Harbor Freight Floor Jacks

[Wamsutta]

HF 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack

HF 3-Ton Regular Floor Jack

1. Any problems with these jacks?

2. Why is the regular jack being offered if the low profile jack can do everything the regular jack can do?

 

[bradley8795]

Up until today I had the low profile version for about 2 years. Worked great for the first year and a half but then just got to the point where it would not lift anymore. Bled it, changed the fluid and nothing seemed to get it working again so I scrapped it.

If you are looking for something short term, it was decent while it lasted, but I would look elsewhere for a good long term floor jack.

 

[Vigo]

I think the only thing wrong with those two jacks is that this exists:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-60678.html

I lower the majority of vehicles i ever own so the low profile is very important to me, and it also lifts extremely high. When i first got it i lifted the back of a Dakota from the rear end pumpkin and it almost had the tailgate touching the entry of the carport i was working in. The T handle makes it a lot easier to use two hands when jacking (less tiring) and the knob seems to be easier to control then spinning the whole handle on the other 50 floor jacks i've worked around.

Between that and the $59 27-lb aluminum jack, all my home jacking needs are handled.

 

[Wamsutta]

I guess nobody has a lifetime warranty on their floor jacks right?

 

[OHMS LAW]

We bought two low pros at work for the imports and what not. Well little less than a year and it looks like some one over loaded one and its no longer level and appears the chassis is twisted. We are ordering new professional jacks Monday

 

[bradley8795]

I guess nobody has a lifetime warranty on their floor jacks right?

None that I am aware of, and I have been doing a lot of looking around lately. From what I can tell one of the best and longest lasting floor jacks is from Milwaukee Jack, they are pricey but they pretty much seem to last forever. Most likely will be my next floor jack purchase. But that's a long way down the road.

 

[valentine]

Just purchased a new Milwaukee Model 20 floor jack; Unbelievable quality! Everything about it from the paint to the way the factory packages it for shipping screams quality. Not a lifetime warranty but the thing is built to last you a lifetime. Then someone can rebuild it and use it for another lifetime. No foolin', it really is that good. I never thought jacking up a car would put a smile on my face but that's what happens when I use my Milwaukee.

-Valentine

 

[Jerryrigged]

I've had the HF 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack from Harbor Freight for a few years with no issues. I bought it because my buddy has two that he uses on his farm to lift his low clearance cars ( He has three high performance modified cars.) and he even uses them on his trucks and farm equipment with no problem. I have to admit he uses some type of metal bracket/plate he made as a spacer to lift his trucks and equipment. He uses the jacks to lift and align his snow blower attachment for his tractor once he has it hoisted up.

 

[ScottsGT]

$1000 for a jack used in a weekend warrior setting is a bit of overkill in my book when I can get a HF for $100 and use it up for at least 2 years. That $1K would take me 20 years replacing them every 2, and I'll be damned if I'm going to be crawling under cars at 72 years of age!
I have the 3 ton low profile and the cross beam attachment to pick up my car with an IRS rear end.
I've only had it about a year, but I have no issues with it.

 

[valentine]

$1000 for a jack used in a weekend warrior setting is a bit of overkill in my book when I can get a HF for $100 and use it up for at least 2 years. That $1K would take me 20 years replacing them every 2, and I'll be damned if I'm going to be crawling under cars at 72 years of age!
I have the 3 ton low profile and the cross beam attachment to pick up my car with an IRS rear end.
I've only had it about a year, but I have no issues with it.

I agree that $1000 for a jack is a lot of dough but the Milwaukee Model 20 only costs me about $600 direct from Milwaukee. The factory actually has the best price and that included delivery to my home. Milwaukee's larger model is in the thousand dollar range but it's more jack than I need. The real issue I have with cheap China jacks is that of safety. I'm all for saving money and getting the most for my dollar but I know the import junk isn't made for the long haul. I have personally seen cheap jacks blow out seals and drop their load suddenly. That's pretty scary. Never seen that with a Milwaukee. Nope, for me, the extra confidence I have in a quality jack is worth what you'll have to pay for it. Don't be cheap when it comes to your life and limbs. Want to save money? Go cheap on some other tool but not on the thing that could get you killed if it fails.

