Hi Lift Jack Rant

[John T]

So, having been a farmer and used implement dealer Ive had occasion to own and use more Hi Lift Jacks then most. I used to own a couple farms near Bloomfield Indiana where they were manufactured at what we called the Jack Factory and we also called them MAN KILLERS.....

I often have trouble with them NOT toggling (pins go horizontal in and out to lock) especially when lowering in which case they may suddenly DROP TO THE BOTTOM grrrrrrrrrrr or on the way up not lock n latch on each stroke but at least they don't drop

SO HERES THE DEAL, Over yearsssssss and a ton of jacks,,,,,,,,,,, I have tried using them total dry no lube no nothing,,,,,,,,,,,I have cleaned them and used light lube,,,,,,,,,,I have tried lithium grease,,,,,,,,,,,I have tried graphite powder lube,,,,,,I have tried light oil,,,,,,,,,,,I have tried regular grease, pretty much tried them all

WHATS FUNNY Ive seen old (the old ones with wood handles made years ago) ratty rusty ones hauled in the back of an old rusty Ford pickup in dirt or mud or water etc AND THEY WORK PERFECT NO DROPS NO MALFUNCTION grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

SO QUESTION what works best for you guys (Dry, oil, grease, graphite, lithium, grease or do NOTHING EVER lol) Having sold the farm Im down to only one left and its not working very good, next time I see an OLD wooden handle ratty looking one Im buying it, heck with the new and improved models ....... They sell replacement parts on their website (maybe I should break down and read the instructions and tips lol)

Done now I feel better

John T

 

[504]

I shoot mine down with whatever lube is in the toolbox at the time, after dragging it out of the PU bed. I have three of them. Handiest thing that can hurt you quick.

 

[Mark-Ia]

I spray mine with PB Blaster.

 

[P. Coltrane]

I just give it a shot of wd40 on the pins when I grab it. Or if there is any build up just a shot of brake cleaner then wd. I have put one of those rebuild kits in too, helps. I have one of those rubber holders for the handle, well worth it.

 

[DoubleO7]

(quoted from post at 11:42:25 08/16/20) I spray mine with PB Blaster.

Same hear.
The flat faces of the column as well.

I think the older wood handle units were either made with looser tolerances or they are worn good creating their own.

 

[Janicholson]

Clean, dry, then a spray of PTFE based dry lube like Tri-Flow. or CRC 03045-11, or LPS 02616. Jim

 

[Russ from MN]

I have a couple of them, they work well, need to be oiled once in awhile, they're like a come-a-long, if they don't click loudly they're not working properly. There are repair kits available, maybe your springs are getting weak?

 

[Duner Wi]

When changing from up to down the first click down is important on mine.
Never ever force anything. You mess up the pin/pins. Mine I lube with light oil. I have loaned mine out and ended up replacing the pins due to being forced.

 

[retired farmer]

What works best for me is a hydraulic jack. We got two of them man killers and they are best left alone. Thirty years ago I had a good friend almost get killed when the handle struck him in the head.

 

[Papaw8]

I have two. One always works good the other never has since I have had it. I took out every thing except the pins and springs and left out. I now just pull the pins with my finger as I let the jack down and it always works good this way. You could tie a small wire to the pins if you want to keep your finger out of harms way.

 

[rrlund]

Widow makers. I just use PB Blaster when they start sticking.

 

[Robert (ID)]

Chin smasher, finger mangler a necessity at times but i still dont like em... ive used any and all kinds of lube on them.. including water and beer.. (thats the only liquid we had) the best ive found is tri-flo

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 14:01:48 08/16/20) Chin smasher, finger mangler a necessity at times but i still dont like em... ive used any and all kinds of lube on them.. including water and beer.. (thats the only liquid we had) the best ive found is tri-flo

generally splash diesel on the mechanism.

 

[big tee]

A lot of people call them "Handy Mans Jack"--We call them Dead Mans Jack!!

 

[Tony in SD]

Ive said for a long time that they should have a holder for a can of WD40 mounted to the jack.

 

[Loosehandle]

Mine works perfectly wood handle and all.

 

[John T PS]

Thanks all, yep I have plenty of hydraulic and scissors and tripod and railroad jacks, I was just interested in the Hi Lift in this post.

Tomorrow I'm going to thoroughly super clean and dry all parts and spray just a bit of the DRY lube I use on my RV slide out drive/gear mechanism and see what happens. I've already tried every sort of lube and oil and grease and lithium and WD 40 and PB Blaster and graphite plus all other sorts of lubricants, so what the heck........The springs seem strong but them darn pins arent going back n forth as they should..

John T

 

[4play]

I don't consider these dangerous but I guess some people always learn the hard way. They do require a lot of respect and understanding of the mechanism and how its suppose to work. It's truly one of those tools everyone can figure out how to use, but you should read the operating instructions (especially the safety parts) first.

I use any type of light oil, like wd-40, I also keep diesel in a spray bottle. My older ones are less problematic, maybe because they are broke in. The last new one I bought was a little sticky, I think it was the paint.

 

[PJH]

When I need mine to work, it will always be in the middle of nowhere, miles from the shop. So it gets lubed with dipstick oil, which is all that I have available.

 

[Dennis Minn]

John T and others,

I had plenty of problems with the high-lift jack. Found oout that the pins/springs were not my problem. It happened to be the pivot points of the handle were egged out. I over-drilled them to fit , I think, a 1/2 inch hardened bolt shank and ran a bolt through that area.

Keep both hands on it all the time, and it works nicely as ever. Rusty, greased, oiled, cleaned, whatever. It works for me.

D.

 

[miangus]

Place were I worked called them sheepherder jacks, I have no idea why. Two of them, a good Pull-More Come-along and you can do anything. Installed a lot of Goliath's with little else.

 

[ztrmowers]

simple solution you do not like them then do not use them problem solved, yes they can be dangerous but never had issue with them since i always kept them lube with any penetrate i had at time

 

[GordoSD]

I have had good luck cleaning mine with brake cleaner BEFORE use. And spraying itwith WD 40 AFTER use to keep the pins from rusting. Just a reminder here, WD40 is NOT a lubricant.

 

[unc]

Around here we call them a Farmerkiller jack. They're as handy as a pocket on a shirt, but demand respect. My neighbour took the end off his finger with one. I too have found the need for cleanliness. Squirt the pin and cam mechanism with brake clean or varsol before use. The cleaner is more important than the lube. Whatever lubricant that's handy will work if the pins are clean. In spite of my best intentions, my two favourite jacks end up rolling around in the back of the ranch rocket, but get a quick squirt of cleaner before use. unc

 

[ericlb]

i clean mine with carb and choke cleaner before use, then lube it with pb blaster, it works fine, the real important thing is keep it IN, in the truck tool box shed ect don't let it rust! if you expect it to fail every time, and prepare for it, it will work fine