the bit in the red box in Pic 1

Can these parts be stripped and rebuilt or cleaned out or is it new part time when they get stuck? Im hoping they can be cleaned up as they are NOT cheap things to replace!

In relation to the rams they are ok no corrosion that can be seen but its retracted at present.

[Webbo]

White box take it apart, clean it and if needed wind bolt in to increase pressure.