Hydraulic Floor Jacks

[SAR_Squid79]

What are you guys using?

How much use does it see?

Where did you get it?

Pros / Cons?


...My dad called me today to see if I had any leads on any hydraulic floor jacks that are worth a ****. He says that he's having to replace his jacks every year. He owns a small tractor repair business, and uses his jacks almost daily. He's used Craftsman mostly, and they're not cutting it. The "Big Red" ones that most of the big chain auto parts stores carry are definitely POS's.

The only ones I ever use are Snap-On. They belong to the shop on base where I always do all of my wrenching, but I know that they see extensive and constant use, and they all look like they're 20 years old, and they all work perfectly.

[Rallyroo]

How about getting one from AC Hydraulic?

http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/?mode=showproductcatlist

They're used all the time by racing teams such as those in the World Rally Championships.

[111db]

Mine is OTC # 1727, made in US. I've had it about 6 years now, sees fairly regular use. I had to top off the cylinder once with fluid, but that was it. Capacity is 2 tons: last month I used it for our 1.5 ton Ford at work and it did fine. Evidently mine is discontinued, but this one looks like it might be the replacement: https://spxtooldepot.com/PartDetail.aspx?id=1525

One thing to keep in mind is the lifting height. The smaller jacks don't lift as high, which can be a problem occasionally, especially with lifted trucks and HD equipment. The OTC also has the advantage of a low 3-3/4" starting height, which is good if you have a smaller car too.

Edit:
Pros: built like a tank, lifting range, parts availability, Made in USA
Cons: built like a tank: about 100lbs. Not easily lifted into a pickup. (although nobody will steal it)

[ExpoMike]

If you can find someone with one available to buy, I highly recommend AC Hydraulic floor jacks. http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/tools/AC-Hydraulic3.htm It seems most are out of stock at the moment.

I have owned the DK20HLQ and my dad has the DK20Q, for the last 9 years and these jacks rock! They are not cheap but like many, I got tired of replacing jacks every year or so. The difference between the two above is, mine is the High Lift version, which starts 3.25" and goes up to about 32" high. I belive my dad's only goes to 19", which works for standard cars. Lifted vehicles need the extra hight of the HL.

I figured I had a good one when I happened to be watching WRC one day and saw most of the teams using these same jacks. :D

[111db]

Link says "Tool not found"

Strange, the link works ok for me.

Try www.spxtooldepot.com and search for tool # 1525 on the right side.

[SAR_Squid79]

Strange, the link works ok for me.


Yeah - Now it's working for me too :rolleyes:

[njtaco]

We used the same Snap-on jacks for a decade, and they were old when I went to work at the marina. The jacks lived in the open back of the truck, salt water environment, dragged through mud and sand, and over-worked several times a day lifting boats on and off blocks. I would buy one if my living depended on it.

OTOH, my brother picked up a NICE aluminum floor jack on sale from Jeg's Racing a few years ago, and it works flawlessly. Soooo much nicer than the HEAVY Snap-on jacks I was used to.

[Guinness44]

Had a Craftsman also, it went to the steelreclycler. It kept going down, thats a no go (lost my Jeepfriend, and fix anything tech, due to a jack coming down). Went ahead with the Carquest one, 2 1/2 ton, it lifts better than the Craftsman did (which was a 3 1/2ton), and it looks made better. Havent had it long enough yet. We carry a racefloorjack for certain events. I dont really trust it too well, but use it once in a while. Got to get it really straight under the truck to lift. NO matter, BIG JACKSTANDS more important than the jack itselfs.

EDIT, Carquest jack is 3 1/3 ton. (Craftsman was either 3 1/2 or 4).

[DaveInDenver]

I have a USA-made floor jack, too. Mine's a Hein-Werner brand, says 2 tons but it's easily as big and heavy as a 4 ton Chineses P.O.S. It's beefy. The bolts that hold the mechanism and cylinder in are way bigger than the 3-1/2 ton mini jack that it replaced. That one I gave away and AFAIK it's been put into service as a trail tool. Anyway, it was not cheap, but I figure it'll be the least one I'll ever buy and it's only your safety anyway. Now if I could find US-made jack stands... I use the 6 ton ones thinking that everything cheap probably is 100% under-rated, so I de-rate by a factor of 2.

[ntsqd]

I just inherited my granddad's Hein-Werner of unknown vintage. He's had it as far back as I can remember. It is the smoothest rolling jack I've ever used. I would recommend one, but then again maybe not...... (http://www.hyjacks.com/H2.HTM)


WALKER/LINCOLN - This one is REALLY CONFUSING, sit down and have a cup of herbal tea...
Walker was all American from the 40's through the 80's when it was bought by LINCOLN. LINCOLN kept it American up til the end of the 90's when they moved 99% of their production to China (one floor jack was still made in the USA). After a few years in China LINCOLN sold off their jack line to a company called CLORE who changed the name to MARQUETTE. They held the company for about a year and then in October of 2003 sold it to the big Chinese maker, SHINN FU. SHINN FU held it as it was for the better part of 2004 then surprised everybody by bringing back the old prestigious HEIN-WERNER name back (retired in the mid 90's) and began making the line in America again! The jacks are not at all the HEIN WERNER jacks of the 40's-through early 90's, they are purely the American made LINCOLN jacks from the 90's.
Meanwhile SHINN FU still markets the BLACKHAWK import BANNER jacks, made in China. And also the famous Blackhawk PORTO-POWER line of body shop jacking equipment, made in America. They also sell their own OMEGA Jacks made in China.
Is it true? Perhaps. I have no info to contest it with.

Those AC products do look nice.

