Hi-Lift/farm jack question

[blaisetd]

Does anyone know if the Harbor Freight farm jack is an exact copy of the "Hi-Lift" brand jack? The reason I ask is because I wanted to get the Hi Lift accessory to lift from the wheel to use on a HF jack. Also, if anyone has used the wheel lift accessory how did it work out? thanks in advance blaise

[Ramsey]

a real high lift isnt much more, there dangerous enough without being a cheap knock off. However if it just bolts through the hole in the lip, both jacks have them and it can probably be made to work. Haven't seen a close up of the wheel jack though.

[motorcityxj]

jacks arent something to buy the cheap version of. I cant say for sure of the harbor freight one, its likely chinese knock off with a blantant ripoff of the original casting, but made with piss poor metals, and hardware.

A real highlift is a minimal investment, cheap out on something else. Ramsey is dead nutz right about them being dangerous enough with buying the compromised cheap-o knock off version. Buy the real one, and buy store brand pop, brownie mix, macaroni and cheese deoderant etc. Dont need that highlift failing on ya. for what ? 24 bucks ?

[Art Triggs]

The HF Farm Jack is not as well made as a legit Hi Lift, this is something you definitely dont want to skimp on, a regular Hi Lift is dangerous enough, I've seen the HF jacks, and Tractor Supply Farm Jacks too, definitely not the same quality as far as I'm concerned

[Ray H]

Just judging from the looks of the HiLift and the HF knockoff, the tire strap attachment will work on either. That said, I would like to add that I agree with everyone above. Spend a few bucks more and get the real deal.

[Fergie]

Somewhat related, but if you have sliders on your rig, specifically round tube ones, try this:

http://www.wabfab.org/products/sliders/sliders.htm

Kind of a cool idea, and would make a perfect addition to the kit.

Fergie

[WB9YZU]

I don't know right off if the foot print is the same or not.
I'd measure the footprint on your HF jack and compare it to a HI-Lift jack in the store.

The rest should work OK.

Besure to keep your jacks mech well lubed and work the reversing latch untill if feels not so tight.
Keep the thing well protected. Many folks leave their jacks out in the elements, not so wise.
I've seen enough frozen "Genuine" Hi-lifts to realize that a frozen jack, whatever brand, is just a hunk of metal.

[Stumpalump]

jacks arent something to buy the cheap version of. I cant say for sure of the harbor freight one, its likely chinese knock off with a blantant ripoff of the original casting, but made with piss poor metals, and hardware.

A real highlift is a minimal investment, cheap out on something else. Ramsey is dead nutz right about them being dangerous enough with buying the compromised cheap-o knock off version. Buy the real one, and buy store brand pop, brownie mix, macaroni and cheese deoderant etc. Dont need that highlift failing on ya. for what ? 24 bucks ?

The patent has run out on that jack design and high lift didn't have the original patent. I've had both and I like my Harbor freight jack better. It's works better when going from up to down changing. I believe that if you can operate a jack of this design easier than it will be safer. I think I only paid 29 bucks on sale for mine and I actually use it more than the hilift I had because it works easier. Like any thing you buy at harbor freight check it out real well befor you take it home to make sure it is a good one.

[87manche]

just looked at TSC, TSC brand jack was $29, Hi lift brand was $52.
I'll spend the extra 20.

[Stumpalump]

just looked at TSC, TSC brand jack was $29, Hi lift brand was $52.
I'll spend the extra 20.
Jack them both up and down in the store and see if one is easier to operate. My highlift would bind and drop all of a sudden because it didn't get changed from up to down smothly. Just because they cost more and have better paint jobs dosn't mean they are better. Whear is hilift made? Buy the one that is easier to use and you will be safer at night on the side of a hill in the rain is all that really matters and I don't think hilift has that covered as well.

[87manche]

I did inspect both of them, the hi lift is a better made unit.
more steel in the areas of stress, better looking casting.
Hi lift is headquartered in Bloomfield, IN.

[Stumpalump]

I still don't like them. Look how many times you see guys in the field spraying them down with wd40 to get them to work freely. I wish sombody would make a lighter one. My old retired step dad is in an inventors club and I tried to get him to get his gang to look into making a light weight hop up kit for the hilift. I thought anodized aluminum handle and base with maybe some other trick stuff that would match and still be safe. They could not fiqure the market out and it would not save much weight. I asked about building a whole new jack out of aircraft aluminum but by then they moved on to anouther kitchen dodad like that aluminum pad you set meat on to defrost it faster. They made some money on that but my jack ideas got shelfed. I wish sombody will steal my idea and send me a compimentary aluminum handle and base.

[Ray H]

What makes the Hi lift so unsafe and limited is that it wobbles and tilts. Introduce the idea of manufacturing a stablized base for it. A base larger than the factory one that the bar will fit snuggly and securely into so it wont wobble around. Ive got some ideas on that but have no way to produce it.

Another idea I had is a "jaws of life" type of an attachment. Sort of a scissors action.

[WB9YZU]

Hi-Lift makes an off-road base for theirs, that's what this thread is all about, he wants to know if it will fit (along with all the other accys).

However, however much you polish this turd, it will remain a turd. The falt lies not in the mechanism or where it was cast, but in the fact that you are lifting a large object, which itself is unstable, to an incredibly stupid height, on generally unstable ground, with an unstable tool run by an unstable person. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen to me :D

This is exactly why auto manufactures got rid of the post jack. You folks complain about the quality of a HF jack. Well, I ask you to look back at one of the most unsafe pieces of automobile trunk junk ever devised, the totally American Made, automobile Bumper Jack.

[Ray H]

Hi-Lift makes an off-road base for theirs, that's what this thread is all about, he wants to know if it will fit (along with all the other accys).

.

I know about the off road base, Ive actually got one. It has no effect on the stability of the jack because it doesnt anchor to the bar in any way, it just sits underneath it . Im talking about a base that is as large as the off road base but is rigid and an integral part of the jack bar.

[ladywolf]

thanks for reminding me that i need to go locate mine, my dad pilfered it and i'm sure its probably underneath some piece of farm equipment now (it sucks having a farmer for a dad, cept i get free storage of all motorized equipment i happen to acquire over time)

[Ray H]

thanks for reminding me that i need to go locate mine, my dad pilfered it and i'm sure its probably underneath some piece of farm equipment now (it sucks having a farmer for a dad, cept i get free storage of all motorized equipment i happen to acquire over time)

Whats he farm. Im sure you get veggies, meat, milk or something out of it, and you probably get to play with a tractor every so often. thats a good thing.

[ladywolf]

registered wheat and barley. oh, i do get to go play with the tractor:D makes it really easy to go pull my vehicles out of whatever field i got em stuck in

[motorcityxj]

thanks for reminding me that i need to go locate mine, my dad pilfered it and i'm sure its probably underneath some piece of farm equipment now (it sucks having a farmer for a dad, cept i get free storage of all motorized equipment i happen to acquire over time)

sounds like a good deal ... in the city it costs $100 per month per vehicle for storage. :rattle: I wish i knew some farmers ... well farmers that lived close by or were family and wouldnt strip my "projects" or pile farm tool on or in them etc. I would say you got it made.:peace: