Looking to buy a lift cart like this https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-60438.html and wondering if anyone has real world experience with this make/model. Really don't want to spend double or over double (like on a Dayton, or Vestil) unless this thing craps out early. Would be using for push mower repair, vintage soda machine work (not big units), etc.
Haul-Master lift cart (Harbor Freight) experience?
- Thread starter autobon7
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oldmachinenut
Well-known member
I have that same cart, I am very happy with it and use it for more than I originally envisioned.
I have that model and use it aaaaallll the time. In fact, I'm designing my fab table in my very small workshop so that the lift cart can nest underneath it.
It lifts as high as the tailgate on my pickup so I can push it up against the tailgate, slide whatever heavy object I have in my truck on to the cart, then lower it down and wheel it in to the shop.
I originally had the issue that the table is still almost a foot off the ground when lowered so I couldn't exactly just push whatever I was loading off onto the floor (think 60 gallon compressor standing vertically). I have since built a ganrty crane so I just lift things up, move the cart and then drop them to the floor.
I'm sure the fit and finish could be improved but I don't see how you could improve the basic design ove the Harbor freight version. Maybe better castors?
It lifts as high as the tailgate on my pickup so I can push it up against the tailgate, slide whatever heavy object I have in my truck on to the cart, then lower it down and wheel it in to the shop.
I originally had the issue that the table is still almost a foot off the ground when lowered so I couldn't exactly just push whatever I was loading off onto the floor (think 60 gallon compressor standing vertically). I have since built a ganrty crane so I just lift things up, move the cart and then drop them to the floor.
I'm sure the fit and finish could be improved but I don't see how you could improve the basic design ove the Harbor freight version. Maybe better castors?
ArtisanFarms
Well-known member
I bought one a year ago and have been surprised how much I use it. It is very handy in the shop. The main thing I would change to make it more usable in my shop would be to have all four casters swivel.
driftpin
Well-known member
No need for this, as I have a jib crane and a Handy-Lift in the garage.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
It’s great for moving stuff from truck or van to shop.
The Porsche shop where I used to work has 6 of them and after working there, I bought one for myself. They used to be $250 and 200 with a coupon but I would still buy one at full price. It's a very useful tool.
At the shop, we never had one go bad and they get used all the time for installing and removing engines. (Air cooled Porsche engines come out from the bottom of the car)
It also makes a good auxiliary work table.
At the shop, we never had one go bad and they get used all the time for installing and removing engines. (Air cooled Porsche engines come out from the bottom of the car)
It also makes a good auxiliary work table.
oldmachinenut
Well-known member
I forgot to mention it is VERY handy when I put my Kearney Trecker 12” rotary table on my mill.
It has to weigh over 200#, my voice is still high and something fell out of my left pant-leg the one and only time I lifted it by hand.
It has to weigh over 200#, my voice is still high and something fell out of my left pant-leg the one and only time I lifted it by hand.
javyLSU
Well-known member
jmarkwolf
Well-known member
I've had one for about 6-7 years, use it frequently, although the pressure will leak down if you store it in the "up" position, particularly with a load on it. I keep a stick wedged in the mechanism to prevent leak down. Otherwise, no problems, very handy.
However, I'm thinking twice about buying anything made in Communist China nowadays.
However, I'm thinking twice about buying anything made in Communist China nowadays.
jacobm99
Well-known member
Did anyone bleed there cart per the instructions before use?
I followed the instructions on my new cart (model 60438) and it caused me to overfill the hydraulic ram to the point where it wouldn’t go back down without any weight on it. I pushed the table down while holding the lever and the plug shot out with hydraulic oil shooting everywhere.
I followed the instructions on my new cart (model 60438) and it caused me to overfill the hydraulic ram to the point where it wouldn’t go back down without any weight on it. I pushed the table down while holding the lever and the plug shot out with hydraulic oil shooting everywhere.
