Yeah, and I'm still hung up on what appear to be plastic wheels and rubber tires. What on earth? Yes, I absolutely use jackstands 100% of the time but it's still a problem for a truck to fall unexpectedly while you're putting them there.
That's true too (I sure hope my cruiser won't get stuck on flat, solid ground...) but I'm saying I don't trust those wheels not to collapse even if I'm using it to lift the truck in my garage.
Glad to hear the OP was ok, with the amount of force that damn handle comes back at you, you'd expect it to at least knock a couple of teeth out.
I personally always carry mine on my trips, not to change tires, but as a recovery tool. Twice these devilish things have saved my convoy when winches, tow straps and what not couldn't help.
As with pretty much all recovery equipment, I exercise extreme caution when using Hi Lifts. Thankfully no one has gotten hurt on my watch, but the risks are huge.
I first got my driver's license in 1972 and a "high-lift" jack was all we had in those days. They are inherently dangerous. Just the thought of using one conjures us an entire string of profanity in my mine.
With that said, I have one on the back of my truck. I only use it when I cannot get the stock jack under the truck. I also took appropriate steps to make it more safe....see below.
I bought this kit from Slee for use with my high-lift. Makes it very safe. Slee - Recovery Gear
I also built a base similar to this to significanly limit the jack from moving. I used two layers of 3/4 inch marine plywood to better withstand the weight of my heavily armored cruiser.
The guy in the video reminds me of Napoleon Dynomite!
glad you didn't get hurt any worse, I recall being told about a guy that got wallopped by one pretty bad, felt sick all afternoon so went to bed and then never woke up. The hit in the head gave him a bleed and he has a stroke in his sleep.
