Posted: 4/15/2012 7:57:28 AM EDT
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Guys
picked up a Hi lift 485 jack at a tage sale for $15. Anyone using one of these in their preps and any experience good or bad in actual use. Thanks |
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They can be a great tool, just treat it with respect and common sense. Make sure it is well maintained and lubricated as needed. Don't end up like John Cranfield did.
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Great tools. It's interesting that the "dangerous" nature of these things didn't start being publicized until the late 80's maybe even sometime in the 90's. Imagine that, they suddenly became "dangerous" after darned near 100 years. So here is the deal, the same one that has always existed.
[IT'S A TOOL, LIKE ANY TOOL IF YOU USE IT WRONG, YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF. GROWUP, ACT LIKE AN ADULT AND THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. But, I doubt in our current day, sissyfied world, taking responsibility for ones actions is something folks will do. |
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Great tools. It's interesting that the "dangerous" nature of these things didn't start being publicized until the late 80's maybe even sometime in the 90's. Imagine that, they suddenly became "dangerous" after darned near 100 years. So here is the deal, the same one that has always existed. [IT'S A TOOL, LIKE ANY TOOL IF YOU USE IT WRONG, YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF. GROWUP, ACT LIKE AN ADULT AND THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. But, I doubt in our current day, sissyfied world, taking responsibility for ones actions is something folks will do. I don't think that's a very fair statement. A Hi-Lift jack or farm jack acts differently than a regular hydraulic or screw-type jack. It is under incredible load on the return stroke, unlike the other kinds. This isn't exactly common for jacks, and if you don't know how that specific one operates, it can really give you a wallop. I found out the hard way. Basically, stay completely clear of the jack handle while raising or lowering it - it can swing back upwards with tremendous speed and force, and can easily injure the user. Hi Lift Jack considerations |
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Great tools. It's interesting that the "dangerous" nature of these things didn't start being publicized until the late 80's maybe even sometime in the 90's. Imagine that, they suddenly became "dangerous" after darned near 100 years. So here is the deal, the same one that has always existed. [IT'S A TOOL, LIKE ANY TOOL IF YOU USE IT WRONG, YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF. GROWUP, ACT LIKE AN ADULT AND THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. But, I doubt in our current day, sissyfied world, taking responsibility for ones actions is something folks will do. Nah, when I was kid doing farm work in the 70s, the danger of hi-lift jacks was well known and talked about. I worked with tractors, balers, combines, augers, and a lot of other potentially deadly equipment but the hi-lift is what I was warned about time and again. |
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Quoted: They can be a great tool, just treat it with respect and common sense. Make sure it is well maintained and lubricated as needed. Don't end up like John Cranfield did. BTDT myself... If it wasn't for the Oakleys I was wearing taking the brunt of the handle impacting my face, at eye (as in right in front of pupil) level, I would be wearing a pirate patch. The one piece lens had a gouge running from its mid-point all the way down to the bottom edge. The handle then left a good scratch and bruise on my cheek, just below the eye socket.  I had just lifted my '72 Blazer out of a rut, placing a sandbag under the tire, and as I was bringing the truck back down, I let the the HilLft's handle get going too fast, and then it got away from me. Since all 4 tires had dug themselves into some very soft ground next to a blackberry thicket, and I had 3 to go, I just left the truck where it was (it was in my own LARGE backyard  ). A hard overnight freeze, and I was able to drive it out the next morning without any further jacking
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Quoted: I carry one of my Jeep as a back up for my bottle jack and a last resort winch if need be. It is a good tool to have if you have proper jacking points on the body or bumpers. Spend a few more dollars... http://www.hi-lift.com/accessories/lift-mate.html Hi-Lift Lift-Mate (LM-100)Lift Directly from the Wheel - Plastic Bumpers and Extreme Lift-Kits Are No Longer a Problem. Many trucks and SUV's have larger tires and/or lift kits that require extensive lifting height ability from the bumper jack. The Lift-Mate is designed to operate in a manner that allows the vehicle wheel to be lifted directly from the wheel, greatly reducing the amount of travel up the jack bar needed to lift the wheel in an adequate and safe height. Lift-Mate Features & Specifications:
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Had one since 1977. Mine has the forged base plate. Works like a champ, but as stated, most so called sport utility/off road vehicles will need aftermarket bumpers to use the jack on. I have abused mine by using it to roll junk cars sideways on a trailer by purposely angling the jack. I also seat tires using starting fluid too. So DUH HUH.
