Reconditioned American Jacks

[TeePazz]

First post to this board.

Greetings to all and thanks to those who share the knowledge or at least fake it.

Well, I find my self once again completely obsessed with my next purchase. I actually walked into Wal-Mart last Saturday morning after getting off work at 6 a.m. and bought a Torin jack for about $55. My last floor jack was a 3/12 ton Speedy Jack made by someone for someone to be distributed by others, it stopped working after 2 prior revivals I decided to get a new one. I thought I could just buy a jack and be done. I saw the warning sign when I removed it ever so carefully from the trunk being sure not to damage the box. Finding a high dry place to put it I checked once more that the receipt was in a safe place in my wallet , went in and announced to my Wife that I got the jack. I returned it Sunday morning without ever opening the box. It's Thursday eve and I have to go to work on about 2-3 hours of sleep. My routine since I returned the jack, Come home get every one of to work, daycare... and research floor jacks, I took both of my old jacks apart lined up repair kits. Decided on new Jack at the best price/shipping available on the PLANET not just locally and then....... I found American made jacks reconditioned within driving distance of about 70 miles.
Gotta go to work. I do have some questions I need to ask. In the morning! Please bear with me.
TeePazz

 

[TeePazz]

Sorry I started a thread and then just left it hang but if I didn't type 8 words a minute and misspell half of them I would of finished before I had to leave for work. So, I've found these completely Re- Conditioned American made jacks from a reputable hydr. shop that specializes in quality jack re-builds as well as imports, kits, and they also make their own brand of jacks and deal with all the main high end hydraulic tools ect. The first question I have is how much jack tonnage do I really need? I have read the articles somewhat breaking this down and the theories are so mixed that I just have to ask. I do allot of my own mechanical work as well as many tire changes due to the arrow head gravel road I live on. I currently work on a Dodge 2500 diesel (approx. 8600 lbs gvw) as well as cars as low as about 5". I was leaning toward at least a 3 ton but probably a 3 1/2 ton. I also have some light machinery ( Bobcat 843 & MF 65 tractor) that I may need to lift. The jacks new that I am really considering are 3 ton Rangers and 3 to 3 1/2 ton Omegas also 3 ton AFF Viking. I know from threads on this board that Hi-Ball likes the Hein-Werners but slightly out of my range for new. How ever in the recons that I mentioned there might be some worth the money used. I don't know- that's where some expert info would be greatly appreciated. Most of the recons I found are American made quality jacks but they are 2 ton or 4-5 ton. Is a well made 2 ton jack as good as an inferior 3-3 1/2 ton. Would I regret the shear mass of a 4 or 5 ton jack? This is a short list of the recons that fit what I want except is it too light or too massive.
I'm not sure the model #'s are the actual jack # or the shops ID # for that jack.
All completely re-conditioned and I can pick up rather than pay shipping. Also 90 day warranty. In the pictures at least it looks as if they even re-painted them unless they're stock photos.

HEIN WERNER 4 TON HWG $395

ASTRO 5 TON AST500 $385

MILWAUKEE 2 TON MODEL 20 ( CHROME PLATED RAM, PISTON , NEEDLE, DUAL PUMP) $250

OTC 4 TON 5007 $399

LINCOLN/WALKER 2 TON 93642 $225

WALKER 2 TON W93655 $395

COMPAC 2 TON 53505 $175

HEIN WERNER 5 TON HW5 $350

OTC 2 TON QUICK LIFT OTC1717 $285

WEAVER 2 TON WA2TON $399

Not American made but of quality - NORCO 5 TON 71500E $325

The RANGER and OMEGAS that are 3 to 3-1/2 ton new can be delivered for $175 to around $290 depending on model and package.

What would anyone suggest about the American 2 tons are they just too light or will they be able get the long box quad cab dodge diesel up safely (I know to use jack stands for a car) but for the truck it may need to get both wheels off the ground for ease of access . Are the 4-5 tons going to limit my use to only my shop and not my smaller garage, will they be useless on smaller cars. and finally are the Ranger or Omegas or possibly the AFF-Viking good quality jacks that might be the best fit.
I would like to sincerely thank any one who read this short novel and actually decide that I'm worthy of a response. I need to end this soon so I can get a good sleep.
Quite a deviation from the impulse buy attempt at Walmart
Thank You,
TeePazz

 

[pop pop]

You've come to the right place, I'm just not the right person. I've always liked the Walker and their counterparts from my youth. Fell into a few of them and with Hiball's help and others here have rebuilt many of them. Hopefully my family will someday appreciate the help. They are for the most part strong 2 ton units and would probably lift more. Understand that a truck with 8600# GVW doesn't put 8600# on the jack lifting one end or one corner, but you likely already know that. If you're doing occasional work it would seem OK. If you're doing it regularly or daily, I'd likely up the rating for longevity, but as you know portability and weight get to be a problem. Maybe you need two. One for 98% of your lifts and a larger one in the garage for the heavy lifts?

 

[Hiball]

First and Foremost, Be Extremely Leary on the "Made in the USA" claim from that Website.. Not all of those Jacks are Made in the USA. I normally stay out of these type of Threads, Mainly because all it does is create ******* matches when I give my Opinion on 1 brand over the other. I will say that trying to balance a Jack that can handle Heavy truck work and still be utilized on a vehicle 5" off the ground is a tough task for a USA Made jack. I would recommend taking actual measurements off your Vehicles and doing some Homework. I would venture to wager that a 2 ton Walker/Lincoln/HW9XXXX series jacks would handle the dodge on either corner or via the pumpkin. With that said.. The 3 ton (HW93652) would be more favorable for more regular service.

