Hydraulic platform issue and easy fix
Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 10:12 pm
We pulled the boat home from storage at the lake to try to do some prep before summer. Somewhere along the 80 mile ride, the swim platform rendered itself to the lowered position. I was concerned, but not overly so. I didn't definitely didn't express it to the wife. After charging the batteries, I found the platform would not raise. I cracked a hydraulic line and got fluid, so things were looking up. Shortly after the platform would raise to about half and then stop. It almost looked in a bind, and would go no higher after several attempts.
I disconnected both rams from the platform and backed the nuts on the hull out to about the last two threads which gave me enough wiggle room to get the rams off. Then I had my son exercise the rams full retract to full extend about 20 times. It took the first 5 to get a full retraction. I'm guessing/hoping that they bled down over the winter and then were jarred loose on the ride home. Then, I had to get the air out to get back to a working platform. I'll feel better about it in the morning if the platform hasn't moved.
Just thought this might come in handy in the future.
I disconnected both rams from the platform and backed the nuts on the hull out to about the last two threads which gave me enough wiggle room to get the rams off. Then I had my son exercise the rams full retract to full extend about 20 times. It took the first 5 to get a full retraction. I'm guessing/hoping that they bled down over the winter and then were jarred loose on the ride home. Then, I had to get the air out to get back to a working platform. I'll feel better about it in the morning if the platform hasn't moved.
Just thought this might come in handy in the future.