-Valentine

 

[fourtythree]

I've also had the low profile for a couple years with no issues.

 

[ConnerSmith]

I have the plain 3 ton jack, have had it for a year or more. I have left it outside for quite a while and after bringing it back inside see no problems with it. The pressure release is a little fidgity, it can be a little hard to get used to, but really no problems. I use it to lift my 4500 pound truck and my parents minivan. This jack will actually lift a car up pretty quick.

 

[Browning1]

I have the 4ton regular floor jack and haven't had a issue with it yet.

 

[ryolse]

I purchased the low profile one a few years ago to primarily use in the garage with my 2,700 pound rally car and haven't had any problems or major complaints with it other than it's weight. I do like how I can use it to almost full hight and get the larger stands under it for easy removal of large items like the transmission.

 

[crerus75]

I have a 3 ton regular HF jack, made back when they were still painted orange. For less than $100, it's a good buy. It works reasonably well and is durable in a weekend-warrior setting. I don't know how long it would last under shop use.

If you get it, you'll probably find that it's either barely lubed or not lubed at all. Oil the axle through the oil holes in the center of the wheels. I used plain old 3-in-1 oil. Take the swivel casters off, clean all the old grease off the thrust bearing, and regrease with something better. I used Sil-Glyde. I also drilled a small oil hole in the center of each plastic caster at an angle so that I could get oil to the caster's axle. A little 3-in-1 went into those, too. Reinstall the casters and adjust them so they swivel freely. This too less than an hour and made a huge difference in how easily the jack rolls across the floor.

 

[vertguy]

I agree that $1000 for a jack is a lot of dough but the Milwaukee Model 20 only costs me about $600 direct from Milwaukee. The factory actually has the best price and that included delivery to my home. Milwaukee's larger model is in the thousand dollar range but it's more jack than I need. The real issue I have with cheap China jacks is that of safety. I'm all for saving money and getting the most for my dollar but I know the import junk isn't made for the long haul. I have personally seen cheap jacks blow out seals and drop their load suddenly. That's pretty scary. Never seen that with a Milwaukee. Nope, for me, the extra confidence I have in a quality jack is worth what you'll have to pay for it. Don't be cheap when it comes to your life and limbs. Want to save money? Go cheap on some other tool but not on the thing that could get you killed if it fails.

-Valentine

Even though my Central Hydraulics 2-1/4 ton jack that is at least 25 years old still works ok, I was recently considering an upgrade to a Milwaukee model 20 since they are local. But when I was quoted $695 (guess there was a price increase), that idea quickly changed. I still may get a new jack, but I will look elsewhere.

 

[123Go]

Simply amazing!!
People asking about "quality" of some junk china jack with a rubber O-ring in them on the same site that shows them step by step how to rebuild/repair about any high grade USA made jack with real hydraulic seals in them that last a lifetime they can buy off ebay & moving sales all the time.
I bought (2) more HW 2 tons off there yesterday and neither one needs any repairs. $100 for both!! Even if they fail soon the kits available & cheap and will outlast most of us.. Not uncommon to see 50-60 yr old HW & Walkers still going.
Another working 3 ton Walker/Lincoln on there went for $20 but too far away....Why are people buying junk every 2 yrs when jacks that last a lifetime are everywere? Because they are new? Wow!!

 

[jrobb316]

Simply amazing!!
People asking about "quality" of some junk china jack with a rubber O-ring in them on the same site that shows them step by step how to rebuild/repair about any high grade USA made jack with real hydraulic seals in them that last a lifetime they can buy off ebay & moving sales all the time.
I bought (2) more HW 2 tons off there yesterday and neither one needs any repairs. $100 for both!! Even if they fail soon the kits available & cheap and will outlast most of us.. Not uncommon to see 50-60 yr old HW & Walkers still going.
Another working 3 ton Walker/Lincoln on there went for $20 but too far away....Why are people buying junk every 2 yrs when jacks that last a lifetime are everywere? Because they are new? Wow!!

