New Arcan 3 Ton aluminum jack $99 at Costco

AmateurMechanic · Jan 3, 2016

Just a heads up. Saw a new jack the other day at my Costco. Looks like an updated version of the 2.5 ton Arcan jack they've been carrying for a few years. Looks very similar overall, seems like main difference is 3 ton rating vs 2.5.

Will post a picture later.

Weighs 58.8 lbs.
Lifting range 4 - 18.5 inches
Model # HJ3000

theoldwizard1 · Jan 3, 2016

I doubt that the Arcan is "significantly" better than what HF is selling. Highly likely that it is the exact same hydraulic unit, which if course is the weak point.

AmateurMechanic · Jan 3, 2016

theoldwizard1 said:
I doubt that the Arcan is "significantly" better than what HF is selling. Highly likely that it is the exact same hydraulic unit, which if course is the weak point.

I don't think it's "better" than the HF jacks mechanically speaking. The biggest selling point for the Arcan is the lifetime return policy at Costco vs. the 90-day warranty at HF.

AmateurMechanic · Jan 3, 2016

I ended up picking up one of these. Build quality seems very good.

I measured the minimum height and it's around 3.7 inches. The advertised 4 inch minimum height seems to be on the conservative side.

It takes 7 full strokes to reach maximum height (18.5 inches).

Harbor Freight doesn't sell a matching version, but the one below from Northern Tool seems to be a close (if not exact) match:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641772_200641772

Here's a picture:

G1GRANDEUR · Jan 3, 2016

I still use old blue color one. I think it's been more than 10 years.

theoldwizard1 · Jan 3, 2016

AmateurMechanic said:
I don't think it's "better" than the HF jacks mechanically speaking. The biggest selling point for the Arcan is the lifetime return policy at Costco vs. the 90-day warranty at HF.

I know that Costco has a good return policy, but "lifetime" ? Got that in writing anywhere ?

tonydanzah · Jan 3, 2016

I have used both the HF and costco. The costco unit is much nicer fit and finish

AmateurMechanic · Jan 3, 2016

theoldwizard1 said:
I know that Costco has a good return policy, but "lifetime" ? Got that in writing anywhere ?

It's pretty well-known among Costco members that their return policy is about as generous as it gets.

With the exception of some things (mostly TVs, computers, cameras, etc), there is no time limit on returns at Costco. As long as you have the same membership #, you don't even need receipts since your purchases are tied to your account.

https://customerservice.costco.com/.../article/200500000040287/Costco-Return-Policy

Another article here which summarizes it:
https://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2015/06/16/1034756_costco-return-policy.html

Costco’s return policy allows customers to return all items purchased at the warehouse (except certain electronics) at any time. This has been Costco’s policy for quite some time, and most customers have been pleased.

purplezr2 · Jan 3, 2016

theoldwizard1 said:
I doubt that the Arcan is "significantly" better than what HF is selling. Highly likely that it is the exact same hydraulic unit, which if course is the weak point.

Is the hydraulic unit really a weak point of these jacks?

I have had the same Aluminum 2 or 2.5T HF jack since ~2009, which was something like $49 back than.

It still works awesome, actually out lasted my 3T craftsman all steel jack.

I may have to look at these Arcan jacks next time I'm at Costco

occhis · Jan 3, 2016

I've been waiting for Costco to get these back in stock. Was there (Winchester, VA store) last week and didn't see any. Where did you see them?

1dwn5up · Jan 4, 2016

I picked the one up from Northern Tool for $199, saw this a week later at Costco, so I picked it up and returned the Northern Tool. It's basically the same unit, the color on the Northern Tool was slightly better looking. The only difference I noticed was that the lifting bar was a screw on the Northern Tool and a push button release on the Costco one.

I tried looking for this online but didn't see it. It was sold out 3 day later at the store, I'd call and ask if they have them in stock. For the price, it's definitely a steal. I won't be using it too often, but good to have in the garage.

lightning02 · Jan 4, 2016

I'll stick to my Arcan 3.5 ton low profile. Hasn't skipped a beat in 6 years.

ChrisPace · Jan 4, 2016

I saw them as well, I'm picking one up too! The jack I have now was $29 from Advance Auto and is 20 years old. I'm getting scared of it now.

AmateurMechanic · Jan 4, 2016

occhis said:
I've been waiting for Costco to get these back in stock. Was there (Winchester, VA store) last week and didn't see any. Where did you see them?

A good number of Costco stores in the Midwest have it. I was on the east coast recently and none of the Costcos in the northern VA area had it either.

The jack uses steel for the center lifting arm and aluminum for the outer portion (in red). It has a rubber lifting pad already in place, which is a nice feature that some of the HF jacks don't come with. The weight of the jack without the handle in place is 55.0 pounds.

Here are a few more pics:

Close-up of the welds:

77Mini · Jan 4, 2016

theoldwizard1 said:
I know that Costco has a good return policy, but "lifetime" ? Got that in writing anywhere ?

Costcos return policy has changed over the past few years. They are starting to be a little pickier about the returns they accept.

allinon72 · Jan 4, 2016

77Mini said:
Costcos return policy has changed over the past few years. They are starting to be a little pickier about the returns they accept.

And that can be attributed to the likes of people returning half-eaten birthday cakes.

GRX · Jan 5, 2016

lifetime return policy

In most cases "lifetime" refers to the lifetime of the product. Once it is no longer produced you are SOL.

rice rocket · Jan 5, 2016

GRX said:
In most cases "lifetime" refers to the lifetime of the product. Once it is no longer produced you are SOL.

This is completely false.

I buy carpet steam vacs from Costco exclusively because they all can't manage to make it past year two. And guess what? Hoover or whoever keeps refreshing their product line every few years, never have I been able to buy the same vac after returning the broken one, and yet I've never had a problem w/ returning it.

AmateurMechanic · Jan 5, 2016

GRX said:
In most cases "lifetime" refers to the lifetime of the product. Once it is no longer produced you are SOL.

"in most cases" does not include Costco. Besides high dollar electronics, just about everything else can be returned regardless of time.

New Arcan 3 Ton aluminum jack $99 at Costco

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