Farm Jack ( Hi-Lift )

[xroad]

Not able and not willing to spend top dollars on a quality hydraulic jack, I tried a Sears jack. It leaked on day one. Returned it.

Now I am considering a farm jack, Hi-Lift to be exact. Seems like they have accessories so I can use it on regular cars. I have an econo-box Nissan Sentra, a mini-van, and a F150 pick up. The accessory is a pair of hooks to hook onto a wheel and the jack lift the car up by the wheel, via the hooks. Looks simple enough. Once the vehicle is lifted, move in the jack stand under the arm that holds the wheel (what is the proper name?) and lower the vehicle onto the jack stand. Is it as simple as it looks? The video on their web site make it looks very easy. The price is right, less than $100. Last a life time. Nothing to wear out if kept lubricated.

I see no limitations. Any quirks about these jacks that I don't know? I know it will be great with the truck, but what about the mini van and the econo box Sentra?

 

[vette-kid]

Where did you find a Hi-Lift for under $100

 

[boiler7904]

While they work great off road and have more potential uses than a floor jack, they wouldn't be my first choice for working on concrete. Hi-lifts aren't real stable. You need to be real careful working with and around them.

The big quirk to watch out for is the recoil when lowering the jack. You only need to get hit by the 1" steel pipe handle once to get a whole new appreciation for these tools. I was extremely lucky not to break my jaw or cause any injuries to myself when I took a direct hit from a recoiling handle across my lower jaw. I bit my tongue so hard, my teeth left indentations in my tongue that were still there 3 months later.

 

[Crawlin]

Got to be real careful. I would get a red one if possible. I believe Northern Tool and my Tractor Supply have them in red for less than 100 bucks in the 48" model. I had one, it saved my **** when I got a truck really stuck, but they can be sketchy when lifting. I did stick the end of it in my reciever of my old Z71 pickup and it lifted the whole rear end....would I get under it, hell no, but stick some jack stands in there and you would be okay. The paint chips easily when used which causes rust, so I would WD-40 it really good, all the time, so it jacks easily.

 

[boiler7904]

Where did you find a Hi-Lift for under $100

Summit Racing and 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers both have the standard version for about $85 or cheaper depending on which version you want. The Xtreme version goes for about $110.

 

[Crawlin]

Red 48" Hi-lift brand is $62.99 from TSC http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...0551_10001_33539_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1#

 

[zuspiel]

The big quirk to watch out for is the recoil when lowering the jack. You only need to get hit by the 1" steel pipe handle once to get a whole new appreciation for these tools. I was extremely lucky not to break my jaw or cause any injuries to myself when I took a direct hit from a recoiling handle across my lower jaw. I bit my tongue so hard, my teeth left indentations in my tongue that were still there 3 months later.

Ouch!!! Sorry to hear. I don't think I'll be trying one of those...

 

[vette-kid]

True enough..I could have sworn they were more than that...but now I cant find where I saw it. Must have been kit with the accessories or something. Need one fr my Taco...silly little bottle jack it came with wont even get the wheel off the ground! Hell,its barely tall enough t make contact with an acceptable lifting point

 

[xroad]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat20145&hasJS=true

The above is a link to Cabela's, $70. I have not really start to shop around yet. It is just the first site I found that sells it, AND, a recognizable vendor name.

Maybe they sell the handle and the base separate?

 

[xroad]

Red 48" Hi-lift brand is $62.99 from TSC http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...0551_10001_33539_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1#

Is this one the Hi-Lift brand or just another maker? I know nothing of different makers of this type of jacks. I can imagine there are lots of Chinese made cheap ones.

Regarding safety, getting whack ... I guess I have to put a thick foam padding on the handle leaving spots for the hands for grip. I never trust jacks so I always use jack stands. With these jacks, I'll be sure to have wheel chocks

 

[Crawlin]

Is this one the Hi-Lift brand or just another maker? I know nothing of different makers of this type of jacks. I can imagine there are lots of Chinese made cheap ones.