Come on man, you can't come on a HF fanboy thread and start speaking this kind of nonsense. Why wouldn't you want to replace your jack every 2 years? After all you can buy 5 **** jacks for every good jack out there. And besides, you can keep it polished up because it never gets used enough to get dirty before replacement.

 

[valentine]

That's why you use jack stands.

Yes, agreed! The failure I was referring too was with jackstands and Thank God that the stands arrested the falling load. It was still unexpected and scary. No cheap jacks for me, thank you.

-Valentine

 

[BikerDad]

Another working 3 ton Walker/Lincoln on there went for $20 but too far away....Why are people buying junk every 2 yrs when jacks that last a lifetime are everywere?!

Because a lot of people know little to nothing about good quality jacks. They know nothing about what companies make them, what companies used to make them and are now gone, and what companies used to make them but make **** now. Plus there's always the concern with used gear, is it any good or all clapped out?

 

[Vigo]

Or, if you're like me and own low cars, there just arent any old jacks that will actually fit under them anyway. Some people even like that the rapid pump feature was invented. Buncha weirdos we are.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I don't know who makes napa jacks but I use them every day at a auto shop and they usually leak out after a few years. If you bleed them and fill them they work again. I'd recommend them. When I mean we use them, I mean we don't take care of them and we throw them around and leave them in the weather. They never show signs of wear for the most part.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...loor-Jack-3-1-2-Ton/_/R-NLE8996420_0331540609

They also make a lopro. I bet NAPA rebadges them so I'm sure you can find the company that makes them if you look hard enough.

 

[kirkkw]

http://www.mile-x.com/norco-71202a-2-ton-floor-jack/

I bought this one back in 2012

 

[LumpyMusic]

HF Plain steel version. Over 10 yrs. Takes care of 3 trucks, 2 cars, 4 horse trailers, garden tractor, handful of client's cars. Installed several lifts, 1 transmission, several axles, miscellaneous bumpers, body panels, cabinets etc. Tossed it in the van and responded to a roadside tire blow out several times. Used the jack handle as a cheater bar and pry bar - never bent it.

Never a leak or failure. Zero service. Never replaced or lost any hyd oil. I did add a few wraps of red rescue tape to the end of the handle to make it a little more visible.

I do have trouble finding an appropriate tool polish that works on that Chinese paint finish.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[123Go]

Yes' 10 yrs ago those Harbors were Yasui, like the old Norco line was but not anymore.
Yasui only makes large 4 ton up as of 3 yrs ago and why Norco had to find new manufactures for 3.5 ton down. I tried like hell to buy the old original "Yasui" Norco 71232 steel fast jack (lifetime warranty) 3 yrs back but was too late, none available. Now its a junk who knows who built it number 71232A with O-ring & one yr warranty.

That new Norco you haves side plates arent flanged so that and its an O-ring design ram seal not a high quality U-cup seal, then add nylon wheels that harden and split over time made it a complete no go for me. Thats why Norco sells a steel wheel kit for it and I "strongly" suggest you get it now while you still can. Norco may not even use that manufacturer when you need them. You will need them someday no doubt too.

I talked to Norco several times back then while searching and they informed me Yasui didnt even tell them they were stopping production until after the fact so Norco had to act fast to locate a supplier to even have small jacks to sell. They admitted to me they knew these new jacks were not near as good as what they normally sold but had no choice to sell them.
Never know if they'll keep this supplier or look elsewere for a higher quality maker? That old steel duel pump fast jack was sure a winner though. Would love to have gotten one, I was just too late.

 

[jrobb316]

Or, if you're like me and own low cars, there just arent any old jacks that will actually fit under them anyway. Some people even like that the rapid pump feature was invented. Buncha weirdos we are.

At the shop when some ahem, smart person, lowers and stickers up their ride, we drive them up on wood to get the rack arms underneath. The same could obviously be done with a floor jack. I've even had to put wood ramps to drive on the alignment machine because the car was too low.