HUGE RECALL- Harbor Freight Jack Stands

[tarbellb]

If you really think we can't DIY improve the safety of mass produced, bottom shelf ,stamped HF jack stands that have been built to the absolute lowest cost to function ratio, you are either not suited to DIY stuff (fine, some of us cant) or ignorant to product design.



That being said, most of us should not be drilling holes into our jack stands.


edited "thing we cant"

 

[ericlar80]

If you really think we can DIY improve the safety of mass produced, bottom shelf ,stamped HF jack stands that have been built to the absolute lowest cost to function ratio, you are either not suited to DIY stuff (fine, some of us cant) or ignorant to product design.



That being said, most of us should not be drilling holes into our jack stands.

Can’t really improve anything without knowing what grade material it is made of, so good luck with that.

 

[BrandoJames]

If you really think we can DIY improve the safety of mass produced, bottom shelf ,stamped HF jack stands that have been built to the absolute lowest cost to function ratio, you are either not suited to DIY stuff (fine, some of us cant) or ignorant to product design.

Let's clear this up once & for all. Just about every guy on this board owns a power drill. And that guy can easily buy a $8 titanium drill bit, bore holes in their jack stands, and run a steel pin through it.

However, there's a big difference between (1) not being able to do something and (2) choosing not to do something because it's idiotic & dangerous.

 

[chipper]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Does anyone if the recall was due to testing or did someone actually get hurt or die? I have a pair of Hf stands but they're about 20 years old and not really my go to stands. I'll only use them when I need 4 lift points

Sent from my SM-A205U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[OneDollarSaab]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Does anyone if the recall was due to testing or did someone actually get hurt or die? I have a pair of Hf stands but they're about 20 years old and not really my go to stands. I'll only use them when I need 4 lift points

There are videos on youtube going back at least a year pointing out the problems with these jacks.

 

[BrandoJames]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Does anyone if the recall was due to testing or did someone actually get hurt or die? I have a pair of Hf stands but they're about 20 years old and not really my go to stands. I'll only use them when I need 4 lift points

Excerpt from the NHTSA recall Notice 20E-016 (March 2020)

"After ongoing quality testing, inspection and assurance reviews of 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands manufactured by Jiaxing Golden Roc Tools Co., Ltd, it was determined that product quality had become inconsistent due to aging of the tooling."

Description of the Defect : For certain units, the ratchet teeth on the jack stand lifting extension post may inconsistently engage the pawl to a sufficient depth.

Description of the Safety Risk : Under load, with a potential shift in weight, on certain units the jack stand pawl may disengage from the extension lifting post, allowing the stand to drop suddenly, with potential to injure people near or under a lifted vehicle.

Description of the Cause : Aging of production tooling caused inconsistency in the engagement of the ratchet teeth in certain units.

Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : On certain units, when a potential shift in weight occurs, an incident affecting safety may occur without any warning

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E016-6561.PDF

 

[FordTruckWench]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Description of the Cause : Aging of production tooling caused inconsistency in the engagement of the ratchet teeth in certain units.

My theory: The shallow teeth prevent the pawl from swinging out far enough to engage all the way to the back of the teeth. The next tooth down is in the way.

What I'm wondering about: How could worn tooling result in shallow teeth? The overall dimensions of the cast posts remain correct. The toothed edges don't seem exceptionally thick.

It is almost like the cast posts were meant for a different design jack stand...

 

[M-technik-3]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

That video is great, gave me peace of mind over my orange 3 ton ones. Well, as much as HF product can give, anyway.

Surprised it's taken this long. I remember this happening at a lemons race or two. No injuries except pride.

 

[brownbagg]

i got four craftman, and six harbor freight six tons. i painted them all the same color

i dont know, which is which, no every detail is the same, the writting, the cut outs, the knock outs, every detail is the same

reason why i mention this, is maybe they all made by the same china factory and even craftman can have the same issue

 

[mrvm]

i got four craftman, and six harbor freight six tons. i painted them all the same color
i dont know, which is which, no every detail is the same, the writting, the cut outs, the knock outs, every detail is the same
reason why i mention this, is maybe they all made by the same china factory and even craftman can have the same issue

Whether or not the jack stands come from the same factory I'm moving away from the ratcheting jack stand design. To start I've ordered a pair of the ESCO jack stands with pin which provides more confidence as a primary and secondary secure system. My plans for any ratcheting jack stand I decide to keep will be relegated to light-duty loads in the lowest position otherwise they will be discarded.

