Troubleshoot my hydraulic jack.
 

I bought one of these off Craigslist a while back, didn't get the owner's manual with it.

http://www.fototime.com/8E4BA90B76D7BC7/standard.jpg

It was fine with my bike, but ain't doing the job on the rear of the 993. It's rated for 1500 lbs., which is about half of my 993's weight. But don't they usually rate these things for way less than they can really handle? I would think it wouldn't have a problem lifting the rear of the 993, but it won't go but about halfway up when I put boards on it and place it under the case seam. I've bled it and added new hyd. oil. Anything else I can do or is this gonna be a bike-only jack?

A-Hah!!!! I see the problem. The red part.

Hydraulic, schmydraulic. Get a hi-lift.

Yep.

Craftsman jacks are total crap anymore. The hydraulic cylinders are non-replaceable (because you can't get parts for them) and they are poorly made.

Thats a great jack for a bike... Go get one that is made for lifting cars. Much safer.


Oh and check the fluid level ;)

"It's rated for 1500 lbs., which is about half of my 993's weight."

"...lifting the rear of the 993..."

Where do you think 3/4 of the weight of the car is?

True about the Craftsman Jacks. All from China now. Not that I ever trust a hydraulic jack, even with a bike.

I have other jacks I use for the heavy lifting and also keep them underneath whatever I'm working on once it's on jack stands. I don't even lift the bike with this one, but rather use it once the bike is up on its pitbull stands. I just figured it looked and felt real solid and wouldn't have a problem doing what my awesome HF aluminum jack has been doing for many years with no maint. or issues at all.

I had one of these jacks from Sears a few years ago when I used it I had the same problem. I gave up and gave it to a friend for their motorcycles.

It's a great jack for an engine drop, will keep engine balanced.

I am guessing you are trying to lift too much with it. I dont know for sure, but I would guess that there is a pressure relief system in it that will prevent it from lifting moe than it's frame is rated to handle. I would "guess" the @ss end of you're 993 is well over 1500lbs.