Low profile jack choice

[EType]

I have to get quite far in to lift my Mercedes from the front.

I got the Arcan 3.25 ton low profile jack from Costco and did some measurements. I'll have to drive the car onto some bundled cardboard to get it up an inch or so and then the jack will just reach. I will have to do many short pumps as the jack will be right under the car. As the car lifts, the clearance will improve but I guess the jack will go under the car more so it won't help that much.

I just picked up the Harbor Freight 2 ton low profile jack (68050) which is extra long. It may still require cardboard for clearance all the way to the jacking point, but it seems its extra length will allow the handle to pump without interference.

So I know the 2 ton jack is going to be easier to use, but before I open it and begin to use it, any reason to stick with the Costco Arcan?

The two reasons I am thinking of are:

Costco warranty
3.25 ton vs 2 ton

My heaviest vehicle is 2 tons. Price is not a factor. The Arcan was $100 and the HF was $110.

 

[JHZR2]

I had reviewed an hf jack before. Nice because it was aluminum and small, but it was not very stable.

I assume you're not holding the car up with any jack.

 

[EType]

This one has great reviews and people seem to think it is an Arcan. It's about 100lbs and long and wide so very stable. The long reach means its only rates for 2 tons unlike ones that weigh less or the same and are rated for 3 to 4 tons.

And of course no, I won't rely on it to hold the car up.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I assume you're not holding the car up with any jack.


???
Who is using a Jack to hold up a car?
Jacks stands should ALWAYS be used.
In a pinch, jamb a removed wheel underneath the car while your under it.
I want a quality jack as well, but I would never trust just it to hold a car over me, especially anything of a low profile degree.

 

[spasm3]

You have to watch the lift height of some of those jacks, there are a few with only 14 inches of lift. I would want 19 at least.

 

[EType]

Yikes, no answers to my original question!

No I will not just use the jack and the lift height is almost 2ft because they are long reach jacks!

Anything else off topic?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I assume you're not holding the car up with any jack.


???
Who is using a Jack to hold up a car?
Jacks stands should ALWAYS be used.
In a pinch, jamb a removed wheel underneath the car while your under it.
I want a quality jack as well, but I would never trust just it to hold a car over me, especially anything of a low profile degree.


Where in the OP was it stated that this would be used to get the car onto stands???

People die every year so it cannot be said enough.


OP - Your responses, even if not direct, provide insight. Long reach, lightweight jacks will have more flex and provide more challenges. The ones that can handle it better will most likely be $$ and heavier.

Honestly if you are going to have to drive up upon something regardless, why not use what youve got or something better, and not worry? After seeing how the HF aluminum jack flexed, Id be worried about my vehicle to be honest.

But I dont see how youre saving anything if even with the long reach jack you still need to drive up onto soething...

 

[EType]

Thanks, I appreciate your comments and thoughts.

The 2 ton HF jack in question seems to be made by Arcan who make the 3.25 jack I got from Costco. It has great reviews and is always more expensive than other 3 ton and 4 ton at HF. It is also significantly heavier than the 3 ton jack.

So I think it fits your criteria. Don't be put off by the HF low price. I got it with a good coupon. I've seen the same jack retailing for much more.

The advantage is that the handle will definitely clear the bumper. I have to measure it precisely but it may also reach the jack point without driving onto bundled cardboard.

But the first point is the most important because I imagine the arcan jack will slide under the car as it lifts and the handle will never clear the bumper.

 

[sciphi]

I have one of the STEEL low-profile 2-ton HF jacks. It's a 75 lb beast of a jack. It goes from about 2.5" to 20" in height. I've had it for a few years now, and it's proven to be a good jack. It's not particularly quick, but it is precise in how far it lifts/lowers the car. The lowering mechanism is very easy to modulate, and will let the car down gently. It's also quite stable. No swaying or rocking with this jack.

I'd say go with the HF jack on this one, based on my experiences with a similar jack.

