Hydraulic landing gear problem

[Newblue]

I have an electric over hydraulic landing gear for an enclosed trailer. When the truck is unhooked and the landing gear is being retracted, the unit will be jumpy sometimes until I release the button and start over again. What would cause this?

 

[MarkV]

I saw the title of your post and though, I sure don't want to fly with him. Sounds a bit like you might be getting air into the system somehow. I'll assume you have checked the fluid levels.

MarkV

 

[oldnslo]

Does the landing gear raise smoothly? If yes probably not an oil issue. What could be happening is as you are lowering the front of the trailer the weight of the trailer could be causing the Pilot operated check to chatter open and closed. This could depend on the weight on the landing gear, ambient temp, etc.

This is based on the assumption there are P.O. checks on the landing gear.

Better explanation of what is happening:
The weight of the trailer tongue is heavy enough to collapse or retract the landing gear without any pressure( like lowering a FEL). This causes the loss of pilot pressure to keep the check open. The check closes, pressure builds and opens the check valve, pressure falls, the check closes, etc..

Does your landing gear have a valve for controlling the rate or speed at which the gear moves? If yes possibly try adjusting this a little to slow down the retract speed. Make small adjustments since to closing this valve to much will cause the pump to go to relief pressure and create heat.

Roy

 

[Newblue]

Good thing I've never flown a plane! I have not checked the fluid level yet but it only jitters when coming down. There is somewhere between 3K to 5K pin weight on the trailer so I think there is plenty of pressure when it retracts. I wish I had the manual for this or a website to go to but I could not find either. It's wierd though, It will start jittering then I will release the button (up/down rocker - no speed control) and when I push the down button again it will go down smoothly.

 

[tlbuser]

Could be a bad seal also (hard and brittle). Which brand of jack do you have?

 

[Newblue]

Could be a bad seal also (hard and brittle). Which brand of jack do you have?

Hard to tell what brand it is in its location. It is in between the two doors on the aluminum diamond plate.