High Lift Jack

[theoldwizard1]

Sometimes called "Farm Jacks".

I know it is all mechanical leverage, but what kind of force can you get out f one ? What is the typical rated capacity ?

Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Torin. Hi Lift or ... ?

 

[PBCampbell]

The rating goes down the higher you lift, but I think they're nominally rated for 2 tons.

 

[-Brent-]

Harbor Freight, Northern Tool or ... ?

Neither. I'd go with a true Hi-Lift. I like that parts to service or fix can be easily found. As well, I'd just buy a jack used and service/fix it, as needed. I got mine for ten bucks, knocked the cob webs off of it and put it to use. New, the same jack would've cost me $75+.

 

[mitusa]

Hi-Lift Jack Specifications
•Approximate weight: 30lbs (14 kg)
•4,660 lbs (2113.74 kg) rated capacity
•Tested capacity 7,000 lbs.
•Climbing pins of specially processed steel with 125,000 PSI tensile strength and 100,000 PSI yield.
•Steel bar is manufactured of specially rolled extra high carbon steel with 80,000 pound minimum tensile & carbon .69 to .82.
•Steel handle of 14gauge high-yield structural tubing with minimum yield of 55,000 PSI. 1 5/16" diameter x 30" long.

Be sure to hold onto the jack handle tightly. I can't remember how many people I've seen who let the handle slip out of their hand and had a black eye, swollen face or worse.

I used to use them often to raise cotton trailers and would be bumping the capacities .....and as someone else mentioned, the higher the jack is, the less trust I would put in one. I have one that the main piece of the jack has a slight bend from getting it too high with too much load.

 

[McLean]

From the Hi-Lift website: "Although light in weight and easy to maneuver, the Hi-Lift Jack offers a rated capacity of 4,660 lbs (2114 kg) and a tested capacity of 7,000 lbs (3175 kg)."

I've used a few, but only ever owned "Hi-Lift" brand, but they seem pretty much all the same. I doubt I've ever been close to the 4,660 lb capacity of one, but they are sketchy no matter what you are lifting.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have one. 4 footer I think. I got it to pull fence posts out of the ground. I loaned it to a neighbor who pulled a metal post set in concrete out of the ground with no effort. At least no effort to pull it out of the ground.

I also use it to lift my garden tractor to change the blades... I have a perfect hook point on the front of it.

Anyway... onto a problem i have with it. Not sure the manufacturer but i paid about $80 on amazon 6 yrs ago. It lifts great. Smooth clicking... no issues. IFFF i switch it to lowering.... it will do a random amount of down clicks before letting it drop to the floor. Never spent any time looking at what could cause that problem but be aware of it.

 

[2drx4]

Anyway... onto a problem i have with it. Not sure the manufacturer but i paid about $80 on amazon 6 yrs ago. It lifts great. Smooth clicking... no issues. IFFF i switch it to lowering.... it will do a random amount of down clicks before letting it drop to the floor. Never spent any time looking at what could cause that problem but be aware of it.

With weight on it or not?

They're basically supposed to drop freely if there's no weight on them, but sometimes you have to work them a bit to get the pins to free up. Try pulling up a half notch and then letting it go.

If there's a substantial amount of weight on it and it does that, it's fawked. I'd clean and lube (dry graphite) it first, and make sure there is no burrs that are preventing the pins from traveling. Beyond that there is rebuilt kits for the good ones, containing new springs and pins, which will probably fix it.

 

[IH__COLLECTOR]

I've got a couple! I hate them! Dangerous. My dad bought them to bale tobacco with

 

[Farmall450]

I've got a couple! I hate them! Dangerous. My dad bought them to bale tobacco with

Not at all...I've been using them for years, they'll lift trucks, hayracks, haybines with ease.

I have true Hi Lift ones.

 

[PelicanPines]

With weight on it or not?

They're basically supposed to drop freely if there's no weight on them, but sometimes you have to work them a bit to get the pins to free up. Try pulling up a half notch and then letting it go.

If there's a substantial amount of weight on it and it does that, it's fawked. I'd clean and lube (dry graphite) it first, and make sure there is no burrs that are preventing the pins from traveling. Beyond that there is rebuilt kits for the good ones, containing new springs and pins, which will probably fix it.

Full Weight on it !

Totally agree... it is a burr or holiday on a pin or weak spring. I just have not taken the time to diagnose it because each use, besides the tractor thing is in one direction.

I know it does it, so I'm thinking about it when i make my "jack selection". It's higher on my list to diagnose now. Thanks for your reply.

 

[IH__COLLECTOR]

Not at all...I've been using them for years, they'll lift trucks, hayracks, haybines with ease.



I have true Hi Lift ones.

Least we like the same tractors!

 

[FORMUD]

Their dangerous on the way down....Don't let go of the handle and keep all body parts away from the swing of the handle. Spend the extra money on a true Hi Lift and keep them lubed...It should last you a life time.

 

[ttpete]

I've had a hi-lift for years, and I also have an aftermarket accessory that converts it into a chain comealong. It pins into the column and has a keyhole to engage a chain.

 

[Farmall450]

Least we like the same tractors!

Agreed on that!

 

[RedF]

I have one. 4 footer I think. I got it to pull fence posts out of the ground. I loaned it to a neighbor who pulled a metal post set in concrete out of the ground with no effort. At least no effort to pull it out of the ground.

I also use it to lift my garden tractor to change the blades... I have a perfect hook point on the front of it.

Anyway... onto a problem i have with it. Not sure the manufacturer but i paid about $80 on amazon 6 yrs ago. It lifts great. Smooth clicking... no issues. IFFF i switch it to lowering.... it will do a random amount of down clicks before letting it drop to the floor. Never spent any time looking at what could cause that problem but be aware of it.

Full Weight on it !

Totally agree... it is a burr or holiday on a pin or weak spring. I just have not taken the time to diagnose it because each use, besides the tractor thing is in one direction.

I know it does it, so I'm thinking about it when i make my "jack selection". It's higher on my list to diagnose now. Thanks for your reply.

Are you putting the handle in the full upright position before you put the switch in the "down" position? They will do what you describe if you leave the handle in anything but the up position.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

There is no way in hell I would ever buy a *********** farm jack. Save yourself the trip to the hospital and buy an actual Hi Lift. $75 is not breaking the bank for anyone, and it will last a life time. When mine starts running like **** I dump some ATF on it and it works great again.

 

[2drx4]

I've had a hi-lift for years, and I also have an aftermarket accessory that converts it into a chain comealong. It pins into the column and has a keyhole to engage a chain.

You can do the same thing with a couple shackles and some hooks. I've used mine to drag things around a few times. A comealong is normally more convenient, and probably safer.

 

[Hencini]

Haven't used my Hi Lift in years, but they are great, versatile tools. And echoing what others have said-- BE CAREFUL, especially when lowering. A guy in my 4x4 club got pretty messed up when the handle came up and hit him in the jaw. Bad times.

 

[PelicanPines]

Are you putting the handle in the full upright position before you put the switch in the "down" position? They will do what you describe if you leave the handle in anything but the up position.

I double checked... it is a hi lift 48. Yes... starting straight up. I can do between 2 and 5 clicks going down then it drops. Thought it was operator error the first time it happened, so i re-read the manual and reviewed the proper process.

Could it be that I am only lifting a few hundred pounds...? (26hp kohler lawn tractor 48" with a 3 point on the back)

 

[-Brent-]

I agree that they're dangerous but if you use common sense you can use them safely.

 

[2drx4]

Could it be that I am only lifting a few hundred pounds...? (26hp kohler lawn tractor 48" with a 3 point on the back)

I don't think so.