HIgh Lift Jack

[rking]

Going to buy a High Lift jack since the one I have from TSC is stuck in the raise position only. Does anyone have any opinions of a good brand to buy? I am using this jack to change a front tire on my tractor

 

[Dan in North Houston]

I think that Hi-Lift is the original brand. They are more expensive, but I've had no trouble with mine.

 

[glennster]

You should be able to get a rebuild kit for yours. They sell them at tsc and farm and fleet.

 

[4play]

Hi-Lift brand is what to look for and there a re few different models and accessories to look for too. I don't travel around to see who carries them in stores but if you don't want to shop online then you might need to try a four-wheel/off-road type shop or maybe truck accessory type place.

 

[Denny K]

On one I had, I would occasionally have to clean and lube the pins to keep it from sticking.

 

[retired farmer]

They do make repair kits for them. You have to keep the operating parts free of dirt and well oiled.

 

[Tony in SD]

It has been my opinion that a Hi Lift jack should have a can of WD-40 attached to the handle. Seems every time I use one a shot of WD-40 helps a lot . I have also bought repair kits for them with success.

 

[Ray IN]

The new ones are not as good as the old "Handyman" jacks that were made in Bloomfield Indiana. I think that was the original patent holder, because I have one of those that is at least 50 years old. Yes it is showing some wear but still very handy. Dad and I loaded many a small shed and such on the flatbed trailer with two handymans, some blocks, and a come-a-long.

 

[GregCO]

The old Hi-Lift brand has been good to me. They do need lots of attention to keep them clean and oiled up good and they working good. Like was said in another post, keep a can of spry lube close by. Makes all the difference in them working right and not just deciding to fall because a pin didn't engage right.

Greg

 

[JD Seller]

Look around and buy a good original HANDYMAN brand jack. The best ones are the ones with the wooden handle that is squared towards the bottom. The newer off brand ones are an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 22:38:30 11/29/16) Going to buy a High Lift jack since the one I have from TSC is stuck in the raise position only. Does anyone have any opinions of a good brand to buy? I am using this jack to change a front tire on my tractor

TSC has been selling the Reese brand jacks for a few years now. Not a very good copy of the Handiman Jack. If you look at yours you'll probably find the lower pins roll pin is bent and the silver colored "lift or lower" mechanism is stuck below the pin. Just grab the lower pin with some pliers and pull it out a little and you should be able to move the selector. Replace the very, very soft factory roll pin with a better quality one and watch for the selector sticking below the lower pin. I bought the 5 foot model a couple years ago based on the quality of Reese trailer hitch products. It's a cheap piece of crap. Hi Lift or Handiman are much, much better, but lots more expensive.

 

[rossow (mn)]

I have, at last count, eight of these Hi-Lift and clone jacks. They are so heavy I prefer to keep at least one in each garage and shed rather than lugging them around. Hi-Lift is today's best brand; old Handyman is also great. But I've had good luck with some of the cheaper brands as well. I've bought several for as little as $5 at yard sales and swap meets because they wouldn't work. Cleaned them up and good as new. As others have said, lube frequently, keep clean, replace bent roll pins. A little maintenance keeps them going forever. But watch out! Lift anything too high and they can get tipsy!

 

[Dick2]

I had one of the old Handyman jacks. Left it at the farm for my brother to use. It's still there somewhere.

 

[dhermesc]

Where do you get the roll pins from? I have one that has gotten so bad that I have to "help" it along when lowering it.

 

[hd6gtom]

Our family center carries the rebuild kits. memory is not good, I think I saw them in TSC the other week.

 

[Butch(OH)]

I bought one of the imports from TSC. What a travesty it was, nothing short of damn dangerous. I took it back the next day.