Regarding safety, getting whack ... I guess I have to put a thick foam padding on the handle leaving spots for the hands for grip. I never trust jacks so I always use jack stands. With these jacks, I'll be sure to have wheel chocks

That should be the hi lift brand, if the pick is correct. They list a "farm jack" for like 30 bucks so that one would be the chinese knockoff, you would think.

 

[speed bump]

I always carry a hi-lift in the truck, I generally need it for getting unstuck because 10 plys don't pop easily.

 

[bchee]

I see no limitations. Any quirks about these jacks that I don't know? I know it will be great with the truck, but what about the mini van and the econo box Sentra?

One other thing I always wondered about these jacks is how quickly they lift the load. I've never used one, but have been curious. I always figured it takes a lot of pumps

 

[nissan_crawler]

They're fairly quick. That said I would never use one for garage/shop/driveway use. Offroading, changing trailer tires on the road, etc...they have their place. normal jacking isn't it.

 

[nordstar]

Around here is So New Mexico I have gotten a couple used ones for my brother-in-law for $10 each at yard sales. One was really nice and had all its paint, the other was more used and had surface rust. They are pretty common around here.

 

[Underdog]

Due to the nature of hi lift jacks I would only buy a us made original HI Lift.
I use mine mostly for lifting up trailer hitches and so forth. I would not use in a shop environment because the top part of the jack is somewhat unstable and tends to bang into whatever you are jacking, again no problems with tractors or trailers, but not so good on shiney car fenders.

 

[vc-onthepc]

I bought the harbor freight model for maybe 40 dollars to pick up my shed so I could level it off. They jack about an inch per pump . I will agree they are very unstable but will pick up whatever there under .

I have no idea of the weight capacity but 1 jack with a 2x3 box steel 8 feet long picked up at least 30 feet of my 48 foot shed .

 

[jniolon]

I've looked at them for years... really needed one probably 3 times in my life, back in my firewood hauling days... I'd never spend the money.

IF I did buy one the first mod I'd make is a attachable/detachable much larger foot plate... something that would bolt or clamp onto that toy footplate and give it a little better stance...ads say it can be used for jacking, clamping, pulling with some impressive load capacities... would be a good farm tool for sure...

I can also see the problem the top "leaning" against whatever it was jacking...especially with that small footprint.

later
John

 

[TejasBimmer]

Hi-Lift is the only "Farm Jack" you should get...if you need it.
http://www.hi-lift.com/

I have used it on my truck many many times...to get it off the ground.
Because my floor jack does not have the travel to overcome my suspension.

I also have attachments that will help lift "normal" cars and trucks.
http://www.hi-lift.com/accessories/index.html

My Hi-Lift is only 48"

 

[vette-kid]

I've looked at them for years... really needed one probably 3 times in my life, back in my firewood hauling days... I'd never spend the money.

IF I did buy one the first mod I'd make is a attachable/detachable much larger foot plate... something that would bolt or clamp onto that toy footplate and give it a little better stance...ads say it can be used for jacking, clamping, pulling with some impressive load capacities... would be a good farm tool for sure...

I can also see the problem the top "leaning" against whatever it was jacking...especially with that small footprint.

later
John

They d make a base for that very purpose.
TejasBimmer, Ive gotta have some details on your setup! Im plannin the build of my 99 and I like to loos of your bumper. Can you point me to a writeup, or PM me the details?

 

[78fj40]

If you are going to get a Hi-Lift jack, buy one from the company that makes them. They sell on eBay. Just do a search for a bunch of of Buy it Now auctions.

The red ones are all cast. They are the strongest. If you are going to use it for a car, you could just get the 48" one.

I highly recommend one. I use mine all the time.

 

[TejasBimmer]

They d make a base for that very purpose.
TejasBimmer, Ive gotta have some details on your setup! Im plannin the build of my 99 and I like to loos of your bumper. Can you point me to a writeup, or PM me the details?

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86645

this link is to the build about my truck.

