Has anyone ever had a Hi-Lift Jack actually break on them?

[Canon_Bob]

I ran a search and found plenty of accidents where people just weren't careful (yes, these things can be very dangerous if common sense isn't in the picture), but I couldn't find anywhere that showed a jack actually failing.

I'm just curious really. My current Hi-Lift is about 6 years old, and has been riding on the roof of my vehicles most of that time. I keep it lubed, and I rebuild it every few years whether it needs it or not (I just ordered another rebuild kit ....my second on in this jack). It's too much of a pain to take on-and off all the time....so like many others I just leave it bolted on to rack. I do keep the neoprene sleeve on it but that's mostly to keep oil from dripping on my roof I don't need to use mine very often, but it's always worked fine when needed.

I guess my point is, I grew up using these on farms and ranches, and I've never actually seen one fail. I've seen them seize up from being too rusty (on the farm) before, but after a bit of WD-40 they came back to life. Has anyone ever actually had one break or fail on them? Just curious, and in NO WAY am I condoning neglect or lack of maintenance here....We all know it's common practice to leave these mounted and exposed to weather, and I'm just curious to see if anyone has ever had one fail because of it.

 

[1engineer]

The actual jack component is simple, rugged and idiot proof. The application of the jack is not. I have never witnessed a failure, only application stupidity.

I have one and I DO NOT mount it or keep it mounted when not in use. You say many do but again, I see very few that do mount them permanently. Most keep them out in the elements. The ones I do see permanently mounted are usually posers and have them painted up in garish colors to draw attention to them. When I go off road I throw the recovery bag and the jack in the rear compartment. When I come back I remove it. Takes about 30 seconds. In specific cases I might take a specific tool, like a saw for clearing trees off an old trail, etc but the jack and the bag come with me most times.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've never seen structural failure on a jack either. I have seen operational failure due to neglect, and I've seen operator failure due to retardery, but I've never seen a jack itself break. They're pretty sturdy.

I'm not opposed in principle to keeping a jack outside the vehicle - they're heavy and big and can make packing the cargo area a pain. I think as long as the jack is in a boot or a case and kept clean and lubed (and locked up), mounting it on the outside of the truck isn't a problem. What I hate seeing are the ones that get left open to the elements and clogged up with rust and dust and nastiness, because those are an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Canon_Bob]

The actual jack component is simple, rugged and idiot proof. The application of the jack is not. I have never witnessed a failure, only application stupidity.

I have one and I DO NOT mount it or keep it mounted when not in use. You say many do but again, I see very few that do mount them permanently. Most keep them out in the elements. The ones I do see permanently mounted are usually posers and have them painted up in garish colors to draw attention to them. When I go off road I throw the recovery bag and the jack in the rear compartment. When I come back I remove it. Takes about 30 seconds. In specific cases I might take a specific tool, like a saw for clearing trees off an old trail, etc but the jack and the bag come with me most times.

I certainly agree with you on the "Application Stupidity" part. Only reasons I don't load the jack into the rear is because I just don't want it rattling around back there with all the photography gear I pack, and it's just plain awkward to stow there. I usually leave my recovery and survival kits strapped in the back. That way, I can just load my photo gear and kayak (plus gear), and I'm off. By the time I have all that in there, there's not much room to spare. Besides that I'm just plain lazy, and don't want to load/unload anything I don't have to .

I do see a lot of them around here (mostly on Jeeps and farm equipment) that are permanently mounted. Can't speak for who's a poser and who isn't, but I think most of the ones I see are real "work vehicles or serious off-roaders. I'm sure some are posers too, but I wonder how many posers would even have a hi-lift?? I have never seen one custom painted before (good lord). Mine pretty much looks like crap, but works great.

 

[SouthernSS]

Havent see a structural failure but did witness an application failure. Guy was jacking his FJ up by the rock rails without using a specific tube clamp and the high lift ended up squirting out from the side and smashing into the rear wheel well. He only had the front tire on with one lug nut, hand tight. Luckily that one lug held well enough that he was able to lift the truck at a more appropriate location.

They are dangerous when used without caution.

 

[Okki]

The ones I do see permanently mounted are usually posers ....

Poser here :vader: ... Mine is permanently mounted to my Gobi rack, but it's the black "Extreme" version against my black rack and truck... it's out of the way and with my lifted suspension, it's quicker and easier changing a tire with it versus the bottle jack.

They were designed to live outdoors, so while I keep mine lubed and the carrier in a neoprene sleeve (I wax the rest of the I-beam), I'm not too concerned about the exposure.

