Early hydraulic systems have all of the oil in the main cylinder, no reservoir tank. I am not certain of all makes, but the Hercules brand has a fill plate screwed to the top part of the cylinder. You will have to jack up the bed with a bottle jack to see/assesses this area. The systems back then were very self contained and novel in design, cool in their simplicity.


1941 Chevy 1 1/2-ton WW2 4x4 dump truck
In the Stovebolt Gallery
Lots more pictures