Farm Jack vs Bottle Jack with leveling blocks

100acre

100acre

Adventurist
I've been dragging my farm/ high lift jack around for years and I've never had to use it except when working on the tractor at home. The only time I used it on my truck, it bent the bumper. I also have a heavy duty bottle jack and a bunch of leveling blocks that I could use to make the Bottle Jack taller. The only two places on the truck I can mount the farm jack to are attached to the aftermarket front bumper-winch mount. I really would like to shed the weight of the farm jack but I'm concerned about needing it and not having it. I also have the stock scissor jack as well. What are Y'all's thoughts?
 
Problem is I cannot mount it anywhere else on my truck except the front winch mount. Everywhere else just bends.
 
I quit carrying a Hi-Lift years ago when not rock crawling. When travelling with a group, there are usually a multitude of people begging you to use theirs if one is needed because they've been hauling it around for years and never used it.

As you have pointed out, unless mods are made, there are very few locations that it can be used without bending something on a modern vehicle.

[soapbox]I agree that Hi-Lifts are a product liability lawsuit looking for a place to happen! NEVER EVER NEVER get your head in the arc of the HiLIft jack handle. I know a guy that lost an eye when his grip slipped and the handle whacked him in the face. If you've never used a HiLift, practice with it in your driveway or some other level area under controlled circumstances. When you finally need it, you can almost guarantee that the mechanism will be stuck...pour a Coke on the mechanism, the citric acid will help free/lube the mechanism.[/soapbox]

If you're travelling by yourself, I'd still consider finding a place to carry one. When you NEED a HiLift, you NEED a HiLift.
 
I don't have it yet, but the Hi-Lift "Lift Mate" hooks might work better for you than trying to lift from your bumper.

DSC04319.jpg


Another idea is to switch out the hooks for those new fancy soft shackles. Then you don't have to worry about marring the finish on the wheels, get a more secure "closed loop" around the wheel, and then have a second excuse to add soft-shackles to your kit.
 
Gallowbraid said:
HiLift jack is the most dangerous way to do anything.
Click to expand...

I disagree. The jack, like any other tool, is not dangerous in and of itself. It's perfectly safe when used as designed by someone who knows it's ins and outs.

The problem is, most people don't know it's ins and outs and never take the time to learn. If a guy does take the time to learn, and keeps the Hi-Lift squared away and ready to go, the Hi-Lift is capable of far more than any other jacking device. With a couple of shackles, the high-lift jack becomes a powerful hoist capable of lifting engines, axles or the entire front end of a vehicle, provided you have a strong overhead anchor. With their top clamps or a JackMate, high-lift jacks are very powerful clamps, and also strong spreading tools. Even vehicle frames can be pulled apart or brought back together without much trouble. The jack can also be used to straighten bent tie rod ends, or to free or "break" a stubborn tire bead during tire repairs. Used in conjunction with your spare tire it can also provide a field expedient winch anchor point where no other may exist.

The Hi-Lift is an amazing tool when in the hands of a capable person. I always carry one. But I'm preaching to the choir here ;)
 
LandCruiserPhil said:
I think we can agree education is the key here. Like you said people dont take the time until they in crises mode before they learn the ends and out of a hi-lift. Hi-lifts are purchased clamped onto their rig in the weather and when it comes to use no workie due to lack of lubrication. Without a properly lube hi-jack you know have a dangerous set up. I still maintain that using a hi-lift to change a tire is not safe even lubed up. If forced to use a hi-lift for a tire change I always strap the axle to the frame so you keep lifting the vehicle to a minimum.

Ever hi-lift owner should be required to take an operation class.
Click to expand...
How can we take you seriously with that avatar Phil? :D
 
LandCruiserPhil said:
I think we can agree education is the key here.
Click to expand...

Education helps but is no substitute for using one. There is no amount of classroom time or manual study that can replace hands on experience. I really encourage anyone here who owns a Hi-Lift to study all it's parts, learn HOW it works (both up and down), and try it out in a safe environment before you need it in the field. It's actually quite a simple device once you take the time to get to know it.