Okki

Some Hi-lift history:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8wCopkrYVTI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Jeremy556]

Mine lives on the roof rack with a cover. When I carried it inside, every time I needed it, it was under a pile of gear that had to be unloaded.

 

[jrandom]

LOL seeing you guys put them on your roof racks with the jack base so close to that rear window scares the shit out of me.

Another infamous detour coming... Any of you guys have the 36" jack by any chance? I could see a taller if you are winching with it, seems 3 feet would be fine for lifting. Opinions?

 

[Ol'Baditude]

LOL seeing you guys put them on your roof racks with the jack base so close to that rear window scares the shit out of me.

Another infamous detour coming... Any of you guys have the 36" jack by any chance? I could see a taller if you are winching with it, seems 3 feet would be fine for lifting. Opinions?

If you plan on always having to lift on completely flat/hard surface, and you plan on never using your highlift as a recovery device, 36" would probably be sufficient. For any lifted vehicle I'd recommend a 60" - or 48" if mounting space is limited.

Previous input on this subject here.

 

[Canon_Bob]

BTW - Just an option that I've gone to on mine instead of using a flimsy cable lock that may or may not work when you need to get the jack down for use: Just try the large industrial strength zip ties (the kind they use for handcuffs). I just use a couple of them and zip-tie the jack to the rack rails. If I need to use the jack, I ALWAYS have a knife or side cutters in my rig anyway, so it doesn't take long to cut the zip ties and use the jack. Lots easier that trying to make a rusted (cheap) lock work again (been there, done that), or remember where the keys or combo are. The zip ties will stop the casual thieves for sure. Anyone who's really after your jack probably isn't going to be slowed down much longer by a cable lock or flimsy padlock anyway. Just my opinion...YMMV.

 

[Canon_Bob]

LOL seeing you guys put them on your roof racks with the jack base so close to that rear window scares the shit out of me.

Another infamous detour coming... Any of you guys have the 36" jack by any chance? I could see a taller if you are winching with it, seems 3 feet would be fine for lifting. Opinions?

I know I always pull the base plate and stow in recovery box inside. Too much annoying rattle if you don't....also deters thieves because jack is now "missing parts" I have the 48" version. Use mine mostly to get off things I get hung up on, or to change flat tires. I've had it near the top before getting off a berm (in my lifted FJ....T4R would be even worse).

 

[JB.]

The zip ties will stop the casual thieves for sure. Anyone who's really after your jack probably isn't going to be slowed down much longer by a cable lock or flimsy padlock anyway. Just my opinion...YMMV.

No doubt, true. I might have to give those a try and see if I like them better than heavy wire twist ties.

My hi-lift sometimes spends long periods of time on the roof rack, locked with a chain. I think the original impetus for locking came from getting a mental picture of someone grabbing the jack from the roof out in the boonies and then realizing what a perfect window smasher it would make. Probably too specific a scenario to be worthy of much thought but that's how it started. No matter. Lock mechanisms aren't a problem in the desert.

 

[FactoryRide]

BTW - Just an option that I've gone to on mine instead of using a flimsy cable lock that may or may not work when you need to get the jack down for use: Just try the large industrial strength zip ties (the kind they use for handcuffs). I just use a couple of them and zip-tie the jack to the rack rails. If I need to use the jack, I ALWAYS have a knife or side cutters in my rig anyway, so it doesn't take long to cut the zip ties and use the jack. Lots easier that trying to make a rusted (cheap) lock work again (been there, done that), or remember where the keys or combo are. The zip ties will stop the casual thieves for sure. Anyone who's really after your jack probably isn't going to be slowed down much longer by a cable lock or flimsy padlock anyway. Just my opinion...YMMV.

You're right about that. Mine was stolen off my rack a few months back. Not only did they take the lift, but they also managed to get the locking Gobi brackets off of my rack as well. Next time I'm gonna make it such a damn inconvenience to steal that they won't even bother.

 

[Canon_Bob]

I guess we kinda drifted off topic here a bit, so I'll try to steer it back on by asking if anyone has ever seen or heard of a Hi lift (or Handyman) jack actually failing (breaking)? .....even after neglect?

Most I've ever seen is one that rusted up and wouldn't work, but came back to life with WD 40.

 

[Intruder]

I've seen one bend, but probably mainly due to improper use since it was jacked too high. The top of the bar isn't rated as high.

 

[skimr]

Been using them off and on for close to 40 years and never had one fail. But also took care of it. It is a tool and if I want it to work right and not get hurt, gotta take care of it.