Antique Manley Floor Jack

[DougB442]

A local Craigslist add came up recently, and I have no need for another jack, so I figured I'd post it here for informational purposes and discussion.

a little gathered history:
… in 1929 you could purchase a Manley 25 ton hydraulic
press for $115.00 or a 2 1/2 ton hydraulic jack for $48.00.
Both products were invented by Robert E. Manley then
operating the Manley Manufacturing Company of
Bridgeport, Connecticut.
… in 1931 the Eastern Valve Company of Hanover,
Pennsylvania was purchased by Robert E. Manley, moved
to York, Pennsylvania and renamed the Manley Products
Corporation. (Who still make engine valves)

http://longisland.craigslist.org/tls/1879854145.html

Here is the Original pantent Documents. Since the hydraulic resevoir cover says "Patent applied for" I'll assume that it is a '31 -'34 model year since Manley moved to York, PA in 1931, and the patent was granted in '34.

The interesting thing about this jack is the "screw" height adjustment on the saddle, similar to a bottle jack.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=N0BNAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Bloody Knuckle]

Cool old jack. It looks older than mine,

 

[hoopty388]

i was expecting something like this:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_N_HGSNF3jIY/Sr6VWxJjZGI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/wzWRz03a_U4/s400/Derek+lifting+car.jpg

lol, serious tho, cool looking lifts

 

[CRTDI]

Manley made some other cool looking jacks as well, here's an ad from the 40's:

I like the look of the J-2.

 

[DougB442]

Cool old jack. It looks older than mine,

They made a mechanical jack at that same time....which is the one you have. The mechanical version was filed for a patent a few years after this ...according to the patent dates...

http://www.google.com/patents?id=WIxYAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=manley+manufacturing+co+jack&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Bloody Knuckle]

My jack is not made by Manley. It's made by the Elite MFG. Co, Ashland, Ohio. It is a hydraulic jack and says Reliable Hydraulic No. 50 on the tag. I don't the year that it was made. Any info would be great.

 

[DougB442]

My jack is not made by Manley. It's made by the Elite MFG. Co, Ashland, Ohio. It is a hydraulic jack and says Reliable Hydraulic No. 50 on the tag. I don't the year that it was made. Any info would be great.

the only thing I found for Elite making a floor jack is this mechanical Jack:

http://www.google.com/patents?id=Wy1YAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=Elite+Manufacturing+Company,+Ashland,+Ohio,+service+jack&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=onepage&q&f=false


and this Hydraulic cylinder, which could have been adapted to fit the machanical jack frame.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=_FZfAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=Elite+Manufacturing+Company,+Ashland,+Ohio,+hydraulic+jack&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1#v=onepage&q=Elite%20Manufacturing%20Company%2C%20Ashland%2C%20Ohio%2C%20hydraulic%20jack&f=false

 

[Bloody Knuckle]

Holy hydraulics Batman, you found my jack. DougB thanks for the research. I never thought to check patent records. That is the hydraulic unit in my jack. This jack is older than I thought. Now I have to find the seals and rebuild the unit. Thanks again.

 

[Pure Oil]

I too have an old Manley hydraulic floor jack that I bought at a yard sale a few years back. It needs new seals. It's nice to know that there are still some others out there.

 

[CRTDI]

I too have an old Manley hydraulic floor jack that I bought at a yard sale a few years back. It needs new seals. It's nice to know that there are still some others out there.

Maybe Hiball could source a new seal kit for you.

Please show us some pictures of your floor jack.

 

[Suze]

I have an old Manley, too. Mechanical jack (floor jack I think but Grandpa used it to jack up his house to upgrade foundation) I used it for years as did my Dad. Then we broke it! I would like to remake the broken part, having blacksmith pals who will help.

Mine is, quoting ID plate:
manufactured by
Manley Mfg. Co,
10-30 Bridgeport, Conn.
Mach no. 437-601754

Other side of jack:
5287
4134

It's two main assemblies, the jacking body and the long handle. Unlike the one described here it has no geared joint in the handle and the body is only about 14" long.

Ideally one of you could steer me to a schematic or even a patent diagram. The handle has a 36" long rod with "T" handle on the end to operate the up or down pawls, and this is what we broke.

Suze

 

[DougB442]

I have an old Manley, too. Mechanical jack (floor jack I think but Grandpa used it to jack up his house to upgrade foundation) I used it for years as did my Dad. Then we broke it! I would like to remake the broken part, having blacksmith pals who will help.

