rvten wrote:
You want the slide/s EXTENDED and the Jacks retracted to check the fluid level. HWH has 2 versions of fluid level for slides. But, MOST will want the slides extended. Below is from HWH. Doug
Should my jacks and rooms be retracted to check fluid level?
If ALL the HYD oil is not back in the reservoir. You will not know if it needs oil or not. Every HYD system I have worked on. Had to be checked closed up. Jacks retracted.
If not when you do close it up. Oil will be coming out of the vent on the tank when you do close it up.
On MOST Hydraulic slide systems, there is NO or little oil used from the reservoir. When the slide ram(s) extend or retract, the oil pushed is used/replaced on the opposite side of the ram. There is little oil used out of the reservoir. That is why HWH states to check your specific HWH manual as some you check slides retracted and some (most) you check extended. BUT, the HWH reservoir holds about 6 to 8 qts depending on the model pump/reservoir. I always have at least 1 inch below to top of the reservoir which will account for either retracted or extended margin of error. ALL 4 jacks extended will usually use at most 2 qts oil. That leaves over 1 gallon for extra and any little used by the slide room/s. There is NO reason to fill to the top of the reservoir. Doug