EDIT: After looking at the jack the OP stated, my HF jack is the bare-bones version without the rapid pump and foot pedal. The frame appears to be identical aside from mine being orange and that one being gray.

 

[EType]

There is one scenario where I am considering going with the Costco Arcan 3.25 ton jack.

Mercedes has only combination jack / jack stand points. The 3.25 ton jack would be more robust for lifting a corner at a time and holding it for a few minutes while taking off the wheel and performing a brake bleed.

Since this is the main reason for me buying a jack, I am thinking that brake bleeding a corner at a time could be done with a jack only and that the sturdier jack would be better for that usage scenario.

 

[Sawdusted]

Originally Posted By: EType
There is one scenario where I am considering going with the Costco Arcan 3.25 ton jack.

Mercedes has only combination jack / jack stand points. The 3.25 ton jack would be more robust for lifting a corner at a time and holding it for a few minutes while taking off the wheel and performing a brake bleed.
.


There are other lift points besides those specified under the door panels. You can lift from the lower control arm or any part of the frame. Any beefy structural member is safe for jacking.

 

[INDYMAC]

AC Hydraulic jacks are excellent. I have a DK13HLQ for my S2000. Here's a link to Pelican parts http://www.acjacks.com/

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: EType
There is one scenario where I am considering going with the Costco Arcan 3.25 ton jack.

Mercedes has only combination jack / jack stand points. The 3.25 ton jack would be more robust for lifting a corner at a time and holding it for a few minutes while taking off the wheel and performing a brake bleed.

Since this is the main reason for me buying a jack, I am thinking that brake bleeding a corner at a time could be done with a jack only and that the sturdier jack would be better for that usage scenario.


While you dont go under really to do a brake bleed, youre still relying upon the jack supporting the vehicle... Dangerous.

Check the list of jack points, you may be able to lift the front via a carrier under the engine, and the rear by the diff case.

Harder to get to again, perhaps, but that would let you get the car up and supported on a stand if desired.

Just be careful!

 

[EType]

I'm considering the 2 ton HF jack precisely because it definitely reaches the designated center front jack point. So front wheel bleeding can easy be performed with jacks at the designated points.

There are varying opinions on using the rear diff jacking point.

 

[EType]

Originally Posted By: INDYMAC
AC Hydraulic jacks are excellent. I have a DK13HLQ for my S2000. Here's a link to Pelican parts http://www.acjacks.com/


The HF 68050 and Arcan costco jacks look like these but half the price.

 

[INDYMAC]

Originally Posted By: EType
Originally Posted By: INDYMAC
AC Hydraulic jacks are excellent. I have a DK13HLQ for my S2000. Here's a link to Pelican parts http://www.acjacks.com/


The HF 68050 and Arcan costco jacks look like these but half the price.


I thought you said that price was no object. There is no comparison in quality and craftsmanship. Good luck with COSTCO.

 

[EType]

Price between the two I've chosen is not an issue.

Both are very highly thought of jacks.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: EType
Price between the two I've chosen is not an issue.

Both are very highly thought of jacks.


Something fresh off the boat from Harbour Freight and "highly thought of" aren't usually things that go hand-in-hand. Cheap and will do the job? Certainly.

There are plenty of quality US-made jacks that would be thought of by professionals in the industry as high quality. But they certainly aren't in your target price-range from what I gather from your above response to INDYMAC.

 

[EType]

I thought it was well known that some HF items were highly thought of.

And I've never had a great impression of American manufacturing quality. Certainly the average American product vs the average Chinese product might be better but they can't be compared to Japanese or even German quality (on average).

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: EType
I thought it was well known that some HF items were highly thought of.

And I've never had a great impression of American manufacturing quality. Certainly the average American product vs the average Chinese product might be better but they can't be compared to Japanese or even German quality (on average).


Nope, that's news to me

Luckily for you though, that jack that INDYMAC linked is made in Denmark though