Floor jack

[cassidy]

I am shopping for a new floor jack, would like it be if possible a 2-1/2 ton. My budget is pretty tight at $100.00, what would you guys recommend? Anything at Harbor Freight worth a ****? This is only for occasional use at home.

 

[sparksftball69]

I have the 2 ton aluminum and a last monday i bought the 2 ton steel low profile high lift….I like them both a lot. my aluminum one has held up to a lot of abuse and heavy lifts…been to the track to me many many times…across the country…we've pulled the trans out of my SRT10 a few times with it and a lot more…still works great. I like the steel because it has a rapid foot pump to get it in place really quick…I've used it a few times already and it seems pretty good so far. I don't know what your lifting but unless your lifting an entire car or truck up at a time i can't see you maxing it out for normal everyday use.

 

[SteveCh]

I was saving up, slowly, and holding out for a US-made jack [Hein Werner] to replace my old one. Then, last month, I went ahead and bought the newer-model Arcan at Costco for $99, the one that only weighs like 60 lb, I think it is??

In spite of myself, I really like it. Works great, can easily pick it up and carry it if I want to. Plus, the lifetime 'money-back' policy of the store.....

Give them a look. A search here on the forum will also get you some feedback on them. I use jacks lightly and occasionally, maintaining our cars and etc., so I don't know how these things would hold up to a hard-use, daily grind. But you said you didn't need one that would....

 

[zkling]

cassidy, around that price point the Costco were/are? the best bang for the buck. The HF lighter units are decent, but suppodsly the Costco arcan is better. After that, Napa has a pretty nice off shore made jack for $200-$250 on sale. The thing with the HF and other budget jacks, they are more disposable than rebuild-able.

Steve, can you post a pic of the current costco offering? I search and search but only pull up older posts. Seems like costco has a pattern of jacks, no jacks, different jacks, no jacks. I have a costco close, but don't have a membership.

 

[kythri]

The HF low-profile 3-ton jack is $87.99 right now - in store it was $79.99 a couple days ago.

No long-term experience with it, but it seems pretty solid. Bought it to go with the cross-beam adapter that they sell, and am liking it so far.

I don't have any experience with the newer Arcan "hybrid" jack, but I didn't like what I saw/felt. I have the older Arcan 3.5-ton low-profile (before they rebadged it at 3.25-ton) and it's pretty great.

 

[skruft]

I have two very old-fashioned used ones, one about 60 and one about 70 years old, and would recommend that. One of them shows up in a 1947 movie.

However, I spoke with a man who had a mobile wheel repair business and so he jacks up cars all day. He has two of the light HF jacks, because he has to drag them out of his truck several times a day. There are two because he lifts up the sides of cars. He said they are holding up quite well.

 

[RV77]

Check craigslist for a good jack in $100 price range and remember the faster a jack raises,the less it will lift

 

[raboyto2]

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-heavy-duty-low-profile-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68050.html


This is just a tad over your budget but I really recommend it. I have the same thing (but resold in Canada under Michelin at Canadian Tire (300$ regular, 150$ on sale).

Positives :

-super low profile (great for cars)
-can lift really high (great for trucks)
-reach (depth) is excellent (for supporting transmissions , etc)
-foot pump for fast raise
-t-handle to move it easier
-star wheel release works nice
-great price
-great reviews

negatives:

-heavy (100lbs)
-2 ton capacity, (but this has never been an issue for me as Im not lifting the entire)
-I would consider it a throw away jack. No replacement parts sold, just 1 year warranty.


(canadian link) : http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...-lift-service-jack-0091052p.html#.Uri-MfRDt8E

 

[white_335i]

I bought this at Northern tool for 99 during black friday. It is at 119 now.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200596751_200596751

 

[white_335i]

Also, there are some floor jacks for sale at Craftsman for 49, but they have mixed reviews.

 

[Mlr2006]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200345429_200345429

I got this one a while back based on good reviews on several sites including this one. It is a little above your price range, but it has a 3.5 ton capacity.
it is heavy, but that's not a bad thing to me.

The only issue I have run into is people constantly wanting to borrow it. It has lifted every vehicle thrown at it with ease.

Definitely worth a look even though it is priced a bit out of your budget. You may be able to find it for less someplace else.

 

[fourtythree]

The HF low-profile 3-ton jack is $87.99 right now - in store it was $79.99 a couple days ago.

No long-term experience with it, but it seems pretty solid. Bought it to go with the cross-beam adapter that they sell, and am liking it so far.

Been using the HF low profile for several months. I love it. Its a great jack for the price.