HUGE RECALL- Harbor Freight Jack Stands

[Bacon!]

This was the first/top one I saw...

Grasshopper, it would have been not, if the post bumped that original topic to the top.

 

[Skin]

I don't think the original price matters. I just returned the 6ton pairs and got $39.99 each plus tax on a gift card. When I mentioned I *know* I had paid more for them a year ago, the cashier mumbled something about that's what they go for now so that's what you get. YMMV.

They were $44.99 before coupon.

I'm skeptical of the whole thing.

Harbor Freight gains tons of free attention - negative for a possible problem , positive that they have it "handled".

Everyone is now talking about HF jack stands - likers that use them with no problems and haters who have never owned them.

Bring in the "questionable" stands to a store and get a store gift card. Wander around the store, load up your cart other stuff, sort your coupons and head for the checkout using your "gift card". Maybe get a new sets of jack stands - maybe not. You probably already have 4 other sets at home, that have never had a problem either.

Conspiracy theory of yet another unusual marketing ploy for Harbor Freight?

Even when HF was all junk they sold the hell out of jack stands and floor jacks. This recall is probably fairly costly given the unsafe stands are going to be turned into 50 cents worth of slag and I doubt they'll get any reimbursement from a Chinese company. They're notorious for ducking liability.

I never understood buying jack stands from the lowest bidder when its the only thing standing in the way of your head being turned into smashed bone and jelly.

 

[GeeTeeOhh]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

The Esco 3T look good to me at $54/ea. Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[ericlar80]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

The Esco 3T look good to me at $54/ea. Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I've got them and they are nice.

 

[OneDollarSaab]

I traded my dad for some 61196 jack stands a while back, and I've used them with no problems. I always do a vigorous shake/bump test before I get underneath and usually use the jack and/or a wheel as insurance.

I checked out the teeth in those 61196 jacks, and it looks like my particular pair weren't affected, although they are less substantial than the 1991 pair that I also use.

 

[WittHay]

About 10 years ago, OTC had a recall on their Stinger 6 ton stands. Something about the pawl not being machined right. The cast piece has to have good teeth and the pawl has to fit right in those teeth. The stands had date codes on them and I think it was about a year and a half production run affected, SPX/OTC gave the customers new stands

My observations on ratcheting jack stands are that they are safe within a reasonable working limit. Anything weird or heavy is what wood blocks and mechanical jacks/ large pin stands are for

Have quite a few 6 ton and up stands. Mostly use the Sunex type with the feet welded at the bottom. Little heavier than the OTC which has the angle corners welded in.

The Napa 7 ton is a good stand quite a bit heavier than a normal 6 ton but nowhere as large as a 12 ton stand. They all have the rubber boot over the handle for carrying including the newer Napa models

Also have a older Hein-Werner 6 ton with no braces or support at the bottom of the stand. Teeth are fine but the frames are getting bent. Goes into the while working on equipment use wood blocks instead of Chinese stands category

Four different versions of 6 to 7 ton jack stands that I feel safe working under. Not sure how past or present HF models match up or which version they are comparable to

 

[7avalon7]

As someone else here posted, don't go cheap with jack stands--spend an extra $20-$30 and buy a quality set. Your family & friends will appreciate it.

Not trying to start an argument here, but would you mind sharing what is quality set that cost extra $20-$30? I looked at Torin, Chicago Pneumatic and Napa online yesterday. All under $100. From looking at the spec, I am not sure they have better quality than HF, except the cost is more and the name are different. Their spec, height, weight, size of the base are very similar. Pretty sure these are made in China, so do we know they are not from the same company in China?

Maybe I am missing something here? Educate me

Btw, I always leave my floor jack under my car and have an old rim that I shoved under the car as well just for my peace of mind, regardless if I am using HF or whatever jack stand I am going to get next.

They were $44.99 before coupon.
I never understood buying jack stands from the lowest bidder when its the only thing standing in the way of your head being turned into smashed bone and jelly.

