Farm Jack options

[jahwild]

What model farm jacks are recommended? I typically see the all red Hi-lift jacks mounted outside broncos, jeeps, 4runners, etc and have been looking into one as well. Reading a lot of reviews it looks like the HL-485 model often has a lot of paint flaking and rusting (not as bad as HL-484 however). Also saw that several times the jacks are delivered with already sheared pins or other damage….

Have you experienced rusting or lack of function?

Do you typically touch up the paint or opt to get it powder coated?

What other considerations do you have for mounting, storing, preserving the jacks?

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[ssls6]

Just an opinion here. I grew up with Hi-lift jacks on the ranch and I think they suck. If you don't have external sliders you can jack on, they aren't that useful. A bottle jack and come-along are much safer and more useful. A bottle jack and winch is even better.

Hi-Lift jacks do hang up and you need to keep them sprayed with lube. You also need to watch the pins like a hawk, most accidents happen because they don't fully side into the holes while jacking. The bottom will also try and slide out swinging the top into your vehicle.

Not to be a total hater, I own one for trailers but don't use them on cars/SUV/pickup trucks. Here in CO, I don't see them bolted to real off-road Jeeps (38-40s, long arm kits, dana 60 axles) but they seem to be on all out of state Jeeps built for show that come up.

High flex suspension and Hi-Lift jacks don't play well together. I've never seen a Hi-Lift jack powder coated and if it gets into the pin holes or on the pins, that could be a disaster.

 

[Oilbrnr]

IMHO, Hi-Lifts are only used by guys that are posers with mall crawlers. 90% of the time, they have no bumpers or sliders capable of being used as a lift point. But they think they 'look' kewl and fit the part. My personal fav is the Jeep guys with them mounted on the hood, ready to become a projectile in an accident. A good bottle jack will serve you well.

My other peev is mounted bow shackles.

 

[mattusmc]

Mounted my Hi Lift in the back between the roll bars. Easy to remove and secured when off-roading. I’ve had to use it quite a bit helping others on the trail that broke.

 

[Valhalla]

I use it if I need it and have been since the 80's. It is like any other multi tool. It does not do any one thing as great as a purpose-built tool. It replaces many. I've used them as side come along when 2 winches are already strapped to a vehicle. I've used them to get out of mud but jacking up a truck and "pushing it off the jack to get out of ruts. I have used them to lift vehicles to work on (I suggest securing with a winch and rocks as this is very dangerous). And I once used the body of two jacks as makeshift control arms to get my lifted 82 bronco out of the woods after snapping a control arm. If you were trying to remove a tire you need to chain the suspension, so it lifts easier, especially on longer suspension travel rigs. Safe they ain't, useful, I have proven they are.

As for finish and upkeep, if you use it, it will get corrosion on it. I squirt the pins and mechanism before every adventure off highway. I pressure wash it with the undercarriage upon return. As stated above poor pin engagement is an accident waiting.

 

[Diller]

Mine is a knock off jack, but I did use the High Lift mount. A little modification work was required. As others have said you will need to have good points to use on the Bronco. One of the jack mods was a good grade hook woth safety latch.

 

[CalvinT]

As ofthers have said, no jacking points. I wouldn't use a high-lift unless I used their Lift-Mate. I like bottle jacks but they only work if you can get under your vehicle. If you can't that's where a farm jack with the Lift-Mate would be handy. It's also a good way to lift one wheel so you can put something under it for more traction.

https://hi-lift.com/accessories/lift-mate/

 

[Brian_B]

I carry a knock off from Tractor Supply around. It mostly gets used to nudge deadfall and pull fence posts

 

[HighVelocity]

I'll pack the vehicle with explosives and vaporize it before ever using a stupid farm jack again.

 

[KyleQ]

They have their uses.... mostly on dedicated crawlers. There really isn't anywhere to use them on these new vehicles. One slip and you will do thousands in damage with the jack -

Don't get me wrong, they have their uses... I've used them plenty of times on my rigs and others, but they are purpose built crawlers.

 

[MNBigfoot]

.......
Reading a lot of reviews it looks like the HL-485 model often has a lot of paint flaking and rusting
...............
Do you typically touch up the paint or opt to get it powder coated?
.................

They flake and rust when they get used, it's to be expected, I'm guessing yours will look pristine for years to come without PPF film or ceramic coating.

 

[Snacktime]

Great for chores, way past carrying one in my vehicle. They are a damage multiplier.

 

[jahwild]

Plenty of good feedback on this thread I appreciate it everyone. Consensus seems to be that its better to use a bottle jack unless doing some extreme stuff or have extra mods to make it feasible and even then might damage the rig.

I haven’t done much crazy off roading yet but have been slowly building up to taking on wilder rides and was mostly curious if this was a worthy investment for that as people tend to recommend it as one of the must haves for ventures.

I don’t have a winch (yet) and pretty much only carry recovery boards and a shovel when I go out. Ive used the shovel to fill in ruts I make on accident but have never needed boards. Sounds like I should probably forgo the farm jack in favor of other things…..

 

[Valhalla]

Get a winch..

 

[MNBigfoot]

Plenty of good feedback on this thread I appreciate it everyone. Consensus seems to be that its better to use a bottle jack unless doing some extreme stuff or have extra mods to make it feasible and even then might damage the rig.

I haven’t done much crazy off roading yet but have been slowly building up to taking on wilder rides and was mostly curious if this was a worthy investment for that as people tend to recommend it as one of the must haves for ventures.

I don’t have a winch (yet) and pretty much only carry recovery boards and a shovel when I go out. Ive used the shovel to fill in ruts I make on accident but have never needed boards. Sounds like I should probably forgo the farm jack in favor of other things…..

The OEM factory Winch kit is a heck of a deal through Ford Accessories for $850 (using the 20% off code), it includes a Warn winch that generally costs over a grand (zeon 10s).
https://www.ford.com/product/ford-performance-parts-by-warn-bronco-winch-kit-p2760593812

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