 

[Nuit Damnant]

I'm with nissan crawler, I have 3 floating around, one in the jeep at all times. They're a very useful thing to have. however, I wouldn't try to lift a normal passenger car with one. There's just too much potential for damage and a normal floor jack would be much safer in that case I think.

 

[jdcompman]

I'm not sure if anyone has said this yet but these jacks have a very bad reputation and a good nickname to go with it.....

Widow Maker!!

The ridiculous instability of these jacks makes them not safe at all.

 

[xroad]

I'm with nissan crawler, I have 3 floating around, one in the jeep at all times. They're a very useful thing to have. however, I wouldn't try to lift a normal passenger car with one. There's just too much potential for damage and a normal floor jack would be much safer in that case I think.

I keep hearing "potential for damage". Please clarify. Is it because it is tall and have a small base at the bottom that it may tip over and hit the car body? Humm, would putting a thick split seam pipe insulation over the jack help protect the car should it fall over? The foam insulation will get lifted up along with the lifting foot. Or, attach a thick blanket on the fender with magnets. ..... now it is getting to be a pain in the ***.

I have a small hydraulic no name jack now. It is a pain the craw under the car to line up the jack to the right spot. Seems easier to put two hooks on the wheel.

 

[dwilliams35]

I keep hearing "potential for damage". Please clarify. Is it because it is tall and have a small base at the bottom that it may tip over and hit the car body? Humm, would putting a thick split seam pipe insulation over the jack help protect the car should it fall over? The foam insulation will get lifted up along with the lifting foot. Or, attach a thick blanket on the fender with magnets. ..... now it is getting to be a pain in the ***.

I have a small hydraulic no name jack now. It is a pain the craw under the car to line up the jack to the right spot. Seems easier to put two hooks on the wheel.

Well, there's potential for damage to the vehicle, potential for damage to the operator, potential for damage to the floor of the garage, etc. etc. etc.:
I guess you could put some pipe insulation on the jack: that way the paint will be intact at the bottom of the new 6" deep dent.
High-lift jacks are extraordinarily versatile: I haven't seen mentioned that they'll actually jack both ways: you can use them for a winch if need be. Meanwhile, each and every one sold ought to include free health insurance for a year and an industrial-sized can of WD-40 or something similar: the mechanism gets sticky really easily. I don't know that there's a farm out there that doesn't consider it an invaluable tool. A primary jack in a garage, however, it shouldn't be. Too dangerous, too quirky, and just not all that well suited for what you're talking about doing here. Get a floor jack for shop use, and save the high-lift for where it belongs: out in the field jacking up tractors and extricating jeeps from the mud.

 

[Skyline]

It's the only option I have for jacking up my lifted Jeep if I don't want to jack the axles. If I jack up the axles as high as possible with my floor jack, and set jack stands under the body, when I let the jack back down, the tires are back on the ground. The factory bottle jack won't lift anything off the ground. At least I have square tube rock sliders that provide a nice level support to jack on. Still, these things never fail to scare the piss out of me....I need to find a really hi lift floor jack.

 

[Frank Elson]

My friends and I have used them for thirty-odd years.
We're really, really into safety - but one friend lost an eye and had a cheek-bone rebuilt when a high-lift handle went rogue.

Incredibly versatile with loads of uses but DO NOT lift a car on tarmac or concrete with one and LEARN about the handle.
Don't even dream about changing a wheel using a high-lift... buy yourself a hydraulic and a decent tarp to lie/crawl on to get the jack underneath.
The only names worth buying are HI-Lift (as already mentioned) and Jackall.
I've seen the cheapies bend...

 

[Frank Elson]

Sorry to come in again, but I just re-read the OP.
I feel so strongly about these jacks that I would say, if you know so little about them that you need to ask a forum of strangers about their "quirks" then leave well alone.
Or find yourself some off-roading friends who use them and are experienced with them and, after watching them used for a while, then make a decision.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be without mine, in the motor and around the workshop, but the idea of someone who has not lived around them for a while going out and buying one fills me with dread.

