Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck
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lineman1954
New member
2 cents here; bought a needle scaler to remove slag from sub frame welds for my fabricated back hoe, 1.5 hours both ways to China Freight...I pre oiled it, set my reg. to 90 and had a joyous 4 minutes of exemplary performance. Moral...it looks like what you wanted, but don't count on it.
IslandTractor
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I haven't tried one mostly because I just use the FEL on the tractor to lift the mower. It's cheaper to buy or repurpose a couple of 2x4s as safety blocks to hold up the loader while working on the mower. Also easier to store.
dragoneggs
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I do the same after a wise tip here on TBN some time ago. Could've been you, IT.
aczlan
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How funny, I have one that's been lubricated twice, has more than a few hours on it and has worked very well on my compressor which is set at around 120 PSI.
Aaron Z
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
Have similar one from tsc that I really like. Quick and easy.
California
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That or preferably the loader are sure better than what I tried, the HiLift jack, when I wanted to pressure-wash under the Rotary Mower before I installed it in the spring. HiLift jacks are treacherous. Sure enough it came crashing down. I'm cautious when using it, no harm done, but that confirmed my opinion of them.
I got the HiLift (used) way back when it was reasonable to solve hi-centering my Willys Wagon by jacking up the front or back (simple steel bumpers) then letting the jack fall sideways to drop the Willys away from the ruts it was in. I've only used it a few times since, with much caution. I doubt HF's clone version ('Farm Jack') is any safer. Not Recommended unless you have a specific need that only this will solve.
California
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Mine was ideal for the specific project I bought it for: Grout around the plastic pipe into the septic tank was crumbling and leaky. Those long pins were the only tool that could get into the tiny gap between the pipe and the concrete tank wall, and clean out the joint so I could re-cement it. That worked great, re-grouting sealed it perfectly.
However ... My HF '2.5hp' 10 gallon compressor was rated about the same air volume as the needle scaler but somebody was dreaming. Using the tool exhausted the compressor tank in a few seconds. This was one of those cases where you buy the HF tool for a specific project and it pays for itself the first time you use it but the tool (in this case run from the 'matched' compressor) was hardly worth using again. Next time I got it out a year or so later it took some serious hammering to free up the stuck piston despite having run oil through it after the previous use. After using it that second time and again cussing the compressor, I haven't used it since.
Has anyone tried the mini needle scaler?
zoedog2012
Silver Member
Bought one 3 weeks ago, will never ever pick a mower up with my FEL again.
zoedog2012
Silver Member
My scaler must have come over on the same boat! Lasted about the same amount of time.
IslandTractor
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I think the HiLift jack is the most dangerous tool in my barn. Got to remember never to let go of the handle going up or down. Indeed, best to always keep two hands on it. And never let your head get between the handle arc and the jack. These things are widow makers.
IslandTractor
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What advantage to you see over using the FEL? I'm assuming the FEL is blocked and the mower secured to the FEL so it cannot slip as those are easy and necessary for safety.
zoedog2012
Silver Member
I used the lift to change an idler pulley and new drive belt, and that required that I drop the deck but didn't have to take it clear off. If I had used the FEL, the mower would not be stationary. I first tried the FEL and completely bent the crap out of the hitch and the mower would rock from side to side, was not near safe enough for me!
Poopdeck Pappy
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I hope you guys are using jack stands with that mower lift. I'd hate to trust my life to that thing.
I'd love to have one, but my Scag V-Ride weighs almost 1,000 pounds, so I assume the front end of it must be at least 300 pounds, which is the max lift capacity for the HF model. MoJack makes a couple of heavier duty versions, but they are much more $$$.
I'd love to have one, but my Scag V-Ride weighs almost 1,000 pounds, so I assume the front end of it must be at least 300 pounds, which is the max lift capacity for the HF model. MoJack makes a couple of heavier duty versions, but they are much more $$$.
zoedog2012
Silver Member
It is basically a jack stand in itself. Has a safety pin to keep from lowering.
Midniteoyl
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Has a pin keeper... Some are ratchet keepers..
dragoneggs
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Really? Interesting.
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Well...
I broke down Saturday and purchased a Harbor Freight US General 44" 13 drawer roller cabinet...
Used a super coupon for $340...
Also picked up a 30x16 three drawer service cart for $45...
And yes they tried to sell me a warranty on both the tool chest and service cart...
I broke down Saturday and purchased a Harbor Freight US General 44" 13 drawer roller cabinet...
Used a super coupon for $340...
Also picked up a 30x16 three drawer service cart for $45...
And yes they tried to sell me a warranty on both the tool chest and service cart...
IslandTractor
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- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
Agree but he really should have gotten the extended warranty. The circuit boards on these things often fail and what are you going to do then???:laughing:
