Floor jack

[5030]

Mine is as well. Project Farm did a review on them and even he stated it was an excellent value for the money. Had mine a number of years now and it's been flawless but mine has metal wheels so it's a PITA off concrete. I may add poly wheels (solid to mine), I feel that is a good idea.

Candidly, everything I buy at HF has met or exceeded my expectations bit I never buy the HF cheap line stiff, always the 'up' quality stuff and it's always less in cost than other sellers stuff. Don't know how they do it, but they do and obviously are making money as well. Glad HF is there.

 

[2manyrocks]

HF seems to have risen at the same Sear's tool department fell.

Even in the cheap tool line, they have some good values like the receip saw that used to sell for $20 on sale. I tend to use it more than my Milwaukee just because its light and gets the job done.

 

[CliffordK]

Recently bought a Harbor Freight Badlands off-road jack. Surprised by the features, fit and finish. Bigger tires roll instead of drag. Belly pan keeps from sinking on soft ground. Saddle extension and tool stored onboard look sturdy. Locking handle and multiple hand grips help with positioning.

Plastic wheels...About a 3 year life span.....

@Smokeydog, In year or two post back with a long term followup. I looked at that jack a little, but it just didn't look like it would suit my needs.

My trailer deck was 18'2", so when I redecked it, I ended up with a bunch of 1'10" 2x12 scraps, and tend to throw one of those under the jack when using it in the mud. Gravel is usually firm enough that it doesn't bother me, although the jack doesn't tend to roll much when jacking, and risks pulling off of the load, so one must watch it.

Their regular 3 ton is a heavy rascal that is difficult to move on gravel with the regular small steel wheels. 510 reviews of the Badland version with the big wheels with a 99% recommendation rate is a pretty good indicator of its popularity.

I am suspicious of reviews that are posted within the first few weeks of ownership.

My old HF 3-Ton jack finally gave up the ghost. I will mess around with oil and bleeding it soon. However, I decided to try the Pittsburgh 3-Ton Aluminum jack. I would have gone for the Daytona, but it didn't go up to 3-Ton. Plus I liked the wide wheel stance on the Pittsburgh. The Daytona 1.5 Ton had a narrow front mono wheel.

The thing is still heavy. However, the Pittsburgh 3-Ton steel is rated at 78 pounds, and the Pittsburgh 3-Ton Aluminum is rated at 63.3 lbs. So, about 15 lbs lighter. And it makes a difference for lugging it around.

The Badland Off Road 3-Ton is rated at 72.2 lbs. So, 9 lbs heavier than the Pittsburgh Aluminum.

Anyway, I'm often lugging the jack, and get tired of that extra weight.

While I could probably deal with the lower capacity jacks, I don't want to get stuck with the wrong one. I blew a trailer tire a while ago with my trailer somewhat heavy, and the 3-Ton struggled.

 

[confederatemule]

I've been really pleased with my HF Daytona floor jack. And the set of wrenches and sockets I got to leave in the barn for working on the tractor. HF's stepped up the quality of many of their products.

They also stepped up the price.

 

[Smokeydog]

Badlands three handles plus the locking lift handle helps lugging around and positioning over the old jack. Tool-free lifting handle remove/replace. Heavy but made to carry. On the farm versatility is important. Innovative design details a young mechanic might not notice but older mechanic can appreciate. Lubing the front axle of a Dodge Diesel a test for any jack. After using a regular jack for 27 years a welcome upgrade.

In the owners manual says to change hydraulic fluid at least once every three years. I’ve never seen or done that before.

 

[kenmbz]

I just bought the Daytona 3-ton low profile.
Having a low profile car and a Jeep Grand Cherokee, I wanted a bigger jack that could do both.
Had a coupon for free jack stands with purchase, so now have 4 jack stands

Will let you know how it works, still too new for feedback yet

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

I don't understand why someone doesn't make a jack with spring-loaded wheels that allow you to go over grass but move up and out of the way when you start lifting.

My biggest criteria is how high can it lift. I own a 4-ton rolling jack only because it'll lift the truck high enough to change a tire. I miss my old 2-speed scissor jack I had 40 years ago.

 

[jjeff]

I don't understand why someone doesn't make a jack with spring-loaded wheels that allow you to go over grass but move up and out of the way when you start lifting.

My biggest criteria is how high can it lift. I own a 4-ton rolling jack only because it'll lift the truck high enough to change a tire. I miss my old 2-speed scissor jack I had 40 years ago.

Good idea, howeverLots of potential failure points I can foresee. Especially when it's overloaded or misused.

 

[2manyrocks]

@Smokeydog, In year or two post back with a long term followup. I looked at that jack a little, but it just didn't look like it would suit my needs.

My trailer deck was 18'2", so when I redecked it, I ended up with a bunch of 1'10" 2x12 scraps, and tend to throw one of those under the jack when using it in the mud. Gravel is usually firm enough that it doesn't bother me, although the jack doesn't tend to roll much when jacking, and risks pulling off of the load, so one must watch it.
I am suspicious of reviews that are posted within the first few weeks of ownership.

My old HF 3-Ton jack finally gave up the ghost. I will mess around with oil and bleeding it soon. However, I decided to try the Pittsburgh 3-Ton Aluminum jack. I would have gone for the Daytona, but it didn't go up to 3-Ton. Plus I liked the wide wheel stance on the Pittsburgh. The Daytona 1.5 Ton had a narrow front mono wheel.

The thing is still heavy. However, the Pittsburgh 3-Ton steel is rated at 78 pounds, and the Pittsburgh 3-Ton Aluminum is rated at 63.3 lbs. So, about 15 lbs lighter. And it makes a difference for lugging it around.

