Hi-lift jack question

[Paul Janke]

When we got a brand new one in the sixties we were told they were designed to drop at a predetermined load. It seems like that was at something like 300 pounds.

 

[miangus]

You are correct, widow maker is a good name. Dad always called then a sheepherder jack.

 

[dhermesc]

2nd that warning. I was about 11 years old lowering a pickup and the handle popped up and the very end of the pipe caught me right between the eyes and knocked me off my feet. 40+ years later I still have a half moon scar right between the eyes. I guess I could have lost an eye instead...

 

[Texasmark]

Never had that problem with mine. Release lever, which allows the jack to fall, is very firm in its cradle and takes a good whack to get it to release......maybe they improved them over the years.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 23:21:53 05/26/23) If its doing all Those things the pins are probably wore and it needs a good wash down with penetrating oil

Rebuild kits can be purchased wherever the jacks are sold, or online.

I found that a good hose-down with brake parts cleaner does more than any lube. Dirt and dust sticks to the lube, becomes grime, and gums up the works. A clean jack mechanism is a reliable jack mechanism.

Guess it's my turn to say, we've used hi-lift/handyman's jacks here on the farm for decades, and it wasn't until I came on the Internet that I learned my life was in danger just being in the same building with one.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 20:55:33 05/29/23) When we got a brand new one in the sixties we were told they were designed to drop at a predetermined load. It seems like that was at something like 300 pounds.

would say that you were told wrong.

 

[Ozlander]

(quoted from post at 08:42:17 06/01/23)

(quoted from post at 20:55:33 05/29/23) When we got a brand new one in the sixties we were told they were designed to drop at a predetermined load. It seems like that was at something like 300 pounds.

would say that you were told wrong.

Yep, definitely told wrong. I have lifted a heavy weight that was all I could do to push the handle down.