How to Use a High-Lift Jack Safely and Effectively

When it comes to vehicle servicing and maintenance, the one tool you can’t do without is the vehicle jack. Workshop owners and car enthusiasts need this all-essential tool to elevate vehicles to work on the underside of the chassis or wheel assembly. There are several different types of vehicle jacks available on the market like scissor jacks, floor jacks, electric jacks, and the robust and powerful pit jacks used exclusively in workshops.

Another iteration of the jack that’s extremely popular with off-road enthusiasts and farm owners is the high-lift jack. It’s a tool that can be used to lift loaded trucks and SUVs high enough to free the wheels from ruts or for emergency repairs in rugged terrain. However, using a high-lift jack can be dangerous if not done correctly. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to use a high-lift jack safely and effectively. Read on!

Necessary Tools and Equipment:

1. High-lift jack: Ensure you have a premium-quality high-lift jack appropriate for your needs.

2. Base plate or jack stand: A sturdy base plate or jack stand provides additional stability on soft or uneven ground.

3. Gloves: Remember, you will be working on vehicle parts prone to radiating heat. Protect your hands at all costs by wearing protective gloves.

4. Bolt-on accessories: Some high-lift jacks come with bolt-on accessories like winches or clamps. Familiarize yourself with these if your jack includes them.

Steps to Using a High-Lift Jack

Step 1: Choose a Safe Location

You’ll probably be using a high-lift jack in an outdoor environment. With controlled environments like a workshop, it’s easier to stay safe while working on heavy vehicles like trucks. You can use pit jacks and hydraulic floor jacks to easily lift vehicles and work on the undercarriage. Class-leading products like Stan Design’s Scorpion Pit Jacks make short work of lifting the heaviest of trucks and armored vehicles. But the outdoor environment is a different beast!

Before using a high-lift jack, make sure you are in a safe location. Clear any obstacles around the area where you plan to lift or winch your vehicle. Ensure the ground is stable and not gravelly and can support the weight of the vehicle easily. Avoid boggy or rocky surfaces if you can help it. And try not to operate your high-lift jack on an inclined surface. If you find the position of your vehicle unsafe for you to operate, look for roadside assistance or professional help.

Step 2: Prepare the High-Lift Jack

Inspect your high-lift jack to ensure it’s in good working condition. Check for any signs of wear or damage. Lubricate the moving parts if necessary. Refrain from using the jack if you come across signs of structural damage. A damaged high-lift jack is a recipe for disaster!

Step 3: Position the Jack Stand or Base Plate

Using a base plate and jack stands with a high-lift jack is always a good idea. It distributes the weight of the vehicle across multiple pressure points and eases the load on the jack. This way your vehicle remains stable, especially on soft or uneven terrain.

Step 4: Identify the Lifting Points

Identify the lifting points on the undercarriage of your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle’s manual for guidance. These points have reinforced metal sheets to prevent any damage to the chassis when lifting the vehicle.

Step 5: Align the Jack with the Appropriate Lifting Point

Slide the nose of the high-lift jack under the lifting point. Ensure the lifting mechanism is properly engaged with it.

Step 6: Pump the Handle

Start pumping the handle of the high-lift jack to raise the vehicle. Keep a close eye on the jack’s progress and make sure it’s lifting evenly. Use slow and controlled movements to prevent vehicle instability and accidents.

Step 7: Secure the Vehicle

It’s advisable to use wheel chocks on the opposite side of the lifting point to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

Step 8: Check Vehicle Stability

Once the vehicle is lifted to the desired height, double-check for stability. Ensure that the high-lift jack is securely engaged with the lifting point and that the vehicle isn’t wobbly.

Step 9: Perform the Necessary Work

With the vehicle safely lifted, you can now perform the required maintenance, or recovery tasks.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

After completing your work, lower the vehicle slowly and carefully by reverse-pumping the high-lift jack.

Step 11: Remove the High-Lift Jack

With the vehicle safely on the ground, remove the high-lift jack, jack stands, and base plate.

Endnote

No matter whether you are buying a pit jack, high-lift jack, or any other variety of the all-essential tool, always choose products manufactured by reputed manufacturers like Stan Design, the best bridge jack, pit jack and floor jack manufacturer in Canada. With products from their lineup, you can rest assured about quality, durability, and safety. It’s your hard-earned money. Only invest in products that will serve you a lifetime.