Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[rbstern]

What do you do if you have a rough texture sprayed in bed liner? I would think that my bed liner would rub through the thing in just a couple uses.

Actually, with a heavy load, you probably wouldn't be able to turn the crank to move the material out of the bed. Too much friction.

 

[dragoneggs]

Actually, with a heavy load, you probably wouldn't be able to turn the crank to move the material out of the bed. Too much friction.

Yah, I found that out the hard way once forgetting to put the mat down before having a half yard of crushed 5/8 gravel loaded. Need a smooth surface under the unloader for sure.

 

[prichard]

Yah, I found that out the hard way once forgetting to put the mat down before having a half yard of crushed 5/8 gravel loaded. Need a smooth surface under the unloader for sure.

I did a similar forgetting. I went and got some crusher run and totally forgot the unloader. Man was upset with myself.

 

[PhysAssist]

I did a similar forgetting. I went and got some crusher run and totally forgot the unloader. Man was upset with myself.

Here comes the back and shoulder pain, oh and hands too, now that the dreaded CTS [carpal tunnel syndrome] has latched onto me....

One of the best things that getting our tractor w/ FEL did for me was let me stop shoveling multiple truckloads of gravel out of the bed of our F-350, and spreading it out over our 1000'+ driveway every couple of years, if not more often.

At first, we were still going and getting it loaded into the truck, but without the above unloader, I still had to tailgate it and scrape it into the bucket.

Now, every 2-3 years, we get about 20 ton of unwashed #1 crusher-run [with all the rock dust left in] dropped in the wide spot [pass-by] of our drive, and we spread it at our leisure using the bucket and RO-box-blade- much less damaging to this old guy.

If we had a tailgate for the truck, [or I was inclined to create one]- this might be a great option, but even with my hard plastic bed liner, I don't know if it would slide well, unless I power-washed it out each time before use, because the small linear grooves always pick up a ton of debris, and make it difficult for anything to slide around [EXCEPT things you're sure won't, and will get destroyed if they do- those slide like crazy...]
YMMV,
PA

 

[thepumpguysc]

Speaking of those gas can spouts on the cans from HF..
I took mine apart & clipped about 4 coils off the spring..
That way, you don't have to use so much force to keep the spout down when your pouring..
I also added the yellow "vent cap" to all my cans.
I also drilled a very small hole on the little red cap "lip".. & ran some 30lb fishing line thru it & tied it to the spout..
I'll never lose the cap that way.. its worked out perfectly..
"Just a little tip from your Uncle Larry"..

 

[John_Mc]

Many of the diesel and gas cans at HF, TSC, RK and auto part all seem to come from the same style blow molds, but the spout mechanisms can be different. The cans shown on the Rural King site as of right now (for $10.99) are the slightly older model with the fixed red spout and the internal valve mechanism that emerges when pressure is applied against the fuel tank lip. HF and TSC are now stocking the newer, and IMO even better, design with the all-black spout that has a thin red clip that you press to unlock. Then, pressure against the fuel tank lip causes the forward section of the spout to telescope into itself. I have several of both styles, plus a variety of older designs.

What I'm seeing on HF website shows the red spout on their 5 gallon diesel cans. The gas can pictures don't show the spout. It may be different in stores, but the nearest one is over a 1.5 hour drive from me, so checking in person will have to wait until I need more than a gas can.

 

[Threepoint]

What I'm seeing on HF website shows the red spout on their 5 gallon diesel cans. The gas can pictures don't show the spout. It may be different in stores, but the nearest one is over a 1.5 hour drive from me, so checking in person will have to wait until I need more than a gas can.

Yes, and Rock Crawler says the can he bought at RK has the black spout. So I think the artwork on the RK and HF websites, and probably others, just hasn't caught up with such a relatively minor product change. My nearest HF only had the newer, black spouts two days ago, and the manager told me they are only receiving those now.

Some of the older-design cans may still be in the pipeline for some vendor locations, but a quick phone call could determine that. Interestingly, TSC had their basic fuel cans on sale two or three months ago, and the diesel can I bought then has the black spout and is identical to what I bought at HF last week.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Best fuel spout EVER!

EZ-Pour HI-FLO Replacement Spout Kit 351

I can empty a 5 gallon gas container in 30 seconds.

 

[Threepoint]

Best fuel spout EVER!

EZ-Pour HI-FLO Replacement Spout Kit 3��51

I can empty a 5 gallon gas container in 30 seconds.

To each own. My oldest cans (pre-EPA regulation) use that same style of ribbed, flexible spout. They do empty fast after you add a pop-in vent as I have. But to get them started without spilling, I have to hold a finger of my left hand over the tip of the spout while bending it into the tank opening, at the same time lifting the can up high enough and tilting it with my right hand. Usually also have to use my right knee to help get the tilt started when the can is full because of the center of gravity. Meanwhile, the bent spout is under tension and sometimes springs out of the tank before I get things positioned! Maybe it's just me, but those cans seem to be getting heavier every year.

I much prefer the newest EPA spout design, but the design I liked the most was the earlier EPA style from a few years ago with a short, rigid spout and green actuating lever. Tilt the can, poke the spout into the tank and press the lever to start the flow. I regret not buying a bunch of those before they were phased out!

 

[lostcreekranch]

To each own. My oldest cans (pre-EPA regulation) use that same style of ribbed, flexible spout. They do empty fast after you add a pop-in vent as I have. But to get them started without spilling, I have to hold a finger of my left hand over the tip of the spout while bending it into the tank opening, at the same time lifting the can up high enough and tilting it with my right hand. Usually also have to use my right knee to help get the tilt started when the can is full because of the center of gravity. Meanwhile, the bent spout is under tension and sometimes springs out of the tank before I get things positioned! Maybe it's just me, but those cans seem to be getting heavier every year.

I much prefer the newest EPA spout design, but the design I liked the most was the earlier EPA style from a few years ago with a short, rigid spout and green actuating lever. Tilt the can, poke the spout into the tank and press the lever to start the flow. I regret not buying a bunch of those before they were phased out!

The vents come with the hi Flo kits. Drill 1/2” hole, pop it in.

I think I liked the green ones the least. Very slow. They caused me to buy the original EZ Pour spots.

But, like you say ...... to each it’s own.