 

[wilson ind]

Well seems like we are back to bush hog and brush hog. Hilift is a brand name made in Bloomfield Ind. Handyman is the old original name for high lift. Cannot recall peggy Harrah fathers name. However peg died few years ago. Her son ran company, unfortunately he died recently. Repair Kits are available . However most do not realize by turning the mast 180 degrees new slots are available. Ok when those are wore badly turn mast upside down. Again new surface for climbing pins. HARRAH MFG COMPANY 812 384 4441. Glad to help just please respect the brand. Harrah does make couple different grades as pressed steel and cast. Again you get what you pay for!!!

 

[Delawaresurfman]

What is a handyman Jack in excellent condition like JD Seller has pictured worth? I have one that I got with my grandfathers TO 30. I'm really not interested in selling it but was just wondering what it's worth. I never sell anything, I'm a buyer, LOL

 

[rossow (mn)]

"Where do you get the roll pins from? I have one that has gotten so bad that I have to "help" it along when lowering it."

I've found roll pins at the local TruValue and Ace hardware stores -- just plain old generic roll pins. I've also used solid pins made from any round stock of the diameter needed. I think I even remember replacing one pin with a long bolt with the head and threads cut off to the right length.

 

[Phil-mar Farms]

Can these jacks be used for fence stretchers?

 

[ztrmowers]

handy but very dangerous most time especially if you have leave them stand on their own we always called them suicide jacks

 

[Cory Schmidt]

our Hi-lift(branded) jack jams like that once in a while, pull the handle out and wack it...lube it keep using. those things sure are handy.

 

[Cory Schmidt]

If placed, wired, chained.... right they have many uses other then just jacking. fence stretchers, clamps, winch, pull aparter, nudger........

 

[BobReeves]

I have a knockoff from a local tractor supply. never use it to actually jack my tractor up but have used it on several occasions as a second safety to hold the tractor while working on a rear wheel. I lube it every time I use it and so far it has worked pretty good.

 

[JD Seller]

Delawaresurfman: I see them for sale on EBay in the $150-200 range for one like I pictured. The newer pipe hand ones will sell in the $100-125 range.

 

[Don-Wi]

(quoted from post at 02:10:36 11/30/16) Look around and buy a good original HANDYMAN brand jack. The best ones are the ones with the wooden handle that is squared towards the bottom. The newer off brand ones are an accident waiting to happen.

That looks exactly like the one we have on the farm. Only difference is, the wooden handle broke so I found a piece of pipe with a nice naturalish curve to it, smashed the end to fit in the jack, and welded it in place with some ni-rod.

Been that way for years now.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 11:15:44 11/30/16) Where do you get the roll pins from? I have one that has gotten so bad that I have to "help" it along when lowering it.

I bought a roll pins assortment at Harbor Freight or Hiawatha Fastener or some place like that. You can get roll pins at most NAPA type stores, good hardware stores, industrial supply houses, etc.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 11:45:45 11/30/16) Well seems like we are back to bush hog and brush hog. Hilift is a brand name made in Bloomfield Ind. Handyman is the old original name for high lift. Cannot recall peggy Harrah fathers name. However peg died few years ago. Her son ran company, unfortunately he died recently. Repair Kits are available . However most do not realize by turning the mast 180 degrees new slots are available. Ok when those are wore badly turn mast upside down. Again new surface for climbing pins. HARRAH MFG COMPANY 812 384 4441. Glad to help just please respect the brand. Harrah does make couple different grades as pressed steel and cast. Again you get what you pay for!!!

Wilson, thank you for that very useful and quite interesting information.

 

[rking]

I see Hi Lift company has three different models-steel/cast, all cast and an extreme model which functions in many other ways. Cast would be the best and strongest?

 

[GregCO]

The one thing I will warn you about is making darn sure you keep it oiled up AND when you flip the lever from up to down make darn sure the handle is in the upright position. That handle while under a load will fly up at light speed and hurt you bad if you are in the way of the swing. Great jack otherwise. Very handy.

Greg

 

[Delawaresurfman]

Thank you, mine is exactly like you showed with the wooden handle. Perfect like new condition, just dust on it. It's a keeper!