Floor jack recommendations please...

[schv]

I've been looking for a high quality floor jack, 4 tons, with at least 22" or so of lift. I looked at Craftsman Pro and their reviews are horrible - hydraulic failure after only a few uses. I'd like to keep the price at or under $300 each (I need two) and I would prefer to buy one from a store as opposed to online. So far I'm coming up blank.



Any ideas?

 

[Grizzly]

I have a 3 1/2 ton Lark from Costco. I've used it a bit and it's been great. Good price also.

 

[GCroyle]

I bought a NAPA set this past January, 3 1/2T raised height is right at 20". Works just fine so far. It replaced a 30 year old Sears, I looked at Sears to get a replacement, I was disappointed. NAPA might have a jack/jackstand combo also.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I bought a jack/jackstand combo from Tractor Supply. Seems to be working pretty decent thus far

 

[Regcabguy]

Costco.

I've got a Costco special too. It's holding so far.

 

[rbattelle]

I've have this Craftsman since 2003. I've never had any trouble with it.



I have only 2 complaints. First, the pad is a little small. Second, the spring in the pin that holds the handle in the jack body is a little weak, so sometimes when picking the jack up by the handle it will pop out.



Ryan

 

[metal tech]

I have 2 cheaper jacks at home with one being a 2-1/2 ton Omega. It strains to lift the front of my 01 3500. I did some research @ Hydraulic Jacks Home Page and decided that spending $$ was my only solution. I now own a Norco 71300A 3 ton jack. It weighs 160+lb and lifts to 24", it lifts the front of my 01 with no straining. I know you said $300 each, so search the internet auctions, local garages going out of business sales, ect and you may find the long frame 5/10 ton jacks cheap. The Norco ran me $400 and I found a distributer in-state that was great to deal with. Al

 

[donnier]

I got a 3 ton from Pep BOys that seems to work pretty good with my 2500.

Got 6 ton jack stands from Harbor Freight.

Only prob is now that Iv got a MH and need a heavier floor jack.

 

[Grizzly]

I got a 3 ton from Pep BOys that seems to work pretty good with my 2500.

Got 6 ton jack stands from Harbor Freight.

Only prob is now that Iv got a MH and need a heavier floor jack.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY donnier.

 

[KevinSmith]

The mines afround here have been buying the Carquest Auto brand. I picked one up and it lifted the service truck up alright.

 

[donnier]

TY Grizzly

Actually for me it was a milestone.

Turned 60.

 

[schv]

Well, I ended up getting a 3. 5 ton NAPA that was on sale (reduced from $399 to $274). I decided to get only one for now and see how it holds up before buying another one. The NAPA unit is VERY well made and extremely heavy duty compared to the ones I looked at at Sears and at Costco. I won't get to really try it out this weekend though because I'm going to an NFL game today (Ravens/Raiders).

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[Grizzly]

Well, I ended up getting a 3. 5 ton NAPA that was on sale (reduced from $399 to $274). I decided to get only one for now and see how it holds up before buying another one. The NAPA unit is VERY well made and extremely heavy duty compared to the ones I looked at at Sears and at Costco. I won't get to really try it out this weekend though because I'm going to an NFL game today (Ravens/Raiders).



Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

What's wrong with Sears and Costco? I've used my Costco a ton of times without a hint of a problem and it cost about $60. How can NAPA be better that. After all, they're all made in China, most likely by the same manufacture.

 

[schv]

What's wrong with Sears and Costco? I've used my Costco a ton of times without a hint of a problem and it cost about $60. How can NAPA be better that. After all, they're all made in China, most likely by the same manufacture.

I read the reviews of new Sears jacks on the Sears web site - person after person complaining about using the jack once or twice and then having total hydraulic failure, oil all over their floor, etc. No thanks.

I looked at the Costco jacks in person. They do not in any way compare to the HD NAPA jacks - weight, metal thickness, rebuildable pump, visible quality differences, and the fact that I've seen cheap jacks fail before and I don't want it happening to me.

NAPA has several different grades of jacks, some of which are cheaper and are made in China. Not sure where the one I bought was made, but it is easy to see that it is of much higher quality and better designed for strength than the cheaper units.

You get what you pay for. I don't like lousy tools, especially jacks.

 

[Grizzly]

I read the reviews of new Sears jacks on the Sears web site - person after person complaining about using the jack once or twice and then having total hydraulic failure, oil all over their floor, etc. No thanks.

I looked at the Costco jacks in person. They do not in any way compare to the HD NAPA jacks - weight, metal thickness, rebuildable pump, visible quality differences, and the fact that I've seen cheap jacks fail before and I don't want it happening to me.

NAPA has several different grades of jacks, some of which are cheaper and are made in China. Not sure where the one I bought was made, but it is easy to see that it is of much higher quality and better designed for strength than the cheaper units.

You get what you pay for. I don't like lousy tools, especially jacks.

