anndel
Well-known member
Hein Werner, had the 2 ton version for 8 years now and so far no problems, I guess it's time to lube the moving parts and check the jack oil level.
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Best Floor Jack?
- Thread starter SMLWinds
- Start date
This is seemingly an old thread, but I'll add my two cents.
For home/garage use I have an AC Hydraulic dk13hlq. It's got enough reach and is plenty low to get to the center jack points on my race car (tho 2x8's are required so I can get under the oil pan). It's a great jack, well made, clearly not Chinese parts.
For track use "best" to me is the HF aluminum ones. They work well enough but are cheap enough that when it dies, gets lost, or ends up on someone else's trailer I'm not worried about it. The Bhernz...whatever brand it is that are like $1000 is just more than I like to spend on trackside gear when the $75 one works.
For home/garage use I have an AC Hydraulic dk13hlq. It's got enough reach and is plenty low to get to the center jack points on my race car (tho 2x8's are required so I can get under the oil pan). It's a great jack, well made, clearly not Chinese parts.
For track use "best" to me is the HF aluminum ones. They work well enough but are cheap enough that when it dies, gets lost, or ends up on someone else's trailer I'm not worried about it. The Bhernz...whatever brand it is that are like $1000 is just more than I like to spend on trackside gear when the $75 one works.
Marv's Shop
Well-known member
Agreed! Love this jack. Picked one up in August from Zoro tools. Got it when they were having a 30% off sale, around $360 w/ free shipping. When lowering it, it was very touchy but is great now after some use. Highly recommend.
Richard D
Well-known member
I have an air over hydraulic floor jack, I love it. This is a similar model, not sure of the brand. I got mine from Greg Smith, I think it's a two ton, was $450. They only have 5 and 10 ton now for $625 and $750.
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blazinPond
Member
Thats an unreal price!
Normally i would feel bad about overspending by 100 bucks.
But the HW is so good, it helps dull the pain
Colin Len
Well-known member
I haven't used most of what's been posted here but a friend has one from AC Hydraulic and I really liked it. Sorta surprised that wasn't mentioned here - or maybe the quality isn't that great? The best part for me was that the wheels have o-rings to dampen noise when rolling the jack around - makes a HUGE difference.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/tools/AC-Hydraulic1.htm
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/tools/AC-Hydraulic1.htm
1dwn5up
Active member
I just picked up the Strongman version (3 Ton) after I helped this kid with a flat tire around my street. Figured I can use a low profile one since the one for my truck wouldn't work. He had a jack with a front wheel missing, and his dad is a mechanic!
I supported it with a piece of plywood so it wouldn't tip.
I tried the Arcan, but it's just too heavy and cumbersome to roll around at 109 lbs. The Strongman is "just" 64 pounds. I'm not planning on using it extensively so I think it'll be ok. I mainly just do fluid changes on my truck and replace rotors/pads/rotate tires. It's $189 right now online price, although supposedly the store will match the online price.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641772_200641772
As a reminder for the newer folks, the jack is only to LIFT the vehicle, once lifted, it should be supported by jackstands with a safety pin
The jack itself shouldn't hold the weight of the vehicle. Then get redundant and put extra items underneath the car (tires, large blocks of wood, etc.) and shake the vehicle aggressively before going under.
Have owned/used many jacks over the years. Without a doubt, the finest jack I have ever used is my Milwaukee model 20. If there's better out there, I sure don't know about it. Prolly gonna get a model 40 as well and then unload all my other jacks at a tag sale. Milwaukee jacks are expensive and you'll wait a while to get it but it's well worth it.
-Valentine
-Valentine
AC Hydraulic products were mentioned in several posts on page 1 of this thread. They look similar to Compac floor jacks that are also manufactured in Denmark.
mjoekingz28
Well-known member
Safety pins were for old diapers! I like pawls. At one point I was looking for dual locks-pawls and a slug pin to hold the weight too, I think Torin made them. But then it kind of dawned on me that it would be false confidence. The jack stands could still slip and possibly kick over. I kind of figured to leave well enough alone, you know? It may sound bad since it is the most important tool, but putting all your worries into the latching mechanisms and forgetting the frame could collapse, the ground could sink, the stands could tip over, or any other unforeseen instance.
