Need to make final decision (is the "farm jack" over the Hi-Lift the best choice)

phillsam · 03-07-2009, 01:48 AM

okay guys i found a 48" 3 1/2 ton Farm Jack online for 38.99 shipped to me door.

Its nearly half the price of a "Hi-Lift" brand.

I understand... "you get what you pay for"
BUT i wouldnt be very hard on it and for the money i think it might be worth it

Please, if you have any experience or someone you personally know has had experience with the generic "Farm Jacks"let me know. I'm about to pull the trigger!!

thanks in advance

Smtty58 · 03-07-2009, 03:39 AM

They are made in China, if you can't afford a Hi-Lift I wouldn't buy the copy unless it was for light duty work. I bought the Harbor Freight version to install my body lift, I wouldn't trust it to lift a whole vehicle.

phillsam · 03-07-2009, 04:16 AM

Did it feel like it was going to break? When using it is their any noticeable difference between the two brands?

Eaallred · 03-07-2009, 07:41 AM

My HF FarmJack feels and works the same as my father-in-laws genuine Hi-Lift.

Just keep a can of penetrating oil in the glovebox either way to keep it lubed and rust free when you go to use it.

SeanCucf · 03-07-2009, 08:52 AM

For something under $90 it's worth it to get the real thing. Not to mention the removable foot, handle, and mechanism are nice. Not to mention the clamp on top. None of which the "farm jacks" have at my local Tractor Supply. Apply force in the wrong direction once and you'll find out how cheap those one peice handles are.

The savings on such a low cost item are not a value to me, but you may feel otherwise. I'm not sure if they're rebuildable either.

On the other hand, some people would be willing to part with their HiLifts because they don't use them anyhow. Mines come in handy a couple times.

edit: whoops edited for clarity

2005X · 03-07-2009, 08:54 AM

find a tractor supply company, they sell hi lifts( as in the real Hi lift name)cheap there, as in $48. atleast they do here

**paultyler** · 03-07-2009, 09:07 AM

I've used the farm jack for years. I got it on sale at Harbor Freight for something like $29. It works fine.

Happy Joe · 03-07-2009, 10:20 AM

Check out the local farm and ranch equipment stores (Farm & fleet, Tractor Supply Co. etc.) they will have the genuine hi-lift jacks considerably cheaper than the 4wd outfits.

Personally I would recommend going wheeling with a friend and purchasing high quality snatch straps, and installing front and rear tow points, before getting either jack.
I carried one for years and never used it then loaned it to a fried who nearly killed himself (in 20+ years of wheeling from the Midwest through Moab I have never needed, nor used, a hi-lift style jack).

90+% of hi-lifts on jeeps are rarely if ever used, IMO. Its a "look I'm a four wheeler" thing, near as I can figure.

I would recommend getting a bottle jack that will work on its side (much safer and easier to use than a hi lift for jacking purposes).

If your intent is to use one for winching purposes I would advise saving up for even a cheap used winch before using a jack.

Enjoy!

dencor · 03-07-2009, 04:47 PM

Here's my .02.
So, you save some $$ by buying something cheaper than the Hi-Lift.
So when are you going to buy another one? Next year, five years?
Probably never.
So, spend for what most think is the best, and skip a few 6 packs!

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-07-2009, 05:31 PM

I personally wouldn't trust a Chinese-built "farm jack", especially when there may be times I need to be underneath in a circumstance that would force me to unwillingly be there. There was a photo over on JU years ago that showed one of them bent over double under a Jeep and I just wouldn't trust one. If it were me, I'd pay a little more for the Hi-Lift.

Are you sure you need one? Is this for tire changing duties or what?

1998zj · 03-07-2009, 05:37 PM

Mine sits in the corner of the garage. I only use it if I need to break a bead on a tire. I tried jacking up my Jeep with it one day and decided real quick that wasn't a good idea. I think people like to drive around with one on their Heep to show everyone they are hardcore off roaders.

phillsam · 03-07-2009, 07:01 PM

why wasnt it a good idea, i know they are not the sturdiest but they dont seem really dangerous to jack up the jeep

SeanCucf · 03-07-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillsam

why wasnt it a good idea, i know they are not the sturdiest but they dont seem really dangerous to jack up the jeep

Like any tool, if used improperly, or carelessly it's dangerous. That being said, there are better choices for jacking up the jeep to change tires/work and such, like the previously mentioned bottle jack, or hydraulic floor jack.

2005X · 03-07-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dencor

Here's my .02.
So, you save some $$ by buying something cheaper than the Hi-Lift.
So when are you going to buy another one? Next year, five years?
Probably never.
So, spend for what most think is the best, and skip a few 6 packs!

im on my 2nd hilift in 2 years first went bent

**Unlimited04** · 03-07-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2005X

find a tractor supply company, they sell hi lifts( as in the real Hi lift name)cheap there, as in $48. atleast they do here

x2. Stick with the Hi-Lift, its more useful with its removable handle and removable base.

FWIW, i've only used my hi-lift twice, and none of them have been outside the driveway. the second time i used it, it got stuck in the up position. had to lift the jeep bumper by hand and kick the hi-lift out from under it. it was lubed well, clean as a whistle, and practically brand new. I find it to be an extremely dangerous tool and it doesn't see much trail time.