Hi-Lift Jack for Regular Maintenance?

[1J4FY]

I occasionally find the Hi-lift useful when working on the Jeep at home. In fact, that is the only place I use it. I can place it on level concrete. I only use it for very short periods of time, with the tires on the Jeep, and treat it with great care. In fact, I've only had it slip off once and dent the door. Good thing it is not noticeable amongst all the other scratches and dents on her.

 

[jjvw]

I can't think of a regular maintenance scenario where I would prefer a HiLift over a floor jack and jack stands.

My experience with neoprene seat covers is that they soak up body sweat and don't like to let go of it. I don't think it made it's way through to the seat though. Not sure how that applies to a HiLift, except I don't want one even if it had a neoprene cover.

 

[jeepins]

I use a HiLift to put on my neoprene wetsuits.

 

[jjvw]

I use a HiLift to put on my neoprene wetsuits.

You'll get hurt doing that!

 

[andy29847]

Since we are having a wide ranging discussion, I’d like to point out that the advertised weight limit of jack stands and car ramps is the sum of the 2 items together. A single 3 ton stand or ramp is good for half the advertised rating.

 

[Juggernaut]

I have found a use for a high lift jack. I regularly use it to break the bead on tires. Foot plate of the sidewall, hook it under a d ring, and jack away. Makes short (and exciting!) work of it. It's a garage tool now, I don't travel with it anymore.

 

[cpwolf]

Somewhat semantics, but it’s correct that Neoprene by design is waterproof and can lose that property, but Jerry can still be correct in function. Wetsuits have a nylon covering that stays wet. It’s usually the reason you can get them on and off. Way old school (from my understanding and that of my buddy who owned a dive shop for 20 years in Cozumel) back in the day people used Talc Powder to get in neoprene that didn’t have a nylon covering.

For a Jack cover, the neoprene would have that cover most likely, and stay wet.

I do not enjoy any longer putting in the wetsuit from the day before on night dives, that nylon cover is chilly Willy!
Lower end dry suits are neoprene, higher end a vulcanized rubber that you can wear a full set of sweats under, I’ve only heard them used by a few guys military, and more from offshore oil rig divers.

 

[Wildman]

Well it comes down to IF you are gunna carry a Hi Lift jack I've found that covering the jack mechanism is a good idea since if the mechanism gets dirty it won't work properly.
While others might not like to use them I have no problem with using a hi lift jack and look at it just like using a chainsaw or a winch. There are safety precautions you need to take as you use any one of them.