Power Fist 1,000 lb Steel Hitch-Mount Truck Crane

Introduction

The Power Fist 1,000 lb Hydraulic Truck Crane is designed to lift heavy cargo, such as generators and pressure washers, into a truck bed. It connects to the vehicle's hitch receiver for stability, requiring no drilling or permanent installation.

Safety

WARNING: Read and understand all instructions before using this tool. The operator must follow basic precautions to reduce the risk of personal injury and/or damage to the equipment. Keep this manual for safety warnings, precautions, operating, inspection, and maintenance instructions.

Hazard Definitions

• DANGER! Indicates an immediate and specific hazard that will result in severe personal injury or death if proper precautions are not taken.
• WARNING! Indicates a specific hazard or unsafe practice that could result in severe personal injury or death if proper precautions are not taken.
• CAUTION! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or moderate injury if proper practices are not taken.
• NOTICE! Indicates a specific hazard or unsafe practice that will result in equipment or property damage, but not personal injury.

Work Area

1. Operate in a safe work environment. Keep your work area clean, well-lit, and free of distractions. Place lights so you are not working in a shadow.
2. Keep anyone not wearing appropriate safety equipment away from the work area.
3. Store unused tools properly in a safe and dry location to prevent rust or damage. Lock tools away and keep out of the reach of children.

Personal Safety

WARNING! Wear personal protective equipment approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Personal Protective Equipment

1. Always wear impact safety goggles that provide front and side protection for the eyes. Eye protection equipment should comply with CSA Z94.3-07 or ANSI Z87.1 standards based on the type of work performed.
2. Wear gloves that provide protection based on the work materials or to reduce the effects of tool vibration.
3. Wear protective clothing designed for the work environment and tool.
4. Non-skid footwear is recommended to maintain footing and balance in the work environment.
5. Wear steel toe footwear or steel toe caps to prevent a foot injury from falling objects.

Personal Precautions

Control the tool, personal movement, and the work environment to avoid personal injury or damage to the tool.

1. Do not operate any tool when tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications.
2. Avoid wearing clothes or jewelry that can become entangled with the moving parts of a tool. Keep long hair covered or bound.
3. Do not overreach when operating a tool. Proper footing and balance enable better control in unexpected situations.

Specific Safety Precautions

WARNING! Do not let comfort or familiarity with the product replace strict adherence to the tool safety rules. Unsafe or incorrect use can lead to serious personal injury.

1. Use the correct tool for the job. Do not modify or alter this tool or use it for an unintended purpose.
2. Do not use the tool if any parts are damaged, broken, or misplaced. Repair or replace the parts.
3. The maximum lifting capacity is 1,000 lb. Determine the load's weight before lifting. DO NOT overload the crane beyond the rated capacity of each specified boom position. Overloading can cause damage or failure of the crane.
4. Do not use this crane to support a load; it is designed only for lifting and lowering.
5. Use only slings, levelers, or chains with a rated capacity greater than the weight of the load being lifted.
6. Do not stand under or work under a raised load, as serious personal injury or property damage could occur.
7. The legs must always be locked in the down position before applying any load and/or raising the boom.
8. Do not place your hands between the moving components.
9. Stabilize the load. Ensure the load remains stable at all times. Lift deadweight only. Do not lift people or animals with the crane.
10. Engage the vehicle's parking brake before use. Do not move the vehicle with the load still attached to the crane. Lower the load into the vehicle and secure it before moving.
11. Do not allow the load to swing or drop violently while lowering. Serious personal injury or property damage could occur.
12. Make sure there is enough clearance around the crane and the load for movement.
13. Before lowering a load, ensure there are no obstructions underneath and that all people are standing clear.
14. Inspect the crane before each use. DO NOT use if bent, broken, cracked, leaking, damaged, or if any suspect parts are noticed or it has been subjected to a shock load.
15. Check to ensure that all bolts and nuts are tight.
16. Never leave a loaded crane unattended.
17. Do not use brake fluid or any other improper fluid and avoid mixing different types of oil when adding hydraulic oil. Only good quality hydraulic jack oil can be used.
18. Store the crane with the boom in the fully lowered position and the hydraulic jack valve closed when not in use.

