With Harbor Freight, you don't need a reason to take it back. When I bought my cheap chinese mig welder, I asked about if it was a case of that I wasn't satisfied with the product. They say that they have a 30 day, no question ask garuntee.

I think that the bleedown test on the ram would a good move. Have a body hang on it, and check to make sure that you can control the rate.