Ask the Mechanic

Steve Thompson, Contributing Columnist

READER: I have one of those jacks on my place that we use all the time for different things. I have noticed that when I turn the handle loose under load, if it has not latched and "clicked," the handle can fly up very fast. It will also do that trick when I flip the unlock mechanism that allows the jack to go down. I just wanted to tell everybody to watch out for the handle when the jack is released under load. Have you seen this problem?

STEVE: Yes, I have. As a matter of fact, I have been grazed by the handle a couple of times, but my father-in-law actually got knocked out one day by an "uppercut" of that handle. Handle with care!

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-- Email Steve Thompson at mechanic@progressivefarmer.com, and be sure to include your contact information and phone number.

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