Classic_car_phanatic
Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2013
- Messages
- 11
Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Floor Jack Any Good??
- Thread starter Classic_car_phanatic
- Start date
RunninOnEmpty
Well-known member
That series of jack, unlike their other ones, does have decent reviews on their site. But personally there is no way I'd trust a HF jack to keep 2 tons from crashing onto me even just for the moment it takes me to place jack stands.
I'd recommend the Arcan XL35, especially if you go to Costco (or at least they had it for a great price when I went to pick it up maybe 3-4 years ago)
If you are going to trust a HF jack, though, that seems to be the one.
I'd recommend the Arcan XL35, especially if you go to Costco (or at least they had it for a great price when I went to pick it up maybe 3-4 years ago)
If you are going to trust a HF jack, though, that seems to be the one.
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Fredfox32
Member
I bought the 2.5 ton low profile jack because my Craftsman 3 ton wouldn't fit under my GT500. Since then, I have used it on my 1973 F250 4x4 and Ford Excursion. It has become my go to jack. It gets used all the time. Still going strong after almost 4 years.
At the track tons of guys use the HF aluminum floor jacks and I have yet to see a failure. I can't compare the heavy steel ones like that but I can definitely recommend the aluminum "racing" jacks
Of course, never rely on the jack to do anything except lifting to put the car onto a proper jack stand and always stick a tire or something else to "catch" the car in case the jack stand should fail or slip off.
Of course, never rely on the jack to do anything except lifting to put the car onto a proper jack stand and always stick a tire or something else to "catch" the car in case the jack stand should fail or slip off.
CobraChevelle
Banned
that arcan looks good but damn its up to 169 at northern.. I remember seeing it for 120 last year
RunninOnEmpty
Well-known member
Bad reviews (though they could be worse) on HF's own site about the aluminum ones. Reviews aren't everything, of course, but do be cautious with them, in my opinion.
I think I paid around $100 for my XL35R (R=red version) at Costco. Not sure if they even still have it. It literally came out cheaper for me to buy a Costco card and buy the jack than get it from NorthernTool. (The $100 doesn't include the Costco card cost, but maybe some of you are already members. And in that comparison, I was including shipping cost from NT.)
That said, I've never experienced any jack suddenly let go. I've experienced jacks develop leaks where they won't hold any significant weight up but they just slowly let it down. But I have heard of it. My father knew a guy who was crushed to death by a jack failing horrifically and he unfortunately wasn't using jack stands. And that's why you always use jack stands.
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morgantm
Well-known member
I have that exact jack and its worked great for me. Just make sure to get it greased up and it should be fine. I wouldn't trust it to hold up something over me but it works great to get the vehicle up to put stands underneath it.
mikefromme
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2009
- Messages
- 266
I have one. Use it on my f350. Haven't been crushed yet.
HammerMechanic
Well-known member
I have used that one as well. Works just fine until my stands get placed.
Askme42
Well-known member
Yep had my 2.5 low pro for years. Love it. I'll be picking up the 3 ton this weekend at the parking lot sale.
Askme42
Well-known member
From what I have read do a bleed test overnight as soon as you get it. If it holds you're good to go. I've read of people needing to return 3-4 before they get a good one though.
hancock1701
Well-known member
I have the low profile one, has been working fine for 3 years. I use it once a month. I was deciding between Arcan and this, and got this because of the low profile, the Arcan would not fit under my car.
geojag
Well-known member
I have the 3 ton, works great. Get the heavy jack stands and you will be good to go.
Trey T
Well-known member
I have that exact jack and I love it. Pumps up consistently and lower/release very slow or fast, like a quality jack.
We have several of them at work, I will tell you right now that under normal use the non low pro ones are fine. The low pro ones like to bend under any real weight (pick up truck, etc).
We do AAA battery service at work and my boss wanted to rotate tires (and not waste a lift) so he jacked up the front andput stands under it and jacked up the back on the pumpkin and left it on the jack. halfway thru the jack bent to all hell. Was a steel low pro jack from HF. This was on a loaded Silverado 2500hd crew cab long bed, estimated weight in bed was approx 1500-2000lbs.. Boss did same thing with an unloaded work van and bent one of the 2 ton (or maybe 3 ton) aluminum jacks.