[Redline]

http://www.jackxchange.com/products/HW93652.cfm

I bought this jack a few years ago and have been using it often. I use it to lift heavy diesel pickups, lifted rigs, etc. Has a T-handle and nice action/feel lifting and releasing.

Expensive, once.

[DaveInDenver]

It is the smoothest rolling jack I've ever used. I would recommend one, but then again maybe not...

Is it true? Perhaps. I have no info to contest it with.
Definitely confusing. I got mine in about 2003 or so, said made in KC, MO, and has the part number of W93642. So how that fit the time-line, I dunno. I guess Hein-Werner is a Chinese-owned name now, then? I knew the name and it had the US-made label, thought it was all good.

[spressomon]

I tried to find a Hein-Werner USA made jack a few years ago after blowing up yet another crapanese floor jack. Couldn't find one and I wasn't going to buy my 3rd POC jack so I bought the USA made Milwaukee 4-Ton jack and have been 100% happy with it. But now I see it's gone up $300 from when I bought mine.

But as Redline stated above: Buy it once.

http://www.hyjacks.com/H22.HTM

[Redline]

Wow, I thought my made in USA Hein-Werner was expensive a few years ago... glad I purchased it when I did!

[pygmyowl]

I have a Craftsman that I don't like - after jacking up my Tundra, the handle slowly raises by its self until it presses against the frame - what is up with that? There is also very little control lowering the truck, you really can't lower it down slowly.

Scott MacButch

____________
2006 Tundra, ARB Bullbar, Donahoe Coil Overs, Deaver Leaf Springs

[Antichrist]

I've actually been using a Nothern Tool 3 ton for about 8 years. The only complaint I have is the wheels needing loctite on the threads. I use it frequently, including adding a spreader bar and lifting the entire end of my disco with it serveral times. Seems like a very decent jack considering it was only about $150.

[madizell]

I have been using a Craftsman Model 328.12160 2 ton floor jack for almost 30 years. It still works perfectly, has never needed rebuilding, doesn't leak down no matter how long it is left under a load, and except for heavy and the steel wheels squeek if you don't keep them lubricated, I can't find a fault with it. It easily lifts any vehicle I have ever had. Perhaps all the problems with Sears lifts lately are the current outsource or the model purchased.

But I still use jack stands.

[devinsixtyseven]

Perhaps all the problems with Sears lifts lately are the current outsource or the model purchased.

But I still use jack stands.Hit the nail on the head. I was all set to buy a Craftsman last fall, until I read the reviews.

I've already returned one of the big red floor jacks and will likely eventually return this one too.

BTW don't get the "spider" jack unless you have a specific need. Neat idea, but it can travel sideways which is not good if you need a lift along a line to be safe. It's great for some things, at least, and good enough for how I use it.

My jack stands are Made In America from scrap 3/8" plate and 4"OD heavy gauge pipe. Not adjustable, but I don't worry, either.

-Sean

[chuck45]

I have been using a Craftsman Model 328.12160 2 ton floor jack for almost 30 years. It still works perfectly, has never needed rebuilding, doesn't leak down no matter how long it is left under a load, and except for heavy and the steel wheels squeek if you don't keep them lubricated, I can't find a fault with it. It easily lifts any vehicle I have ever had. Perhaps all the problems with Sears lifts lately are the current outsource or the model purchased.

But I still use jack stands.

I use a Sears 2 Ton #328.12040. I don't know exactly how old it is but I'd say I may have bought it in the late 70's. No idea what it cost. It does say made in Japan so it's probably of decent quality. I've never done any maintainance and it always works; I just wish it lifted higher.

[Pontiac]

Need some help identifying an old school floor jack. I purchased the Sears 2 ton, model 328.12040, in 1972. It has served me well for forty years.

Last summer I had the opportunity to purchase the “big brother” to this jack. I believe to be a 4 or 5 ton. Unfortunately the identification label is gone.

Can anyone validate the tonnage and part number of this other Sears jack for me?

Thanks
jcingebrand@live.com

[Nullifier]

Holy old thread WOW!!! can't validate your old jack but it is getting hard and expensive to get high quality jacks these days. I purchased or should I say my wife purchased me one of those AC jacks for Christmas a few months ago. It is great I can actually jack up the tacoma and last week my dad brought his saturn over for me to service and i had no issues getting under it. I usually have to drive it up on boards to get a floor jack under it.

Seems like old vintage jacks never die. Just swap seals and reoil periodically and they are good to go.

[dwh]

Can't ID the jack, sorry. But this thread reminded me of a neat trick I'd originally seen on SCORE race trucks so I thought I'd share. Floor jack on a skid plate for off-road use:



http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/ntsqd/Suburban/79%20Mods/Jack.jpg

[keezer37]

As a reference, this is a 20 year old Sears 3 ton. $100 dollars and free jack stands!
Extension block sold separately.
The frame length is about 24 3/4" and the frame width is just shy of 7". Model # 375.5011??. Can't believe it's just a sticker and not stamped on. If you need cylinder dimensions let me know.
I've never did one thing to it in as far as maintenance goes and like most things I don't touch, it's worked well all these years.

A tension spring that holds the handle in the upright position broke (headbanger). A cursory look on Sears website (they do have an extensive parts section) and a visit to their local appliance/tool store has yielded no results. If you find repair/rebuild kits, I'd like to know.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab323/Yoderandhisbuggy/FloorJack.jpg

[sctracker]

I bought one made by Performance tool, not very expensive, pretty sturdy and it hasn't let me down in over a year. Its low profile, lifts pretty high.

Super cool skid-jack!