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Best Hydraulic Floor Jack

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SMLWinds

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I am looking for a hydraulic service jack to use in my garage. It will be used for automobiles, zero turn mower, and antique tractors as well as misc. tasks.

Who makes the best jack out there? I have heard old Walker jacks are great. I also keep hearing that Milwaukee makes a great jack. What about Hein-Werner? Can they compete with Milwaukee?

I don't spending premium money if I am getting a premium product for it!
 
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SMLWinds

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How are the Hein-Werner jacks? I would like to think they are great but I am guessing they aren't the best since they are cheaper. I do lean towards the Milwaukee. I don't know much about the AC jacks....will have to look into them!
 
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SMLWinds

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As a related question to this, what jack stands would you recommend? I absolutely want to spend top dollar if necessary on them to make sure they do their job properly. I have no desire to save money on buying jack stands so let me know what the best is!
 
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Hiball

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SMLWinds

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Thanks for letting me know about that! For jack stands, how do you guys calculate how much holding power you need? For example, let's say I am lifting something that is 5 tons. Would you use a 6 ton? Several 3 tons? A 10 ton? Or any of the previous options if available? I'm just wondering how big to go and if I should get more smaller stands or fewer big ones.

Thanks for the help....still would love to hear more recommendations on the jack itself!
 
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Hiball

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SMLWinds said:
Thanks for letting me know about that! For jack stands, how do you guys calculate how much holding power you need? For example, let's say I am lifting something that is 5 tons. Would you use a 6 ton? Several 3 tons? A 10 ton? Or any of the previous options if available? I'm just wondering how big to go and if I should get more smaller stands or fewer big ones.

Thanks for the help....still would love to hear more recommendations on the jack itself!
Click to expand...

Most Jack stand manufacturers rate there stands as a pair, Us Jack rates them individually I believe, as far as tonnage... If your not limited on height Mo Is Betta.. :beer:
 
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SMLWinds

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Are those stands at the link above as good as any on the market? I imagine out of all the things in your shop you don't mind failing a jack stand is last on the list!

Thanks for the information on ratings. I will probably overkill it (like I do most things with my toys....I mean tools!)
 
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zkling

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One thing to consider with jack stands is look at the cradle and the vehicle you will be lifting. My favorite is the flat top followed by the very slight U like those US jacks, but I mostly work on small FWD unibody cars. AC used to make a nice set, then I think Easco? took over that market. I ended up making my own due to cost. I also picked up a nice set of old walker stands that have a top profile like the US jacks stands.

Since you are willing to spend the money, if you have the room you might want to consider a used midrise lift. The difference between a new quality jack a set of stands and a used lift won't be that much different.
 
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SMLWinds

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So, one basic question that I hope someone can answer for the inexperienced like myself...

I am probably going with the Milwaukee jack...it seems nicely made and is pretty highly recommended. Now the question is 20 model vs. 40 model.

I will preface this by saying that I want this jack for a variety of uses...I do like restoring antique tractors, have an assortment of cars, have a skid steer, excavator, etc. I don't have any specific daily needs...it will be miscellaneous tasks.

My question is, aside from the money, is there any reason not to buy the 40? In other words, are there times when I will wish I had the 20 if all I have is a 40 or is more always better? Basically I am wondering if the prices were hypothetically the same, is there a reason anyone would ever buy the 20 instead of the 40?

Thanks a lot for your help!
 
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Hiball

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SMLWinds said:
So, one basic question that I hope someone can answer for the inexperienced like myself...

I am probably going with the Milwaukee jack...it seems nicely made and is pretty highly recommended. Now the question is 20 model vs. 40 model.

I will preface this by saying that I want this jack for a variety of uses...I do like restoring antique tractors, have an assortment of cars, have a skid steer, excavator, etc. I don't have any specific daily needs...it will be miscellaneous tasks.

My question is, aside from the money, is there any reason not to buy the 40? In other words, are there times when I will wish I had the 20 if all I have is a 40 or is more always better? Basically I am wondering if the prices were hypothetically the same, is there a reason anyone would ever buy the 20 instead of the 40?

Thanks a lot for your help!
Click to expand...

In the majority of cases the higher tonnage floor jacks have Min lift pad heights that are taller than smaller tonnage models, sometimes that can cause issues getting under lower vehicles. I'm sure that info is available on milwaukees website, so you can get a general idea what will work on your vehicles.
 
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alan camby

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Most jacks on the market provide about 20" of lift from the floor. I have a riser block on my import Napa jack. When I work on Trucks and even lifting my ZTR to max height, I use the riser to get the height I need.
When I finally break down and buy a jack, Compac brand will be at the top of my list. They have a few jacks that lift up about 30" from floor height.
Lift height is something to think about before pulling the trigger.
AC makes a jack like the Compac. Been awhile since I looked but the AC was a little harder to find in the USA compared to Compac.
 
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SMLWinds

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With regards to the jack stands, why is flat so much better? I would think a cupped design would do a better job of making sure nothing slips, wouldn't it?
 
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HaroRider

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Those ESCO are awesome..I threw away all my other jack stands after getting these.. they are Chinese unfortunately..but they are very good quality. Only thing the little clips that hold the pins in so you don't loose them kinda ****..
 
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