High Lift jack is like a firearm. Great tool but use it wisely. RS |
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i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks |
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i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks bumper. although i will say the bumper adapter works well but it WILL slightly bend it. mine is a beater so i don't really care. it gets my tires off the ground if needed. it WILL NOT lift from the frame. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks bumper. although i will say the bumper adapter works well but it WILL slightly bend it. mine is a beater so i don't really care. it gets my tires off the ground if needed. it WILL NOT lift from the frame. Hey you two... Take a good look at, and consider using the tire lift adapter I posted above.   Using that, you are lifting the corner of the truck right away, rather than just unloading the springs a lot and lifting the tire out of the hole a little, when you lift from the bumper.
It is also quite a bit safer, since the hooks won't slip out of the wheel, while the bumper can let the jack slip to the side . |
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i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks bumper. although i will say the bumper adapter works well but it WILL slightly bend it. mine is a beater so i don't really care. it gets my tires off the ground if needed. it WILL NOT lift from the frame. Hey you two... Take a good look at, and consider using the tire lift adapter I posted above. http://www.driveoffroad.com/media/wysiwyg/hi-lift-05.jpg http://www.liveoffroad.com/images/uploads/6478_5590_large.jpg Using that, you are lifting the corner of the truck right away, rather than just unloading the springs a lot and lifting the tire out of the hole a little, when you lift from the bumper.
It is also quite a bit safer, since the hooks won't slip out of the wheel, while the bumper can let the jack slip to the side . that doesn't work for changing tires 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks bumper. although i will say the bumper adapter works well but it WILL slightly bend it. mine is a beater so i don't really care. it gets my tires off the ground if needed. it WILL NOT lift from the frame. Hey you two... Take a good look at, and consider using the tire lift adapter I posted above. http://www.driveoffroad.com/media/wysiwyg/hi-lift-05.jpg http://www.liveoffroad.com/images/uploads/6478_5590_large.jpg Using that, you are lifting the corner of the truck right away, rather than just unloading the springs a lot and lifting the tire out of the hole a little, when you lift from the bumper. It is also quite a bit safer, since the hooks won't slip out of the wheel, while the bumper can let the jack slip to the side . that doesn't work for changing tires D'oh!... I just use the OEM scissor jack for THAT...or that nice floor jack in the garage... |
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i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks bumper. although i will say the bumper adapter works well but it WILL slightly bend it. mine is a beater so i don't really care. it gets my tires off the ground if needed. it WILL NOT lift from the frame. Hey you two... Take a good look at, and consider using the tire lift adapter I posted above. http://www.driveoffroad.com/media/wysiwyg/hi-lift-05.jpg http://www.liveoffroad.com/images/uploads/6478_5590_large.jpg Using that, you are lifting the corner of the truck right away, rather than just unloading the springs a lot and lifting the tire out of the hole a little, when you lift from the bumper.
It is also quite a bit safer, since the hooks won't slip out of the wheel, while the bumper can let the jack slip to the side . that doesn't work for changing tires D'oh!...
I just use the OEM scissor jack for THAT...or that nice floor jack in the garage... my stock jack doesn't even come close to getting my tires in the air lol neither does my floor jack
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i have one in my suburban as it's the only thing tall enough to get the wheel of the ground. these things absolutely will hurt/kill you if you are not careful. the handle is under serious load. I have a suburban as well. Where do you jack yours with the HL? Thanks bumper. although i will say the bumper adapter works well but it WILL slightly bend it. mine is a beater so i don't really care. it gets my tires off the ground if needed. it WILL NOT lift from the frame. Hey you two... Take a good look at, and consider using the tire lift adapter I posted above. http://www.driveoffroad.com/media/wysiwyg/hi-lift-05.jpg http://www.liveoffroad.com/images/uploads/6478_5590_large.jpg Using that, you are lifting the corner of the truck right away, rather than just unloading the springs a lot and lifting the tire out of the hole a little, when you lift from the bumper. It is also quite a bit safer, since the hooks won't slip out of the wheel, while the bumper can let the jack slip to the side . that doesn't work for changing tires D'oh!... I just use the OEM scissor jack for THAT...or that nice floor jack in the garage... my stock jack doesn't even come close to getting my tires in the air lol neither does my floor jack I have a 6" x 8" x 15" piece of landscaping tie, that I put on top of my floor jack's lifting pad, and a pair of 2" x 12" x 12" planks that I keep in the truck for the scissor jack. Even stacked, they are safer than lifting from the bumper. |