Technical Advisory Committee Chris Huggins Posted November 2, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 So one of my 2 all-aluminum Harbor Freight 1.5ton track-jacks has died. The second one is on its way out from the same failure. The new version, here, is much heavier, having an all steel handle (of a incompatible design), and additional steel components such as the front roller, which rusts and leaves stains on carpet/flooring. I purchased one without knowing, but I am not satisfied. Has anyone used the 3 ton (here) and been satisfied? It appears to still be all aluminum. Other options do exist, such as this one on amazon for $220 or this one in 1.5, 2, and 3 ton versions. The latter purports to have steel wheels however, so thats a negative in my opinion. I would be willing to pay more for a quality product with service, but the only options I can find on that front are 4x the cost. I have a hard time believing that there isn't something in between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Andrew D Johnson Posted November 2, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 I have the same exact issue. My 1.5 died, and @enginerd's soon will I suspect. I have an all steel 2.5 from HF that still works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jab31169 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 What was the failure if you don't mind me asking. We have a few of these. All the jacks in that price range, $250 and down, look like the same exact manufacture IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Chris Huggins Posted November 2, 2018 Author Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 This one appears to be what HF copied to make the 1.5 ton. It is about 2x the price of the HF 1.5 ton version. I will gladly pay if it still matches the older HF design with all aluminum components. The failure is two fold, the universal joint connecting the handle and the release mechanism, and the seals internal to the cylinder. My second one only lifts the jack in the bottom 25 degrees of so of handle travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jab31169 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 Yea that one doesn't look bad. They have some on ebay for $75 bucks that might be knock offs. But at $144 from amazon with a 1 year warranty seems like a good deal, like you said if its all aluminum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 @Jer has a great (seemed great, maybe it was just new) aluminum 3ton jack that we borrowed a few times at Road America. I can’t remember the brand though. At harbor freight quality, I think if you go overkill on the specs (3 ton jack for a 1 ton car) it will greatly outlive a 1.5 ton jack in the same application. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Huggy said: This one appears to be what HF copied to make the 1.5 ton. It is about 2x the price of the HF 1.5 ton version. I will gladly pay if it still matches the older HF design with all aluminum components. The failure is two fold, the universal joint connecting the handle and the release mechanism, and the seals internal to the cylinder. My second one only lifts the jack in the bottom 25 degrees of so of handle travel. I had the same failure mode. It turned out that it just needed bled. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 32 minutes ago, enginerd said: @Jer has a great (seemed great, maybe it was just new) aluminum 3ton jack that we borrowed a few times at Road America. I can’t remember the brand though. At harbor freight quality, I think if you go overkill on the specs (3 ton jack for a 1 ton car) it will greatly outlive a 1.5 ton jack in the same application. That jack is five years old, but a low profile aluminum jack 3 tons that is simply the best. I'm not sure where it came from, my kids bought it for me for Christmas. I believe they paid $200 so it's likely not a harbor freight jack. I love it. Get's under my lotus too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhr650 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 This is the original that they all copied. You won’t like the price even for this low cost sportsman version. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Brunnhoelzl-3-Pump-Aluminum-Racing-Jack,68778.html?sku=91082365&utm_medium=CSEGoogle&utm_source=CSE&utm_campaign=CSEGOOGLE&gclid=CjwKCAjw6-_eBRBXEiwA-5zHaWGNzQl0R0ReNveOhm_5hef6PPInkdKBBkozmJYrNpE9UWtU8xLghBoCWjcQAvD_BwE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 Home Depot has some jacks that might work- this is a Torin Big Red- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-1-5-Ton-Compact-Aluminum-Floor-Jack-T815005L/100594340?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100595077-_-100594340-_-N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillar K Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 (edited) We use this one. Works well. Only takes 4 pumps to get to full lift height. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnr-5150085/overview/ 1 -1/2 ton model. https://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/ranger-products/product-line/ranger-1-1-2-ton-quick-jacks?autoview=SKU&ibanner=SREPD5 Edited November 2, 2018 by KGRacing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead_42 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 My Jegs jack is 6 years old, used as service jack at home and over the wall at the track... barely heavier than the HF 1.5ton, much lighter than their 3 ton. https://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS/JEGS-Professional-Low-Profile-Floor-Jacks/1715510/10002/-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee mcoppola Posted November 2, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 2 hours ago, enginerd said: I can’t remember the brand though. In other words, you don't know jack... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wittenauer Racing Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 Do you store it horizontally or in one of those vertical pitpal carriers? Seems like everyone that has the HF jack in the pitpal style holder talks about bleeding issues/only the lower 1/3rd of the pump doing anything... Big thing I found on our HF units is to snug up all the hardware on a regular basis, but I doubt that will help yours at this point.... Are the skid plates listed on the Jeg's unit any good? I've seen those before, was debating fabbing one up for the HF unit that lives in my trailer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Ray Franck Posted November 2, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 (edited) I have the three ton HF and have never had an issue other than some of the bolts backing out . After some thread locker and a good tighten up no problems and I sure havent given it any love actually have beat the hell out of it in junk yards ,tracks and the shop . Had it about 6 years . Edited November 2, 2018 by Ray Franck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jab31169 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 31 minutes ago, KGRacing said: Only takes 4 pumps to get to full lift height. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee mcoppola Posted November 2, 2018 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 @Jab31169 is starting to rival @red0 as the meme/gif king! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jab31169 Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 4 minutes ago, mcoppola said: @Jab31169 is starting to rival @red0 as the meme/gif king! I dont know if I can ever take that place, but I'll damn sure try 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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