New At Costco: Arcan HJ2500 Hybrid Floor Jack

The Critic · Sep 3, 2013

Hey guys,

I was at Costco this past weekend and noticed that the familiar Arcan XL325R floor jack has been replaced with a different model.

The new jack is a "hybrid" jack, which is constructed with a combination of steel and aluminum materials. As a result, the weight is only 60 lbs compared to 99 lbs.

From a functional standpoint, I noticed two major differences. First, the maximum lift height of this model is 18.6", which is down from the 21.375" before. The minimum lift height also increased modestly from 3.5 to 3.75".

Overall, for most people, I think this jack will be a better fit for the average joe who likely prefers a lighter jack (for easier maneuverability) and does not need every bit of lift height.

Has anyone purchased this jack? I did a quick google search and was not able to locate any information.

Thanks.

Links: http://www.powerstationusa.com/brands/Arcan/product.php?mod=HJ2500

Mohawk Dave · Sep 3, 2013

The Critic said:
(SNIP)

Overall, for most people, I think this jack will be a better fit for the average joe who likely prefers a lighter jack (for easier maneuverability) and does not need every bit of lift height.

oh gosh...not trying to sidetrack. Apologies in advance!

While we talk and learn about this jack, can we touch on the subject of why the average Joe would want steel at all?

I went to aluminum a few years ago, Harbor Freight, and I absolutely LOVE those things. SO EASY! (Granted, this is used for the Focus and Explorer, but my big dually gets the old Walker 4 ton, and the Sears 3 ton truck jack I just bought tonight.)

I'm interested in knowing how/why this 60lb would be preferred to say the HF "2-ton 40lb"/ "3-ton 50lb" aluminum jack. (Respectfully, the price is linear as well at $160 and $200.)

Provincial · Sep 3, 2013

The earlier aluminum jacks developed a reputation for being fragile. I see this design as a way to address those skeptical that an aluminum jack will hold up. Pricing wise, it is $60.00 cheaper than the sale price on the 2-ton HF model, and has somewhat larger diameter front wheels at the expense of 17 lbs. more weight, but adding 1,000 lbs. more lift capacity and 3-1/4" more lift.

Davefr · Sep 3, 2013

Mohawk Dave said:
While we talk and learn about this jack, can we touch on the subject of why the average Joe would want steel at all?

I guess I have the opposite opinion and can't understand why the average Joe would ever want aluminum.

- On a concrete floor a steel jack is just as maneuverable
- For a given $ you get more capacity with steel
- Steel jacks often have a wider lifting range

The only scenario where I see an advantage to aluminum is if the average Joe needs to pick it up and take it someplace. (like the track)

theoldwizard1 · Sep 3, 2013

A slight segway here ...

With the large number of pickup driving around, why hasn't some one come up with a higher lift jack ? 20-22" is the norm. What folks need is something over 30" and keeping the overall length as short as possible.

Either that or a 6-8" raised saddle. Hmmm ... sounds like a good project for someone with a welder !

cmorr · Sep 3, 2013

Was wondering if you were the same fellow from Bitog (I just read your post there this AM)

Will be following this thread as I have an almost 20yo Kmart/Penske Yellow 3 Ton jack that despite being manufactured in China is still working but no the easiest for me to move around anymore

warmpancakes · Sep 3, 2013

theoldwizard1 said:
A slight segway here ...

With the large number of pickup driving around, why hasn't some one come up with a higher lift jack ? 20-22" is the norm. What folks need is something over 30" and keeping the overall length as short as possible.

Either that or a 6-8" raised saddle. Hmmm ... sounds like a good project for someone with a welder !

because most of the people who own pickups now dont get their hands dirty, unless they fall down

ilovevocs · Sep 3, 2013

warmpancakes said:
because most of the people who own pickups now dont get their hands dirty, unless they fall down

LMFAO

I remember when trucks had bench seats and no head liner. :dunno:

warmpancakes · Sep 3, 2013

ilovevocs said:
LMFAO

I remember when trucks had bench seats and no head liner.

the truck I drive daily doesnt have a headliner or carpet, doesnt bother me, the no cupholder does though :willy_nil

allinon72 · Sep 3, 2013

Meh....for the same price we get .75 less lifting power and 3 inches less lift height.

