If you are compelled to replace your flat bottom jack you have several options:

OPTION 1 – Replace your Single Bottom Cylinder with a Double Bottom Cylinder encapsulated in a non-corrosive secondary containment casing (e.g., PVC Pipe liner)

Advantages:
• Eliminates the risk of failure
• Eliminates the risk of soil contamination

Disadvantages:
• Approximate shut down times of 4–6 weeks
• Unknown soil conditions may add additional costs
• Hole may need to be re-drilled to make it larger for pvc liner
• Hole may need to be re-drilled due to debris or cave in

OPTION 2 – Install a Piston Gripper – Only if there is enough exposed piston length to install.

Advantages:
• Eliminates the risk of failure
• Shorter shut down period

Disadvantages:
• Does not eliminate the risk of soil contamination
• Should the cylinder fail at any time in the future it will still require replacement resulting in further cost.

OPTION 3 – Install Car Safeties and Governor

Advantages
• Eliminates the risk of failure
• Shorter shut down period

Disadvantages:
• Does not eliminate the risk of soil contamination
• Should the cylinder fail at any time it will still require replacement
• Rails may not be capable of supporting system
• Additional cost due to car frame modification

OPTION 4 – Replace the Elevator

Advantages:
• Complete new system ensures that all components are new
• In-ground cylinder is replaced with either a machine room less traction elevator (more overhead required) or an above ground hydraulic system

Disadvantages:
• Much longer shut down period
• Very expensive

Option 5 – Abandon the in-ground jack in place and convert the system to above ground holeless system

Advantages:
• This avoids the costly removal and replacement of the in-ground jack
• No risk of future in-ground jack failure
• No risk of future soil contamination once all oil of existing jack is removed

Disadvantages:
• The cost may be similar to replacing it with a new -in-ground jack
• May be limited based on the number of stops
• Requires modification to existing car frame

Note: EECO has developed a survey form to identify the minimum required information to facilitate this option as far as working out the required car frame modification