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jacobm99
Well-known member
Thanks, Forrest. Anyone else have any experience with bleeding their cart?
Hmm, I don't recall reading that procedure for bleeding but I have the 500lb cart. Just read the manual for mine, says basically the same. Lift all the way, remove filler plug, lower all the way, then raise again, then add fluid while raised.
I've never done it that way. On every jack I own, with it lowered all the way, I open valve, then pump 10-15 to purge the air, for the lift cart that means squeezing the handle while pumping. I never open the fill plug although I believe my Daytona Super Duty jack said to open the fill plug. But it didn't say to raise it at all. Then I let it sit for a few minutes (probably not necessary) then I'll pump it all the way up. Only if it doesn't extend to full height then I will add oil. But I have always added oil with the ram fully lowered, not extended.
I'm not an expert on jack servicing/repair but this is how I've always done it & has worked fine for me. And I've always done that before using a new jack for the first time & once every year or so just for the heck of it.
kbeefy
Well-known member
I have an older one, works great. Just used it yesterday to install a bumper.
Jagmandave
Well-known member
I've had mine for more than 2 years now, could not imagine doing what I do in my shop without it! handiest thing I've bought since my scissor lift, really saves my back! I put cardboard on the surface to save the rubber mat.....I never bled it, just pumped it up a couple of times to the top and let it down again. Worked perfectly right out of the box. Mine does not bleed down even with a load on it.
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FlaGman
Well-known member
I didn’t bleed mine- It seemed to work fine right out of the box so I left well enough alone.
The only issue I’ve had with mine is that it will gradually drop overnight if left under load, but for my general usage that doesn’t matter to me.
The bleed instructions that come with the cart are wrong. As many have done, I followed them first and proved it would overfill the cylinder and just blow the rubber plug and extra oil out when lowered...
So then I lowered it all the way down, raised it just enough to get my hand in and fill it all the way again, lowered it all the way back down to puke out the minimal overfill, raise high enough again to put the plug back in, clean off all the puked out hydraulic oil, done. Works like a champ now.
So then I lowered it all the way down, raised it just enough to get my hand in and fill it all the way again, lowered it all the way back down to puke out the minimal overfill, raise high enough again to put the plug back in, clean off all the puked out hydraulic oil, done. Works like a champ now.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm interested in getting one of these, the 256% coupon I was sent is a good incentive. I'm trying to figure out how or where I can store it. I have looked and can't find the collapsed height of it. can someone let me know?
mreisner
Well-known member
I have the 500 lb one and find it very handy even though I have a forklift and a loader that can pick up three tons...
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a genetic disability that affects the muscle condition of my legs, it is progressive and now I am using a walker to get around, always need to be holding on to something or leaning against it to keep my self standing. Obviously picking things up presents a challenge to me, I have a walker in the house and another in the garage and have a pair of tongs hanging on it to allow me to pick things up off the floor. So having this table will ne a huge help to me in the garage. Just trying to figure out where I can store it.
Jagmandave
Well-known member
Will you be able to pump it up with the foot activated lever?
I have had mine for several years now and it's a real backsaver. No issues with it since new, still raises and stays up where you put it. I use it to build engines and gearboxes, it's nice to be able to walk all around it rather than having to spin something around as on a workbench.
I have had mine for several years now and it's a real backsaver. No issues with it since new, still raises and stays up where you put it. I use it to build engines and gearboxes, it's nice to be able to walk all around it rather than having to spin something around as on a workbench.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is yours the 1000 pound capacity unit? How high off the floor is it in the lowered position?
I've thought about that and I think I should be able to do that, before buying it I will attempt it at the store, may have to position the walker behind me for support or position it where I have some support. I bought some large bags of potting soil from Lowes this spring and ad curbside pickup, when I got home I found the bags were way over the weight I had expected and wasn't able to get them out of my car by myself, had my neighbor give me a hand with that.
