Little Fiver Hydraulic Press

[Ga41chevy]

I recently purchased a 5 ton press; hence the name Little Fiver press. Compared to my real press it’s nothing, however bought it for display and occasionally I would like to use it to keep it operational. It’s about like a coke can crusher. It has a job, it can do the job, it’s a simple design, and I can quickly dismantle it too move to a different location.
My problem is I have spent hours on the net trying to find information on it and have been unsuccessful. I believe it was probably made in late 30’s to mid 40’s but just guessing. Hoping it would work when I got it to my shop, I added what seemed like a quart of hydraulic jack oil. (10wt was on decal) I pumped and got movement. I opened the open/close vale to let it retract. After numerous cycles I can get it to extend to 75% but it will eventually retract on its on without opening the valve. I’ve attempted to pressurize it with it pushing against a solid piece of shaft and it will not get under any load. I’m thinking it probably has all leather seals in it because of it’s age. I’m not a hydraulic person and I don’t want to take it apart and it end up in a bucket with me asking for help on something that I took apart. I’m attaching pics so hopefully you brilliant minded people can help this confused minded person. Thank

 

[930dreamer]

I can move this to the Vintage Tool thread if you'd like? My searching didn't turn up anything either.

 

[RTM]

Throw a guy a clue: Arthur j xxxxx. Hydro press?

360 xxxxxx ?

Arthur J Hurt Co

360 South St Navajo Denver 23 ( a residential neighborhood, with 40s era housing IMO)

Vintage 1955 per this Oral Hygiene publication.

The ad shows a link to this patent

 

[B_Bimmer]

I would be unable to resist something that cool if it was local to me. However I can offer nothing helpful to your questions.

 

[RTM]

If you are really desperate, apparently there is a catalog in the Denver public library

Arthur J. Hurt & Co Denver (Book, 1962) [WorldCat.org]

Get this from a library! Arthur J. Hurt & Co Denver. [Arthur J. Hurt and Company.]

www.worldcat.org

Looks like they were still in biz in 1966


He may have had a patent in 1935

Ddi some aircraft work in WWII

Middle name John in a 1948 publication

From here you could probably dig into a little more depth, but seeing nothing on his products.

 

[Ga41chevy]

I can move this to the Vintage Tool thread if you'd like? My searching didn't turn up anything either.

Sure. It’s my first forum experience and I didn’t know where to post it originally. I know there has to be Hydraulic guys out there with great info to get this thing operational.

 

[Ga41chevy]

I can move this to the Vintage Tool thread if you'd like? My searching didn't turn up anything either.

Please move it to antique tools

 

[930dreamer]

Moved!

 

[Fierljeppen]

Very interesting hydraulic press!

I did a search on Google Books and found a snippet from a 1949 Modern Machine Shop magazine. Then I headed over to the Archive.org site, found the magazine and downloaded the page, which is below.



This was the only information that came up in my search.

As far as getting it to be a functioning press again, you could hookup with a local hydraulic shop and work with them for the knowledge and parts that will be necessary. I've used a couple in my area for similar needs and both companies were able and willing to help me.

Cool piece of history, update the thread as you make progress.

 

[Ga41chevy]

Wow I’m impressed! I have spent several hours trying to get info. and I came up with nothing. You did good. I will try the local shops and see what they can do. Thanks for your help.

 

[Roberts210]

Take the upper assembly with the hydraulic cylinder to a hydraulic jack shop. They will be able to rebuilt the hydraulics, and then you can spiff up the rest of it.

 

[Ga41chevy]

Thanks great idea.

 

[KZRider]

I bought the same model press at an auction and am attaching a couple of pics. Included is a Dec, 1968, invoice for some parts for the unit that was in a box that came with it. Did you ever get the jack operational? Just curious as mine is also needing work.

 

[Ga41chevy]

Hey thanks, glad to see another press like mine. Ive got a hydraulic guy who has ran his own business for forty years working on it. He says he should be able to update all the seals to modern types. I want it functional but I have a large press for my daily work. I will get him to give me a parts list and brief notes on what he had to do. I hope to get it back this week, however, he’s been taking cancer treatments and his next one is the 10th. So I might not get it back this week. I will give you the info he gives me if you are interested.

 

[KZRider]

Thanks! I would love to hear how that goes. In no hurry. Any info on the repair would be welcome. Nearest hydraulic repair shop is about 80 miles away so I think I will attempt the job myself if possible.

 

[KZRider]

Ga41chevy, I see that your serial number is 1140. Mine is 813 which I presume makes it but with no idea how many a year they were making. It is very tempting to just remove the bottle jack portion of the press and retrofit a new jack in its place. It is my hope to actually use this press for installing or removing bearings and the like. Nothing heavy duty.