Mine is, quoting ID plate:
manufactured by
Manley Mfg. Co,
10-30 Bridgeport, Conn.
Mach no. 437-601754

Other side of jack:
5287
4134

It's two main assemblies, the jacking body and the long handle. Unlike the one described here it has no geared joint in the handle and the body is only about 14" long.

Ideally one of you could steer me to a schematic or even a patent diagram. The handle has a 36" long rod with "T" handle on the end to operate the up or down pawls, and this is what we broke.

It's earlier than 1930 since it was made in CT....

Pictures would help.

you can look through these search results to see if any of the Patent diagrams match your jack:
http://www.google.com/patents?tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1&q=manley+jack&btnG=Search+Patents

 

[stricht8]

I bought a Manley jack from CL this past winter. Here is the link to the thread I started at the time. It has some photos too.


http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57371&highlight=manley+jack

 

[Suze]

Oh, that's a beaut! I think others are right that mine is older. I'll get the photos I just took up in a minute. Mine is more primitive-looking but just as heavy-duty.

You have a real find there! I have seen one similar in a museum display on early auto repair.

 

[Suze]

Now have photos in my gallery -

 

[CRTDI]

Another cool (well, I think it's cool) Manley jack ad.

 

[CRTDI]

Manley jack available in NY:

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/tls/2121055636.html

 

[oldjacks]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I thought I would chime in jacks a bit. I started collecting floor jacks a number of years ago and built up a rather large collection. So much so I had to store them away and stop collecting as it was forcing me out of my garage. But more to the point I wanted to relate a bit on the Manley Jack of this post.

First off the very first hydraulic floor jacks were vertical affairs and Manley was the first hydraulic jack with a horizontal cylinder. Of course this was a big improvement which allowed the jack the raise the car considerably higher than would have been possible with a vertical arrangement without using blocks and readjusting the jack several times during the raising.

Manley made a number of jacks through the years and one of the last and best was the J2 streamliner which I believe is even more rare than the Blackhawk Streamliner from the same period of time.

When summer arrives again I plan to drag all my jacks out of storage and I will post some images for all to enjoy.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I thought I would chime in jacks a bit. I started collecting floor jacks a number of years ago and built up a rather large collection. So much so I had to store them away and stop collecting as it was forcing me out of my garage. But more to the point I wanted to relate a bit on the Manley Jack of this post.

First off the very first hydraulic floor jacks were vertical affairs and Manley was the first hydraulic jack with a horizontal cylinder. Of course this was a big improvement which allowed the jack the raise the car considerably higher than would have been possible with a vertical arrangement without using blocks and readjusting the jack several times during the raising.

Manley made a number of jacks through the years and one of the last and best was the J2 streamliner which I believe is even more rare than the Blackhawk Streamliner from the same period of time.

When summer arrives again I plan to drag all my jacks out of storage and I will post some images for all to enjoy.

Hi Oldjacks, These guys are gonna freak when you show them the heavy metal you got!!!. see you soon, JBW

 

[CRTDI]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I thought I would chime in jacks a bit. I started collecting floor jacks a number of years ago and built up a rather large collection. So much so I had to store them away and stop collecting as it was forcing me out of my garage. But more to the point I wanted to relate a bit on the Manley Jack of this post.

First off the very first hydraulic floor jacks were vertical affairs and Manley was the first hydraulic jack with a horizontal cylinder. Of course this was a big improvement which allowed the jack the raise the car considerably higher than would have been possible with a vertical arrangement without using blocks and readjusting the jack several times during the raising.

Manley made a number of jacks through the years and one of the last and best was the J2 streamliner which I believe is even more rare than the Blackhawk Streamliner from the same period of time.

When summer arrives again I plan to drag all my jacks out of storage and I will post some images for all to enjoy.

Firstly,

Welcome to the forum!!! Hope you hang out a bit and share your knowledge of old floor jacks with us. Can't wait to see your collection.

Meanwhile, here is a great thread to see some of our GJ members' jacks, Enjoy!!



http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278&highlight=show+jacks

 

[Hiball]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I thought I would chime in jacks a bit. I started collecting floor jacks a number of years ago and built up a rather large collection. So much so I had to store them away and stop collecting as it was forcing me out of my garage. But more to the point I wanted to relate a bit on the Manley Jack of this post.

First off the very first hydraulic floor jacks were vertical affairs and Manley was the first hydraulic jack with a horizontal cylinder. Of course this was a big improvement which allowed the jack the raise the car considerably higher than would have been possible with a vertical arrangement without using blocks and readjusting the jack several times during the raising.

