Stretched cable
 

I am looking at possibly purchasing a Hi-Lo, but the current owner says the cable has been adjusted as much as possible. In order to raise the top portion more completely, he knotted the cable to shorten it. Will this damage the cable?

I don't believe the cable was designed to have knots in it. I can see where there would be some extra stress added to it. Having cable stretch that much does not sound normal. I would be looking at where the cable attaches to the top section to see if there is some distortion on the bottom rail from possible wood rot, or if there is something bent where the cables attach at the lifting end.

I agree - NEVER knot the cable to shorten it.

I bet there is distortion where the cable attaches (or at some other point) from trying to raise the top too high. I distorted the area around the attachment point that way on one cable trying to get a corner higher than it was meant to go. I repaired it by removing the cable, filling the "dent" with epoxy, and then screwing an L-shaped plate of aluminum on as a reinforcement before reattaching the cable.

- Jack