 

[MushCreek]

I didn't read all 11 pages. Do you need a receipt to return them? I have four of them. I have used them without incident, but ya never know. I hope I can find replacements that take the cushions that fit on top.

 

[demarpaint]

I didn't read all 11 pages. Do you need a receipt to return them? I have four of them. I have used them without incident, but ya never know. I hope I can find replacements that take the cushions that fit on top.

No receipt is needed. Just bring them back to the store.

 

[chipjumper]

Re: Harbor Freight recalls Pittsburgh 6 Ton Jack Stands

Watch one of the million YouTube vids of people testing them. Some of the videos are quite shocking. I’m going to inspect my old Craftsman and Autocraft (Advance Auto Parts brand) prior to using them.
The bad HF’s are absolutely terrible. The teeth make almost zero contact with the locking pawl. And then the teeth edges are rounded and very short to begin with.

 

[decableguy2000]

I didn't read all 11 pages. Do you need a receipt to return them? I have four of them. I have used them without incident, but ya never know. I hope I can find replacements that take the cushions that fit on top.

The pads fit fine on the replacement ones they gave me.

 

[MushCreek]

Of course, I could just jack up my old F-250 and lay under it until the end. The old lady could use the money...

 

[visionguru]

For a regular car (not SUV or truck), even the lowly 2-ton jack stands don't need more the 2 teeth to support the car high enough to get the wheels off. I've bee using 2-ton Torin jackstands at the lowest setting (no ratcheting) for Honda Accord more than 10 years.

I would never trust any jackstands of this style if the car needs to be lifted too high.

A few days ago, I went to Autozone to get some Fluid Film etc. In the parking lot, I saw a guy working under a car, with only a floor jack supporting it, no jack stands. I was really concerned about his safety.

 

[Motorman55]

Pulled out the 3 and 6 ton jacks last night. Checking the numbers 61196 and 61197 per the notice, both sets have to go back. How much credit do they give for each set?

 

[M635_Guy]

Pulled out the 3 and 6 ton jacks last night. Checking the numbers 61196 and 61197 per the notice, both sets have to go back. How much credit do they give for each set?

Pretty sure they give you credit for the full retail price.

 

[mike93lx]

i got four craftman, and six harbor freight six tons. i painted them all the same color

i dont know, which is which, no every detail is the same, the writting, the cut outs, the knock outs, every detail is the same

reason why i mention this, is maybe they all made by the same china factory and even craftman can have the same issue

Throw them all away then. Or bring them to hf to try and get a credit.

Replace with high quality stands. I personally love my Esco stands

 

[jarhead]

just took two sets of 6 tons in I have had for years. I got 87 bucks in a gift card, any suggestions what is a good deal there lately? I have pretty much everything I think I need but always willing to buy more tools, lol

 

[mike93lx]

just took two sets of 6 tons in I have had for years. I got 87 bucks in a gift card, any suggestions what is a good deal there lately? I have pretty much everything I think I need but always willing to buy more tools, lol

Jack stands

I would probably grab some consumables. Paint brushes, gloves, wire brushes, etc

 

[Odd-job]

This recall was good motivation to finally upgrade. Hopefully will delay my desire for a scissor lift a little longer. Think someone else posted comparison pics before, but I will post mine.

Am not sure if the welds are any prettier as the Hein Werner might have been better at painting them over. Pretty eye opening the girth differences with the Hein Werner 6 ton stands. Wonder how the Hein Werner 6 tons compare to the Harbor freight 12 tons. Makes me think the harbor freight 6 tons are rated for a pair while the Hein Werner 6 tons are rated on a per jack stand basis so maybe not a good apples to apples comparison.

