Instruction Manual
Figure 2 - Illustration to bleed air from system
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BEFORE USE
1.  Before  using  this  product,  read  the  owner's  manual 
completely  and  familiarize  yourself  thoroughly  with  the 
product,  its  components  and  recognize  the  hazards 
associated with its use.
2. Verify that the product and the application are compatible. 
If  in  doubt,  call  BVA  Hydraulics  Technical  Service  (888) 
332-6419.
3. Inspect before each use. Do not use if bent, broken, leaking 
or damaged components are noted.
4. 
Replace worn or damaged parts and assemblies with BVA 
Hydraulics authorized replacement parts only. Lubricate as 
instructed in Maintenance Section.
5. Ensure method of conrming load is accurate and working 
properly.  Have  gauge  or  load  cell  accuracy  veried  by 
qualied personnel on a yearly basis.
OPERATION
Operate the hydraulic pump to advance and retract the cylinder. 
Do  not  continue  pumping  when  cylinder  is  fully  extended. 
Internal pressure will build up and may damage the seal of 
the cylinder.
WARNING:    To  help  prevent  material  fatigue  if  the 
cylinder is  to be used  in a continuous  application, the 
load should not exceed 85% of the rated capacity.
WARNING:  Your cylinder, hose(s), couplings and pump 
all  must  be  rated  for  the  same  maximum  operating 
pressure, correctly connected and compatible with the 
hydraulic uid used. An improperly matched system can 
cause the system to fail.
WARNING:  All personnel must be clear before lowering 
load.
MAINTENANCE
1.  Inspect  hoses  and  connections  daily.  Replace  damaged 
components immediately with BVA Hydraulics Replacement 
Parts only.
2. Tighten connections as needed. Use pipe thread  sealing 
compound when servicing connections.
3. Always use clean, approved hydraulic uid and change as 
recommended or sooner if the uid becomes contaminated 
(never  exceed  400  hours).  Follow  pump  manufacturers 
instructions for changing and adding hydraulic uid.  Use 
only  good  quality  hydraulic  uid.  We  recommend  Mobil 
DTE13M or equivalent when using with hand pump or air 
pump; BVA Hydraulics Oil (F01) or equivalent when using 
with electric pump. Never use brake uid, transmission uid, 
turbine oil, motor oil, alcohol, glycerin etc. Use of other than 
good quality hydraulic oil will void warranty and damage the 
cylinder, pump, hose etc.
4. 
Use an approved, high-grade pipe thread sealant to seal all 
hydraulic connections. Teon tape can be used if only one layer 
of tape is used and it is applied carefully (two threads back) to 
prevent the tape from being introduced into hydraulic system. 
A piece of tape could travel through the system and obstruct 
the ow of uid and adversely affect function.
Lubrication & Cleaning
Keep cylinder clean at all times.
1. Any exposed threads (male or female) must be cleaned and 
lubricated regularly, and protected from damage. Lubricate 
with light machine oil.
2. If  a  cylinder  or  ram  has  been  exposed  to  rain,  snow, 
sand, airborne abrasive, or any corrosive  environment, it 
must be cleaned, lubricated, and protected  immediately 
after exposure. Daily clean exposed ram with clean cloth 
dampened with light machine oil. Protect exposed ram from 
the elements at all times.
3. Keep the hydraulic system as free of dirt as possible. When 
not in use, couplers must be sealed with dust covers. All 
hose  connections  must  be  free  of  dirt  and  grime. Any 
equipment attached to the cylinder must be kept clean.
Storage
Cylinders  should  be  stored  vertically  with  ram  plunger  fully 
retracted in  a dry, protected  area, not exposed to corrosive 
vapor, dust or other harmful elements. When a cylinder has 
not been used for a period of 4 months, it should be connected 
to a pump and fully extended and then retracted a minimum 
of 5 times. This cycle will lubricate the cylinder wall, reducing 
the possibility of corrosion and damage thereof.
How to remove faulty coupler:
If cylinder does not retract,:
1. Secure load by other means.
2. Depressurize pump and hose.
3. Remove the cylinder from application.
4. Disconnect and replace with new coupler.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to grasp with pliers or wrench 
without rst wrapping the jaws of such tool with rags or similar 
padding.
How to bleed air from system:
1. Place pump at a higher elevation than the hose and cylinder 
as shown in gure 2 below.
2. Operate pump to fully extend and retract the cylinder 2 or 3 
times. The objective is to force the air bubbles up hill and 
back to the pump reservoir.
3. Follow pump instruction manual to bleed the air from pump 
reservoir. On most pumps, air can escape by opening the 
oil ller plug/screw.
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