Hi-Lift Jacks... debating 4ft vs 5ft..

[ROUSTABOUT]

So does a piece of diamondplate. But on a slope, that floor Jack can get entertaining, too

I try not to have flats on un level ground.

 

[John0829]

I have the 4' that my FIL had that I use quite often and will say when you need one there is no better tool to have but a LARGE dose of common sense is a must as is with any tool.

 

[gstrom99]

Bruce

Oh, now I see. Thanks. These CAN be useful, eh?

 

[slk]

I can’t imagine where that 1 extra foot will come in handy. If you get the bigger one, promise you’ll take video of each time you use it. You will be guaranteed to eventually get some viral worthy footage.

 

[JWR]

Forty Four posts and climbing but you have never yet said what you want to do with a "high lift jack." What is it for? What are you trying to do with it? Are you talking what farmers call "barn jacks" and Jeep chasers call tire changer jacks for deep rut travel... ??

 

[priberc]

48" and 60"

Inevitably I will need a serious Jack or two, so I might as well get them BEFORE I really need them.

just looking to start arguments about whether to stick with the handier 48” size, get the extended capability of the 60” size, or maybe just get one of each.

Then there is the question of which model version, just to liven things up.


thoughts?

thank you!

. I will assume you speak of jack alls. Jack alls.....the jack of last resort and the one most likely to see to it that one way or another your child making days are done. Think about what you are doing with these very carefully when using them. Starting with do I have to use this thing/is there another way? No other way huh....Level and firm ground under it. Can the object being lifted move shift in any way? If it can move shift secure it....preferably before lifting it. Anything heavy getting lifted has a lot of stored energy and the heavier the object is the more stored energy.......food for thought.

 

[KilroyJC]

48" and 60"

. I will assume you speak of jack alls. Jack alls.....the jack of last resort and the one most likely to see to it that one way or another your child making days are done. Think about what you are doing with these very carefully when using them. Starting with do I have to use this thing/is there another way? No other way huh....Level and firm ground under it. Can the object being lifted move shift in any way? If it can move shift secure it....preferably before lifting it. Anything heavy getting lifted has a lot of stored energy and the heavier the object is the more stored energy.......food for thought.

If they made SERIOUSLY WELL-CONSTRUCTED Acme-Screw tall jacks like the 60’s vintage bumper jacks I have but won’t use for more than 500lb loads, I’d get them instead...

 

[Hamlin6]

I read a lot of posts about those jacks because they were invented and are manufactured just down the road from here. Seems like, all other things being equal, buying a third world knockoff would be even riskier. My stereotype of knockoffs in general is some distributor ships a real one overseas and says, "How much for 10,000 of something that looks like this?" New source can only measure the real one but has no concept of acceptable tolerances, metallurgy, etc that the OEM has learned the hard way.

Hey! I was born and raised in the town where Hi-Lifts are manufactured. Sounds like you are from an awesome part of the world!
I don't live there now but get back there multiple times a year. I still call it home. Great place, and a great jack if you are careful.

 

[KilroyJC]

Appalachia is awesome!

Jersey City, well, it has a richly-deserved reputation . . . Let’s leave it at that. . .

 

[stuckmotor]

The 4ft jack is a heavy and awkward contraption. The 5ft.would only be worse.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

God bless ya, I have done a lot of interesting things I shouldn't have, and never worried much about most of it........... but, Those damn jacks scare the crap out of me to this day.

Best,

ed

Yep. They can knock your darn head off, break your arm, or even end you.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

Interesting. I've never owned one and since I've lived this long without one I'm guessing I'll never buy one. I just can't imagine all the uses one would be good for.

I have used them to level portable buildings and to jack them up to get rollers under them, and to lift sagging decks. Also useful for pulling fence posts. Where people get into trouble is not putting a solid footing under them, concrete blocks or a 4x6. I would never use one on anything that rolls.

 

[Jstpssng]

Where people get into trouble is not putting a solid footing under them, concrete blocks or a 4x6. I would never use one on anything that rolls.

Also, people jack their vehicle up and expect it to stay there. I've seen guys start crawling underneath a truck to put blocking under it. Not only is that tiny base not stable; but the beam will pivot inside of it.

Still, it can be a handy tool if used with caution. They have gotten me out of a lot of places messes, before I found out what that "R" on the shifter stands for.

 

[Edstir]

Inevitably I will need a serious Jack or two, so I might as well get them BEFORE I really need them.

just looking to start arguments about whether to stick with the handier 48” size, get the extended capability of the 60” size, or maybe just get one of each.

Then there is the question of which model version, just to liven things up.


thoughts?

thank you!

They are so handy. I have a 3' farm jack I used many times without any problems. Funny I went to a garage sale this morning and purchased a Hijack 484 for $10. It needs cleaning and lubrication but looks like it was sitting in the barn for a long time. There so handy. Like all machinery you have to use common sense.

 

[dirttoys]

They are so handy. I have a 3' farm jack I used many times without any problems. Funny I went to a garage sale this morning and purchased a Hijack 484 for $10. It needs cleaning and lubrication but looks like it was sitting in the barn for a long time. There so handy. Like all machinery you have to use common sense.

It is funny, I am usually the one that feels if you understand your equipment and pay attention you will be fine. Something about those things, I feel like I am working by a coiled snake............

Best,

ed

 

[stuckmotor]

It is funny, I am usually the one that feels if you understand your equipment and pay attention you will be fine. Something about those things, I feel like I am working by a coiled snake............

Best,

ed

IMHO, you feel that way because you DO understand your equipment.
I've got two and feel the same way.

 

[Smokeydog]

Had one for many decades now. Used a few times and worked well. Rugged and reliable. Not my favorite tool but sometimes the right tool for the job. Having adequate base support important for any jack. Have some attachments that makes it more useful and safer. Don’t recall a situation where an extra foot longer would have been helpful. HiLift offers rebuild kits for pins and springs. Has to be lubed well to work well. Be wary of import copies.

 

[two_bit_score]

EDIT: ok- it’s a Super-Duper Come-Along.

Then if you are going to consider the More-power puller I recommend considering tha Amsteel blue rope instead of the cable.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I used a hy-lift jack just the other day on a galvanized culvert that had the end caved in, it was perfect for the job and worked great, I have also used them many times on large 3 pt hitch tractor implements that were unhooked on un-level ground or had sunk down on one side and the hy-lift was perfect for it, sure anything can be dangerous if not used properly, know your limitations and if you don't feel safe using one, don't.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I've had a Hi-Lift Xtreme 48" since 2014, and I have used it. I also consider it a tool of last resort. It has tried (never successfully) to hurt/maim/kill while being used. They are awesome once you pull of that task, but they are scary as all heck to use... especially after you have witnessed a situation where the jack base slips (even on flat concrete) or the item being manipulated moves and the jack becomes a violent 60 LB projectile. They demand MAXIMUM respect and fear, and if you keep that in mind, you may use it and never remove teeth or snap bone with it. I hate it, I am scared to use it, but I also have been in situations where it was the only thing I could use.