QUALITY Floor Jack! Need a New One - Recommendations?

[David Ward]

I'm leaning towards the one I previously posted (Arcan Quick Lift), as it has good reviews:

I came across an ad in this mornings paper for Northern Tool and they're offering this jack for $99.99.  I really like the low profile of this jack and can see it being much nicer to work with around my garage (low vehicles).  Might be an early Christmas present for me.   I suspose I can hand down my old green Craftsman jack to my son.  Every man's garage needs a floor jack and he doesn't have one yet.    

[John P]

David,

That was my second choice, and the price is attractive.

I'd love to read my real life experiences with it, however...

J

[Donny B.]

I was in Costco yesterday and they had the Arcan for $99, but it was red.  Looks pretty good.  I have a Lincoln (made in USA) that I bought at Costco about 10 years ago.  It has served me well.

[John P]

UPDATE: I used the jack last weekend on my Mini Cooper to change out the summer wheels and tires for winter ones and bleed the brakes.

My overall impression is good so far. A few highlights:

- The front of my Mini is really low, thanks to the apron, and the ability to get a long, low jack deep under the front and lift the entire front end in 6 pumps was a bonus. No ramps, no smaller jack to get it started, no trying to get under the car from the side in my very narrow, tiny garage.

- Ditto from the rear of the car, where the jack's depth made it easy to reach the cross member without the jack handle hitting the bumper when raising it.

- To repeat an earlier impression, the jack took two hands and my back to get the car up - a little more effort than I expected - but the Mini is much heavier than my Beetle or early 911. And I'm weak.  

- The downward release motion is very smooth, free of jitters or dramatic drops.

- The jack is wide and very stable, both during raising and at max height. There was absolutely no side-to-side movement, which was confidence inspiring. This will be a plus when installing an engine.

- Despite it's considerable weight, it was no big deal swinging it around the garage. You simply don't bother to pick it up, that's all.

- And despite its size and length, it's surprisingly easy to use in my tiny garage. The ability to raise the entire front or rear of the car from a central location (vs. having to raise from each side) makes life easier.

- The jack plate is very wide, which should hold the oil sump plate nicely during an engine change and be stable.

I'm currently storing it on all four wheels, with the handle removed, next to my workbench. I then have my large used oil recycling container sitting on top of it. It fits well there - space is a premium in my garage - but I still plan to contact the manufacturer to see if I could store it on its end.

No leaks yet, and I'm happy so far. My jacks get episodic use, and I've read that it's important to pump them up a few times on a regular basis to ensure that the seals and pumps get lubed, as this will reduce the chance of leaks.

Now I just need to find a reason to pull an engine to try it out.  

Cheers,

J

[John P]

UPDATE:

I finally got to use it to pull the engine due to a noisy gland nut bearing (it had been getting worse over the years). The jack was a pleasure to use.

I was able to get the rear of the car up very high, without the use of helper blocks etc., enabling me to clear the fanshroud (under the apron) with the engine sitting on the jack (which included the extra height of the added 1.5 liter deep sump).

And despite the fact that the car was "ass high," I was able to get the low rise jack under the front beam without having to first raise the front end (and it was very low). This enabled me to get the front up to almost match the height of the rear, which makes it easier to get the correct angle for inserting the input shaft into the engine. It was nice to not have to lower the rear once the engine was under the apron.

The jack was very easy to use, and most importantly, no leaks (touch wood)! My wife operated it while I guided the engine.

So far, so good, and I can recommend it. NOTHING beats having the right tools.

Cheers,

J 

[David Ward]

NOTHING beats having the right tools.

Indeed. 

Glad it worked so well for you.