Harbour Freight 20T Press Jack Question

[ssentt]

Finally got the 20t gray press from harbor freight. Jack has slotted screw next to release valve. What is that slotted screw for? Bleeding pump? What? Manual doesn't say what its for.

Check valve?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Not sure. I just got mine the other day and was thinking the same thing.

Here is the screw.

Chris

 

[ssentt]

Yeah that's it. I believe its a check valve or overload valve after doing some research on the web. Apparently you never wanna take that screw out or mess with it, if it actually is a check valve.

http://www.hyjacks.com/H7.HTM

 

[87jeepwrangler]

Do they still sell the orange one?

Is the grey one nicer or not as nice as the orange one?

 

[J Persons]

Do they still sell the orange one?

Is the grey one nicer or not as nice as the orange one?

I have an orange one, the frame is made from 4" channel and appears to be heavier than the gray one. I just straightened a bent tractor draw bar made from ½" steel with no problem with mine. The only thing I dislike about it are the cast iron bearing plates.

 

[GearHd6]

Has anyone had problems with the cast press plates? I picked up an orange one a couple weeks ago because I liked the fact the top was welded rather than bolted. I was a little put off by the cast plates though.

 

[Just Primer]

Haven't seen there bottle jacks last to long. The rest of my press has been through a lot and is still strong. I do like the new gray color. The orange has kind of gotten old. If they could just get rid of there cheesy fake American names on every thing.

Just label everything Hazard Freight.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Haven't seen there bottle jacks last to long. The rest of my press has been through a lot and is still strong. I do like the new gray color. The orange has kind of gotten old. If they could just get rid of there cheesy fake American names on every thing.

Just label everything Hazard Freight.

That grey color would look great with a Craftsman sticker on it.

The kid at the counter was pretty pushy on the the $20 one year warranty, which I passed on. His parting words were" good luck with the jack". (Maybe he knows something)

If anything happens with the jack I have an American made one that would look great in the press.

Chris

 

[cubfarm 1]

That screw is the check balls. If you open it DON'T lose anything. Most of the really cheap jacks do not have an overload.

 

[car46999]

Has anyone had problems with the cast press plates? I picked up an orange one a couple weeks ago because I liked the fact the top was welded rather than bolted. I was a little put off by the cast plates though.

From my research the cast plates are dangerous. (the grey press does not come with cast plates from what I have read):

http://www.3si.org/forum/f1/beware-cheap-harbor-freight-cast-iron-arbor-plates-601202/

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/36169-Harbor-Freight-press

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/f...Convert-Harbor-Freight-20-ton-press-to-32-ton

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57094

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/ballistic-zone/849831-arbor-plates.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=har...OosQT38YBY&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAjgK&biw=1024&bih=572

There are many more...

 

[oldschool59]

I have a grey one and the plates are not cast . They look flame cut out of steel plate.

 

[GN4WHLN]

I have a grey one with the flame cut plates. I have read about instances of the cast ones shattering and sending small shards flying.