Loscaldazar · Sep 5, 2013

Not very impressed. For those of us who drive cars that have roughly 9 inches of ground clearance STOCK (and then factor in suspension travel) those extra 3 inches matter when trying to remove wheels. I miss the old one

05r50 · Sep 5, 2013

Loscaldazar said:
Not very impressed. For those of us who drive cars that have roughly 9 inches of ground clearance STOCK (and then factor in suspension travel) those extra 3 inches matter when trying to remove wheels. I miss the old one

An extra 3 inches always matters!! :rocker:

tomd · Sep 5, 2013

thanks for posting, my location has 19 in stock

EDGAR · Sep 6, 2013

For THEOLDWIZARD1 POST #5

A few of years ago, someone was selling a kit for aluminum jacks to lift them so they could be used with trucks. After that one, I saw another one advertised, but I haven't seen them afterwards. Perhaps there were no takers?

As for the change from a steel jack to an aluminum/steel jack, maybe people complained that the 3.5 XL was to heavy, so Costco decided to sell a lighter one. The price for both is the same and the 3.5 XL is still manufactured, so maybe that was the reason. Some people here in GJ have complained that their steel jacks, between 80 to 99 lbs, of any brand, are to heavy to roll or to take them somewhere else, so I have to guess that buyers at Costco have made the same complain. I don't think that Costco really cares if the new jack is less capable than the 3.5 XL, they are just happy to sell a jack, whichever it is.

SteveCh · Sep 6, 2013

My regular Costco does not carry these jacks. They did carry the all-steel ones, though no longer. Will try another store or two to have a look at them, assuming I can find them. I would prefer a Hein Werner to replace the old jack I have, but at 1/4 the cost, I don't know. I need to see one and look it over.

allinon72 · Sep 6, 2013

EDGAR said:
A few of years ago, someone was selling a kit for aluminum jacks to lift them so they could be used with trucks. After that one, I saw another one advertised, but I haven't seen them afterwards. Perhaps there were no takers?

As for the change from a steel jack to an aluminum/steel jack, maybe people complained that the 3.5 XL was to heavy, so Costco decided to sell a lighter one. The price for both is the same and the 3.5 XL is still manufactured, so maybe that was the reason. Some people here in GJ have complained that their steel jacks, between 80 to 99 lbs, of any brand, are to heavy to roll or to take them somewhere else, so I have to guess that buyers at Costco have made the same complain. I don't think that Costco really cares if the new jack is less capable than the 3.5 XL, they are just happy to sell a jack, whichever it is.

What is the weight capacity of those tires? Specifically the plastic ones...that looks incredibly dangerous :shocking:

cashishift · Sep 6, 2013

I would rather have the XL one... I don't care how much it weighs..

itwnexus · Sep 6, 2013

Does the Costco: Arcan HJ2500 Hybrid Floor Jack have an o-ring or a u-cup seal? Is it going to leak in a year? I know you can return it at Costco but I don't want to have to do that in a year.

EDGAR · Sep 6, 2013

As far as I know, all the steel Arcans have an o-ring and o-ring retainer as the ram seal. Aluminum jacks may use an o-ring but not necessarily a retainer. Maybe that is why they are so cheap. As far as o-rings leaking, depends on the quality of the o-rings used by the manufacturer. Sometimes they may get a batch of reasonable quality o-rings and other times, if they change vendors to save a few pennies, for example, they may get a batch of low quality o-rings, and even from the same vendor this could happen. It always happen, one person has a jack and it last a long time another person has the same jack and it last a few months. Anyway, o-rings are cheap and relatively easy to change by anyone with some mechanical experience.

Yes, the plastic tires on the lift kit (post #14) do look dangerous, but the inflatable tires seem to do well, as the pictures show. I don't actually know that they are plastic, but they do look like they are plastic.

ADSR · Sep 6, 2013

I own the jack and it's been pretty good to me.

marcusicp · Sep 6, 2013

Davefr said:
I guess I have the opposite opinion and can't understand why the average Joe would ever want aluminum.

- On a concrete floor a steel jack is just as maneuverable
- For a given $ you get more capacity with steel
- Steel jacks often have a wider lifting range

The only scenario where I see an advantage to aluminum is if the average Joe needs to pick it up and take it someplace. (like the track)

I agree completely. I even take my 100lb steel jack to the track with me but I am a pretty big guy so the weight isn't really an issue.

Average_Joe · Sep 6, 2013

I have a big red 2 ton hybrid, probably made in the same chinese factory. Before that I had a cm hybrid that started leaking very quickly. Both were purchased not because of perceived strength, but because of thickness and price. I have a low car.

Just figured I would put in my $.02 because of the speculation throughout the thread about what I would want. lol

PoorOwner · Sep 9, 2013

I got the previous Arcan Blue and silver aluminum jack and for some reason that one rating is 3.0 ton. No problems with it, BTW, but for SUV, I use the big powerbilt all steel jack..

