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

[KilroyJC]

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!

 

[dirttoys]

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

 

[bcp]

When is a near 4ft lift not enough?

If using it as a puller, you'll likely have to reset it several times anyway.

Go with the handier one.

I've used a 4ft for over 40 years and never wanted longer.

Treat it like you are handling a rattlesnake.

Bruce

 

[KilroyJC]

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

I have multiple pairs of Jack stands and use them religiously.

the quad looked kinda weird on the 12-ton stands when I did brakes last year, but it was SAFE!

 

[KilroyJC]

When is a near 4ft lift not enough?

If using it as a puller, you'll likely have to reset it several times anyway.

Go with the handier one.

I've used a 4ft for over 40 years and never wanted longer.

Treat it like you are handling a rattlesnake.

Bruce

my first car was a ‘75 Chevy Impala, with that stamped-steel ratchet bar bumper Jack that had the little tab of metal that hooked into the little slot in the chrome bumper. . . to lift almost 3 tons of Steel Pig.
I had a floor Jack in that trunk in under a week, along with a pair of 3-ton Jack stands.

 

[ovrszd]

Why are you wanting to start arguments?? Quoting your first comment in this thread. Thanks.

 

[CalG]

I've got a pair of 4 footers. Around a tractor, they come in handi for wheel work or shifting heavy implement ends.
I use the jack to lift the table on the hydraulic press. Sure saves the back!

There are a couple useful adaptors for the hi-lift. A cradle for the lifting peg, and a fitting to aid pulling. I keep thinking I'll get them...someday. ;-)

I can't imagine using a 5 footer to any better advantage when jacking. As a come along, the extra foot could be very handi. The four footer seems to run out of pull travel just about the time all the slack is taken up. And many a time, just one more foot of movement would have been the difference. I ended up getting a chain, lever rig ...

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'd get the Hi Lift. It has a removable handle. Mine have pipe handles I put in them. Others have welded handles and I've seen many broken ones. As far as length, I have one that's 3' and I just use it to break beads on tires. Useless for other things. Several 4' versions. I have one 4' that was bent and I straightened. I'm gonna cut it in half and make two 6' jacks out of two of the 4' models. I have some oil field tank batteries 8 ft x 16 ft that I need a couple of tall jacks to pick the end up and back my trailer under. They are laying on their side. I'll come along on the trailer once I get them started on.

 

[Jstpssng]

Do you plan to lift with it or use it for a winch? If the latter, the extra foot is worth having. But then, why not just buy a real winch? Wyeth-Scott More Power Puller with Wire Cable About the time that you need lift something 4 feet into the air, something's gone seriously wrong! If you need that extra 12" of height, expect it to lean, and you probably will end up with a permanent bow in the bar.

Many, if not most of my coworkers won't even keep one in the truck; there are too many things which can go wrong. Instead, they prefer a hydraulic floor jack, and some also carry chains and a come along like the one in my link above.


I have a 5 foot jack but don't see the advantage over a 4 foot, for the reasons listed above. I also carry one of the power pullers I linked above along with plenty of chain, plus a chain saw. As time goes on though I've gotten tired of using the above so my trucks are now equipped with another handy feature... reverse!

 

[workinonit]

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.

 

[Jstpssng]

I'd get the Hi Lift. It has a removable handle.

You've got to be careful with those, also. I once was jacking the back of my truck up, the jack slipped, and the handle went spiraling high over the truck and landed in front of the truck.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

You've got to be careful with those, also. I once was jacking the back of my truck up, the jack slipped, and the handle went spiraling high over the truck and landed in front of the truck.

Yes. I drill through my handle and put a pin or bolt through it. On truck bumpers, they get on a good tilt before wheel comes up. you have to chock the front wheel because if it rolls forward you can gouge your tail gate. Or bust your grille if on the front. I carry one in my old metal bumper truck. Can't use one with the newer plastic bumpers.

 

[setxjeff]

I carry a 12 ton bottle jack and a more power puller now , several times in the past a hilift jack caused more trouble than the original problem. I do have several but they are normally used as spreaders or clamps.
A 3 ton 30 ft more power puller is the thing to have and my horse trailer weighs 9000lbs empty so the 12 ton bottle jack is the safest thing.

 

[jaxs]

As squirrelly as they can get at 3-4 feet I can't imagine going even higher.

 

[aczlan]

I have a lever action chain hoist like this one that I find is the best for pulling where it sounds like you plan to use a high lift: 1/4 ton Lever Manual Chain Hoist
They also make them in 3/4 ton and 1 1/2 ton sizes. I've been very happy with them and would not replace them with a high lift jack, I have no interest in doing plastic surgery to reshape my face via a jack handle...

Aaron Z

 

[WranglerX]

Hi Lift jacks by nature are unstable so you need to block wheels to keep vehicle from moving forward/backward or sideways..... Also the ratchet mechanism is crude but effective, so stay out of range of handle, jack can ratchet down on its own and handle will fly up, if you are not careful and it will be looking to hurt you.... Are they effective, YES are the safe MAYBE, do I like mine NO.....It is last resort to move or lift or tug things (with chains) ....

 

[CobyRupert]

Why are you wanting to start arguments?? Quoting your first comment in this thread. Thanks.

Because somebody will post their opinion about jacks. Then somebody else will respond “No, no! You don’t know jack…!”

 

[jaxs]

With all the lawsuits and mandated safty devices(supposed safety,think gas can) how has hi-lifts remained on the market?

 

[jaxs]

Because somebody will post their opinion about jacks. Then somebody else will respond “No, no! You don’t know jack…!”

And neither know's diddly.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I carry a 12 ton bottle jack and a more power puller now , several times in the past a hilift jack caused more trouble than the original problem. I do have several but they are normally used as spreaders or clamps.
A 3 ton 30 ft more power puller is the thing to have and my horse trailer weighs 9000lbs empty so the 12 ton bottle jack is the safest thing.

I use a rail road toe jack for them trailers. Watch for one in pawn shops or flea markets.