Considering purchasing a Walker Greyhound

[skcj213]

I have found what I believe to be one of the Walker Greyhound series of floor jacks. It is the 4 ton "Big Boy" model. Price is $50. I am told the seals leak and it is nonfunctional. Any insight into what would be involved to repair/restore?

 

[LB-1911]

Till others chime in - Might want to PM a neighbor north of you, BB767 is near Champaign, IL

Walker Greyhounds...............

This is an ad in Motor Age from March, 1939. This is the introduction of the Walker floor jacks referred to as "Greyhounds" as a group and then each model was given an individual name as seen. This ad does not refer to model number as these jacks changed model number designation as physical changes were made even though they looked very similar externally. The two jacks I have, as you may recall, are are number # 784, 4-ton Roll-A-Car, "Big Boys" as stated on the data plate. Note in the ad if you look closely how the paint is a different color on the upper part of the handles, the saddles (the round part on the front that lifts) and the inner part of the front wheels. It does show up better on the actual ad than here.

Here are mine. As you may recall, the one in the foreground has it's original paint that I'm only going to clean up and leave as original as possible. The background jack is the one left in the shop that I will restore externally by powder coating it the correct factory color scheme. Both jacks were hydraulically overhauled by Hiball and now function as new.

See that the upper part of the handle changes color like the ones in the ad.

Traces of the original red paint still clearly visible.

While the paint is largely gone from the saddle, flicks of red are still visible. Note on the right, how bright blue the front paint is from the paint on the lifting arm to the left? Haven't cleaned it there yet! I'm confident the inner part of the front wheels will show some red as well but for now they are so dirty it can't be seen.

Fast forward 10 years to September, 1949. They are now referred to as " The New Deluxe" Walker Greyhounds. They are also referred to by model number, the larger one as a model # 884 even though it looks almost identical to the older # 784's. The color contrast on the jack handle, saddle and front wheels is also much more evident. Note the four highlight areas below the main ad. Not sure what the contrasting color was on the real jack. The ad shows it to be gold emphasizing the "gold seal power unit" now featured. In discussion with various experts on these jacks no one recalled ever seeing them gold trimmed.

This is May, 1954. Still called Greyhounds and model # 884 4-ton Hydraulic Roll-A-Car. By now the contrasting color had changed to white.

This is a two page ad from September, 1954. The color didn't reproduce correctly here. The actual ad shows the jack as dark blue, not green as seen. The white trim clearly seen and the front wheels now only have the hub cap contrasting white, not the whole inner front wheel rim as in previous years. While they are huge, heavy jacks, over 4 feet long (about 1 1/3 meters), I think they deliberately show a short mechanic handling one to exaggerate the how large they are. For the time, probably pretty expensive.

This the second page of the ad. Note the four items featured on the bottom. Almost identical to the four featured items from the 1949 ad.

The modern version of these jacks are still made by Hein Werner, #93657 for about $1,400 US. The style and performance of the originals, however, will never be duplicated again, ever. That was, without question, a high water mark in the industry.

Thomas

 

[skcj213]

I have already read some of that thread. Wow.......and quite the thread it is. I believe he had Hiball rebuild his Walker.

 

[y'sguy]

50 bucks is well worth it IMHO. I have one I inherited. I also grew up with being able to use it most of my life.
But, I do have to say they are not as handy to have around as the cheaper HF 3 ton models.
Obviously, they are heavy and unwieldy to have around if you don't use them on a regular basis.
repaired, restored whatever they look and function great!
We have a repair station in our area that can handle work on mine if it ever needs it.

 

[jackdaw]

Hi All

I just purchased an old 882 series B Walker Jack in the UK. They certainly don't make them like this anymore that's for sure ! It's all complete and working so I'm looking forward to putting it to use.

I reference to an earlier post re the gold contrasting colour seen in the 1949 advert I can confirm that my jack has remnants of this on the top of the handle although it's more of a yellow rather than gold. I'll post a pic.