I keep reading that they are, but wasn't sure if the tendency of people to do stupid things like work under a vehicle supported only by a Hi Lift had contributed to this reputation, and by how much. I'm also a bit leary of the apparent "handle ratcheting rapidly up and down in your face under load" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> issue. I do need to replace my 2 ton come along, though, and had the Hi Lift in mind. Any thoughts? Any injuries?

Guns are dangerous. Cars are dangerous. Popsicle sticks are dangerous. Anything is dangerous in the hands of an idiot.

Personally I've never read any reviews calling the lifts "dangerous". They are a staple item for any 4 wheeler.

Use it correctly and it won't be a problem.

I've heard that HiLifts are dangerous to use if they're not properly lubricated...stuff like slippage and ratcheting happens. I know for a fact that they won't operate properly if not kept oiled.

It's appalling to see all the rusty HiLifts on trucks...

Like Lee said, everything is dangerous, and yes High Lifts are also dangerous. I have a permanent scar on my face from one! The famous handle rachetting back upwards. Making sure the jack is straight, and wont slide, as well as extreme caution when letting something down is criticle. They are nastly suckers, but they can come in awfully handy doing trail repairs, or getting un-high centered off rocks. I also suggest buying the big plastic base. One other caution, I noticed your come along comment. Come alongs are useless for vehicle recovery, and high lifts are not much better, even if you use several at the same time. Be sure you are buying a highlift for the right use.

So those times I used my four ton "come along" to get un-stuck I was hallucinating? (2 tons single pull, 4 tons double)

I agree that in most cases a powered winch would be better, and the cheap little come alongs that you get a Wal-wart are accidents waiting to happen, but a good quality "come along" used properly can be very effective.

Terry

What about using the Hi Lift for pulling?

My friend and I used a Hilift jack to pull the motor out of his 67 firebird. All went well until we went to set it down. The pin did not go in all the way. Dropped the motor from about two feet. Cracked the floor of his garage all the way across.

hi-lift jacks are dangerous and should only be used when absolutely necessary, like for trail repairs or very mild trail extractions. having said that, i have used my hi-lift every time i needed the tires off the ground and i have also used it for a not-so-mild extraction or 2. it also stuck and then let go on me once, luckily there were jack stand under the frame and it only dropped about 3/4 of an inch and i was no where near being under the vehicle. but i often get pretty freaked out how it allows the vehicle to lean and to pivot to one side, especially when i've already positioned the jack-stands under the frame, because i'm afraid of it crashing down on them and punching holes through things like the gas tank and floorboards. just my opinion. heard plenty of references to "the widowmaker" as the hi-lift's nickname.

It just seems to make sense to me to treat anything that can lift 2+ tons up from one side/end to a height of many feet with a great deal of respect and caution.

I wouldn't get under a bottle jack 8" up. Not even a shop-type floor jack. Why would anyone crawl under a Hi Lift? Think about how cock-eyed the rig would be lifted to any height.

As for "widow maker", those same unfortunate souls probably would have found themselves on that "Darwin Page" one way or another...

I think I remember hearing about a High-Lift jack and EricD breaking his leg. But he was carrying it and slipped on some rocks, so that doesn't really qualify.

Never (!) trust any jack! I had a friend in college who had his '78 Trans Am fall on his face (yep), and that left a really nasty scrape.

John B.