Best Hydraulic Jack

[JHZR2]

Hi,

I have a few 2 or 3 ton hydraulic jacks, none of which I trust very well.

Some shops have much superior long, sleek, 'low profile' jacks that slide right under and pump up large weights easily.

Id like one that can use a rubber pad rather than just the jagged metal base, so that Im not bending oreffecting metal when using it on a unibody vehicle.

Any suggestions? My only request is that it is not a harbor freight type thing (Ive been hurt by their junko stuff before). I'd prefer that it be made in the USA...

Thanks,

JMH

 

[huffmuds9320]

How about Craftsman floor jack from Sears. They got the low profile aluminum floor jack. So should get under the car a lot easier, also has rubber pad on it. As far as I know Craftsman stuff is Made in USA. They have a few different ones to choose from. Should be on sale since its the holiday season. You buying it for yourself as a Christmas present?

 

[shortyb]

I second the Craftsman jack. Bought the aluminum one they had on sale last year with the jack stands as a package deal. $99, solid, lightweight, low-profile, handles all my lifting needs, and most importantly stays in whatever position you pump it up to. Gave the stands to my brother-in-law. Nothing wrong with them, just have a set of real beefy units. I kept the rubber pad in case my nice polyurethane full coverage pad grows legs. It'll work fine in a pinch.

 

[eljefino]

I love the ones where the handle is directly connected to the hydraulics through gears... so you don't have to pull it out to twist that little thing. Good feature to look for and you can tell by pictures.

 

[Bret Chase]

what you want is a "long frame" floor jack. you'll have to look to Snap-On, Mac, OTC or similar. keep in mind they're also very expensive. (~$500+) I love my hein-werner long frame jack. it's old and weighs about 100lbs, but it works awesome. I like that I can can reach my rear axle on my pickup from the back with the tail gate down and still pump it.

 

[bretfraz]

Here is the hot tip: http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/uk/index_ws.htm

I don't think there is anything reasonably priced and Made in the USA. Most of the decent floor jacks are $400 and up.

I have a Michelin-branded jack bought at Sams Club for about $70. Has the padded lifting cup. It's made in China (what isn't these days?) but it works pretty well for home garage use.

 

[alreadygone]

Hein-werner now makes the old Lincoln jack in the states after Lincoln went belly up because of quality controll problems when they started assy in Mexico. GREAT JACK Am also using two "The Beast" jacks purchased from Matco. These are China built, but I'd put their quality up against any US jack. Still around $400. though. Used car dealer next door uses two "Roush Racing" foreign made from Sam's sure seem like good jack for under $150.

Bob

Bob

 

[1sttruck]

I have a Sears 'truck and SUV' floor jack, which has a small enough pad to fit bewteen stuff on the front axle. I think it's a 3 1/2 ton, and was something like $70 on sale.