Hi-lift jacks

[Thumpszilla]

Anyone ever had a problem with one? I bought a brand new 60" cast hi-lift and have only used it about 3 times. Today while we were jacking up my jeep to remove the axle the upright post bent and the jeep fell. Has anyone else had this problem? Before it is asked no I was not exceeding the wieght rating of the jack and it was not that high. We also had it attached to a piece of 2x12 for added stability. I read thier warrenty on their site and I will have to pay shipping on the jack to send it back to try and get it replaced. If I can get a replacement I will probably sell it.

[pplblazerdude]

Just buy a fix it kit. If I am thinking right the party you bent is in that kit.

[Bluegill]

The 60" ladder bar is what bent - it isn't straight now, and is too dangerous to lift a vehicle with because it adds the tendency to lean once lifted.

I was about 24" away from the right front fenderwell when the jack let loose :shock: Needless to say, being around Sam's experiences with his hi-lift has soured my opinion of them - factory bumper jacks are more stable (less prone to lean) than that thing!

It had too much play (clearance, lean, slop, whatever you want to call it) between the ladder bar & base, which makes it very tipsy. For the $$$ a 60" costs, it shouldn't have ANY slop! The base is puny also, which is why Sam lag bolted it to a 2x12 to help prevent leaning.

[pplblazerdude]

Well im not trying to be mean when I say this but I would never really recommend using a hi lift in place of a floor jack or bottle jack. A hi lift is a last resort when you are home.

when i was lookin for one i came across a research page and it stated that its really hard to find a good hi lift...and it even said that the few compaines that make good jacks sometimes make bad ones on purpose so they can make more money when you buy the repair kit :shock: so i think alot of people have problems with jacks...the page said to fix the problem the only thing you can do is buy another and hope for the best...and if u think about it its like computers and viruis...virus compaines make viruis to infect the products they just sold you...so you will buy the upgrade kit... :shock:

[Gordon]

The base is loose on any that I have seen, mine included. I consider them trail emergency use only. And then, with help holding the rig from trying to roll off sideways. The higher you lift, the more apt to roll, also.

[TiredIronGRB]

If it was the cheap Tractor Supply style they are made out of poor quality metals. The HiLift brand is very strong.

[Gubni]

I don't think they make generic 60" jacks. I have two generic 48" jacks and I have abused them badly. I've had them to the top 48" several times. My only problem is sometimes they stick when jacking down.

As for warranty, you should be able to take it back where you got it and exchange it.

If you decide to get rid of it, let me know.

[TiredIronGRB]

I had a 60" generic on the Volvo 6X6.

[Bluegill]

It was a genuine Hilift.

[Jeep07]

I have used and abused my 60" hi lift. when i got it the lever to change direction was broken but i just welded a new one on and now its good. It does catch a little going down but I deal with it. Thats about the only thing i had to lift the X high enough to actually work on. Maybe you just got a bad one, I would ship it back and get a replacement.

[Thumpszilla]

Yeah it is an actual hi-lift. I paid $104 for it at a local 4x4 shop. This was like the 3rd time it had been used. I bought it cause I had nothing big enough to lift the jeep without stacking blocks and using a bottle jack. A 48" would barely get the tires off the ground on the truck. Below are pics of how bad it bent. I disassembled it and layed the upright bar flat on the floor and the bottom end is about an inch off the floor.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j108/thumpszilla/Hi-lift/Jack020.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j108/thumpszilla/Hi-lift/Jack018.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j108/thumpszilla/Hi-lift/Jack019.jpg

[Gubni]

I use a 48" hi-lift on mine. You know I've got lots of flex also. So my trick? I chain the axle to the frame. That way I only have to got up a few inches.

[Thumpszilla]

Just got off the phone with hi-lift and the new jack bar is in the mail they said I should have it in 3-4 days free of charge.

[TiredIronGRB]

It's good to know they have good support :grin:

[Thumpszilla]

Yeah they were very nice and I don't have to ship it back like their site said. He just said he would send the parts out today. Not sure if I trust the jack again or not though.

[Gubni]

Yeah they were very nice and I don't have to ship it back like their site said. He just said he would send the parts out today. Not sure if I trust the jack again or not though.

Use my trick with the chain around the axle and frame. Then you won't have to lift it so high and the jack will be stronger when it's lower.

[Thumpszilla]

I was only about 14" up on the jack when it bent.

[TiredIronGRB]

They've been used successfully for years you just have to becareful that you have them vertical with the load force.

[BJack]

The one I've had for years is bent way worse than that.
You should see the one at my buddy Jeff's shop that collapsed under a hydraulic lift :shock:

[Thumpszilla]

Well I just don'twant anyone getting hurt working on my jeep with it so when the new bar gets here I have it traded. Yours may be bent worse but I won't be responsible for someone getting hurt helping me with something I don't trust.