Who REALLY uses a Hi-Lift?

[DirtDonk]

There are some decent videos on Hi-Lift use on YouTube too. Some by users, some by Hi-Lift themselves. Good idea I think, since most people probably don't really know all the ins-and-outs (and dangers) of using one when they first get theirs.

I've wondered about the lawsuits too. They just celebrated their 100th anniversary a few years ago (2005 I thnk?), so have a longer history than most. Forget just how old the jack itself is, but the company is 100+

Paul

 

[Ranchtruck]

They work really good for trailers with broken tongue jacks. Sometimes when shit goes wrong towing and you need to get a loaded trailer off the back of the truck, the hi-lift does what the toungue jack can't.

I think the liability thing is kind of the same deal as knife manufacturers. It's universal knowledge that they hurt/kill all the time so you should be smart enough to prevent harm to yourself.

 

[HGM]

I think the liability thing is kind of the same deal as knife manufacturers. It's universal knowledge that they hurt/kill all the time so you should be smart enough to prevent harm to yourself.

Well................ It used to be commonly accepted that coffee was hot too... As our society continues into the lawsuit happy entitled mentality, no one is safe.. I can hear it now, get one while you can before they ban them..%)

 

[recoiljunky]

Well................ It used to be commonly accepted that coffee was hot too... As our society continues into the lawsuit happy entitled mentality, no one is safe.. I can hear it now, get one while you can before they ban them..%)

That coffee you're probably referring to was so hot it removed the skin from the plaintiff's vagina. Imagine what it would be like if when you spilled your coffee on your hand you received third degree burns. Now imagine that happening to your dick. The coffee was too hot.

Sorry for the hijack. I want a Hi Lift but haven't bought one yet.

 

[HGM]

That coffee you're probably referring to was so hot it removed the skin from the plaintiff's vagina. Imagine what it would be like if when you spilled your coffee on your hand you received third degree burns. Now imagine that happening to your dick. The coffee was too hot.

Maybe so, but when I have hot liquids, I'm pretty well aware of it and go out of my way not to stick my junk in it.. No worries there... If it did happen, the last person I'd blame was the person serving it to me. Unless of course, they did the spilling... Now its usually cold by the time you get it to your lips.. As with the Hi-Lift, if your careful, it wont be a problem.. Most injuries, I would suppose, are due to the opperator already being frustrated with the fact that they are stuck and need to jack themselves out..

 

[broncokak]

I don't have one but will sooner or later. I have seen them used (and even had one used on my rig this summer) alot and they are very usefull and easy to use. One thing I think people forget or maybe do not realize is that you and pull and clamp with these jacks too. I have seen one used as a come-a-long even. It just another tool to use if needed.

 

[bluebronco69]

ive used mine off road once i think
slid off into a ditch off a snowy trail, into a snowy ditch.
very stuck
had to repeatedly jack the bronco up at the back bumper, and then push it to the side off of the jack in order to get out.

other times, i have used it to straighten the frame on a ford escort, and remove fence posts, and stumps/trees

 

[Ohio Bronco 21]

Its not a bad tool for around the shop. Having it mounted on the Bronco means you have it with you (in case).

 

[grimlock97]

I use mine quite often on all vehicles, trailers, and tractors. It's a great tool around the farm and a lot cheaper than any winch.

 

[G's Baja Bronco]

I have owned mine for 20 years, used it on the ramcharger to change tires. none of the baja racers use them, they use a small hydraulic jack instead. I am debating to use it on the EB, probably will.

 

[hartbronco]

I was at tractor supply today and noticed they sell the hi lift and a Reese version which is much cheaper but look identical... it was $40.00 I believe... I had it in my hand headed for the check out and thought... do I really need this thing or do I want it because everybody else is driving around with them...

I put it back...

After doing a little googling and searching on this site I see there is a mixed opinion on them. I thought it would be good for "winching" when you dont have a winch or lifting the rig to change a tire since my bottle jack will not reach my axle...

THoughts?

Greg

I wouldn't go in the bush with out one !!! I'v used mine to lift ,hold, straiten and I even took the handle off and slid it over my ty-rod to keep it from bending on day ! the Hi-lift is the best tool you could have if you wheel your Bronco . JMO

 

[ugly74]

I use mine in my plow truck mostly when I'm really stuck. mostly to lift buried wheels out of the ground so I can backfill before I winch out. I wouldn't leave the house without it!

 

[mtfit]

You guys must not go wheeling much. Mine gets use almost every time.

roger that, mine gets used all the time.

 

[hartbronco]

A Buddy of mine HAD to move his Shop (30'x40') 13 feet ...... we used 12 Hi-lifts to lift it off the foundation And 3 W8274 to pull it the 13 feet !!! Worked like a Hot Dam !

 

[DRBRONCO69]

I have used mine countless times to make trail repairs as well as using it to break beads on tires to clean debris from between the bead and wheel sealing surface. I will not travel without mine. I have seen them used to winch before, although I would never try it. Much easier than carrying a floor jack in your rig, especially if you are short on space like I am.

 

[Nightmare Bronc]

I have used mine for many years and just recently put a rebuild kit in it.. Works like a new one now. Great jacks just be careful with the handles. Sometimes they can get away from ya.

 

[DirtDonk]

In the early '90's, Rancho Suspension was named as one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit. Seems a gonad-head had seen fit to go out and get drunk, then drive his lifted K5 onto it's roof.
Can't remember if said brain surgeon lived or if he received the Darwin Award that year, but the bottom line was that there were actually no Rancho products on the guy's truck. Only a "Rancho" DECAL in the window!!!! But because they made suspension lift products and were such a visible name at the time, and people went to great lengths to score the decals to put on their windows, the lawyers (or someone) decided that they should be included for contributing to the roll-over.
Besides, they had real money, so what the heck. Right?

So logic and common sense don't always get in the way of someone seeking payback for their own efforts at achieving stupidity's pinnacle.

Paul

 

[idhawkdriver]

Whew....after reading all the posts I thought maybe i was foolish for using the Hi Lift to jack my rig up to replace my leaf springs. Happy to report that the leaf springs and blocks were installed using the Hi Lift and Jack stands without incident or accident. But thanks to this thread I was a little extra cautious.

 

[broncnaz]

Use mine quite a bit. I have 2 of them. it helps especailly when you dont want to crawl under the truck to use a bottle jack or when your just in a spot a bottle jack wont quite do the job. but I also carry a botle jack just in case. As you can see it has many uses other than just a jack while it is big and heavy its also a lifesaver.

 

[Nobody]

I think bottle jacks are little more effective at getting you unstuck. The highlift is a good catch all. I don't go wheelin without it.