I've already contacted a friend to help me with the purchase, getting it home and assembly.
I've thought about that and I think I should be able to do that, before buying it I will attempt it at the store, may have to position the walker behind me for support or position it where I have some support. I bought some large bags of potting soil from Lowes this spring and ad curbside pickup, when I got home I found the bags were way over the weight I had expected and wasn't able to get them out of my car by myself, had my neighbor give me a hand with that.
I've already contacted a friend to help me with the purchase, getting it home and assembly.
The lowered flat surface is approx 11” off the floor.
flying eyeball
Well-known member
I've got the 500 pounder because its a couple inches shorter. I too am disabled and the push handle is great for balancing.
take care
take care
Beware the 1,000 lb model is pretty heavy. If you have a threshold to cross or a slope of any kind, it can present its own problems. It does lift more and higher than the 500 lb model but if you don't need the extra capacity, the smaller one if easier to handle.
Ditchdigger
Well-known member
I have had the orange 1000lb model for almost 20 years now. It is battered and bruised, no longer has any urethane on the casters and will bleed down over the course of an hour. I'd buy another tomorrow if this one went missing.
Perhaps I should treat it to some new seals in the pump.
Perhaps I should treat it to some new seals in the pump.
I went with the 500lb cart because of it's weight. I doubt I'll ever need to lift anything over 400lbs & if I do I'd probably get a friend to help me. The 500lb cart is still light enough for me to lift onto the back of my truck if I ever want/need to take it somewhere. That can't happen with 1000lb cart, way to heavy for me to lift by myself. I have a small truck so it barely lifts high enough to reach the height of my tailgate.
I also liked that the 500lb has stops that fold down to allow you to set it at an elevated level for long periods of time taking pressure off the hydraulic cylinder. Should be simple to add to the 100lb cart of someone really wanted.
500lb cart doesn't have a quick folding handle but I installed knobs for the handle in place of the bolts so I can detach the handle without needing a tool. I rarely do anyway.
Luckily I got mine prepandemic before prices shot up. Since getting the HF cart I got this little hydraulic lift stand which I believe is for dirt bikes. It lifts up to 35" & is supposedly rated for up to 300 lbs. It can be locked at an extended height also. For my needs I use it more than the HF cart, I've really only used the HF cart maybe a bit more than a handful of times.
I also liked that the 500lb has stops that fold down to allow you to set it at an elevated level for long periods of time taking pressure off the hydraulic cylinder. Should be simple to add to the 100lb cart of someone really wanted.
500lb cart doesn't have a quick folding handle but I installed knobs for the handle in place of the bolts so I can detach the handle without needing a tool. I rarely do anyway.
Luckily I got mine prepandemic before prices shot up. Since getting the HF cart I got this little hydraulic lift stand which I believe is for dirt bikes. It lifts up to 35" & is supposedly rated for up to 300 lbs. It can be locked at an extended height also. For my needs I use it more than the HF cart, I've really only used the HF cart maybe a bit more than a handful of times.
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Don't quote me but IIRC no assembly needed on the 1000lb cart. Just need two people to help get it out of the vehicle. The 500lb cart just need to bolt on the handle which is just 2 bolts. If anything, might just need to bleed it and/or adjust the cable for the cylinder release lever.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you all for your responses, mobility is a challenge for me anywhere I go, I have walkers in the garage, one in the house and four wheeled tool carts on my deck and another in the basement so I can get around easily and safely.
The 11" collapsed height is pretty much a deal breaker for me. I was hoping that I might be able to store it by placing it under a parked car in the garage, with that height obviously that isn't an option. After reading all of the responses, I will be getting the 500 pound unit, it seems that it would be better suited to my needs and abilities. The removal of the handle when not in use is a great idea. Can anyone provided me with the collapsed height of the 500 pound unit?
The 500 lb isn’t much better - it’s just a bit under 9” tall at the lowest position. Call it maybe 8 3/4 but maybe as high as 8 7/8.