So how about you share your knowledge here what are good jack stand according to your standard that is not from the lowest bidder? and why do you think they are better. I, and others will appreciate it.

 

[mike93lx]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

The Esco 3T look good to me at $54/ea. Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Yep, they are nice.

Keep in mind that their rating is actually each, whereas most stands are per pair. So the esco 3t is the equivalent of most other's 6 ton

 

[zendriver]

About 10 years ago, OTC had a recall on their Stinger 6 ton stands. Something about the pawl not being machined right. The cast piece has to have good teeth and the pawl has to fit right in those teeth. The stands had date codes on them and I think it was about a year and a half production run affected, SPX/OTC gave the customers new stands

My observations on ratcheting jack stands are that they are safe within a reasonable working limit. Anything weird or heavy is what wood blocks and mechanical jacks/ large pin stands are for

Have quite a few 6 ton and up stands. Mostly use the Sunex type with the feet welded at the bottom. Little heavier than the OTC which has the angle corners welded in.

The Napa 7 ton is a good stand quite a bit heavier than a normal 6 ton but nowhere as large as a 12 ton stand. They all have the rubber boot over the handle for carrying including the newer Napa models

Also have a older Hein-Werner 6 ton with no braces or support at the bottom of the stand. Teeth are fine but the frames are getting bent. Goes into the while working on equipment use wood blocks instead of Chinese stands category

Four different versions of 6 to 7 ton jack stands that I feel safe working under. Not sure how past or present HF models match up or which version they are comparable to

^^this^^

There is probably 100 million of these design jack stands (most made in Asia) in use around the world - for decades, so it would seem that failure was an issue, we'd have heard a little more about it by now. Usually, when they do fail, it's from improper vehicle or work surface positioning.

Harbor Freight does a precautionary recall - on some models, now everyone is afraid to crawl under a vehicle.

We survived the coronavirus, only to be done-in by failing jack stands.

 

[M635_Guy]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Yep, they are nice.

Keep in mind that their rating is actually each, whereas most stands are per pair. So the esco 3t is the equivalent of most other's 6 ton

Honestly, I wish Esco made a slightly-more-affordable 2-ton (8-ton per set) stand for something at/under $40. Their shorty stand (min height is 11" vs. 13.2" for the regular one) is more in line with what I need/want, but they're more than the taller stand ($62-$65).

But, I'm kinda tired of hearing about jack stand recalls...

 

[mike93lx]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Honestly, I wish Esco made a slightly-more-affordable 2-ton (8-ton per set) stand for something at/under $40. Their shorty stand (min height is 11" vs. 13.2" for the regular one) is more in line with what I need/want, but they're more than the taller stand ($62-$65).

But, I'm kinda tired of hearing about jack stand recalls...

The cost of a good tool is quickly forgotten.

If you are good at $40, $65 should be easy to swallow

 

[mrvm]

I traded my dad for some 61196 jack stands a while back, and I've used them with no problems. I always do a vigorous shake/bump test before I get underneath and usually use the jack and/or a wheel as insurance.

I checked out the teeth in those 61196 jacks, and it looks like my particular pair weren't affected, although they are less substantial than the 1991 pair that I also use.

IMO discard or return the recalled 61196. Any other HF jack stand I got will have limited low-level use. Looking at some versions that have a lock or pin for more security.

I have the 3-ton orange jack stands that I will discard because the pin holding the pawl onto the handle falls out and everything comes apart when used.