 

[BrandoJames]

just took two sets of 6 tons in I have had for years. I got 87 bucks in a gift card, any suggestions what is a good deal there lately? I have pretty much everything I think I need but always willing to buy more tools

I like HF's Doyle pliers. I own their slip-joint, groove-joint, and needle-nose pliers. They have nice rubber grips & feel like a more expensive tool than they really are. You can get those pliers for around $10-$15 each.

 

[bpjr]

This recall was good motivation to finally upgrade. Hopefully will delay my desire for a scissor lift a little longer. Think someone else posted comparison pics before, but I will post mine.

Am not sure if the welds are any prettier as the Hein Werner might have been better at painting them over. Pretty eye opening the girth differences with the Hein Werner 6 ton stands. Wonder how the Hein Werner 6 tons compare to the Harbor freight 12 tons. Makes me think the harbor freight 6 tons are rated for a pair while the Hein Werner 6 tons are rated on a per jack stand basis so maybe not a good apples to apples comparison.

Not apples to apples. HF rating is 6k per pair. The others stands are 6k each.

 

[FTG-05]

Not apples to apples. HF rating is 6k per pair. The others stands are 6k each.

The last pic clearly says "per pair".

 

[Coach James]

The HW stands also say 6 tons per pair, same as the HF stands.

Coach

 

[bpjr]

The HW stands also say 6 tons per pair, same as the HF stands.

Coach

My mistake...couldn't read the fine print with my old eyes! Thanks for the correction.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm pretty sure that everyone rates their jack stands in pairs now. When I bought my HW, they were rated as 2 ton each. Very clear on the labeling. Now they're 3 ton "as a pair" even though its the same exact stands.

It's actually a really important aspect of jack stands to know --- depending on how much you plan on lifting of course.

Not esco. Mine are 3 ton each

 

[ambenz]

and another....

https://scontent-dfw5-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/100900134_2564019137169524_4340223078635143168_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=ca434c&_nc_ohc=NDti4XFYetYAX9qsGuk&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.**&oh=7661f5eff87c1946ea8c29dccce091dd&oe=5EF8DE86

 

[DFB]

All right just for this thread here are some more photos.

My very old Speedways with the standard 6 ton rating, and then a smaller Craftsman set claimed to be 3 1/2 ton (7,000) and the size difference

Ya the clarity on some jack stand labels certainly leaves a lot to be desired...each individual one actually has the total max rating cast in and could possibly understand how someone might misinterpret the overall rating not knowing better

Though they all say somewhere on them to be used in pairs, that is just a sticker that could be lost or removed


I can see how side inserted cross pin for sure is extra safety precaution that would ensure the handle cannot move upward and release the pawl but if there is load bearing down in all respects it would be extremely difficult for that to happen. Most the time if they do drop on ya is when you're setting them up and then you often pinch your fingers right?


I still have a pair of HF's that have to go back. Maybe I'll grab them an return today as I need to go close to where the store is. And trade for some locking extension bars or a pass thru socket set. Something less serious

Man I will reiterate what I said earlier in this thread...that video showing them drop like they do is one serious defect. On mine as long as the handle is down I can push on them or rock them back and forth they won't let go

 

[anndel]

About 17 years ago, safety was my #1 priority. I went with HW 3 and 6 ton jack stands and a 2 ton floor jack and didn't give it a second thought. I fI had to do it all over again, I'll go with Made in USA HW and if not, a Milwaukee Floor Jack.

 

[Motorman55]

I returned a set of the 3 Ton and 6 Ton jack stands today at the Brick, NJ store and got the $73.50 in a HF Gift Card. Quick transaction, no questions asked, girl just checked the serial #'s.

I'll save the card for now as I may be putting it towards a 4 or 5 Drawer cart later this month.

Picked up a couple small things and paid cash while I was there.

 

[shanker]

I returned two pairs of the recalled Jack Stands today to the Corpus Christi, TX store. The manager tried to give me 46.99 in store credit per pair. I told him NO, that I'm only accepting a refund of 49.99 per pair per HF's website. He tried arguing with me and I told him I'm not trying to be a PITA, but he needs to go call his District Manager. He came back in about 5 minutes and told me yes, its 49.99 to return (Even though their computer system only rang up at 46.99) and 59.99 for store credit.
Then the computer system wouldn't let her dispense cash, so she had to put it on my card, no biggie there though.