 

[TejasBimmer]

The Hi-Lift is a jack...I always use a car stand to hold my car or truck up, when working on the car or truck....ALWAYS.

The Hi-Lift is a tool and like all tools, you need to read the manual and practice before using it.0.

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

These jacks deserve respect. I got sick of mine slipping off the sliders on my 4-Runner so I made a custom adapter to fit under the tube. It made it much more stable as you can see. Yes, I was just testing it here to see how it held up. It passed the test with flying colors. I was able to shake the truck like this quite a bit and it held firm. Granted, this is not the way it was used, but it made for a pretty cool photo.


I can't seem to find the bracket, but it was a piece of box steel that the jack leg fit into and a locking pin installed right through the jack and the top had a 6" wide piece of pipe cut in half to fit under the bars. Worked like a charm too!

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

PS... like it was said, it's a tool and one of the more dangerous ones to boot, but when you need it it can be so handy~

Here it was used as a hand winch to free my truck when I sort of put it in a bad spot in my back yard...

Nuff said, Eh?

 

[Firetrucks]

Sorry to come in again, but I just re-read the OP.
I feel so strongly about these jacks that I would say, if you know so little about them that you need to ask a forum of strangers about their "quirks" then leave well alone.
Or find yourself some off-roading friends who use them and are experienced with them and, after watching them used for a while, then make a decision.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be without mine, in the motor and around the workshop, but the idea of someone who has not lived around them for a while going out and buying one fills me with dread.

xroad, Frank makes a valid point about learning to use the jack safely. Like many others here I use mine and would not be without it, but I respect the inherent instability and that damn handle that will knock you silly (or worse as noted above).

I have used mine to raise the corner of a building, lift a lowboy trailer that had been dropped off a truck, stretched fence and drug my dually out of the mud. In all, a versatile, BUT dangerous tool (as many tools are).

As another poster said you will need some kind of spray lube (I use PB Blaster) because the lifting mechanism does not tolerate dirt, rust or being dry from not being used.

The Hi-Lift company is an hour south of me. So not only made in the USA, but made in Indiana

 

[a390st]

Hi Lifts are indispensable off road. There is nothing else out there that can pick a vehicle up high enough to get out of a bad spot. They are unstable and can do a number on you if you aren't careful, but they are excellent at their intended purpose. Any good off road vehicle should have Hi Lift jacking points. We always carry a few boards to help them float on mud, so that the small base doesn't sink to much.

That said, the problem you have is what extra high jack stands and wood blocks on a floor jack are for.

 

[TomH]

Like most old skool tools, the Hi-Lift is great, but demands respect. As an off-road jack, spreader, winch, or ??? it's invaluable...

... as long as you keep in mind that it's trying to kill you.

Good luck.

 

[eschoendorff]

For all the stability issues, how long you guys think it will be until one of you builds a better Hi-Lift?

 

[D KRAGER]

Around the farm, we call them a handi-man jack. Yes you have to use them, but I've been knocked out by one, and had many close calls. My dad's nickname for them is "man killer"

Usually an off brand is sold for about 40 bucks at a farm store.

Not a big fan of them, but sometimes you have to use what you have.

 

[Stephenw]

This picture reminds me of a comment I once heard about a Hi-Lift...

"Wow, I didn't know that Dr. Kevorkian had started building suicide machines out of Hi-Lift jacks and Toyota trucks."

 

[kvom]

In offroading the three most dangerous things are hi-lift, winch, driver (maybe in a different order).

You definitely need to learn how to use them, but as was said here repeatedly they are incredibly useful in the right situation.

I once used mine to change a trailer tire with the Jeep still on the trailer.

If you need to use it as a winch be prepared for a good workout.

 

[IDASHO]

I try to avoid getting into situations where i need to use a hi-lift.

That said, Ill never own a 4x4 that doesnt have a hi-lift on board.

The one I have now Ive had for more than 10 years now, and it has saved my **** many times.