 

[driftpin]

I have a pair of what I assume are probably 3 ton pin-type jack-stands I bought nearly 50 years ago. I used them on my first four-wheeled vehicle, a Chevy van, and for years after that. They used a steel tube with cross-drilled holes for the weight support, and a triangle stamped-steel base. The tube cross-pin was held captive by a white plastic cap which fit one-end of the cross-pin, and the other end of the plastic cap was pop-riveted to the stamped-steel triangle base, so you supposedly wouldn't lose the pin. Others of that era used a light steel chain to hold-captive the steel cross-pin. I think I may-have bought the pair at a Gold Triangle store, or a JM Fields, along with a 15" hydraulic floor-jack. I always made-sure that I had a stable surface to set them on, no angled lifts, and I'd leave the jack under whatever side I was working-on. I can tell you that my HFT 6-ton jack-stands are much-stronger in construction than my stamped-steel pin-stands. I never would have bought the HFT stands if they looked weak in design to-me.

 

[M635_Guy]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

The cost of a good tool is quickly forgotten.

If you are good at $40, $65 should be easy to swallow

I think it would be better-articulated to say that I'm good enough at $160, but really challenged at $260. Then I start thinking about going really nuts and spending $500 to get the Rennstand thing I saw in the Bottle Jack thread.

It's egregiously expensive, but it does solve what I hate most about jacking and jack-stands (the "interference" of the jack with where I want to place the stands and all the manipulation involved in setting them). I solved that problem with a QuickJack a year ago - long before I saw the above a week ago - and it might have changed my decision to buy the QuickJack. Having spent the money, I'm not sure I can justify having both (or even the Esco set at $260).

 

[Bacon!]

Not trying to start an argument here, but would you mind sharing what is quality set that cost extra $20-$30? I looked at Torin, Chicago Pneumatic and Napa online yesterday. All under $100. From looking at the spec, I am not sure they have better quality than HF, except the cost is more and the name are different. Their spec, height, weight, size of the base are very similar. Pretty sure these are made in China, so do we know they are not from the same company in China?

Maybe I am missing something here? Educate me

HF problem is not the design. It's the quality control. This extends to more products than just jack stands.

 

[SeisMec]

Have been using 4 HF 6 ton jack stands for the past year & a half. They belonged to a buddy who I've been helping to bring his old junkers back to life. We took them to HF yesterday and exchanged them for new ones.

My very first time using the returned stands, I noted the rounded tooth tip of each stand's pawl. (Always inspect jack stands before each use.) The somewhat rounded tips compelled me pay everyday, normal, safe attention when setting saddle heights.

For visual reference & nomenclature.

The tooth style of both new & recalled HF 6 ton jack stands.

Drawing showing pawl tooth engagement on a (better?) tooth style variant.

When you raise the saddle of ANY ratchet bar jack stand, if you simply drop the ratchet bar and rely on the weight of the handle to fully seat the pawl tooth, you're setting yourself up for a potentially catastrophic accident. Always, always, always - lift that ratchet bar again - about 1/16" - and push the locking/latch/pawl handle down to ensure complete tooth engagement.

DISCLAIMER 1: I deemed these particular 4 recalled jack stands safe for use when properly placed and properly adjusted for height. Not having inspected your particular recalled jack stands, I can't and won't claim that yours are also safe. Maybe these particular jack stands were the very best of a very bad lot. When we returned these, we first made sure they had replacements and inspected the new stands to make sure they were better than the old ones.

DISCLAIMER 2: The above does not cover every detail that must be attended to in order to safely utilize a ratchet bar jack stand.

 

[mrvm]

Have been u

When you raise the saddle of ANY ratchet bar jack stand, if you simply drop the ratchet bar and rely on the weight of the handle to fully seat the pawl tooth, you're setting yourself up for a potentially catastrophic accident. Always, always, always - lift that ratchet bar again - about 1/16" - and push the locking/latch/pawl handle down to ensure complete tooth engagement

Checking the engagement before use makes sense for these types of jack stands but getting pinched makes great muscle memory too

 

[7avalon7]

HF problem is not the design. It's the quality control. This extends to more products than just jack stands.

What makes you think that quality control is better for other companies, specifically their jack stands?

I am just trying to understand why I should buy brand abc instead of xyz.

 

[bobcatdan]

I wonder what the settlements were for the ones that dropped on people?

