Help with determining a model of old Walker jack

[Shelbylex]

Good evening. I might have a lead on an old Walker jack (I know, I still never got to work on a Weaver, it will eventually happen...)

It has couple of problems:
1. The model is not known - the emblem is damaged. It says Roll-A-Car per owner. Is there an easy way to determine the model so I could see if kits are available?
It's possibly leaky
2. The jack goes up but needs significant weight to come down. Any ideas to what might be wrong and what is the remedy?
3. One of the rear wheels (smaller ones) has been dragged and is not completely round.. Would it create issues with operating the jack if I restore it? How hard is to find a replacement?

... Not that I have much space or any experience in fixing jacks, but you guys motivate me too much in acquisition of old tools...

 

[Walkers]

I seriously doubt you will find a kit for that. That is not to say parts aren’t available, just not kits. Get it if you want it, then take it apart and see what needs fixing.

 

[Hiball]

Looks like a 782/882 and seal kits are readily available. I would put eyes on the internals and secure hard parts prior to buying seal kits.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Walkers and Hiball

I would not be able to take it apart prior to buying if the owner agrees for it (I was in touch with him around 6 months ago and back then he was thinking of selling...). Is there any specific part which tends to break?
Do you think a flattened wheel would cause performance issue? I think it should not, but I never used an old style jack like that (I am not sure how hard would be to get a replacement one...)

 

[Hiball]

Thank you, Walkers and Hiball

I would not be able to take it apart prior to buying if the owner agrees for it (I was in touch with him around 6 months ago and back then he was thinking of selling...). Is there any specific part which tends to break?
Do you think a flattened wheel would cause performance issue? I think it should not, but I never used an old style jack like that (I am not sure how hard would be to get a replacement one...)

It’s probably 80 years old +/- There are clues that can be had by checking the rod surfaces on the pumps/Main Ram but if it’s seen water it’s impossible to know the internal condition without disassembly. I would turn it over and check the underneath of the tank nut and see how much wear is present where it meets the reservoir. I’m not sure what the seller is asking, but those old walkers are a dime a dozen here in the Midwest. The flat tire obviously would impede your ability to move it smoothly and you would want to remedy that issue.

Good luck on whatever path you take.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Hiball. The owner wants $40 (when he is ready to sell it - he though about it before and then decided not to, considering it now again 6 months later...). It's a little bit of a hike from me - I will try to go see it if he agrees to sell). Will post more pictures. Do not see too many of them in MA

I at some point would like to have a Walker 740 mechanical one - not sure how practical it is, but would be great if the old mechanical jack to use in the garage...

 

[paulsomlo]

I at some point would like to have a Walker 740 mechanical one - not sure how practical it is, but would be great if the old mechanical jack to use in the garage...

Someone in Vermont has had one listed in the classified section here for months. He's now bumped his ad 27 times, might be ready to make a deal.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Paulsomlo. There was a gentleman there, but he did not want to accept less than $300 I saw them several times for $50-75. Need to buy a truck or big SUV - would not fit in my sedan...

 

[Shelbylex]

I wonder what could get stuck in Walker 720: per description it does not leak, opens well, but gets stuck going down and needs weight on it to go down. The owner is supposed to send me some pictures...

 

[paulsomlo]

Thank you, Paulsomlo. There was a gentleman there, but he did not want to accept less than $300 I saw them several times for $50-75. Need to buy a truck or big SUV - would not fit in my sedan...

He started at an overly ambitious $400, dropped to $275. Not sure he realizes he's got a $75 jack, at most. You would think that after 27 bumps, reality would set in.

 

[Shelbylex]

I suspect he does not really want to sell it: I e-mailed him couple of times after he could not sell it for $400 - the best I got was $300. It is his fathers jack which was left over. I tried to convince him even forwarding him the $50 ad from CL which was in NY on the border with MA (could not get to it myself). Had no luck...

 

[paulsomlo]

I think he's under the mistaken impression that there's a market in antique floor jacks. If it had been restored to museum quality, and someone with lots of disposable income wanted it to display next to their lovingly restored antique automobile, it might be worth $200. But as is, it's going no where.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have an old Walker I picked up a while back, got parts to rebuild but had some issues after rebuild, never got back around to it. If you are interested and want to mess with it, shoot me a PM and we can talk.