Floor Jacks

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ajchien

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Im looking for a quality home garaged floor jack.

Does anyone have experience with Zinko, Hein werner, American Forge and Foundry, AC Hydraulic or Ranger products?

Thanks!
 
Good question. The only Floor Jacks I see at the auto parts store are from China and the Far East. It would be good to know if they make these Floor jacks with quality materials and in the USA or Canada.
 
All the jacks Ive mentioned are commerical/shop brand jacks. The Hein Werner is USA made. Im not sure about the others. They run around $350-$1500.

I've gone through 3 consumer (2 Duralast and 1 Walmart) home jacks in the last 5 years. I want something more durable now.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: mongo161
You must have a very heavy truck to lift if you have gone through 3 jacks in 5 years? What are you lifting?


I think "duralast and Walmart" are explanations enough.

The Critic has the Hein Werner! It is probably the only "U.S. made" jack that is somewhat affordable (owned by Shinnfu). It's heritage goes back to the venerable Walker/Lincoln design that is bullet proof and rebuildable with excellent parts availability (vs. asian jacks).

Other US brands are Milwaukee and Weaver.....$$$$$$$$$$.
 
Originally Posted By: defektes
I'm looking into one of these.
Friend has one, they are expensive but well made.
http://usjack.com/


Great company in Michigan! Be aware that their 2 ton floor jack is imported and the other models (floor jacks) are rebadged Weavers.
 
I use a 2 1/4? 2 1/2? ton floor jack that I bought on sale at Monkey Wards in Austin Tx a little over 20 years ago. No idea what brand, but it's been $20 well spent I can assure you! OK, I did have to add some oil to it a few years ago- but it still works great & has never given any trouble.

Sometimes "good enough" really is.
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Stuart Hughes
I use a 2 1/4? 2 1/2? ton floor jack that I bought on sale at Monkey Wards in Austin Tx a little over 20 years ago. No idea what brand, but it's been $20 well spent I can assure you! OK, I did have to add some oil to it a few years ago- but it still works great & has never given any trouble.

Sometimes "good enough" really is.
wink.gif



I'll 2nd this. Bought mine approx 30 years ago and other than adding a little oil 5-6-8 years ago it works fine. Have no idea where I bought it, but I do remember I spent around $20 bucks for it and it still works just fine. What more could I possible want?
 
Sounds like a lot of problems with the floor jacks.

Instead of a Floor Jack,I might just look into getting a Hi-Lift Jack. The Hi-Lift jack should get my 4Runner up nice and high so I can get the jack stands under the front. Then I can repeat the process for the back of the truck.

These Floor Jacks seem to made out of Garbage and I might be better off avoiding the problems associated with them.

I guess it will depend on the price and if there are quality issues with those as well.

Just like the good old day of jacking up the car with the tire iron. I think that they now use a steel bar instead.
 
FWIW, the 2-ton low profile jack I got from HF is constructed like a tank, and has done everything I asked it to. Got it for $90 with a 2 year replacement plan. HF 2 ton floor jack

I like it since it slides under the Fit (5" of clearance), and has enough height to lift my Buick (7-8" of clearance) far off the ground. It's easy to maneuver despite its weight. The release is very controllable, and the effort isn't that great to lift a car. Of course, it's a fairly slow-lifting jack. I'm plenty happy with it, so far.
 
I use the harbor freight 3 ton jacks and they last about 5 years under heavy use.
Even an expensive floor jack is only as good as the seals and o rings.
You can usually rebuild the ones you already have.
not that difficult.
Maybe check the hydraulic fluid level?
 
I am currently leaning towards the Hein Werner based on whats said here. The jacks is about $350 for a 2ton. 19.5 in lift.

I do think the terms "Duralast" and "Walmart" possibly apply to the less than desirable longevity of these jacks. The current duralast has always leaked, the o-ring fails. I have replaced the o-ring twice now ( i can't find the right size o-ring for it , but i've gotten "close") . Nevertheless, replacing the o-rings on it twice now has caused me to "bend" a few things along the way, so that if I now lift the handle all the way up, the the o-ring seal breaks loose ... therefore im really careful only lifting the handle 1/2 up with each pump. pain in the butt.


i've heard some horror stories with Harbor Freight, or is it just a few people with bad experiences with that I heard about it a lot?
 
As large as Harbor Freight is and with their "no questions asked" warrenty I believe most of the "horror stories" are just that, stories. They give good value for money spent. Granted you won't get a $350 dollar jack for $19.95, if one is actually expecting that they're a fool. But you will get a jact that does lift a car up in the air. If a 20 dollar jack will suffice and make you happy, go for it. If you desire to spend 350 bucks and make yourself happy, go for it.

Its your money to spend.
 
I bought the $60 craftsman jack a few years ago on sale and I am very happy with it so far. Probably the same or similar to the HF jacks.
 
I got the 2 year replacement plan on my $90 HF jack figuring that 2 years of garage use will be enough to break a defective jack. I'm still extremely pleased for the money spent.

Now the $20 HF 2-ton jack I have is a piece of junk. It is touchy, and very unpleasant to use. I truly got what I paid for there.
 
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