Hey guys i recently purchased a Hi Lift jack for my cruiser to help get me outta some sticky situations! What are yalls experience with these? Any stories?
Hi Lift experience
- Thread starter mvpcruiser
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I can tell you from personal experience a Hi Lift jack can fail
I have used mine quite a bit, from sliding off into deep ruts and having to jack it and push it over and out of the ruts. The rig I had and mounts on all 4 corners so it would not slip off. (this is not suggested as it is a dangerous practice). Been in heavy mud/clay and no winch, put a plate under it and build up under the tires to get unstuck. been times when a rock became hung up underneath and no backing or forward motion was going to work.
I have used it also for home improvement projects from the pole barn to moving logs in the woods.
So yes it has its place but you better know what you are doing with it or it will come back and bite you.
I have used it also for home improvement projects from the pole barn to moving logs in the woods.
So yes it has its place but you better know what you are doing with it or it will come back and bite you.
- Thread starter
- #5
I know how to use one and such i am just wondering what yalls experience with them is!
Just for fun I decided to winch my '86 truck up a hill using a Hi-Lift. It was definitely a workout and a chore to stop and re-rig everything. If the truck was really stuck I'd imagine it would take a lot more muscle/effort . For now I'll stick to my Warns for recovery duty and use the Hi-Lift as a last resort since I'm lazy.
Phil,
Is that jack bolted to the wheel? Can't say for sure but looks different than current HiLifts, what model is it?
Is that jack bolted to the wheel? Can't say for sure but looks different than current HiLifts, what model is it?
Its not bolted but the jacks base did get stuck in the center of the wheel
. The HiLift is the original...I have owned it for over 35 yrs
I did get a replacement main bar from HiLift for $18 shipped.
This is a picture of the high lift in action, The snow load collapsed the end of the pole barn up in Montana, previous owner used two small of supports. The jack has a eye bolt through it and also the beam. up on the top right you might be able to see the come along providing side shift support. Got the end raised and new supports in place.
Wow that is a good price. I paid 25 for a set of new springs and rods.Its not bolted but the jacks base did get stuck in the center of the wheel
I did get a replacement main bar from HiLift for $18 shipped.
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rusty_tlc
Dain Bramaged Member
The hi lift is a very useful tool. Search here and read about how to use it then get some practice with it. A Hi-Lift in the hands of someone unfamiliar with it's use can be very dangerous.Hey guys i recently purchased a Hi Lift jack for my cruiser to help get me outta some sticky situations! What are yalls experience with these? Any stories?
You'll want to keep a few items handy to go with it;
-a can of wd40 or PB blaster to lube it up before you use it
-a ratchet strap to secure the axle to the frame so the tire doesn't droop as far when you lift one corner
-a piece of 2x12 to use as a base in soft soil.
Last edited:
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
I'd add: try rigging it as a hand winch in a controlled situation before you try in the field. It isn't as easy as it looks to do it right.
something to shore up the base is also a good plan... wood or a steel plate both work. In either case, to make it more stable you can drill the base and put a bolt through it and the base of the hilift.
make sure that you have at least 1 shackle that will fit through the hilift for using it as a winch. or some way of connecting stuff.
I use motorcycle chain lube (spray) to lube the mechanism-- it is thin enough to penetrate/coat but thicker than pbblaster or wd40. It also stays on better than the thinner stuff.
something to shore up the base is also a good plan... wood or a steel plate both work. In either case, to make it more stable you can drill the base and put a bolt through it and the base of the hilift.
make sure that you have at least 1 shackle that will fit through the hilift for using it as a winch. or some way of connecting stuff.
I use motorcycle chain lube (spray) to lube the mechanism-- it is thin enough to penetrate/coat but thicker than pbblaster or wd40. It also stays on better than the thinner stuff.
The new ones fail
A piece of barbed wire on rotton fence posts turned my new jack into a wish bone.....none of us seen it coming
A piece of barbed wire on rotton fence posts turned my new jack into a wish bone.....none of us seen it coming
rusty_tlc
Dain Bramaged Member
Are you sure it was a Hi-Lift brand jack?
I was pulling 4x4 fence post set in concrete with mine last summer, no issues.
oh yes....its the real thing. me bending the other ones I have had in the past I can see.....my fault totally but this one............s*** I was floored. Now its not trash....hell I can bend it back out and use it as a winch(light weight speaking) but it will never take any downward force again.
Are you sure it was a Hi-Lift brand jack?
I was pulling 4x4 fence post set in concrete with mine last summer, no issues.
Does this count? Did fine until backing out, took almost 3 hours lift and comealong over until I could get over the hidden log.
got my winch back and on this weekend so I'm ready now.
some good help ( dad and a friend ), one day I will make it to the back of my property.
got my winch back and on this weekend so I'm ready now.
some good help ( dad and a friend ), one day I will make it to the back of my property.
Yep.
Lots.
Still have all my body parts attached.
Please, no pics.
Lots.
Still have all my body parts attached.
Please, no pics.
i use it to jack my vehicle up to change the tires .....
i use my winch to pull me out of places that i get stuck .
this one time i jacked up my fj and changed the tire and then put it back on the ground and drove home .
i use my winch to pull me out of places that i get stuck .
this one time i jacked up my fj and changed the tire and then put it back on the ground and drove home .
