How to Flush the Pump on Meyers Snow Plows

The last thing a Meyer snowplow owner wants is for a plow to be inoperative during a snowstorm. Moreover, when they're needed most is the time they usually break down. Proper maintenance procedures prevent most plow breakdowns. Regular inspections of the pump reveal any oil leaks present. The rule of thumb is, if oil can get out water can get in. In cold weather, water freezes and makes hydraulics inoperable. Repairing leaks is only one part of the problem. After repairs, flushing the pump is necessary to evacuate all water and contaminants from the system. Flushing the pump is relatively easy and takes less than 30 minutes to do.

Clear plastic jug
Floor jack
2 jack stands
Adjustable wrench
2 spare quick connect hoses with open ends
Flushing fluid
Hydraulic fluid

Instructions

- 1
  Slide a floor jack underneath the cross member of the truck. Jack the truck up high enough that the plow blade is off the ground. Support the frame of the vehicle by slipping a jack stand under each side of the frame and lowering jack.
- 2
  Slide the open ends of two spare quick connect hoses -- equipped with male couplings at the other end of the hoses -- into a clear plastic jug. Disconnect the quick connect hoses that run between the pump and the angle rams (at the angle rams) by sliding the collar on the female connector back and pulling the male connector on the hose out.
- 3
  Slip the male ends of the spare hoses into the female quick connectors, allowing the angle rams to drain. Move the plow from side to side by hand to forestall the hydraulic fluid out of the angle rams. Remove the spare hoses and reconnect the plow hoses.
- 4
  Open the drain hole on the bottom of the pump by turning it counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. Allow the oil in the pump to drain. Replace the drain plug.
- 5
  Open the plug in the fill hole on top of the pump by turning it counterclockwise with the adjustable wrench. Fill the pump with flushing fluid. Replace the filler plug.
- 6
  Operate the plow with the plow controls through all plow functions.
- 7
  Drain the pump as before. If the fluid comes out dirty, fill the pump with more flushing fluid and repeat as many times as it takes for the fluid to come out clean.
- 8
  Drain the pump as before. Drain the angle rams as before. Replace the drain plug in the pump and connect the hoses between the pump and the angle rams.
- 9
  Remove the filler plug. Fill the pump with hydraulic fluid. Replace the filler plug. Cycle the plow through all its functions using the plow controls in the truck to purge the air from the system.
- 10
  Remove the filler plug. Top off the pump with hydraulic fluid. Replace the filler plug.
- 11
  Jack the truck up under the cross member with the floor jack. Remove the jack stands. Lower the truck and remove the floor jack.

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