All Jacked Up! (Walker 784)

[Grape Ape]

Greetings. New member here. I discovered this forum while searching for info on my new to me Walker 784. From what I've seen, this forum is the best resource on the web for old hydraulic floor jacks. I've read everything I could find regarding the old Walkers on here. I'm impressed with the knowledge and appreciation of these old jacks that is shared here. Most of my life has been spent in the garage. I look forward to sharing my stories and reading yours.

Now on to the jack. I picked this Walker up on craigslist the other day. I'm not sure what prompted me to start looking for one, but imagine my surprise when one of the only ones listed on CL just happened to be about 25 miles from my house. I called the guy everyday for a week and finally got him to call me back. He was asking $200. I got him down to $150 since the jack wouldn't raise all the way up under load.

Here are the first pictures of it.

The keen eye will pick up a little something extra in the first and last pictures. That little something is what first got me interested in the history, workmanship, and beauty of these jacks.

TBC

 

[Grape Ape]

I wasn't exactly sure what model I had when I first picked it up. The plate had been painted over.

I rubbed on it for a while with some heavy duty spray degreaser and removed most of what looked like two coats of paint. The top coat being the ugly bluish/purple and the bottom coat a blue that is closer to the original color. You can see remnants of it in the picture.

The plate is in poor shape but you can make out that it is a Model 784 Series C. I can't read the capacity but I'm assuming all 784 where rated for 4 tons. Can anyone confirm this?

I find it interesting that the plate is upside-down compared to others I've seen in photos. The rivets appear to be original. Does anyone have any insight on this?

 

[930dreamer]

Very nice find, my keen eyes won't work.

 

[Grape Ape]

Very nice find, my keen eyes won't work.

You're looking too hard!

Look again and you'll see the front end of another Walker. That one is my father's. It is the very same jack I used to jack up a car for the first time when I was a very little boy. It is the same jack that my two younger brothers grew up using. It is the same jack that still gets used and abused to this very day.

Here's a crappy shot of it.

My father picked this jack up used in the mid 70's. He recalls paying $75 for it then. He's painted it twice. Once yellow and once the red you see now. I'm sure the color selections stemmed from whatever paint he had leftover in the gun at the time. He had the cylinder rebuilt twice in the 35 or so years that he has owned it.

When I was little, I remember him telling me it was a 2 ton Walker. The plate is long gone now so I don't know for sure what model it is. I suspect it is a 4 ton model though. Is there any way to tell?

You'll also notice that his still has the decorative nose piece on it. I would very much like to find one for mine. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CRTDI]

Congrats, . Those old Walker's sure are a nice pair of jacks. I'm sure you'll have your new acquisition lifting up cars again very soon!

The nose piece may have only been fitted to 3 and 4 Ton units:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&highlight=walker+jack&page=53

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82988&highlight=walker+jack

 

[Grape Ape]

Congrats, . Those old Walker's sure are a nice pair of jacks. I'm sure you'll have your new acquisition lifting up cars again very soon!

The nose piece may have only been fitted to 3 and 4 Ton units:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&highlight=walker+jack&page=53

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82988&highlight=walker+jack

Thanks. I have the same theory as you regarding the nose piece and the 4 ton capacity. I wonder if there is any other way to tell?

 

[woody 73]

Very nice can you still get parts to rebuild it?

 

[CRTDI]

I'm in no way an expert on Walker jacks, but I would think that there might be a physical difference between say a 2 Ton and a 4 Ton hydraulic unit. Parts to rebuild the hydraulic unit are available. Our resident jack expert on the forum, Hiball could certainly supply a hydraulic rebuild kit and most likely be would able to confirm what model jack your father has with some specific info.

 

[scott37300]

Nice find, I wish I could find something like that around me!

 

[Grape Ape]

I'm in no way an expert on Walker jacks, but I would think that there might be a physical difference between say a 2 Ton and a 4 Ton hydraulic unit. Parts to rebuild the hydraulic unit are available. Our resident jack expert on the forum, Hiball could certainly supply a hydraulic rebuild kit and most likely be would able to confirm what model jack your father has with some specific info.

I've read many of Hiball's posts regarding jacks. When I get this one tore apart, it will most likely go to him for rebuilding.

 

[kc-steve]

Nice jack! I think the Series "C" tells you when it was produced. Late 30s early 40s maybe? And I think someone posted an old catalog here showing that jack. Try searching for "catalog jack" and see if it comes up. But I am thinking it is a 2-ton. And that means it will handle that and a little more, not like overseas jacks that are usually over rated in size.

Steve

 

[Grape Ape]

I snagged another old Walker! It is in safekeeping down in Charlotte. I'll pick it up there in about a month. Here's a picture that the guy who is holding it for me took:

This one does have the nose piece in place.

 

[airbuff101]

Grape,
Here's some info from the late 40's:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82988&highlight=1947
Rob