Hydraulic Precautions

DANGER! Seek immediate medical attention if hydraulic fluid under pressure penetrates your skin. See Injection Injury precautions for instructions before using a pressurized hydraulic system.

• Do not touch or handle hydraulic hoses or components while under pressure. Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure has sufficient force to penetrate your clothing and skin. A pinpoint hole may inject hydraulic fluid into your body. Seek immediate medical attention if this occurs.
• Never exceed the hydraulic system's load capacity (see Specifications).
• Do not adjust the hydraulic system's relief setting. The settings are pre-set by the factory.
• Hydraulic oil under pressure is hot and can cause a burn injury if touched, sprayed, or spilled. Allow the hydraulic system to cool before conducting maintenance.
• Hydraulic components require regular inspection. Release all pressure from the system before you inspect it. Replace damaged hydraulic parts with identical manufacturer's components.
• Do not attempt makeshift repairs to a hydraulic system. Such repairs can fail suddenly and create a hazardous condition.
• A damaged or disconnected hydraulic hose under pressure may whip around and inflict personal injury or damage the work area. Secure the hose to a fixed or permanent structure with clamps or cable ties.
• Hydraulic fluid has a combustible flash point of 200°F (93°F). Do not expose the fluid to an ignition source.
• Change your clothing immediately if sprayed with hydraulic fluid. Store clothing or rags contaminated with hydraulic fluid in an approved metal safety can with a spring-closing lid and venting designed to contain a fire.
• Only use hydraulic fluid in the pump. Do not substitute or mix brake fluid, or any other fluid, with the hydraulic fluid. This can result in a pump failure and injure the user or bystander. It may also damage the pump.

Injection Injury

DANGER! Seek immediate, professional medical treatment if fluid penetrates your skin. It may feel like a pricking or sting. Do not wait for the appearance of symptoms. A toxic reaction can occur from the exposure. Delay in treatment can lead to amputation or death. Inform the medical staff that you have a fluid penetration injury as soon as you arrive at the medical facility. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the type of fluid injected. Bring the Safety Data Sheet for the fluid with you to the medical facility if possible.

Injection Precautions

Fluid can penetrate the skin at 100 PSI pressure. Fluid escaping under pressure from the tool has sufficient force to penetrate your clothing and skin. Follow the precautions below to avoid an injection injury.

1. Always check for leaks wearing a face shield, safety goggles, rubberized gloves, and protective clothes.
2. Release all pressure from the system before you inspect it.
3. Do not use your hands to detect a fluid leak. Use a large piece of wood, cardboard, or paper and watch for discoloration.
4. Replace damaged parts with identical manufacturer's components to ensure it is rated to handle the pressure.

Unpacking

WARNING! Do not operate the tool if any part is missing. Replace the missing part before operating. Failure to do so could result in a malfunction and personal injury.

Remove the parts and accessories from the packaging and inspect for damage. Make sure that all items in the parts list are included.

Identification Key

A - Boom Arm

B - Bolt and Chain with Hook

C - Piston Ram

D - Jack

E - Stabilizer Arm

F - Hitch Connector with Hitch Pins

G - Post

H - Handle

I - Base Assembly

J - Legs and Struts

K - Foot Plate

Assembly & Installation

A vehicle with a 2 in. hitch is required during initial assembly.