3744-Hi-Lift%20Jack%20Parts%20List.jpg
 
925b813acc04817656862f8b8769620a.jpg

OK, first off if the Hi-Lift jack is firmly mounted in a place where it can't be reached easily it will never hurt you. Secondly, If you make the mistake of taking it down sooner or later it will bite you. Thirdly, it's important to use a good solid "wooden" (hickory/oak) handle, because when you're hot, sweaty, cussing up a storm, 'cause you got yourself stuck in deep shit and your concentration wanders for that split second WHEN the handle smacks you it will hurt, but not as much as the metal handle!
On the farm I've seen the damage a "Farm Jack" can do, get a bottle jack and some accessories and save yourself the pain.:headbang
 
I must respectfully disagree.

woodienut said:
View attachment 21643
OK, first off if the Hi-Lift jack is firmly mounted in a place where it can't be reached easily it will never hurt you. Secondly, If you make the mistake of taking it down sooner or later it will bite you. Thirdly, it's important to use a good solid "wooden" (hickory/oak) handle, because when you're hot, sweaty, cussing up a storm, 'cause you got yourself stuck in deep shit and your concentration wanders for that split second WHEN the handle smacks you it will hurt, but not as much as the metal handle!
On the farm I've seen the damage a "Farm Jack" can do, get a bottle jack and some accessories and save yourself the pain.:headbang
Click to expand...

In 30 years of owning one, I have used the jack itself about 5 times and the handle about a hundred. Dave may correctly point out that I would be better at it if I used it more often than every six years or so, but that kind of skill is not worth the blood and crippling injuries it comes with. The handle makes a great cheater bar and is probably the most useful part of the jack. Eventually I got smart and took the jack off the truck, but kept the handle and a bottle jack. In the sand out here in Dubai we actually prefer a small floor jack + base plate. Every other car in the desert has a high-lift mounted, but I have never seen anybody suicidal enough to use one.
 
Times I've used a hi-lift:
  • Getting a LWB vehicle unstuck after getting high-centered: Jacked up the rear and drove off the jack (not recommended)
  • Getting a LWB vehicle unstuck after getting high-centered: Jacked up the side, stacked rocks under each tire, lowered vehicle, drove off (learned from previous mistakes)
  • Getting a LWB vehicle unstuck after getting high-centered: Jacked up the front, stacked rocks under each tire, lowered vehicle, drove off (getting better at this)
  • Getting a LWB vehicle unstuck after getting high-centered: Lather, rinse, repeat (notice the pattern yet?)
  • Changing ball-joints on a TJ while on the trail
  • Changing tire on a Jeep while on the trail
  • Used as a spreader to bend a busted side-step back in place after a rock pushed it into the rear tire
  • Getting a LWB vehicle unstuck after getting high-centered... It happens a lot
Anyway... A hi-lift is just another tool to be used. It can do things a bottle-jack can't. A bottle jack can do things a hi-lift can't. I still have my OEM scissor jack for that same reason. Eventually I hope to replace the scissor jack with a good bottle jack. I won't be getting rid of my hi-lift any time soon though.

I will also echo the handle being super useful. Used them to sleeve bent/broken tie-rods. Used them as hatch props. Even used one as a crutch once for a buddy who twisted an ankle. I've actually thought about adding a second handle to my kit. All else fails two hi-lift handles make for a very useful improvised litter in the event of a emergency... or leg splints... or who knows what till you need one.
 
Back in the day with my 83 Toyota I had to use my Hi Lift a bunch. I was averaging 200 mile every two weeks in the desert by myself for SAR. Had cheep but killer mount on my wheel well inside the bed. Out of the way. Kind of a pain to get to but non the less secured. After going full size I passed on my hi lift to my Brother-Inlaw and his FJ. Now days I'll use the stock jack and blocks and or the small 2ton floor jack. If I'm rock crawling in my Z71 then I'm with some awesome folks who most likely have a hi lift and a big winch. Or two. It's hard to beat the small floor jack and a few 2x6 in the dirt/sand. But yes I miss having my Hi Lift packed away when I get into the rocks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom