Last month I went out with Harry Wagner and Bradd Davidsonto test and shoot photos and video of the new ARB Hydraulic Jack for off road vehicles. I did a test of each lifting Harry’s Jeep LJ. My conclusions are that the ARB JACKis a far better and safer tool for lifting a vehicle than a Hi-Lift JackIf you can afford one. Most of us can’t because we’ve already spend 3 months salary on Yeti coolers and drink cups.
You can see how the JACK works and how a Hi-Lift Jack barely works, in the video. Below are excerpts from Harry’s articles about the ARB JACKand Hi-Lift Jacks on The Dirt.
The ARB JACK Review: Is This The Best Jack For The Trail? by Harry Wagner
For decades the handyman jack has been a staple on the trail, but now ARB has built a better mousetrap. Handyman jacks, or trail jacks, are relatively inexpensive, tough as nails, and simple. So is the ARB JACK (while confusing, it is actually called JACK) a product looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist? We don’t think so, as it addresses many of the issues that have plagued handyman jacks since their inception. These include instability when lifting, pins that stick when they are exposed to the elements, and difficulty in lifting heavy vehicles. Oh, and they can also break your jaw if your hands happen to slip off the handle when you are raising your vehicle. So there is that. [Photo by Harry Wagner]
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How To Use A Hi-Lift Jack: The Best And Safest Ways To Use An Essential Off-Road Tool by Harry Wagner
There are few tools for your 4x4 that are as tough, versatile, and inexpensive as the ubiquitous Hi-Lift jack. The basic design by Bloomfield Manufacturing dates back over 100 years. Cast steel construction and a 7,000-lb. capacity means that the Hi-Lift you buy could last you the next 100 years. They can lift your vehicle, clamp together broken parts, spread bent cage tubes, and even winch you out of situations that would otherwise leave you stranded. Hi-Lift jacks can also be dangerous with the potential to cause smashed fingers, missing teeth, and concussions. That doesn’t mean that you need to be afraid of these tools. You just need to have a healthy respect for them and learn how to use them properly. The trick is to learn the easy way and not the hard way. [Photo by Harry Wagner]
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My own personal conclusions?
Well, the ARB JACK is clearly easier, safer and faster to use. The Hi-Lift is more versitile, and as we all know, very durable. We've all had a H-Lift bouncing around for many years that "works" when we need it. How well the ARB follows suit remains to be seen. If you're the kind of person who has a Yeti Cooler and upgraded headlights, the I'm guessing you'll get the ARB JACK. If you're like me and you have a Coleman Extreme and whatever headlights the previous owner installed, then you're with me in the Hi-Lift camp.
Whatever you do, I think we all need to recognize the hazards of a mechanical jack and be vigilant each and every time we use one.
-Mike
You can see how the JACK works and how a Hi-Lift Jack barely works, in the video. Below are excerpts from Harry’s articles about the ARB JACKand Hi-Lift Jacks on The Dirt.
The ARB JACK Review: Is This The Best Jack For The Trail? by Harry Wagner
For decades the handyman jack has been a staple on the trail, but now ARB has built a better mousetrap. Handyman jacks, or trail jacks, are relatively inexpensive, tough as nails, and simple. So is the ARB JACK (while confusing, it is actually called JACK) a product looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist? We don’t think so, as it addresses many of the issues that have plagued handyman jacks since their inception. These include instability when lifting, pins that stick when they are exposed to the elements, and difficulty in lifting heavy vehicles. Oh, and they can also break your jaw if your hands happen to slip off the handle when you are raising your vehicle. So there is that. [Photo by Harry Wagner]
READ MORE
How To Use A Hi-Lift Jack: The Best And Safest Ways To Use An Essential Off-Road Tool by Harry Wagner
There are few tools for your 4x4 that are as tough, versatile, and inexpensive as the ubiquitous Hi-Lift jack. The basic design by Bloomfield Manufacturing dates back over 100 years. Cast steel construction and a 7,000-lb. capacity means that the Hi-Lift you buy could last you the next 100 years. They can lift your vehicle, clamp together broken parts, spread bent cage tubes, and even winch you out of situations that would otherwise leave you stranded. Hi-Lift jacks can also be dangerous with the potential to cause smashed fingers, missing teeth, and concussions. That doesn’t mean that you need to be afraid of these tools. You just need to have a healthy respect for them and learn how to use them properly. The trick is to learn the easy way and not the hard way. [Photo by Harry Wagner]
READ MORE
My own personal conclusions?
Well, the ARB JACK is clearly easier, safer and faster to use. The Hi-Lift is more versitile, and as we all know, very durable. We've all had a H-Lift bouncing around for many years that "works" when we need it. How well the ARB follows suit remains to be seen. If you're the kind of person who has a Yeti Cooler and upgraded headlights, the I'm guessing you'll get the ARB JACK. If you're like me and you have a Coleman Extreme and whatever headlights the previous owner installed, then you're with me in the Hi-Lift camp.
Whatever you do, I think we all need to recognize the hazards of a mechanical jack and be vigilant each and every time we use one.
-Mike
