Trail Jack

I have a come along and a Hi lift in my farm truck. If you get a hi lift read the manual before using it. Better yet ask someone who uses one to demonstrate it they are a handy tool that deserves a lot of respect for safety. I remember the first time using one I hit the down lever and the handle was down it came up so fast and smacked my thumb so hard I saw stars. Remember it like yesterday. T J

 

Here's a tip if you have long-travel suspension, or have no choice but to jack the high-side of an off-camber rig: Use a section of chain, a come-a-long, or a strong ratchet strap to preload the suspension on the corner you want lifted. It will save you the distance of the drooping suspension as you lift.

 

When you all are saying you have a hi-lift, is it an actual Hi-Lift® jack or a knock-off?

As far as the bottle jacks and others mentioned, any particular brands that you like and what size bottle jacks?
I'm trying to stay away from imported stuff.

 

Hi-Lift brand for me.

 

I don't know if they still offer the same lineup, but 20+ years ago, there were 4 models of Hi-Lift brand jacks. They had the 4' and 5' versions, and of those you could get the stamped steel or cast steel components. As I said earlier, I have one of each. They both have held up well, but the cast version has shown less wear and has been lees prone to bending parts under extreme abuse.

 

hi-lift for me, too. i've used it as a winch. i've used it to leverage the inspection cover off of my septic tank. and others.

it is all cast. fwiw, i carry a maasdam puller and shovel, too.

 

Actual 4' "Hi Lift" one of the early original which was cast iron.
Not too long after they came out John Deere and others made as tamped steel version.

Had one of the JD's also but not sure what happened to that one.
Having two of them is great if you need to lift the whole end of Jeep up high with great increase toward stability.

 

I have two of the cast 48" Hi Lift. Had them for close to 30 years, still work fine.

 

Have a knock off and original hi lift.

Grandfather always called them jawbreakers or arm busters (insert body part here).

Yes they need lube to keep working. Spring / pin kits are easy fixed also.
Have peed on mine to make it work in a pinch.

Also like my worn out more-power-puller, extra cable, a few lengths of chain and a strap.

 

He, he ,he. But good to know that is an option.

 

It works as brake fluid in a pinch, too.

 

Too bad it doesn't work as fuel.

 

I have both cast steel and stamped steel versions, both dating from someplace in the early 70's. Yes, they work and are handy for an almost unlimited number of uses around the ranch, from pulling posts to straightening out bale wagons, but RARELY do they ever find a space on a Jeep of mine. Perhaps it is where I wheel-with lots of trees and rocks, but I've always found a winch and a snatch block or two can always do things better with a lot more control.

All that said, if you are going this route, I would absolutely buy a real Hi Lift.

 

Ive got a Reese brand "FarmJack" high lift type jack and its been great, but I haven't needed it as much as I thought I would. Ive got a bottle jack i need to start carrying with me.