I have used the steel 3 ton no low pro for eons, no issues.
We do AAA battery service at work and my boss wanted to rotate tires (and not waste a lift) so he jacked up the front andput stands under it and jacked up the back on the pumpkin and left it on the jack. halfway thru the jack bent to all hell. Was a steel low pro jack from HF. This was on a loaded Silverado 2500hd crew cab long bed, estimated weight in bed was approx 1500-2000lbs.. Boss did same thing with an unloaded work van and bent one of the 2 ton (or maybe 3 ton) aluminum jacks.
I have used the steel 3 ton no low pro for eons, no issues.
bpjr
Well-known member
I have the 2.5 ton low profile and have no issues lifting a Towncar and RAV4...plus boats and other smaller cars. No bending or leak down and it gets under where others don't but raises high for easy access. It is very smooth to operate. I have three other jacks but this is the first out everytime. I use jack stands no matter what brand jack it is. The low profile 3 ton jack looks almost identical except for a small height differences.
StevenMorgan
Well-known member
I have the lo profile version, steel. I like it, it works, and I always use jack stands after lifting. Works good for this weekend warrior, and I am lifting a Jeep Wrangler and Chevy 2500HD crew cab. It's got the strength.
We use the old orange model at work.. Lifts up our k3500 feed truck easily, and it has a hydraulic hay bed and a feeder on top of that. It's a heavy rig, that's for sure. We've had it for 2 years now and it's been working just fine.
The only thing I don't like about it how heavy it is.
The only thing I don't like about it how heavy it is.
BD1
Well-known member
I prefer the Costoco Arcan. Bought two when they were cheap.
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
I have one of those and three of the 4 ton models. As a rule of thumb, I always try to use a jack rated for twice what I'm lifting and need get under it with stands. But the 4T model had no problem picking up my 5600 Ford tractor at any lift point when I needed it to.
619DioFan
Well-known member
I have two HF jacks - the 4 ton low profile rapid lift and the 3 ton rapid lift. use the 4 ton with my 2500 ram 4x4. lifts it with out any issues. it is about 1 year or so old. it also is low enough to use under my 89 civic. bought the 3 ton a couple weeks ago while on sale because -well - can't have too many jacks , right ? also use HF jack stands ( 6ton for the ram and 3 ton for the civic ) no issues with either the jacks or stands. recommend them.
lilcraigford
Well-known member
I've had a 50/50 experience with the Harbor Freight ton aluminum jack. The first one I had was actually pretty good! During its 7-8 years of service it never gave me any trouble. Sadly it disappeared from our garage (of all things... I mean, how do you lose a floor jack??)
Its replacement left a lot to be desired. The hydraulic unit must have been a dud. Short strokes didn't make enough pressure and I could never get it bled properly. Under load (a 2400 lbs car) the lift arm would be off center causing the link (passes through the saddle) to catch on the outer plate. On a few occasions the jack would be stuck between car and floor until I raised the car and put some boards under the tire. When I moved over the summer, after only two years of use, I left it behind.
That said, every company has a lemon get past the doors, whether it be Harbor Freight or Snap On. While I'm not crazy about HF products they do make decent stuff with a dose of hit or miss; my HF engine stand is solid but build quality is definitely subpar (the spindle mounted casters were not even close to being drilled on center). My second HF jack might've been built on a Monday for all I know.
fourtythree
Well-known member
I have the jack pictured. No issues at all. Definitely well worth the 80 bucks they sell it for.
Askme42
Well-known member
Under $70 this weekend at the parking lot sale.
Swan
Well-known member
Three months with the HF 3 ton low pro and not a single problem.
helidaddy
Member
I STRONGLY second that! NEVER trust a jack and ALWAYS use jack stands. I too had a friend killed due to jack failure and no stands. His little son came out to the garage after a couple of hours to find him like that.
GJ
So pay $120 this Jan2025
Or wait $100 later this yr2025
Or get this combo deal $50 w/2JackStands(possible scam)
hf.tools
So pay $120 this Jan2025
Or wait $100 later this yr2025
Or get this combo deal $50 w/2JackStands(possible scam)
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