Harbor Freight Jack Stands - Failure/Recall

BobsTrail

BobsTrail

Senior Member
May have been posted already, could not find it. Had a problem today when one of them slipped down to the lowest position.

Harbor Freight 6 Ton 61197 Jack Stands.

Put my T4 up for an oil change, let it down on the stands and heard a click sound a few minutes later. One of the stands let go to the lowest position. Scared the $#!^ out of me.

HF issues a recall for a store credit. I'll be getting the credit, but won't get replacements from HF.

Recommendations for 6 ton stands that we can trust?
 
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I have tried several kinds over the years. The blue and silver AC Delco stands are probably the nicest.. picked them up at O’reillys.

Edit: pulled out the 3x pair of 6-ton stands that I have on site. The bright red is the Torin Big Red, faded red is Powerbuilt brand. Sorry, no HF stands here.

The Torin and Powerbuilt are very similar, with an edge going to Powerbuilt due to the shape of the lift head. The Torin's have never actuated properly, they always require a rubber mallet to the engagement lever, and even then I don't fully trust them.

The AC Delco are my preferred of this bunch, heavier construction and smoother action. Notably, there is less play in the collar, ensuring the shank on the lift stays engaged with the stand. See the photos if that doesn't make sense (not sure of proper terminology here). Hope this helps.
 

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That's horrifying.

I have the double-locking 6-ton Strongholds from Northern Tool, been really happy with them. The locking pin is clutch.

ETA: looks like they were replaced by these, also referenced in another post in this thread.
 
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BobsTrail said:
May have been posted already, could not find it. Had a problem today when one of them slipped down to the lowest position.

Harbor Freight 6 Ton 61197 Jack Stands.

Put my T4 up for an oil change, let it down on the stands and heard a click sound a few minutes later. One of the stands let go to the lowest position. Scared the $#!^ out of me.

HF issues a recall for a store credit. I'll be getting the credit, but won't get replacements from HF.

Recommendations for 6 ton stands that we can trust?
Click to expand...

Geesuz glad you weren’t injured.

I use these, not as convenient as the slot lock type but much more safe in that regard.
Esco 3-ton performance

3 Ton Performance Jack Stand Kit – ESCO

Note: most jack stands rate tonnage by the pair, (Esco doesn’t) so most “6 ton” are actually 3 ton each.

EDIT:added image
 

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Glad you're ok. I was looking at Harbor Freight stands because of the recommendations on this forum. I think i'll spend a bit more and go with something already posted here. Again, glad you're ok brother.
 
Glad you didn't get hurt or worse. I'm sitting here looking at a brand new pair of 6-tons still in the box. They were pro-lift brand from Amazon though. I got them to fill the height void between my 3 tons and 12 tons. Just arrived a couple days ago. They are the T-6906D that have the dual lock. Yours that collapsed didn't have that feature, right?

My 12 tons are HF and have served me faithfully for some 20 years. Single lock on those. Only issue I ever had was that sometimes their minimum height is just too high. And if the web of your thumb is in the way when letting them down, you'll be going to get stitches. Had a couple close calls there.
 
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They were up 4 notches, one of them let go and dropped to the minimum position. It was still a good amount of lift, so no danger. I'm going to replace them with the type with the 2nd safety pin. Here is info about them:

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling 454,000 Pittsburgh Automotive 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands, part number 61197.
The ratchet teeth on the jack stands may not sufficiently engage the pawl to a sufficient depth, possibly causing the stand to fail under load.

If the stand fails, it can suddenly drop, increasing the risk of injury to anyone nearby or under the lifted vehicle.
_________________________________________
 
I had a HF one collapse on me. It completely failed, the weld busted and the entire stand collapsed. Truck fell on my leg, the rear disk landed on my thigh, and I reacted instantly and got my leg out.

1st Pic is immediately after

2nd is about 3-4 hours later

3rd is the next morning (12 hours)

4th is at the dr (2.5 days)

5th is 4 days - Front

6th is 4 days - back

This was April 2018

I still have an indentation in my leg from the rotor - just not as noticeable as the first year.

I wouldn’t trust a HF jack stand again.
 

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Iceman2430 said:
I had a HF one collapse on me. It completely failed, the weld busted and the entire stand collapsed. Truck fell on my leg, the rear disk landed on my thigh, and I reacted instantly and got my leg out.

1st Pic is immediately after

2nd is about 3-4 hours later

3rd is the next morning (12 hours)

4th is at the dr (2.5 days)

5th is 4 days - Front

6th is 4 days - back

This was April 2018

I still have an indentation in my leg from the rotor - just not as noticeable as the first year.

I wouldn’t trust a HF jack stand again.
Click to expand...

WOW! Glad you still have your leg! What did HF do for you in your situation?
 
81mHHPJafJL._SX466_.jpg


i DO NOT like these style of jack stands :S . I don't know why I just never felt comfortable using them

I much perfer the pin through design...

1003AJ-1.jpg


although I try my best to keep the jack in it's place too for added safety... also throw your wheel underneath the car too :)
 
Iceman2430 said:
I had a HF one collapse on me. It completely failed, the weld busted and the entire stand collapsed. Truck fell on my leg, the rear disk landed on my thigh, and I reacted instantly and got my leg out.

1st Pic is immediately after

2nd is about 3-4 hours later

3rd is the next morning (12 hours)

4th is at the dr (2.5 days)

5th is 4 days - Front

6th is 4 days - back

This was April 2018

I still have an indentation in my leg from the rotor - just not as noticeable as the first year.

I wouldn’t trust a HF jack stand again.
Click to expand...

WOW. Just wow. Glad you're ok (as well as OP), good reminder how quickly things can get ugly.
 
Here is a link for those who want to join in on a class action lawsuit

Harbor Freight Jack Stands Lawsuit | Harbor Freight Recalls 2020 Lawyer


Free Confidential Lawsuit Review
If you or a loved one was injured, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Harbor Freight Jack Stands Lawsuit and we can help. Please click the button below for a Free Confidential Case Evaluation or call us toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600.

What’s the problem?

This recall affects Pittsburgh Automotive 6 Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands, part number 61197, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The ratchet teeth on affected jack stands may not sufficiently engage the pawl to a
sufficient depth, possibly causing the stand to fail under load, NHTSA said. If the stand fails, the stand can suddenly drop, increasing the risk of injury to persons nearby or under the lifted vehicle.

Harbor Freight is notifying registered owners and stores will provide a gift card equal to the shelf price of the jack stands, free of charge. Owners are asked to discontinue use of the recalled jack stands immediately.

Do I Have a Harbor Freight Jack Stands Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Harbor Freight Jack Stands Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a recalled Harbor Freight jack stand, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
 
I have Husky from Home Depot for yrs 3 ton Never had issue with 2 FJ's or the Tacoma. I haven't tried them on 4Runner yet. I would IF I had to use them fro rotating tires, but still using Dealer for 2 yr services. !st ever for any of the new vehicles I've owned since 1985. Getting old & not into working on vehicles . I do have friend W/few post lifts in his building I used for doing the Cornfed frnt spacer leveling.
 
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