1. Connect a foot plate (#24) to each leg extender (#23) with a bolt (#25) and lock nut (#26).
2. Connect each leg (#6) to the upper base assembly (#4) using a square PTO lock pin (#22). Ensure the clip snaps over the end of the pin.
3. Connect each strut (#7) to the lower base assembly (#4) using a square PTO lock pin (#22).
4. Connect each leg extender (#23) to a leg with a square PTO lock pin (#22). Each leg has a link bar with six holes. Attach the strut to the leg in the same hole on each side during initial assembly.
5. Slide the T-shaped connector (#5) onto the base assembly's stabilizer arm (E) until it is seated. Do not remove the bolts at this time.
6. Slide the 2 inch hitch bar into the vehicle's hitch. Align the bolt holes and insert the hitch pin (#32). Secure the hitch pin with the safety pin (#33).
7. Adjust the struts and legs so the foot plates are resting firmly on the ground to support the crane.
8. Insert the post (#2) into the base assembly (#4) until the flange is resting on the base's top.
9. Lay the boom (#1) on the post with the hinge fitting between the post's bracket. Slide a bolt (#11) through the bracket and hinge. Secure with a lock nut (#12).
10. Attach the long ram jack's base (#3) to the post's bottom flange with a bolt (#16) and lock nut (#17). Attach the jack's ram to the boom with a bolt (#13) and lock nut (#14).
11. Insert the final link of the chain with hook (#8) through one of the openings in the boom. Each opening has the maximum weight listed on the side.
12. Insert a bolt (#9) through the boom bolt holes and the chain link. Secure with a lock nut (#10). Do not overtighten.
13. Fill the hydraulic pump with hydraulic oil and bleed the pump (see Maintenance - Bleeding the Hydraulic System).

Operation

1. Determine the load's weight.
2. Insert the chain's end link through the boom opening that exceeds the load's weight and bolt into place.
3. Determine if the crane's position needs to be adjusted. Remove one or both bolts in the T-shaped connector (#5) and slide the stabilizer arm (E) through the connector until the crane is in the desired position. Tighten the bolts to secure the arm.
4. Adjust the legs by detaching the struts and repositioning the legs until the foot plates are firmly on the ground. Reattach the struts in the appropriate bolt hole in the link bar.
5. Open the jack's valve to lower the boom.
6. Hook the chain to the load. Accessories such as straps or lifting chain are acceptable as long as they exceed the load's weight and the load is not off-balance.
7. Close the jack's valve, then insert the jack handle (#15) into the jack's fulcrum. Pump to raise the boom.
8. Stop when the load is under tension, but before it lifts from the ground. Check the chain and load to ensure it is secure. Resume pumping to raise the load.
9. Swivel the post to move the load to the destination location. Do this slowly to prevent the load from swinging, as this may unbalance the load and cause an accident. The post can swivel 360°. You may restrict the swiveling range to 180° by placing the stop pin (#18) into either stop bolt hole (#19 or 20). The pin will strike a tab on either side of the base cylinder, preventing further movement.
10. Open the jack's valve gradually and let the boom lower slowly. Do not abruptly close the valve, as this can cause a shock-load on the jack and damage the jack or crane. Slowly close the valve once the load has settled.
11. Remove the hook from the load and swing the boom out of the way.
12. Open the jack's valve to allow the boom to lower completely, then close the valve. Secure the boom to the post with the straps (#38 and 39).
13. Remove the hitch pin and pull the T-connector from the vehicle.
14. Loosen the T-connector's bolts and slide the connector up the stabilizer arm to the base. Tighten the bolts to secure the connector.
15. Store the crane in a safe location.

Care & Maintenance

1. Maintain the tool with care. A tool in good condition is efficient, easier to control, and will have fewer problems.
2. Inspect the tool components periodically. Repair or replace damaged or worn components. Only use identical replacement parts when servicing.
3. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
4. Only use accessories intended for use with this tool.
5. Keep the tool handles clean, dry, and free from oil/grease at all times.
6. Maintain the tool's labels and name plates. These carry important information. If unreadable or missing, contact Princess Auto Ltd. for replacements.

WARNING! Only qualified service personnel should repair the tool. An improperly repaired tool may present a hazard to the user and/or others.

