10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HI LIFT JACK FROM KILLING YOU

A high lift jack (Hi Lift Jack) can be very dangerous if used incorrectly. I've seen a number of stories online about people getting seriously injured and even getting killed by "farm jacks". In this video I want to explore some different strategies that can help keep you safe and even keep you alive. I think the high lift jack is a powerful tool. With the right techniques and precautions this tool can help you get back on the trail so you can continue on your adventure. Enjoy the video and share some of this info with a friend so we can help restore the reputation of the farm jack! Enjoy the video!

(Amazon Affiliate Links)
BARNES 4WD COUPON CODE: "dirtlifestyle" 10% off

*Shirts & Hats on our website!!*

Follow me on social media!!

DISCLAIMER:
Due to factors out of the control of Dirt Lifestyle, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Dirt Lifestyle assumes no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Dirt Lifestyle recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Dirt Lifestyle. Be safe!
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission.
#overland #hiliftjack #overlanding

[danielfriel]

Safety bolt is a brilliant tip! Can't believe this is the first place I've heard it. 👍

[billp]

Your vids are tremendous!! I am 51 and have used this jack all my life. However it was called a "Handi-Man-Jack" back before I was a young farm boy in Indiana. It is great for stretching fence, lifting barn walls, pulling calves, lifting trailer hitches, spreading frozen barn doors and etc. You are doing a great service to tell people of its awesome uses, and its drawbacks. Just like any other tool, it must be respected!!!!

[PaulKaiser]

Such a great video!! I treat my hi lift like it wants to kill me and it’s kept me alive!! 😉😉

[chisum]

I have used these tools for over 25 years NOT always the "correct way". To ME WD40 is the best, it lubes, it blasts dirt mud and crud out of the jack. These jack's dont like being dirty or dry. Dad always told me to respect this bleeping thing, I always have, I'm still here and intact

[nothingtoseaheardammit]

If I could kindly recommend another important point. Make sure that the hilift model you're using is adequately weight rated for your vehicle - especially when swapping jacks between trail buddies. There's footage out there somewhere, if a hi lift violently snapping in half and striking the operator while trying to jack up the tail end of a H1.

[jake-mvoi]

It was the time I had to use a high lift as a winch that prompted me to buy a proper winch. It worked but I never wanted to do it again... few hundred feet of bogged out clay trails 5' at a time.

[krover]

Note about pulling the E brake. Its good practice to first put the vehicle in Neutral, pull the ebrake, then release the foot brake. That puts all the load on the parking brake and not the parking pawl. (Tiny pin in the transmission) Then you can put it in park. Its especially important in heavy vehicles parked on a slope!

[fzj]

Hi lifts are also great on trailers, honestly used them more with trailers than the vehicle. Changing tires, unhitching the trailer, or winching it sideways to make it around a tight corner. Also definitely good practice to tear down a hi lift and know how it goes together so you're not learning on a trail when you suddenly need to repair your last resort.

[lednumaaron]

If you have a High Lift with a big base I would drill holes in the base and use tent stakes through them to keep the bottom from coming out from under you.

[benmudn]

The Hi-lift can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on how you use it. I have the scar to prove it. Thanks for the video!

[christopherwilson]

You havent really owned a high lift until somebody screams at you and calls the cops because you have an assault rifle bolted to your rig.

[RunDub]

I consider a Hi Lift to be in the same category as an axe or a chainsaw... a super versatile tool, that you shouldn’t use if you haven’t been taught how to do so. It’s not inherently “unsafe, ” but used carelessly, it’ll kill ya. Good video, Nate. Never a bad idea to reinforce the basics.

[graybeard]

Thank you for a truthful look at a hi-lift. At 71, I grew up using one as soon as I could carry it and had the grunt to work it. Bottle jacks are great, unless they blow a seal, and I used them as well. Bottom line is they are like any other tool, you need the right jack for the right problem - and need to know how to use which ever you use. Can a hi-lift hurt you, YES it can, but I’ve seen an axle slip off a bottle jack. Anything we do has the potential to hurt us. Proper training and refraining from adult beverages until after we are finished for the day goes a long way to keep us safe.

[heartsky]

Lot's of stories of people getting injured by a hi-lift. I've been brained by that handle and boy I never let that happen again. Mucho respect around those contraptions, extra careful. Nate you did a good job on the warnings.

[michaelwier]

Excellent video on a subject that is rarely talked about. Thank you.
One safety item that everyone has but is seldom used....common sense.

[johncortese]

Great lessons learned here. I ended up in the ER due to my risk taking with one of these. I even told my buddy that what i was doing wasn't a safe but said screw it It will be fast and ended up with a blow to the head. Thank you.

[brisonpalmer]

In Kansas we call these farm jacks or tractor jacks . Learned how to use one on the farm when I was young they do work great for jacking up large tractors.

[Cornbreadthejeep]

I learned the danger of a hilift from a very young age,
When i was 8 or 10 my dad let me let his jeep down off the hilift and expected me to hang on and well, i didn't lol
I got a fat lip busted nose and eye socket and i had to have a couple stitches and i was super lucks, my dad still feels super bad for it, but its a lesson learned and i know to teach my kids to be careful around them.
Awesome video ive really been enjoying the content.

[RockMauler]

Sound deductive reasoning is required to safely use this jack. This skill is not optional with this tool. Great job Nate.

[Antonian]

Great video, used these jacks on the ranch for over fifty years, changing tires, breaking beads, tightening barbed wire, and even used them to help cows during the birthing season. They are a must have tool.