I stopped by NAPA today and looked at their $381, 3. 5 ton floor jack and a cheaper one for $274. Neither one looked any better then my Costco 3. 5 ton Lark floor jack for less then 1/6 the price. The weight was the same. NAPA does have a lifetime warranty. However, Costco merchandise can be returned anytime, 10, 20, 30 years* later as long as you have your receipt and if you don't they can look you up on their computer. By the way, NAPA floor jacks are also made in China.



No, you don't always get what you pay for.



* excludes some electronics items such as cameras, TV's, Ipods and so on.

 

[schv]

My local Costco had all the jacks they show on their web site, and none of them were $60. They had a Torin 3 ton jack at $94 that was visibly inferior to the one I ended up buying. It was not just cheaper in price, it was obviously not as well made. No way.





This is the one I bought for $274 - unfortunately pictures aren't the same as looking at them in person...



This is the Torin from Costco



And HERE is Costco's complete line up of lifting equipment.



Since Costco didn't publish the weight of the jack, I checked out Northern Tool's website for the exact same jack as the one at Costco (model T83002). The dimensions are very similar to the NAPA jack, but it's 84lbs vs 112 lbs for the NAPA jack, but that may because the NAPA jack is a 3. 5 ton vs 3 ton.



Not sure how long ago you bought your jack, but right now they have nothing that compares to the NAPA jack I bought...

 

[Grizzly]

My local Costco had all the jacks they show on their web site, and none of them were $60. They had a Torin 3 ton jack at $94 that was visibly inferior to the one I ended up buying. It was not just cheaper in price, it was obviously not as well made. No way.





This is the one I bought for $274 - unfortunately pictures aren't the same as looking at them in person...



This is the Torin from Costco



And HERE is Costco's complete line up of lifting equipment.



Since Costco didn't publish the weight of the jack, I checked out Northern Tool's website for the exact same jack as the one at Costco (model T83002). The dimensions are very similar to the NAPA jack, but it's 84lbs vs 112 lbs for the NAPA jack, but that may because the NAPA jack is a 3. 5 ton vs 3 ton.



Not sure how long ago you bought your jack, but right now they have nothing that compares to the NAPA jack I bought...

I do agree with you on the new Costco floor jack. It is no where the same jack I purchased many years ago at Costco, which is a Lark brand and it is a 3 1/2 ton and is about the same size and weight as the 3 1/2 ton floor jack I saw yesterday at NAPA for $381. 00. At the time my jack cost $59. 99. Both are made in China. I didn't know that Costco currently has a smaller jack than the one I purchased because they had the Lark for many years.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Hein-Werner Automotive HW93652 3 Ton Service Jack



This is the one I have. Made in USA and excellent quality. You do get what you pay for. I have a cheapie chinese one I use for lighter work such as my lawnmower, 4 wheeler and smaller vehicles, but this Hein Werner one will lift my trucks with ease. I bought their USA made safety stands also.

 

[Grizzly]

Hein-Werner Automotive HW93652 3 Ton Service Jack



This is the one I have. Made in USA and excellent quality. You do get what you pay for. I have a cheapie chinese one I use for lighter work such as my lawnmower, 4 wheeler and smaller vehicles, but this Hein Werner one will lift my trucks with ease. I bought their USA made safety stands also.

The Hein-Werner Floor Jack is nice, but at a cost of $499. 99 at Northern Tools and other tool stores. It may be okay if you happen to own a Discount Tire Store and use it 50 times a day.



Meanwhile I'll just stick with my, "cheapie chinese", floor jack from Costco. It has worked flawlessly every time I've used it in the past 13 years and I have a truck, two cars, a 5th wheel and a 16' tandem axle utility trailer. All of which I rotate tires as recommended.

 

[Dieselnut59]

The Hein-Werner Floor Jack is nice, but at a cost of $499. 99 at Northern Tools and other tool stores. It may be okay if you happen to own a Discount Tire Store and use it 50 times a day.

Meanwhile I'll just stick with my, "cheapie chinese", floor jack from Costco. It has worked flawlessly every time I've used it in the past 13 years and I have a truck, two cars, a 5th wheel and a 16' tandem axle utility trailer. All of which I rotate tires as recommended.

Bought it after searching around for a USA made one for a couple months. If we do not support our country's manufacturers, who will? I try to buy made in USA products whenever I can. Ever heard of antique goods that were made in China? They do not last long enough to pass on to children or grandchildren and they go to support a country that hates us. I would prefer to pay extra, get superior quality and support our own country, its companies, workers and economy whenever there is a choice to do so. That being said, I was given the "cheapie" jack. It is about 12 years old and has been nearly flawless since I took the wheels off, sanded and lubed the shafts and reinstalled them and replaced an o-ring at the pump piston. Replacement parts are usually not available for chinese products either.
Remember, the original poster said he was looking for a HIGH QUALITY floor jack. I have never seen anything made in china that would pass as "high quality"!
The Hein Werner jacks are high quality and you get what you pay for.
We have 7 forklift jacks at work and they are around $700 each, made in USA. We sell them to customers also and have a "discount" chinese built one. The china ones NEVER last and we tell the customers right up front, yet some want to be "cheap". Some people have to learn the hard way... . You get what you pay for!