Like getting a sportscars the stickiest tires around because you are worried about leaving the road.......then hit a slick spot, painted line, sand in a corner. Stuff you might not think about or pay attention to that can lend you extra confidence, but be false.
1dwn5up
Active member
What do you recommend? I was referring to something like this:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641758_200641758
http://www.usjack.com/images/pdfs/Jack Stands.pdf
I saw that US Jack made one with double-locking lever, but my concern was, how do you know that it gripped it right? I figured if you have one piece gripping it with the lever, and if you can't insert the pin, then it may not have latched correctly. Luckily I have a truck so I can fit underneath it for a majority of the items (oil change + rear differential) without having to jack it up.
A forum member recommended getting a jack stand where you can work at it's minimum setting. It still doesn't prevent it from sinking or the frame failing, but prevent it from possibly releasing if it's already at it's lowest point.
reader2580
Well-known member
Is a USA made floor jack like the Milwaukee really worth paying close to $1000 for? Will it last that much longer than an import for someone who uses one a few times a year. A local hydraulic shop always has a bunch of reconditioned floor jacks and I will check there too.
I recently bought one of those small Chinese floor jacks for lifting my riding mower, but I wouldn't want to use it for a car as it is tiny.
I recently bought one of those small Chinese floor jacks for lifting my riding mower, but I wouldn't want to use it for a car as it is tiny.
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I was about to pull the trigger on a Milwaukee 20 in early Aug. until I received the quote... still looking for a good used jack as it is hard to justify $695 for a 2 ton jack (35% price jump in July), although I still like that they are 100% USA and local to me.
In the meantime, my 20 year old import does the job and the 50 year old Weaver I am restoring will be put into use once complete.
In the meantime, my 20 year old import does the job and the 50 year old Weaver I am restoring will be put into use once complete.
reader2580
Well-known member
Where are you finding a Milwaukee model 20 jack for $700? They are all closer to $900 online.
Flivver250
Well-known member
Hein-Werner
I am not sure there is a "best," as there are various commercial quality brands that are used all day and roughly handled. I would say that any of those is best, and then you have to think about height, weight capacity and weight of the jack if that is a concern. If you will lift anything that is very low to the ground, ability to get under that is important. For myself, as an amateur, I have two very old floor jacks in great condition that do anything I need. If I had a higher garage ceiling I would get a lift.
Also, of course, get good stands.
Also, of course, get good stands.
ImStricken06
Well-known member
not gonna lie, i love my HF 3-ton jack
here is my review:
here is my review:
Luckily I was able to get one in June after a 4 month wait and it was $515. I thought that was fair, but their new prices are just too high. A model 40 is $950 if you go down there and pick it up. I guess it ships freight for those not local so it's over 1K for them. I am however super happy with the 20, amd don't regret that purchase at all. If it wasn't that it would be a HW. I'm done with cheap **** jacks. Never again.
Roberts210
Well-known member
You want the best? Milwaukee Hydraulics, in Milwaukee, Wisc. is the only U.S. jack manufacturer left. I have a 2-ton Milwaukee Model 20 jack that I've had since 1988. I bought it at a garage sale. It's from the late 1940's I believe. It has NEVER failed me.
Here's a video of a large group of Milwaukee jacks:
Here's a video of a large group of Milwaukee jacks:
blackcat96
Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2013
- Messages
- 5
how about american forge and foundry(AFF) http://www.affjaxx.com/ im looking to get 1 too.i herd u can get replacment parts for them too if needed.
I'm willing to bet there is nothing American in American Forge and Foundry. I could be wrong but you don't hear them talked about in quality conversations and their models look just like the cheap imports with a slick label.