This new one weights more and looks bigger (looked more like the shape of the powerbilt steel jack) But is actually rated 2.5 ton?

maleemi · Nov 2, 2013

I just picked up one of these floor jacks at costco this evening. I wanted the 3 1/2 ton all steel Arcan but they didn't have it in stock. I spent some time with the unboxed demonstrator and it seemed well built and operated smoothly.

The lighter weight is important to me because I live in an apartment building and have to drag the jack over hill and dale to get it down to the rough black top parking lot.

I haven't taken it out of the box yet but tomorrow I'll be doing an oil change and tire rotation on my 2010 corolla and oil, ******, transfer case, chassis lube, differential fluid change and tire rotation on my moderately lifted '96 Grand Cherokee so the jack should get a good workout.

FWIW, I fashioned a 3" lift extension for my lifted GC out of 4 3/4" glued and screwed pieces of plywood that worked just fine with my now defunct 15 year old $40.00 Walmart floor jack.

I'll post an update when I'm done tomorrow.

purplezr2 · Nov 2, 2013

warmpancakes said:
the truck I drive daily doesnt have a headliner or carpet, doesnt bother me, the no cupholder does though

Set the beer between your legs or drink it faster

nicksnothereman · Nov 3, 2013

The Critic said:
Hey guys,

I was at Costco this past weekend and noticed that the familiar Arcan XL325R floor jack has been replaced with a different model.

The new jack is a "hybrid" jack, which is constructed with a combination of steel and aluminum materials. As a result, the weight is only 60 lbs compared to 99 lbs.

From a functional standpoint, I noticed two major differences. First, the maximum lift height of this model is 18.6", which is down from the 21.375" before. The minimum lift height also increased modestly from 3.5 to 3.75".

Overall, for most people, I think this jack will be a better fit for the average joe who likely prefers a lighter jack (for easier maneuverability) and does not need every bit of lift height.

Has anyone purchased this jack? I did a quick google search and was not able to locate any information.

Thanks.

This seems like a bad idea to me. :willy_nil

I don't think there were many (if any) complaints with the old ones which means it's probably a cost based decision.

Chuck122 · Nov 3, 2013

nicksnothereman said:
This seems like a bad idea to me.

I don't think there were many (if any) complaints with the old ones which means it's probably a cost based decision.

I don't think so. I currently work at Costco and I can't say I have seen a ton of the old jacks rolling out. They have pretty much fixed profit margins so the most likely reason for the change is probably to increase sales. This is how Costco works, the dead wood is taken out and replaced by fresh blood.
It is likely that they analysed the market and figured out (like many others here) that our friend average joe prefers to save his back with a lighter package. Also, a new product always tends to sell just for novelty's sake
That's my take on it.

BajaBound · Nov 10, 2013

What is the benefit for a lighter floor jack? My 4 ton HF jack lives on the floor.

fourtythree · Nov 10, 2013

Im guessing the idea here is the average person will want to be able to pick it up and pack it away in a nice, out of the way storage area until the next time its needed.

JonnyC · Apr 28, 2014

I was just at Costco today and they were clearing out the last of these jacks for $75. The only one left was the floor model. I'm curious if they will no longer carry a jack now? I might just have to go with the HF 3 ton low profile.

JonnyC · May 11, 2014

JonnyC said:
I was just at Costco today and they were clearing out the last of these jacks for $75. The only one left was the floor model. I'm curious if they will no longer carry a jack now? I might just have to go with the HF 3 ton low profile.

Well nevermind. I guess they were just closing out the demo models. They got a few more pallets in and I just picked one up today. Working great so far.

1958 IMPALA · May 26, 2014

The Critic said:
Hey guys,

I was at Costco this past weekend and noticed that the familiar Arcan XL325R floor jack has been replaced with a different model.

The new jack is a "hybrid" jack, which is constructed with a combination of steel and aluminum materials. As a result, the weight is only 60 lbs compared to 99 lbs.

From a functional standpoint, I noticed two major differences. First, the maximum lift height of this model is 18.6", which is down from the 21.375" before. The minimum lift height also increased modestly from 3.5 to 3.75".

Overall, for most people, I think this jack will be a better fit for the average joe who likely prefers a lighter jack (for easier maneuverability) and does not need every bit of lift height.

Has anyone purchased this jack? I did a quick google search and was not able to locate any information.

Thanks.

Links: http://www.powerstationusa.com/brands/Arcan/product.php?mod=HJ2500

Thanks for posting, just got one & really like it.

New At Costco: Arcan HJ2500 Hybrid Floor Jack

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member