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Handy Man jacks
- Thread starter Old Doug
- Start date
Tinkerer
Senior Member
I haven't, but my nephew did several years ago. It kicked out from under whatever it was he was jacking up. He now has an artificial eye in the socket that it hit. He sued the mfr. of the jack and received a very large settlement.
hosspuller
Senior Member
I have a Hi-lift. Haven't used it much for that very reason. The lift point is over center from the base. Seems to work very well for pulling though. (chain the top, attach load to the jacking mechanism.) Maybe I'm using it wrong... any hints ?
Tinkerer
Senior Member
Cut it up for scrap it. 
Former Wrench
Senior Member
They have their uses. If in a snow bank, a rig can be lifted and pushed over to move on to drivable road. They are great for stretching fence. I used mine to lift and level a tool shed that had a bunch of weight in it. They are not for the reckless to use because they can bite back.
farmerlund
Senior Member
They can be pretty handy at times. But the safe play is to cut it up for scrap. you will lose your teeth/eye/nose/chin. My dad lost the one we had in the pasture 5yrs ago or more. Don't miss it. haven't replaced it.
Used correctly they are a pretty handy item . All mechanical & work in any direction .
We call them " Bloomfield Jacks " . Factory in Bloomfield Indiana .
https://hi-lift.com/
We call them " Bloomfield Jacks " . Factory in Bloomfield Indiana .
https://hi-lift.com/
Wytruckwrench
Senior Member
They can be as handy as a pocket on a shirt. However, be careful and think before you use one. They will wound the user if they are used wrong.
mitch504
Senior Member
I've got a "big red" and a "Larin". They've both been fine, though I use them for clamping, pulling, and moving stuff. I don't think I've ever used one to lift a vehicle.
Bumpsteer
Senior Member
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Always called 'em "Wonder Jacks".
As in it's a wonder someone ain't got killed using one.
Ed
As in it's a wonder someone ain't got killed using one.
Ed
Former Wrench
Senior Member
In Alaska they are known as "Homesteaders Jacks." I have been using them for 40 + years and never had an issue.
Camshawn
Senior Member
Used one to pull the truck backwards out of a “too deep creek”. 3’ up, 2’ sliding back in until Icould get to the winch up front. They are a tool with a lot of uses but, one has to watch “line of fire “or you could hurt.
Cam
Cam
I have them laying all over the farm and at least three different brands. The 60" is very handy.
Situational awareness is paramount when using one. A person without the capability to use one shouldn't own one. Suing the mfg because someone used a tool improperly ruins it for the rest of us.
Situational awareness is paramount when using one. A person without the capability to use one shouldn't own one. Suing the mfg because someone used a tool improperly ruins it for the rest of us.
Tinkerer
Senior Member
Ummm, In my nephews case/situation the jack was defective. I don't think anyone that used any kind of jack improperly and injured them-self should sue the jack manufacturer.
I wanted anther jack so i had one in the shop and one to take with me. The hardware in my town cares 2 brands one is under $50.00 and the other is $ 100.00. I got the cheaper one. One thing diffrent is the cheaper ones handle is made on it and the higher ones handle is removeable. I have had to remove the handle several times and jack it 1 or 2 times because the base was below ground leveal.The new one also has a sheild welded to the handle that covers the lever to change up or down i dont full under stand what it is for and may be removed someday.
motoOzarks
Well-Known Member
when they kick back and hit you in the jaw it makes your tongue swell up
kenh
Senior Member
Jacking 3/4 4x4 front up in Snow, handle slipped out of my hand, sumbitch went into rapid down.
I went over backwards to get out of the line of fire, but it went over the truck, end over end. (the handle) Very impressive!
The one I now own will play all kind of tricks if not lubed, (even WD-40 keeps it happy. )
I went over backwards to get out of the line of fire, but it went over the truck, end over end. (the handle) Very impressive!
The one I now own will play all kind of tricks if not lubed, (even WD-40 keeps it happy. )
funwithfuel
Senior Member
I got a cheapo harbor freight one a couple years back. I used it for jacking t-posts out of the yard. That's it. Wouldn't trust it for much else.