Hydraulic systems still causing by issues

D

deanmyring

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2025
Messages
19
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Still in purchasing phase
So the lift for my hatch cover won’t work. I’ve filled the fluid resevoir and no luck
The trim tabs still functioning.
When I engage them, tho, the resevoir is all but emptied. This can’t be right. Not seeing a leak. Am I missing something ?
 
When the trim tabs are fully extended (down), the res fluid empties into the trim tabs hyd plumbing, leaving the res empty. I can't lift the hatch cover if the trim tabs are down because there is no fluid left. When the trim tabs are in the up position, the fluid comes back into the res tank - and the hatch cover can now be lifted.
 
Got it. So I filled the reservoir with an entire with an entire 32 ounces. I don’t know what the capacity of the reservoir and the downrigger pumps is. Any idea? Annoyingly I only bought the one bottle and the nearest west marine is 3 miles from me and I dont have a car I can Uber of course but prefer to walk when possible !! Well it looks like a rainy and winder day tomorrow I. Cape Coral.
 
deanmyring said:
2019 29CB. And honestly I don’t know that the trim tabs are particularly effective either.
Click to expand...
If the trim tabs in this boat are not particularly effective then they are not working! Mine make a massive difference in bow angle and list when on plane, it would be very inefficient and uncomfortable without them. Of course it's a given they do nothing at slow speeds. I would check again their actual operation when underway at speed.
 
Agreed. If the res out is empty then there’s no fluid in them. Time to head to west marine again. Anyone have any idea what the capacity of hydraulic fluid might be for these trim tabs.
 
DOES ANYONE KNOW what trim tabs are standard equipment on the Ranger 29? Lenco???
 
I know by the 2021 model year they switched to Lenco electric trim tabs. No hydraulic fluid used in those. Not sure exactly when they switched. Our 2015 had the hydraulic tabs that were Bennett products.
 
Lenco are electric. The trim tabs that are hydraulic used on Ranger tugs are Bennett tabs. The oil used for Bennett tabs is standard ATF Dextron II or III found at any Walmart, or auto parts store. The Ranger design in my opinion sucks using One pump to operate two systems. That is what you have so you must deal with it. The proper way to fill the pump reservoir is trim tabs fully retracted and hatch down. Fill the reservoir to the designated line on the pump reservoir. Do not over fill thinking that this will help your issue. It will probably cause an over flow and a mess. Fill to line then operate the trim tabs to full down position then retract do this a couple times to help remove any air out of the system. Now check the fluid level with the tabs fully retracted. Add if necessary. Now repeat this with engine deck hatch raise and lower several times. Take a break after each cycle so as to not over heat the pump motor. After a several cycles check fluid level with hatch in the down position. You should be ok from this point if there are no leaks. You must have the trim tabs retracted when lifting the deck hatch.
 
BB marine said:
Lenco are electric. The trim tabs that are hydraulic used on Ranger tugs are Bennett tabs. The oil used for Bennett tabs is standard ATF Dextron II or III found at any Walmart, or auto parts store. The Ranger design in my opinion sucks using One pump to operate two systems. That is what you have so you must deal with it. The proper way to fill the pump reservoir is trim tabs fully retracted and hatch down. Fill the reservoir to the designated line on the pump reservoir. Do not over fill thinking that this will help your issue. It will probably cause an over flow and a mess. Fill to line then operate the trim tabs to full down position then retract do this a couple times to help remove any air out of the system. Now check the fluid level with the tabs fully retracted. Add if necessary. Now repeat this with engine deck hatch raise and lower several times. Take a break after each cycle so as to not over heat the pump motor. After a several cycles check fluid level with hatch in the down position. You should be ok from this point if there are no leaks. You must have the trim tabs retracted when lifting the deck hatch.
Click to expand...
Great info. Finally able to get back to boat and check the problem. There are two actuators for each trim tab. The spring of one of the starboard actuators has popped out of the housing so that’s my problem! It’s also why the fluid level in reservoir keeps dropping. I guess I have to call an electrician in. The deck hatch will lift (just) with some help. There’s no pressure in the system so obvious why. Any idea WHICH Bennett actuator is used in the R29? I MIGHT be able to do the replacement myself but I think that this is an instance when calling a professional in is probably most prudent course of action.
 
Have you an idea of which BENNET ram it is. There are several models.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top