I'm going to either go with Torn Big Red's, or the OEM Tools 6 ton's as replacements. I like the green https://www.greatnecksaw.com/24853-oemtools-24853-6-ton-jack-stands-pair-oem

 

[bubinga]

About to go return my two sets of the 6ton to HF. I ordered these from somewhere else:
Pro-LifT T-6906D Double Pin Jack Stand - 6 Ton. About the same price but with a safety pin.

Wish I'd went with the Esco 3tons tho. Over $200 for a set of 4 but I should have read thru this thread first.

How are those 6 ton pro lifts working out for you?

 

[bubinga]

About 10 years ago, OTC had a recall on their Stinger 6 ton stands. Something about the pawl not being machined right. The cast piece has to have good teeth and the pawl has to fit right in those teeth. The stands had date codes on them and I think it was about a year and a half production run affected, SPX/OTC gave the customers new stands

My observations on ratcheting jack stands are that they are safe within a reasonable working limit. Anything weird or heavy is what wood blocks and mechanical jacks/ large pin stands are for

Have quite a few 6 ton and up stands. Mostly use the Sunex type with the feet welded at the bottom. Little heavier than the OTC which has the angle corners welded in.

The Napa 7 ton is a good stand quite a bit heavier than a normal 6 ton but nowhere as large as a 12 ton stand. They all have the rubber boot over the handle for carrying including the newer Napa models

Also have a older Hein-Werner 6 ton with no braces or support at the bottom of the stand. Teeth are fine but the frames are getting bent. Goes into the while working on equipment use wood blocks instead of Chinese stands category

Four different versions of 6 to 7 ton jack stands that I feel safe working under. Not sure how past or present HF models match up or which version they are comparable to

Here is a Napa 7-ton jack stand for $99.00
Does anyone have these?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NLE7915160?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google_monthly-special_202106&campaign=GSC-Promos&campaign_id=6478906937&adgroup_id=78844950918&adtype=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwlYCHBhAQEiwA4K21m68fcMqP0nlsZmgY3DioFjnp-Up9Jssz_FZ5hxDST9ou9qbyaFCgdRoCao4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&

 

[bubinga]

Honestly, I don't care one way or another what you believe. Some folks actually have careers - lol. In any case, don't be stupid and take a drill to your jack stands.

Well I'm not going to get into engineering and right or wrong, the only issue I can see and I'm not saying you're compromising the integrity of the stand or not compromising the integrity of the stand either way.
But if you did modify the stand and something happened and you tried to or your family tried to sue the manufacturer they're going to say no! It was modified and that's why it failed whether that was the reason or not I think at least it's a liability issue, or consideration.

 

[M635_Guy]

Well I'm not going to get into engineering and right or wrong, the only issue I can see and I'm not saying you're compromising the integrity of the stand or not compromising the integrity of the stand either way.
But if you did modify the stand and something happened and you tried to or your family tried to sue the manufacturer they're going to say no! It was modified and that's why it failed whether that was the reason or not I think at least it's a liability issue, or consideration.

For the cost of replacements, the nicest thing I can say is it is silly to modify jack stands. It's also a free country, so...

 

[FredWanaker]

2 - 3 year old thread but there is a full page of jack stands recalled more than the NHTSA recall. I just rechecked mine and learned that they are now in the recall. https://www.harborfreight.com/js-details

Does anyone know who makes HDP Craft 2-ton jacks? I have a set of 4 that are the same design as the 3-ton and 6-ton and I cannot find anything via Google on them. I thought I got those at HF also. HDP Craft 17203, 2-ton red and black stands.

 

[darkzero]

****, mine we not part of the recall when the recall first came out. I also checked my latch mechanism to see if it had the issue & it didn't. But since you posted I shoukd check mine again on the new list. Thanks for posting.

 

[Swervyjoe]

Are those refund prices per pair or each?