 

[ericlar80]

What makes you think that quality control is better for other companies, specifically their jack stands?

I am just trying to understand why I should buy brand abc instead of xyz.

There is obviously no way to know who has better "quality control" by just looking at one jackstand. You would need to look at them over many lots, and against the actual design specifications themselves. Quality control isn't just about a part "looking strong". It is the means and ways in which a company deploys a quality system, creates designs, evaluates associated risks, monitors their suppliers, and so many other things.

The ironic thing is that having good quality is less expensive than having bad quality (recalls, out of spec parts, etc.), but you need to deploy a lot more resources to have a good quality so it seems like good quality would be more expensive. On average, more expensive goods will be of higher quality.

In this case, I think you just need to follow the path of where recalls have existed for jack stands. The first bad design was the pipe with the end split into three to make the legs (see picture). The next is this design we have been talking about that is a mixed bag of materials, processes, and a design that was made for efficiency of manufacturing. You are not likely to see recalls on pin-type jack stands that are made recently because they cater to a crowd that wants it to last a long time and have the extra sense of security.

 

[visionguru]

What makes you think that quality control is better for other companies, specifically their jack stands?

I am just trying to understand why I should buy brand abc instead of xyz.

The ratcheting style jack stands are NOT SAFE if they are pulled out very high.
IMHO, it's little about Harbor Freight, it's the design. A few years ago, I watched videos of similar Craftsman jack stands too.

Even if Snap On makes similar style jack stands, we still need to use them with caution. Instead of pulling it out very high, consider much higher rated jack stands. I still think Harbor Freight jack stands are safe if you only need to pull out 2~3 clicks.

 

[WittHay]

But I am kinda tired of hearing about Covid....

Like anything related to China we dont know much about how things are done in that country. Eric the owner of HF made a few comments that the Daytona jack was made in the same factory as Snap-ons

Until someone phones or emails Gung Ho jack stand making company and asks them exactly what other company's they make stands for besides HF, we dont know anything.

Dozens of brands of jack stands , slight weight and design variations. Almost have to have a requirement that the OEM's of safety equipment should be registered somewhere and all the brands they manufacturer listed.

Lke OEM 1 makes Sunex, OTC and OEM 2 makes HF, Torin

 

[DFB]

Time for to weigh in on the one I guess because I also got the recall email...and I do have a set of the HF 3 ton still new in box. Was a flip under for under the tool tent last year. Didn't have any takers so guess that's a good thing now. I will send the owners son back with them for the $20 credit as he wants to by one of the garden hose style transfer pumps anyhow as his plan is to drain an replace the liquid calcium chloride ballast in one of the bigger tractors tires before removing the wheels.

I have had 2 sets of Speedway 6 ton jackstands and a set of Craftsman 3 1/2 ton for a good 20 years or more. I never seen either on them slip after being positively engaged with weight. Just now looking over the notches on either of those 2 different brands neither one impresses me much with notch depth But they all do lock in. (I don't have the HF here at home to look at)

I look at it this way being if it's a voluntary recall that HF is doing then that's no less than the right thing after perceiving a possible problem (most likely some lawsuit challenge prompted it I don't personally know any more details beyond the worn tooling announcement) though how many companies haven't ignored issues in the past until there has been multiple negligence claims brought up against them.

Laws and litigation seems to have removed a lot home mechanic/garage option from shelves in many places over time...jacks, jackstands, car ramps, parts washers all seem to be fewer and fewer options available.

 

[Bacon!]

What makes you think that quality control is better for other companies, specifically their jack stands?

I am just trying to understand why I should buy brand abc instead of xyz.

Ever been in a Harbor Freight store?

Literally, half the time I have to sort through a pile of some widget to get the one with the least imperfections. Some imperfections are just cosmetic, others effect functionality, and some functionality problems can be catastrophic as in the case of jack stands.

