hi lift jack tips and tricks?

[JoeinTX]

I have to say, I don't understand the negativity toward the high-lift jack that some seem to display.
Are they dangerous? Heck yes, just as dangerous as any other mechanical farm device composed to two or more moving parts and intended to handle stress of any kind. Are they bad tools? Certainly not.
Not the best tool for changing a tire on the Chrysler, uh-uh, that's what the hydraulic is for.
Yes, the mechanism can get cantankerous if it's not taken care of-lots parts in there that need to be clean, oiled, and maintained so that they move freely as designed and lock as intended.
If you dig the ol' high-lift out from under a half inch of dirt and leaves where it's been for the last year rattling around in the pickup bed and try to change the tire on the tractor and the handle slaps the holy fire out of your hand the first pump under pressure, well, you've got no one to blame.
Someone above mentioned them cycling down unintentionally. This jack is intended to lower itself under pressure by design. If you don't keep a steady hold on the jack handle as you working it down the jack will take over-just watch what you're doing.
I honestly don't know what I could have that would replace this tool for many of the things I use it. But, just like with anything else..understand how it works, maintain it, and pay attention to it or it just might bite back.....

 

[slowzuki]

One tip that helps keep it from skipping under load is watch the little pins when lifting and make sure they engage all the way.

If you just go past the next notch and don't lift it a bit past the pin can catch on the very edge and drop when the previous pin gets pulled out on the next stroke.

Very useful tool, don't think I'd replace a comealong with one though. Too slow for pulling.

 

[plaindave]

Best accessory I have for mine is a 4' piece of chain with slip hooks on the ends.

Need to pull a post? Wrap the chain around the post, leave a loop in it and hook up the jack. Pops them right up and easy to slide back down if you need to get a new purchase on it.

 

[goodoleboy]

I dont think I was being negative towards the hi lift jacks, i was merely pointing out they are dangerous.. I own one I think they are great tools. But I would have never thought to hold onto the handle tight unless someone told me to or I read the instructions which i did not. Sometimes I get a new toy i want to play with it, so I skip the not so fun part.

 

[bdog]

As stated above they are good but dangerous. I know an old man that Had to have his whole jaw rebuilt because he let his hand slip off the jack. I have never heard them called farmer killers but in the oilfield guys called them widom makers. No need to not use one just be careful and respect it. I agree they are one of the handiest tools to have a round. It is a good idea to keep a can of WD-40 handy so when you need the jack and it is all rusted up you can make it work.

 

[TN75Jason]

It is interesting to see how many ways different folks use high-lift jacks. I haven't used mine much in several years since I quit off-roading so frequently. Around the farm, loaders and winches are handier. As others have stated, they are useful tools, but I would pay careful attention to what slowzuki said about watching the pins engage the holes when you are lifting a load. Years ago, I was jacking up a John Deere 60 row crop rear axle with the tire and wheel laying flat on the ground with a nearly-new, well-oiled high lift. The 2nd pin did not engage before the 1st pin retracted and the whole tractor fell with the end of the axle shaft landing on the edge of the tire, which stood the tire and wheel straight up in very fast motion. The rear light on the tractor cut my arm, but fortunately, my girlfriend standing beside the tractor was not injured by the falling tractor or the tire and ended up marrying me anyways.

 

[MrJoe]

Stop by some job site and pick up a scrap of Micro-lam material and use that under the jack. That won't split like dimensional lumber will /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[cj7]

you can get replacement pins parts for them..keep it well lubed at the pins.and becareful

 

[Taylortractornut]

A trailer plant we used to landfill for used to chunk 2 a week form the frame shop as they were tar coated. I got good at cleaning them up and reselling. I used them for winches, Jacks, clamps, frame machines and alot of other uses. Ife even used to pull road signs on construction jobs. T the end of a job cleaning up we always used one to take care of the sgns that wrer unhandy to pull with the hoe. Just stick a pin into one of the sign post holes and jack it up,

 

[notamustang]

Current issue of 4 Wheel drive and sport ute mag (Red Jeep decending some rock) has a little write up page 92 for the Hi-lift. Shows the attachments and yes the plastic jack pad which is better than any wood one becasue their is less chance of your buddy burning it /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif The product that I could not remember the name of is the lift mate for lifting at the wheel.