I knowingly bought this tilt problem 3 years ago and decided to repair it as I have no trailer. Pump motor works and seals were allowing hydraulic fluid to pass over piston creating a fluid lock mess. I've replaced the seals and o rings inside piston and end cap and the unit accepted about 8 oz of fluid, but will not lift or lower more than a few degrees. It acts like it needs more fluid, but using a comealong to raise still doesn't seem to allow addition of more fluid. Manual bypass seals look good. Any ideas or recommendations for a good mechanic in the Athens area? Maybe a hydraulic pathway plugged or usual problem to these single ram units?

Have you checked the relief screw. I'd start there and make sure it closed other wise it just bypasses so you could lift by hand.

Purge the air out of it.

Thanks for the replies. The manual bypass screw is tight. I will borrow a trailer and haul it out so I can try more effectively to purge the air and get a full fluid fill. Working on it hanging in the slip is a back killer. Maybe soon.....