Harbor Freight Engine Cherry Picker / Lifting an Engine

So, maybe it's just me or maybe the Harbor Freight instructions just suck, but I'm trying to put hydraulic fluid into my 2 ton Harbor Freight Cherry Picker so that I can lift my engine and fix my motor mounts or add shims. The instructions mention to remove an oil fill cap and to pour oil into the cylinder until it overflows; however, nowhere else in the entire instruction manual does it mention which hole is the oil fill hole. So, naturally I look at the cylinder and say, "Hey there is this rubber fitting and this hole is at the highest point of the cylinder, maybe that's it." So, I yank the rubber fitting, which was a pain in the butt since it's tapered, and grab my bottle of hydraulic fluid and dribble it inside. Not knowing if it's doing anything or even filling, I say to myself, "Let's test to see if it's actually doing anything." I grab the rubber fitting to put it on and due to the taper it doesn't want to go back in the hole.

So, I'm just guessing here, but I did something wrong, right?

Any tips or advice? Is there another way to adjust my motor mounts without using a cherry picker?

I've done it for many years by putting the floor jack under the oil sump. With a piece of plywood or 6x6 between the pan and jack pad to spread out the weight better.

That's actually not a bad idea. Thanks!

As far as putting the rubber plug back in, put some vasoline on the plug, it should go in easier.

That's the right hole for oil. Fill it and work the plug back in.

I was able to lift the engine and make spacers using Tom's method, but I will keep chugging with the hydraulic cylinder.

When you fill the lift cylinder, be sure the rod is completely down inside the cylinder, or when it goes back in, the oil will run out the fill hole. Gene

A lot of those rubber plugs need to be stretched out with an allen wrench or other suitable thin rod in order to be put back in the hole. That is, if it has a place in the center to put the rod.

...and don't punch a hole in the rubber with the allen wrench...


Might have to use a small screwdriver to push the lip into the hole, working it around the hole a little at a time. Do it easy like, with care.

agreed

I had a toy back in late 70s or early 80s that used rubber rivits to hold panels and parts together. The "riviter" was a tool that grabbed the head and stretched the body of the rubber rivit so it would squeeze through the holes. I think you need that tool.

It'll go back in, just be careful. My china cherry picker came pre-filled with oil. In fact I've never had any hydraulic cylinder that I had to add oil too unless it leaked out.

Rivitron! I had that too!

This may sound funny but try twisting (screwing) it back in rather than pushing straight on it.

I've used the sharpened point of a wooden pencil to plug holes in quite a few situations like that. Cut it about a 1" for easy handling

wipe the area around the hole, and let the graphite in the pencil lead work.

Interesting pencil tricks. Thanks!

I'm not sure the cherry picker I have has had that plug for the last 5 years. A wrap around the ram with electrical tape and it's good to go.

How about a self tapping screw of the appropriate size with a rubber washer.

I like the way you think.

First, did you try it to see if it works? I've never had to add oil to any cylinder either.

Duct tape!

I never had to ad oil to my cherry picker but to bottle jacks. The rubber plugs are difficult to get in but I have used a small screw driver to work it in. I have also lost the rubber plug upon removal , bing and it was gone forever. The duct tap method was used and has been on for years.

OMG...

Harbor Freight sells an engine support bar, I have used mine for shimming motor mounts, header installs, FWD car timing belt jobs, evn FWD clutch jobs (it can even help put the FWD trans back in while still supporting the eng)

Even my complete front end detail/rebuild.... look Ma "No K frame"

i whipped up an engine support bar from a chunk of "unistrut", that generic 1 1/2" or so square tube with one open side and all the slotted 1/2" or so holes in the opposing side. works great, is cheap, readily available at almost any hardware store and home improvement centers, and support ends and hooks are easy to come up with. unfortunately, i don't have any pics of it in use.

Yes I did! Because of that I ended up reading the instructions which states, "Hyrdaulic Oil Not Included."

Did the instructions say how to remove and install the rubber plug? LOL

Its really not that hard guys. A little lube and push it in.

The instructions didn't even refer that the plug was the fill hole.

I got hair plugs. Pretty successful. Use the Bosley Method.

I bought the Orange one from Harbor Freight, it had oil in it.