The lifting mechanism is basically a cast steel socket which drops over the top of the rack which contains two hardened steel lifting pegs. These 'pegs' are chamfered on their no-load tops and are pushed into the holes in the rack by two light springs.
To the bottom of the lifting mechanism is the 'toe' which carries the weight of the load. On the opposite side of the top is pivoted the operating handle. The "Hi-Lift" has a two piece handle and the "Jackall" is all in one. In either case, just above the handles' pivot point is a further pivot to which a short link is attached to it's lower runner that carries one of the two 'pegs'. The upper runner which is the main body of the mechanism carries the top 'peg'

With the 'reversing catch' on the side of the top runner in the upright position - ie: to lift, movement of the operating handle causes the two pegs, in turn, to be located in the rack. It is extremely important to make sure at all times that the reversing catch is in the upright position whenever a load is held. Similarly the operating handle should always be left in the upright position against the rack when a load is on the toe.

If you already own a high lift jack, next time you get it out, observe exactly how the two pegs work in unison with one another. If you are going to buy one of these brilliant jacks, when you take delivery make a point of understanding what happens as you swing the operating handle through it's arc.

When lifting, the bottom peg is taking the load whilst the handle is being pulled downward on it's power stroke. The chamfer of the topside of the top peg lifts this peg clear of the rack during this simple operation. The top peg then takes over the load as the handle is lifted up again ready for the next 'lift' dragging the bottom peg upwards in readiness to take the next load.

To lower the load, first make sure the handle is in the upright position against the rack and hold it there with one hand. With the other hand, or side of your boot, knock the reversing catch lever downwards. This unclips the upper part of the catch which is attached to a reversing slide. This works in conjunction with the weight of the load which traps the pegs. The reversing slide is brought into play by downward movement of the reversing catch lifting the pegs one at a time clear of the rack thereby allowing them to enter one hole down in turn as the handle is operated.

Now the really serious WARNING. The reversing catch must NEVER be released when the operating handle is in the lowered position. The reason is simply this. With a heavy weight on the toe of the jack, that handle will almost certainly fly up against the rack with a hell of a clout. This shock on the jack will undoubtedly cause the handle to fly back down again as the pegs take their turn in lowering the load rather rapidly. And that handle will continue in flying up and down until the load comes off the toe.

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