Manley made a number of jacks through the years and one of the last and best was the J2 streamliner which I believe is even more rare than the Blackhawk Streamliner from the same period of time.

When summer arrives again I plan to drag all my jacks out of storage and I will post some images for all to enjoy.

Welcome to GJ.. Looking forward to seeing some of your Jacks. Im very Knowledgable from 40's on Up (Hydraulic) but Im always looking for info on the older stuff.

 

[nealco4]

the only thing I found for Elite making a floor jack is this mechanical Jack:

I have one of these elite jacks that is mechanical with little effort it can be it working condition. What would something like this be worth?

Thanks
Neal martin

 

[DougB442]

What would something like this be worth?

it's only worth what someone else is willing to pay....

 

[dj.clubmambo]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reparacion-De-Criques-Hidraulicos-Hydramotion/334881123256957 Saludos desde Argentina

 

[WCarp]

I have a mechanical Manley jack that has a number that looks like 3268 on the sides and a number that looks like 3271 on one of the top arms. I was wondering if someone could give me some idea when it was made and also what a selling price might be.

I have attached some pictures to help.

Thanks.

 

[Suze]

Halleluia! That's MY JACK!

I don't know much about age, several good hints were given in my thread last year and you might find them helpful. I hope so! Before the 1930s I am sure, probably before the 19-teens.

HOWEVER mine is missing a piece and we are trying to fix it. It's sort of a family heirloom. (My grandfather used it to jack up his house for a concrete foundation many decades ago. It's VERY strong.) Unfortunately we used it outdoors and somehow failed to rescue the rod when we over-adjusted it and it fell off.

If you would be so kind, I would be very very happy to have closer fotos of the end of the handle, and all the length of the control rod that runs beside the handle. (A ruler lying beside it would be a great help too.) I am missing that rod and some attachments.

We have the ability to machine and cast replacement parts, I am almost certain - if only we knew what they LOOKED like!

 

[WCarp]

So it sounds like it is rather old. I'll try to take some close up photos of the handle for you as soon as reasonably possible.

 

[WCarp]

I have taken some more pictures of the jack and attached them. Hopefully they are large enough. This Website makes them small. If necessary, I can also email you them at the address you gave me.

When the lever on the handle is swung forward, then the jack lowers and the spring is compressed to 1 1/2 inches in length. Conversely, when the lever is swung back, then the jack will raise and the spring is completely uncompressed and measures 1 5/8 inches long. The spring is 5/8 inches in diameter. The small rod that goes between the up/down lever and the back of the jack is 38 3/4 inches long and is threaded approximately 1 inch long on the up/down lever end. The rod diameter is 3/16 inches.

I hope that this information helps.

 

[WCarp]

I guess no one has an idea what this jack could sell for--is that right?

 

[Crowbar Sally]

My husband recently passed away and someone is interested in buying his Manley Hydraulic Jack, model 3-34. He has diagrams from the internet from 1934, so I assume it's vintage...it certainly looks it. Does anyone out there have any idea what kind of price I should ask for it, assuming it's functional, which I think it is? Thank you.

 

[d.swanson]

So where do I find the model number on my Manley jack?

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have a MANLEY arbour press.
My arbour press was one of two fastened to a steel plate. I still have both original wheels. It was a Craigslist find, over 20 years ago. I do not remember the price, It must have been low. I gave the other arbour press away.

 

[jabberwoki]

I'll add this here as this seams to be the official Manley thread.
Model 959 10 ton floor jack.

 

[four.cycle]

1916 Chas. E. Miller catalog United Engine & Mfg. Manley ad pp 41

Manley / Manley Mfg. Co., York, PA division of American Chain & Cable Co. Inc., York, PA (United Engine & Mfg. Co., Hanover, PA 1916) / acquired 1927 by American Chain, Bridgeport, CT / renamed Remco 1938 / "Manley" jacks, engine hoist, shop equipment / patent 1291582 Jan 14 1919 & 1422459 Jul 11 1922 & 1437943 Dec 5 1922 & 1600835 Sep 21 1926 & 1772954 Aug 12 1930 & 1783250 Dec 2 1930 & 1825359 Sep 29 1931 & 1948073 Feb 20 1934 & 2027111 Jan 7 1936 Robert E. Manley / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=12277&tab=0 / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=12275 / https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/Manley_Manufacturing_Company / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/antique-manley-floor-jack.71633/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...e-york-pa-truck-portable-engine-hoist.552075/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/manley-jack.57371/ /

Manley at International Tool Catalog Library