Check to see that it is clean and oiled. On jacks equipped with wheels, check the wheels and springs suspension assemblies to make sure they re in good condition. Towing or dragging these jacks around with broken wheels will damage the frame or reservoir. Since many leaks in jacks will only appear when the jack is under a load, be sure to watch for leaks when you are jacking the aircraft. Don t leave a defective jack where someone else may use it.
Directional stability is poor, and pushing one into position around an aircraft is no simple chore.
Trying to move or position a tripod jack by yourself is hazardous. If the jack is dirty and covered with grease or fluid, it s even more hazardous. It s not hard to damage an aircraft tire, wheel brake assembly, hydraulic lines, landing gear door, or any other pact of an aircraft if you re not careful and ram it with a jack. Movement of jacks aboard ship when there is any pitch or roll of the deck is extremely hazardous. Even with a calm sea, a smart turn into the wind by the ship while you re moving an airframe jack can be disastrous.