Harbor Freight tools thread.

Picked it up today and brought it up the mountain with me. A few things that I don't like.

The ring that is meant to hold the hoses causes one of them to sit on the sharp edge of the bracket, that will be removed.

The hole for the hoses to go to/from the pump and to/from the side to side piston is too small and 3 of the 4 hoses rub on an edge. This one will take some work to cut out that section entirely to make it larger, then reinforce the structure.

Whoever assembled it used A LOT of thread tape on the tank drain......

 

For the hole that the hoses pass through why not make a ghetto grommet with some 1/4 or 3/8 fuel line split open length wise? I've done this a few times with firewall holes and it just takes a bead of silicone to hold it in place. Way easier than cutting & reinforcing your brand new toy.

 

I thought about that, but decided I'd rather just make the hole bigger. After more thinking, I believe I can make the hole bigger without cutting the section out. Instead, I should be able to just move the hoses around when I get the cylinder loose and I will unbolt the controls to get extra slack. Then, just cut with a cutoff wheel.

Something else I am going to do is add a sight glass to the hydraulic tank and install an elevated breather where the dipstick/breather is. I am also going to install an extended oil fill tube and oil drain to the engine. Right now the engine has 2 fill/check holes in a position that requires using an angled funnel and the drain is right on top of the frame which will make a mess. I'll make the fill tube come up on the seat side hole with an oversized fill neck. I'll run the drain to the side so it sits about an inch away from the frame and I'll weld a brush guard to the frame to protect it.
Something else I am going to add is tie down anchors.

 

Found an issue that I didn't see during assembly. While wiping the dust off the boom sway cylinder, I noticed something wasn't smooth on the shaft. I pulled it off the boom and turned the shaft 180*. That is when I found a bunch of dents in it.
I already emailed HFT support and requested a new cylinder be sent as the dents are in a spot and there are enough of them that it will cause leakage when swayed left.

 

That’s not good at all.
That will leak for sure.
Shouldn’t even pressurize the system…

 

Those aren’t’ dents. That’s a feature: shot peened for extra surface hardness and strength.

 

Someone peened the shit out of that, must have been reprimanded for something or is quietly quitting.

 

None of the others have anything on them. I extended all of them out with no other issues found. I just can't sway left beyond center.

Edit: replacement cylinder should be here in 3-7 business days.

 

Anyone has this camera setup?



Curious to know how it works, if it's any good, etc.

 

Haven't tried that brand, but have been using this one for a little over a year now with no issues.

 

That's cause the HF thread tape is thin as fuck, gotta use a lot of that crap. No wonder they give you so many rolls. Gave all that shit away.

(I'm just talking shit, I'm sure whatever factory that assembled that don't use the same stuff HF sells but who knows)

 

This is pretty cool! The manual is quite thorough.

 

The tool creeper is well worth it for me, especially for only $15. I had my eye on the

$29 Performance Tool W85032 Tool Creeper Rolling Caddy Tray with 5 Sections for for Mechanic Garage and Workshop Organization, Black, 17.13x15.75x4.75"es

Performance Tool one but it was double the price. Not only was the HF much cheaper, the casters seem better, also has the little steel plate to stick a flashlight.

Was planning to wait till Labor Day sale to get it. But one Sunday night I decided to just pick it up the next day at regular price cause I had some work to do on the truck. Monday I woke up & had a 30% off $20 & under coupon in my email. Nice, perfect timing, got it for $10.50, couldn't be happier at that price!

The one on the left, the one on the right I like a lot too, for smaller jobs, but it's not from HF.


I love these things, never knew they existed, & never noticed it at HF. Wish I had one years ago.

 

I like the mix of HF, SnapOn/Matco, and Knipex.

 

Oh, they used that cheap crap. It actually says in the instructions for assembly not to use thread tape, they used tape at every pipe thread connection. When I am ready to add a sight glass, I'll replace all the tape with good sealant.
I ordered a hand throttle lever and cable. That way I can operate the throttle without having to turn around.

 

There's a bit of Craftsman & Japanese tools too.

 

BOOOOOO... I was hoping for one of the no restriction ones for labor day. Wanted a weld, oh well. Guess i will get a hammer or one of 6 things they dont exclude, lol

 

I have a handful of things on my list to get from there. Hopefully I don’t pass by there and end up spending $200 I didn’t plan for.

 

I'm waiting for another no-exclusion so I can get a welder, but we may be on super tight budget for a while.

 

might help. new from yesterday