OR, is not this thread an example? I'm not suggesting that other brands don't have defects and recalls, but the defect rate I observe at HF is higher than anywhere I've seen in my life except for over 40 years ago, there was this store called Rinks that had imported tools that were even worse. Heh, I recall back then at Rinks, Goldstar was the crappiest TV you could buy, but today they're LG and considered a major brand. Some things change, and some items at HF are better quality than they used to be, and higher priced.

The thing about quality control is that it costs money, in both doing it, loss from rejected pieces, and keeping tooling/molding/etc in better condition to reduce the error in the first place.

This is nothing new, as always there is a certain minimum you can expect to pay for a quality widget. I'm not going to pimp brands but would stay with any major brand on a product where failure is dangerous, and still inspect that widget. The pics of the teeth I saw on these recalled jack stands, show they are obviously insufficient for good pawl engagement.

 

[toddmorr]

wow, took a look at my 15 yr old Craftsman 4 ton jackstands. The entire tooth doesn't engage squarely across the pawl on them either. Maybe half of it.

never had an issue but maybe it's time to look at a premium brand.

 

[skulldrinker]

I've got at least to jack stands going back.

 

[BrandoJames]

Not trying to start an argument here, but would you mind sharing what is quality set that cost extra $20-$30? I looked at Torin, Chicago Pneumatic and Napa online yesterday. All under $100. From looking at the spec, I am not sure they have better quality than HF...Pretty sure these are made in China...Maybe I am missing something here? Educate me...So how about you share your knowledge here what are good jack stand according to your standard that is not from the lowest bidder? and why do you think they are better. I, and others will appreciate it.

If you refer back to Post #54 in this thread, I describe the Chicago Pneumatic jack stands that I own, with link & pix. I think a locking pin is an important safety feature for any jack stand. I also like the plated feet of the CP stands, just for stability under load. Once you buy a pair of quality stands, you'll never go back to cheap stands.

There tends to be some reverse snobbery on the board: "Hey, my cheap stuff is just as good as your high quality gear!" And sometimes that's true. But when you extend that philosophy to jack stands, you're only putting yourself at risk. Below are a couple of links that are way more informative than my posts. I hope that helps.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=44&v=XW4L2SfsatQ&feature=emb_title

http://besttorquewrenches.com/jack-stands/

 

[zendriver]

Funny I have seen this design of jack stand since I was a kid, never hearing about a failure, even to this day.

Now, it looks Like "we're all going to die!"

Damn coronavirus. Now we are afraid of everything.

I notice that many of those who buy the "better" jack stands, still use something else, as a backup so apparently they don't fully trust their's either.

 

[70Mach1]

Just returned my pair of 3-ton stands. The kid at the register gave me the option of a gift card or crediting the amount to my debit card. I took the credit to the debit.

 

[BrandoJames]

Funny I have seen this design of jack stand since I was a kid, never hearing about a failure, even to this day.

Since you’ve never heard about a jack stand failure, then it can’t possibly be true. Got it.

Now, it looks Like "we're all going to die!" Damn coronavirus. Now we are afraid of everything.

That’s it. Only wimps worry about a safe work environment. Damn Harbor Freight, scaring their customers and giving away free store credit. Eric Smidt needs to man up.

Dude, I hope you’re trolling.

 

[zendriver]

Since you’ve never heard about a jack stand failure, then it can’t possibly be true. Got it.



That’s it. Only wimps worry about a safe work environment. Damn Harbor Freight, scaring their customers and giving away free store credit. Eric Smidt needs to man up.

Dude, I hope you’re trolling.

Seems like folks that are worrying about it the most, don't even own the product.

I haven't rushed frantically out to the garage yet, to check mine, but I will and if they are the recalled numbers, i'll turn them in.

If they aren't, I'll just keep then and use them like the other similar designed brands, I already have and have used hundreds of times.

Or, maybe should I just throw them all in the scrap pile.

Now I'm worried.

 

[Skin]

So how about you share your knowledge here what are good jack stand according to your standard that is not from the lowest bidder? and why do you think they are better. I, and others will appreciate it.

