Floor Jacks... Preferences?

It's time to get a good floor jack... I've scoured the inter-webs and I think I'm more confused now... I try to buy American, but there aren't many options and they are 2-4x the cost. I almost pulled the trigger on a hein Werner 3 ton but then I discovered that they are foreign owned and "assembled in USA" A quick call to tech support reveals that the frames are China and the cylinder and arm are USA. The same company makes and imports blue point and Omega that come in at 1/2 the price. Not the same but very similar. I really don't want to go harbor freight or big box... I want a one and done purchase, but I also don't need a $500 floor jack. I also don't want to pay $425 for a pseudo USA jack that is riding the coat tails of a good name that they purchased. What do you guys think? I want a 3 ton.

 

I do have to say that just because it is made in china does not mean it is inferior to a USA made product. There are tons of things made in the US that are just shit with poor quality craftsmanship. Your best bet is to find a product that is built to a specification that satisfies you for a price that does as well. If you try to chase a product on the notion that it being made someplase else makes it inferior, youre gonna have to open u your wallet further for that good feeling.

 

Ive been using a harbor freight floor jack for years now....this past winter I finally had an issue where I needed to use it and it didnt go up. It was low on fluid so I added some but its still got air in it but still works.

 

Get a pro eagle a lot of guys love them!!
https://proeagle-products.com/collections/all

 

I have an older Hein-Werner 2 ton. I bought it probably 12 years ago now I think, . I dunno the percentage US-vs-foreign, it might be the same, more or less than now. I figure even if it's only partially US-sourced then that's something. I do try to buy local and domestic but I also realize the hypocrisy of this when working on (at the time) a 100% Japanese truck and now on a truck that while made in California isn't exactly a domestic truck either.

So that said, the 2 ton jack I have is built like a brick shithouse. It's heavier and more burly than what you typically see in so-called 3 and sometimes 5 ton cheaper jacks. It's never once blinked at lifting my truck and so I know it's capable of every ounce of that 2 tons. I would not hesitate to buy another one (assuming things are above board).

Point is, I agree with @WOODEX M.E., base your criteria primarily on quality. Even if my Hein-Werner were 100% Chinese the quality in my experience is top shelf. It's a worthwhile investment. Certainly will outlast me.

 

can't go wrong with the harbor freight snap on killer jack... it has the same specs if not better for a fraction of the price! I just got one a few weeks ago for my leaf spring install, made it a breeze and the thing is stout AF just don't plan on using it as a portable jack lol

 

X3 - Pittsburgh HD 3 ton, Works Great, 75-80lbs. -Heavy as F---- !

 

The Snap on jack was made by shin-fu and is branded by a lot of other companies... Omega is one of them. There are other models, but here is one of them...
https://mobiledistributorsupply.com...glt5xcL_qLUkDfmS_vj_OEgyo4c6U8TAaAuGDEALw_wcB

The big difference comes down to the seals used in them. The hein Werner uses cup style seals and pretty much everyone else uses o-rings. Both systems work, but the cup style have been used for 60+ years. I called and talked to a company that refurbishes them and he said that for weekend warriors anything will work, but the $200 difference is the long life. Is it better than 4 harbor freight jacks? I really don't think so. I still haven't decided, but $250 buys a few more tools. Thanks for all the input guys.

 

I have had a few HF jacks, some years old. I have never had any of them fail on me. A few years ago I switched to a 3 ton racing jack mainly because it's way easier to pick up and carry around. Just last week I had to lift my 550+ Lb bbq onto cinder blocks. I just carried the jack to the back yard and jacked that thing up.

 

I have a Matco (the beast) 3ton floor jack seems to work fine but honestly for the money it’s equal to the $100+ jack I got from auto zone years back. A jack is a jack to a point. Maintain it keep it clean and oiled and relive the pressure when your not using it and it’ll last you forever.

 

HF ftmfw

 

I have a local Hydraulic repair shop going on the third generation now.

Over the years the brand names might change but the customer service never did

I have bought all my floor jacks and bottle jacks and jack stands from them for the last 40 years .

I have had one rebuilt that was the first one I bought about 1976 just worn out.

I now have 3 Floor jacks floating around for at least the last 10 years.

If you have that option it might be worth exploring .

 

On a related note, does anyone have the Harbor Freight version of the Hi-Jack? Is it as good as the real thing?

 

Well after talking to a few guys who rebuild floor jacks and hydraulics, I got a hein Werner 3 ton. $425, but they are completely rebuildable and mostly American made. Hopefully this is a one and done, but time will tell

 

Not sure I would trust a Harbor Freight Hi-Lift. I know some guys on here have used the HF version but a Hi-Lift is dangerous enough as it is.

 

Hi lifts are good for pulling fence posts and looking cool on the hood of your jeep.

 

Used mine to pull out a mailbox post that was cemented into the ground.

 

Arcan floorjack for 94.99 at Costco right now.

 

Never had a problem with my HF jack.

 

IMO, The Eagle Pro Talon (~$420 for 1.5 ton; 38lbs) seems sufficient for a Tacoma and already has the base plate (more surface area); so doesn't require that aftermarket plate upgrade (~$100) like all of the other 1.5T units distributed by Harbor Freight. Counting that; the Eagle pro is pretty competitive on price. I admit the price and loss of space is painful; but the safety factor seems way worth it compared to alternatives for me- understood everybody has different values for their build. Understood that its all about your personal values and how you'll use the truck!