Porto-Power Operation and Use

      side away from the swing of the door. The jaws tend to move out of their position if the members

      being stressed do not distort or displace. The handclosest to the tips should be placed on top of the

      cylinder, palm down. The other hand, placed at the other end of the cylinder, palm up. By doing

      this, should the jaws jump out they will be directed down toward the ground, from the face and

      torso.

  3. Air in the system or low oil supply will cause the porto-power's force to be greatly diminished. Any

      leakage around the ram cylinder seals or pump packing will reduce the power also. To remedy this,

      bleed off the air in the system, as with hydraulic brakes in cars. Pump the ram to full extension

      without applied load, placing the pump and hydraulic fluid reservoir at a level above the cylinder.

      This allows the air bubbles in the system to rise toward the highest point (the reservoir). Leave the

      pressure release closed for 2 - 3 minutes. Then apply load to the ram and open the release the

      valve allowing the ram to rapidly retract, forcing the hydraulic fluid and air bubbles into the

      reservoir, if this is done two or three times, and the reservoir is full of fluid, as recommended, the

      ram should work properly.

  4. Some porto-powers have provisions for the reservoir to be vented during pump operation that

      prevents a possible partial vacuum from being formed in the reservoir when the fluid is drawn

      through the pump.

  5. It is important that as much of the “dead” empty space be filled in before force is exerted. The most

      efficient pushing force of a ram’s travel is within the first half of its extended length, and if that travel

      is simply “taking out the slack" between two points in a wreckage, much more effort will be

      required. To let off the pressure - insert cribbing blocks to stabilize the load and slowly open the

      pressure release valve.

  6. Wooden blocks (preferably oak 4" x 4" blocks) can be used to crib or cross-block and support

      the displaced or moved mass in case of system failure. In addition, as the amount of travel

      increases, the mass supported becomes more unstable, making secondary support necessary.

F. Displacing a Steering Column

  1. Removal of the steering column should be accomplished by pushing the column rather than pulling

      due to the possibility of tilt steering columns or the steering columns on front-wheel drive vehicles

      coming back into the passenger compartment.

  2. Attach flat base to bottom of ram cylinder.

  3. Attach female to male adapter to plunger.

  4. Measure distance between rocker panel or seat bracket to bottom of steering column and insert

      necessary extensions using lock-on connectors, as needed.

  5. Put 90-degree V-wedge on extension to secure it to steering column.

  6. Make sure ram is pushing at a right angle to the steering column to minimize ram slipping as

      pressure is applied.

  7. Hold pump in hands with hose downward, close relief valve, and begin pumping slowly while

      watching column movement.

  8. Cease pumping when sufficient space has been achieved for the rescue

G. Partial Roof Removal

  1. Use cutting tools such as a hacksaw or a reciprocating saw to cut the posts

  2. Cut a notch approximately three inches deep on each side of the roof near the beginning of the

      Cpost.

  3. Attach flat base to bottom of ram cylinder.

  4. Attach female to male adapter to plunger.

  5. Measure distance between rocker panel to bottom edge of the roof near the A-post and insert

      necessary extensions using lock-on connectors, as needed.

  6. Put 90-degree V-wedge on extension to secure it to the roof edge.

  7. Make sure that ram is pushing at a right angle to the roof to minimize ram slipping as pressure is

      applied.

  8. Hold pump in hands with hose downward, close relief valve, and begin pumping slowly while