hi lift jack tips and tricks?

newbury · May 10, 2019

I've been keeping one in my truck for about 10 years now. Several times I've had to use when it was definitely not planned.

The last time there was a lady (young, attractive) who was trying to get a trailer on a hitch. Ball was higher than the trailer jack would go.
I pull out my jack, her eyes widened and she said "Wow, I didn't think you had one that big".

It's not the size but what you can do with it (but size helps).

jmc · May 10, 2019

Those jacks are made not far from here- possibly invented by this company:

Our History | Hi-Lift(R) Jack Co.

From the sounds of this thread, I wouldn't want a Chinese knockoff of it.

seymojo536 · May 10, 2019

Or as another plan of action, go buy a couple of railroad jacks. They will lift anything.

WranglerX · May 10, 2019

seymojo536 said:
Or as another plan of action, go buy a couple of railroad jacks. They will lift anything.

Aren't they same concept/functionality of hi-lift?... Just maybe more robust?

Dale

oosik · May 10, 2019

Keep the mechanism clean and well lubed. I bought mine in 1967. Still in fine shape and works like a champ. Got me out of many stuck situations during my 22 years in Alaska.

It was the "tool" I used for final stretching/tightening of all the barbed wire around my 80 acres.

Industrial Toys · May 10, 2019

I always wanted one and finally bought a Big Red one at TSC. It's the worst, most frustrating and awkward tool that I own.

seymojo536 · May 10, 2019

Maybe same concept, just better executed. Come on, they're designed to lift full railroad cars. I have a pair and they fit right under the rear axel so I can lift the rear of any tractor to swap tires easily. I've jacked corners of buildings up to repair foundations.

And unlike those flimsy hi-jacks, you can leave them outside and they'll still function months later.

Industrial Toys · May 10, 2019

Maybe the BIG RED version is just junk. For all that leverage, I have always been amazed at the force required to lift anything, even not anywhere at capacity. The only thing that handle is good for it seems is smashing oneself in the face.

An old timer neighbor used to call those track jacks, but I never heard they could lift a railway car.

seymojo536 · May 10, 2019

Industrial Toys said:
Maybe the BIG RED version is just junk. For all that leverage, I have always been amazed at the force required to lift anything, even not anywhere at capacity. The only thing that handle is good for it seems is smashing oneself in the face.

An old timer neighbor used to call those track jacks, but I never heard they could lift a railway car.

That's what the toe was for. The ones I have are 10T rated. With a 6 foot oak lever, I haven't come upon anything I couldn't lift.

bcp · May 10, 2019

Railroad jacks:

railroad jack at DuckDuckGo

Bruce

Industrial Toys · May 10, 2019

I see everything BUT a jack.

bcp · May 10, 2019

Fixed it, maybe.

My mouse died this morning, and I'm trying to use a track pad I'm not familiar with. About every third thing is wrong.

Bruce

ArlyA · May 10, 2019

I've used those RR jacks in my long carer within the rail business. (not really that long) Today I'd prefer a high lift for general lifting purposes.

Looking4new · May 10, 2019

I much prefer my Hi-lift/jack-all. Like I said in a previous post, do NOT get any body part that you want to keep within range of the handle. Do NOT wrap your thumb around the I-beam at any time, whether jacking up or down.

Doofy · May 10, 2019

Very handy jacks but they can maim and kill if not careful. I've had several over the years and they are all still very serviceable. The "Off Road" jack base is handy for mud and soft ground(beats scrounging for blocks or boards).

Jstpssng · May 10, 2019

I used to carry an old bulldozer pad to spread out the weight. Somewhere along the line that disappeared. They still will lean within the base though. All in all they are a very handy tool but common sense is needed. Rather than the 4 foot model which is common mine has a 5 foot rail; which has a mild arc now from jacking a vehicle too high. I used to carry that and a 2 ton "More Power" comealong; they got me out of a lot of places where I should never have been but both are waiting for complete rebuilds.

4570Man · May 10, 2019

I hate those things. Maybe for off road use but for in the shop there’s easier and safer options. It wouldn’t take many 6x6 blocks and a bottle jack to go 30” high.

Jstpssng · May 11, 2019

For the shop I use a floor jack and blocks of wood. It won't go up 30 " but it's a whole lot safer than a highlift.

oosik · May 11, 2019

I wonder - are we talking about two similar pieces of equipment - manufactured by two different companies. Mine was manufactured in 1966 - I purchased it in 1967. It says - HANDYMAN, Harrah Manufacturing Co, Bloomfield, Indiana, USA. It's the all cast model with a wood handle.

I have used it numerous times to completely lift either the entire front or rear of a Jeep off the ground. Like any mechanical device - it must be kept in good working order and well greased. It has never given the slightest hint of malfunction.

jmc · May 12, 2019

oosik said:
I wonder - are we talking about two similar pieces of equipment - manufactured by two different companies. Mine was manufactured in 1966 - I purchased it in 1967. It says - HANDYMAN, Harrah Manufacturing Co, Bloomfield, Indiana, USA. It's the all cast model with a wood handle.

That's the same or related company I mentioned in post #42. They mention your model and also show some jacks being used in railroad yards.