The main cylinder

The main cylinder, sometimes referred to as the ram, is driven upwards extending out of
the hydraulic jack body by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, creating the needed lifting
force and lifting the load. A release valve is included to release the pressure so that the
ram can retract and the load can be lowered.

Some rams are equipped with a threaded extension so that when fully retracted the ram
extension can be unscrewed. This feature extends the lifting range for the jack and can
eliminate the need to add blocking underneath the jack when the load surface to be
lifted is higher than the retracted height of the ram and the jack body.

Plunger

While lifting heavy loads, the jacks use pump plungers to move oil via two cylinders. The
plunger is drawn back initially and opens the suction valve ball that draws the oil into the
pump chamber. When the plunger is pushed forward, the oil is moved into the cylinder
chamber through the external discharge check valve. This results in closing of suction
valve and pressure building within the cylinder.
Check valve
Check valves are the simplest form of hydraulic devices in that they permit free oil flow
in one direction and block oil flow in the opposite direction. Check valves may also be
used as a directional or pressure control in a hydraulic system.
A reservoir or buffer tank 
is a vessel that holds the hydraulic fluid or pumps oil which will be used to transfer
applied pressure from the pump to the ram.
Release valve

Release Valves are designed to control pressure in a system, most often in fluid or

compressed air systems. These valves open in proportion to the increase in system
pressure. This means they don’t fly all the way open when the system is slightly
overpressure. Instead, they open gradually, allowing the system to return to the preset
pressure level. When that level is reached, the valve shuts again.

Pump lever or handle

the movement of the pump lever builds up pressure in the hydraulic fluid which
transfers that pressurized fluid through a check valve and into the main cylinder.