Mine has been a lifesaver a couple of times, but the cylinder started leaking down after about a year. YMMV.
5ubtle
Well-known member
Will the 25% coupon apply to this? My version says that it doesn't apply to carts (among other things).
Unless they changed something very recently, yes, the coupons with exclusions can be used. The coupon says Carts but it's meant for Tool Carts. This is a lift table cart & not considered a tool cart.
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks for letting me know about the height, I’ll just have to figure something out.
I actually have 2 versions of the coupon, one has most or the usual exclusions and ends on the 1st. The other has almost no exclusions and ends on the 4th, it is a we have missed you coupon. So I am using the fist for the new Icon bent needle nose pliers and the other for the lift table.
I actually have 2 versions of the coupon, one has most or the usual exclusions and ends on the 1st. The other has almost no exclusions and ends on the 4th, it is a we have missed you coupon. So I am using the fist for the new Icon bent needle nose pliers and the other for the lift table.
Before going to the store, if the coupon can be used for online purchase put the lift table in the cart for checkout and test the coupon code to see if it works. If your local HF doesn’t have the lift table in stock they can order the lift table
jmarkwolf
Well-known member
I know this is an old thread, but I've owned one of these hydraulic tables (same model with the rubber plug) for years and use it frequently, warts and all.
But, after years of keeping a variety of lengths of sticks to place in the track to lower the table to various specific points, to prevent it from leaking all the way down (which it has done since brand new), I decided to attempt to "fix" the problem today. I followed the instructions in the manual, just as Jacobm99 did, assuming it just needed to be bled and perhaps it needed more oil.
Unfortunately, I experienced the same failure described by Jacobm99 in the quote. The table refused to lower past approx half-way. I leaned on the table and it blew the plug spraying oil everywhere. Thankfully I was wearing a face mask.
Now I'm left wondering if this table is salvageable back to previous dis-function, or if it is a big boat anchor. I don't want to risk the plug blowing out again. Wondering if a "rubber patch" and a hose clamp will hold as well as the plug?
Can anyone advise of the specific problem with this table and its' hydraulics along with a comprehensive fix? Or I can live with my bag of various length sticks if I don't have to clean up hydraulic oil messes again.
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jmarkwolf
Well-known member
I found another Youtube video describing a fix for these lift tables that seemed to "ring true" for me (link below). He claims the bleeding procedure in the manual is dead wrong.
I tried his procedure except for adding any more oil. And it seemed to work so far. It didn't leak down over night. So... maybe.
When measuring for table leak-down with a tape measure the next day I noticed a couple small puddles of oil on the floor, hoping it's just residual oil dripping off the underside of the table after the rubber plug explosion extravaganza (twice).
I'm afraid it might be leaking somewhere else as a result of the oil I added per the procedure in the manual a couple days ago, and when that oil leaks out the table will go back to needing sticks jammed into the track to prevent table leak down. Which I can live with if it will always pump up far enough to jam the sticks in the track.
The rubber plug was very difficult to get back into the hole, so I used a hose clamp and "rubber patch" (see pic below). It's got to work at least as well as the damn rubber plug.
I tried his procedure except for adding any more oil. And it seemed to work so far. It didn't leak down over night. So... maybe.
When measuring for table leak-down with a tape measure the next day I noticed a couple small puddles of oil on the floor, hoping it's just residual oil dripping off the underside of the table after the rubber plug explosion extravaganza (twice).
I'm afraid it might be leaking somewhere else as a result of the oil I added per the procedure in the manual a couple days ago, and when that oil leaks out the table will go back to needing sticks jammed into the track to prevent table leak down. Which I can live with if it will always pump up far enough to jam the sticks in the track.
The rubber plug was very difficult to get back into the hole, so I used a hose clamp and "rubber patch" (see pic below). It's got to work at least as well as the damn rubber plug.
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