Hydraulic Ram Maintenance

Monthly maintenance is recommended for the hydraulic ram. Any restrictions due to dirt, rust, etc., can cause slow movement or extremely rapid jerks, damaging internal components. The following steps are designed to keep the pump maintained and operational.

1. Lubricate the cylinder and the pumping mechanism with light oil.
2. Visually inspect for cracked welds, bent, loose, missing parts, or hydraulic oil leaks.
3. Inspect the hydraulic ram immediately if it was subjected to an abnormal load or shock load.
4. Remove any hydraulic pump from service that is damaged, worn down, or operates abnormally, until repaired by an authorized service technician.
5. Check and maintain the ram oil level.
6. Always store the hydraulic ram in the fully retracted position. This will help protect critical areas from corrosion.
7. Do not use brake or transmission fluids or regular motor oil, as they can damage the seals. Always purchase and use products labeled Hydraulic Oil.
8. Lubricate the grease fitting with a grease gun once a month or when the boom becomes difficult to swivel on the post.

Bleeding the Hydraulic System

Bleed excess air from the hydraulic system as follows:

1. Open the release valve by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Remove the oil filler screw and fill the pump with hydraulic fluid.
3. Wait 5 minutes for trapped air to rise to the surface.
4. Pump the jack's handle several times to eliminate any air in the jack.
5. Check the oil filler hole and, if necessary, top off with more hydraulic oil.
6. Reinstall the oil filler screw. Close the release valve by turning clockwise.
7. Test the ram several times for proper operation before putting it into use. Do not use the ram if it still does not appear to be working properly. Have a qualified service technician service or repair the hydraulic system.

Maintenance Schedule

Lubrication

Inspect and lubricate the tool when required. Only use light oil to lubricate the tool. Other lubricants may not be suitable and could damage the tool or cause a malfunction during use.

NOTICE! NEVER use a penetrating oil to lubricate the tool. Penetrating oil can act as a solvent, causing breakdown of internal grease and seizing of the tool.

Storage

When the tool is not used for an extended period, apply a thin coat of lubricant to the steel parts to prevent rust. Remove the lubricant before using the tool again.

Disposal

Recycle a tool damaged beyond repair at the appropriate facility. Contact your local municipality for a list of disposal facilities or by-laws for electronic devices, batteries, oil, or other toxic liquids.

IMPORTANT! DO NOT pollute the environment by allowing uncontrolled discharge of waste oil.

Disposal - Hydraulic Fluid

Do not drain hydraulic oil into the sewer system or dispose of it in an uncontrolled location. Hydraulic fluid may take more than a year to break down in the environment, and the ingredients may still be toxic. Contact your local municipality for proper disposal instructions or locations.

Troubleshooting

Visit a Princess Auto Ltd. location for a solution if the tool does not function properly or parts are missing. If unable to do so, have a qualified technician service the tool.

Parts Breakdown

A diagram showing the parts of the truck crane with numbered labels is provided. The key to these labels is as follows:

• 1: Boom
• 2: Post
• 3: Long Ram Jack
• 4: Base Assembly
• 5: T-Shaped Connector
• 6: Leg
• 7: Strut
• 8: Chain with Hook
• 9: Bolt
• 10: Lock Nut
• 11: Bolt
• 12: Lock Nut
• 13: Bolt
• 14: Lock Nut
• 15: Jack Handle
• 16: Bolt
• 17: Lock Nut
• 18: Stop Pin
• 19: Stop I
• 20: Stop II
• 22: Square PTO Lock Pin
• 23: Leg Extender
• 24: Foot Plate
• 25: Bolt
• 26: Lock Nut
• 27: Bolt
• 28: Lock Nut
• 29: Pin
• 30: R-Pin
• 31: Bolt
• 32: Hitch Pin
• 33: Safety Pin
• 34: Bearing
• 35: Thrust Bearing
• 36: Bearing Cover
• 37: Protecting Housing
• 38: Strap
• 39: Strap
• 40: Retaining Ring
• 41: Cap Plate

Specifications