That would be my guess too. What happens when you pump the handle? I'm guessing that the center post just raises a bit. The upper part gets positioned as far up as possible, then pushing the handle levers the center post up just a bit. Maybe some sort of aligning jack, as it doesn't look like it can move very far.
I've never seen anything like it.


Kevin
1951 Chevy 3100 work truck
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1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car)
Busting rust since the mid-60's
If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.