HI LIFT JACK WARNING PLEASE READ

[iandouglas]

HI.
I found some info on the use of Hi Lift Jacks.
WHAT i did not realise is how dangerous they can be if not used properly/carefully.
ONE USER TRAPPED HIS LITTLE FINGER.
"The jack pin stuck in due to paint and lack of service/lub.
he jacked up ok then found he was unable to lower the jack .so he used a bottle jack to take most of the weight and then pushed the LR off the jack that was when the jack bit his finger.
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they are talking about how to lower the jack and the possision of the jack handle when changing to the lowering possision.
quote.
That's how I have always done it and how I was taught to do it - handle up against the rack in the vertical position.
BEFORE SWITCHING TO THE LOWERING POSSISION
The logic being that with the handle down the weight may suddenly go on to the handle and make it whack upwards if you haven't got hold of it.
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THIS IS WHAT CAN HAPPPEN WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG.
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The crushing of a little finger was a minor high lifting jack injury.
I spent 15 days in hospital, lost an eye and had facial reconstruction involving metal plates to replace the eye socket.
The jack was dry of lubrication and one of the pins failed to lock in when lowering. The jack dropped to the next pin and as it did so the handle was forced up very violently striking me in the face. It was only due to the attendance of a doctor, an emergency nurse and a paramedic at the event that I survived.
There was nothing machanically wrong with the jack but the owner who knew better used it "just this once" whithout properly lubing it.
My advice to the owner of the "farm" jack is to cut it up throw it away and buy a Hi-Lift or JackAll . These two are well made the cheap replicas are not.
Before each use use lots of good spray lubricant such as Fluidfilm (NOT WD40 which is not a lubricant)
Yes I do still use my jacks but I'm damned caeful now.

SO PLEASE BE VERY VERY VERY CAREFULL .
rgds.iandouglas
John

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

good point, i would have never have thought about the dangers of this, most people you see have them mounted on the spare wheel out in all weathers! so they cant be very well lubed!

 

[dinky]

Ian On utube there are loads of clips showing how to use correctly.Also on hi lift site video clips and downloads.

 

[iandouglas]

hi Dinky.
i got one with my disco ,Ive never used one and the only time ive seen one in use was Mav jacking the maverick up to remove the exhaust on the last Derbyshire lanes Day .I was just flicking through LR4x4 site and found the Hi Lift post didnt realise how dangerous they could be if used incorrectly ,so thought i had better warn others
hence my warning on here .
rgds.iandouglas
ps .
I will look up the Hi Lift web site thanks for the tip.

 

[JonathanM]

They are like all jacks, dangerous if used incorrectly, but unlike a bottle or trolley jack, where common sense dictates you don't get under the vehicle, the nature of hi-lift type jacks means their mechanical action can be pretty dangerous - not to mention that they are pretty unstable at the best of times! I've thought about getting one, but have not, in part because of a lack of suitable jacking points on a Terrano. If I didn't have a tirfor, I'd probably change my mind, but for me an air bag jack 7 a Tirfor cover most eventualities.