The Badland Off Road 3-Ton is rated at 72.2 lbs. So, 9 lbs heavier than the Pittsburgh Aluminum.

Anyway, I'm often lugging the jack, and get tired of that extra weight.

While I could probably deal with the lower capacity jacks, I don't want to get stuck with the wrong one. I blew a trailer tire a while ago with my trailer somewhat heavy, and the 3-Ton struggled.

I have the heavy HF jack that isn't easy to move in the gravel so I also bought the lightweight aluminum jack to use on our smaller cars. I can't recall if it was in the HF reviews or somewhere on youtube that one reviewer cautioned that the aluminum frame can separate if placed under a heavy load on uneven gravel. I put mine on a sturdy board.

 

[Pecosbill7]

Smokeydog, I just went to HF and purchased the same Jack on your recommendation. HF had just sent me a “manager’s coupon” good for 25% off of one item, no exclusions, and I had just had another experience of picking up my current floor Jack and carrying it outside to put under a trailer when I saw your post. That did it for me.

 

[Smokeydog]

Smokeydog, I just went to HF and purchased the same Jack on your recommendation. HF had just sent me a “manager’s coupon” good for 25% off of one item, no exclusions, and I had just had another experience of picking up my current floor Jack and carrying it outside to put under a trailer when I saw your post. That did it for me.

Great! Wish I had a 25% coupon.

 

[CliffordK]

I have the heavy HF jack that isn't easy to move in the gravel so I also bought the lightweight aluminum jack to use on our smaller cars. I can't recall if it was in the HF reviews or somewhere on youtube that one reviewer cautioned that the aluminum frame can separate if placed under a heavy load on uneven gravel. I put mine on a sturdy board.

Mine is the 3 Ton aluminum jack. So far it seems to be sturdy. I'll keep the concept of a good support under it in mind, but life isn't always flat on concrete.

A few weeks ago I had to move my empty trailer sideways. I think that was with the old steel HF floor jack. I was going to jack it up and put a board under it then pull it sideways. But, in the process the jack fell over undamaged. So, ratchet strap to a tree, jacked it up, and pulled jack over about 5 times. Of course, a week later the jack stopped going all the way up. I still need to diagnose and probably add oil. Nonethless, the steel jack took quite a bit of abuse that day... in MUD.

 

[two_bit_score]

Great! Wish I had a 25% coupon.

Me too.

 

[vagem55]

I also bought one with a 25% off coupon. If you have a vehicle with high ground clearance, or need to use one on gravel, this one is amazing. The design with the handle lock and the built in lift height extensions (even the Allen wrench) shows exceptional engineering. If the wheels break over time, I expect replacing them would be easy, as they don't swivel. I would consider putting wheels with locks on the back, as it rolls easily.
Watch what the guys do with it offroad, and it's something you'll have to own.

 

[Rick Sladewski]

Smokey I've read and heard quite a few approvals like yours.
Kinda makes you wonder why this "off road" type of jack hasn't been available before?

Because someone who sits at a desk designing stuff never even dreamed that there were people out there that actually work outside in the dirt and not a nice clean cement slab

 

[Dunno]

I’d be REAL careful using any of that chinese junk. There’s a reason why quality costs more. You may save a buck up front, but what’s the value of your safety? Hate to be a bummer, but also hate the consequences of cheap tools and busted bones.

 

[2manyrocks]

Have to acknowledge that any of these hydraulic jacks depend on an o-ring seal being able to withstand the pressure and jack stands are needed for safety to be sure instead of hoping that the tiny seals don't burst.

Harbor Freight jacks are so popular that there is probably more real user feedback to be had for them than some of the other value brands.

Nonetheless, safety jack stands are still important to use.

 

[Rustyiron]

....and sadly, I'd be surprised if 90% of all jack's sold in the US were not Chinese made despite any label it wears.
I don't care who's name is on a jack you still have to use jack stands!

 

[kminnick]

...Way up I might add and their prices are still not out of line far as I'm concerned. I'm a devout Harbor Freight junkie and ITC member as well. They still sell, some cheap junk but they also sell dam good stuff as well, and the Daytona jacks are good stuff and I have one and it's 5 years old and no issues at all. Their high line welders are also very good, Just bought a Vulcan Pro-Tig 205 amp inverter machine and a Titanium plasma cutter and their Vulcan welding roll around welding cabinet and it's all first rate equipment and has a 3 year replacement guarantee as well. The Vulcan welding cabinet is especially nice and comes 90% assembled and everything lines up perfectly and the powder coat finish s better than the paint in my car. Amazing stuff. Soft close drawers, locking side cabinet and lined shelves too, plus it will carry 3 welding machines and 2 gas bottles...


All in, with new gas bottles ( I sold the existing gas bottles with the existing machines), I'm into just about 4 grand total for new state of the art inverter machines, new owned 120 cubic foot filled bottles and the roll around cart. Always been **** about my gas bottles and I don't like renting beat up gas bottles so I buy them outright and have my LWS who has a compressor facility fill them for me....


Not wanting to hijack this thread, but I traded in my bottles so I wouldn't have to hydrostat them every 5 years. Does your local gas guy also do hydrostat testing?

 

[sea2summit]

I don't understand why someone doesn't make a jack with spring-loaded wheels that allow you to go over grass but move up and out of the way when you start lifting.

My biggest criteria is how high can it lift. I own a 4-ton rolling jack only because it'll lift the truck high enough to change a tire. I miss my old 2-speed scissor jack I had 40 years ago.

Because lifting something very heavy that wants to be off balance is hard enough on a solid surface. Not many want to encourage you to do it on uneven and/or unstable surfaces.