I purchased 2 sets of US Jack 6 tons some years back. They sell primarily to the military and commercial clients but use to run overstock sales direct a few times a year. No idea if they still do that. Their stands are designed with double pawl engagement and its staggered so you'd actually have to shear off a bunch of teeth to get the same failure mode as these Chinese jack stands.

Funny I have seen this design of jack stand since I was a kid, never hearing about a failure, even to this day.

Once the lock bar is down you shouldn't be able to load the stand and cause it to collapse.

 

[BrandoJames]

Seems like folks that are worrying about it the most, don't even own the product.

Feel free to do a forum search on all the HF products that I own, including a Daytona DJ3000 floor jack. Most of the guys on this board have had to replace a cheap tool with something better. Either that tool failed on them or there’s a reported pattern failure or design flaw (like in this case). I threw away my Craftsman jack stands due to a wrongful death lawsuit. Check post #83 in this thread.

 

[DFB]

Once the lock bar is down you shouldn't be able to load the stand and cause it to collapse.

Wow that is a serious defect

I could jump on any of mine jackstands and they wont drop

Here is another video came right up after that link with some comparisons between the bad and the good

 

[dsaabm]

Funny I have seen this design of jack stand since I was a kid, never hearing about a failure, even to this day.

Now, it looks Like "we're all going to die!"

Damn coronavirus. Now we are afraid of everything.

I notice that many of those who buy the "better" jack stands, still use something else, as a backup so apparently they don't fully trust their's either.

The "design" or basic principles of how the stand operates is not the problem. There are other designs with redundancies or improved mechanisms that are recommended over this style but

The problem is a critical part of the product is made out of spec and fails under load.

How hard is that to understand? Somehow a pandemic is to blame for a jack stand recall? Was your head crushed by these stands?

 

[M635_Guy]

The "design" or basic principles of how the stand operates is not the problem. There are other designs with redundancies or improved mechanisms that are recommended over this style but

The problem is a critical part of the product is made out of spec and fails under load.

How hard is that to understand? Somehow a pandemic is to blame for a jack stand recall? Was your head crushed by these stands?

He's just trying to rub some neurons together and sound interesting to a certain group of people.

 

[Pressingonward]

For people looking for alternatives, I found these: https://graystore.herokuapp.com/list/id/3-tf

They have a variety of heights and capacities. I like the look of the design, but no experience and no idea of pricing.

My 6 ton stands are the old orange ones (bought used at an auction). Pawl engagement looks ok. When I eventually buy new stands I'll be looking for a set that are US-made, which I'm trying to do for everything at this point.

 

[jonshonda]

I had the recalled ones and now have the yet to be recalled ones, and will say that if the quality of materials and manufacturing is anything quality of the welds, don't be surprised if there are more issues in the future.

 

[driftpin]

Hoo-hah, time to stir it up!

This is an easy way to provide you with a bit of additional security for your ratcheting jack-stand. Drill a pair of holes so that a machine screw can go-through just-above the pawl, and effectively lock it in-place. Use a hitch pin through the drilled threaded end of the machine screw to secure it in-place. Now, no-amount of jostling can dislodge your pawl.

The Northern Tool (NT) jack-stand has a design where a triangular pin apparently is positioned so in the event of something happening, the slide-in pin will catch a ratchet tooth to prevent a beam collapse. My modification simply prevents movement of the pawl from dropping-off its ratchet tooth.

 

[bpjr]

Mine are way older and aren't in the recall but I took them apart and checked anyway. It's difficult to see the engagement but the teeth don't look as deep or pronounced as my Husky set. I'm going to do some white paint on the teeth as a tracer and try to ID how deep the pawls are engaging. I always use at least two stands or one stand and jack. Trusting any brand is rolling the dice to me...so over time I've ended up with 4 jacks, 4 ratchet stands, 2 non ratchet stands with pins and a bottle jack.