IMO the Walker/Lincoln/HW9XXXX series jacks have the absolute best hydraulic system, It is very crisp and handles the amount of Oil transferred from the Pump Piston better than any jack ive ever been around. Long or Short? Well that's a Issue based off your Shop size and finding one that can not only be used on the Dodge but short enough to handle the Car. If your talking Long frame.. Weaver is my Recommendation.

 

[TeePazz]

I would like to thank you, pop pop and Hiball for your opinions and suggestions.
After starting with a $55 jack working up to $120- $130 jacks on Amazon, I ended up considering $400 + jacks. Back to reality I probably only need to lift the entire front end my car to get jack stands under and the truck is high enough to do most repairs and would only need to lift one side at a time to change /repair tires. At $225 the Lincoln /Walker 93642 would be the most efficient if you don't think 2 ton is light. Could you tell me about the plunger type and the air release system on this jack? Is it a smooth controlled let down? I must admit I really do like the Weaver long jack and the Walker 93655 (is that really only a 2 ton). But the price is right on the Linc/Walker.
I'm still curious as to whether I was on the right track with the Ranger 3 tons, the Omega 3-1/2 ton or the AFF Viking 3- ton. Are they worthy jacks with easy re-build options?

I have a jack that I need help identifying. Looks like I have to start a new thread to do this?
Thanks again, TeePazz

 

[dcummer]

Passing along a word of caution about PHJ Jacks. I bought a rebuild kit from them and it was ok, and based on my experience my brother ordered a recon Lincoln/Walker 4 ton 93657. A few months later I went to see him and saw the jack. The jack he received was awful - looked nothing like the picture (and nothing like my 93657), and was really beat up. The release mechanism was jamming on it, so he took the handle off to find it was stuffed full of dirt/gravel. It sure appeared the jack wasn't the right model and hadn't had anything like a good cleaning let alone a rebuild. Given shipping was a couple of hundred (my brother lived in Maine) he didn't pursue returning the jack.

This was in 2009, my brother passed away the next year but I still feel badly that he had gotten such a screwing from a vendor I'd recommended.

Just one data point for you, but I would be very very careful with these guys!

 

[Hiball]

Passing along a word of caution about PHJ Jacks. I bought a rebuild kit from them and it was ok, and based on my experience my brother ordered a recon Lincoln/Walker 4 ton 93657. A few months later I went to see him and saw the jack. The jack he received was awful - looked nothing like the picture (and nothing like my 93657), and was really beat up. The release mechanism was jamming on it, so he took the handle off to find it was stuffed full of dirt/gravel. It sure appeared the jack wasn't the right model and hadn't had anything like a good cleaning let alone a rebuild. Given shipping was a couple of hundred (my brother lived in Maine) he didn't pursue returning the jack.

This was in 2009, my brother passed away the next year but I still feel badly that he had gotten such a screwing from a vendor I'd recommended.

Just one data point for you, but I would be very very careful with these guys!

That's Unfortunate.. I have No Inside information on them Personally, But there 90 Day warranty doesn't instill a lot of confidence on a "Reconditioned" Jack.

OP.. I wouldn't even think about giving $225 for a "Reconditioned" 93642, New can be found for less than a $100 more New.

 

[TeePazz]

Wow, that sounds very disheartening. I'm so glad you posted, I might be a little too trusting. When I owned a concrete business before the econ went bad I just couldn't believe how some contractors gouged and cheated. Even when a customer would tell me up front what another bid was I still gave my honest price, not just a couple bucks cheaper. At least I felt good about what I was doing and I think it was appreciated (Probably why I'm not in business anymore). I was wondering if the photos were stock or actual but it sounds as if they may not be. I would actually be able to drive there in about an hour but just the principle that they mis-led your brother and sent a clearly not reconditioned product makes their ethics suspect and I choose not to deal with that type of people.
Thanks for public service warning, TeePazz

 

[TeePazz]

I think I may have been getting too nostalgic about buying an older " American made jack" but without your type of expertise or really the time to re build complete I'm stuck in the retail lane. I really want to know what you think about The Rangers, Omegas and AFF Viking.

 

[Hiball]

I really want to know what you think about The Rangers, Omegas and AFF Viking.

Rangers.. No Personal Experience that I can Recall.

Omega's.. Some are better than others, I prefer the Models that utilize a UCUP and Separate Valve system and based off my experience the Standard lift models offer better longevity than the "Magic Lift" series.

AFF... Again, Limited Experience. I do recall dealing with a Member recently who was Upset that his Jack utilized the Shell/Oring style of Main Ram. I suspect the Same Jacks can be found Much cheaper at your Super Centers.

Viking, The Old stuff was good Quality, Not familiar with the New Line.. Simple googling tells me that its just some more of that Rebranded stuff sold again at Super Centers.

The Above Opinions are soley based off what I have seen 1st hand, I have no Interest in trying to stay on top of what these Manufacturers are doing on a Daily Basis. I for the Most parts specialize in the Higher Quality Brands, Its Not economically feasible to Rebuild some of the Above mentioned brands from the Outside Looking in. When it comes to answering the Question "Can a Jack be Rebuilt", It boils down to what is Wrong with it. If its simply a Seal that has failed, Sure it Can, And fairly reasonable if you want to tackle the project yourself. When you have issues with Hard parts, This is where the problem arises. The Majority of the Import brands don't offer the Individual parts and if they do its not Cost effective to purchase them or they want to sell you the Entire Unit.

Good Luck on your Journey..