Whether going solo or taking on an off-road expedition with pals, the recovery and rescue gear you pack matters.
From soft shackles and recovery points to boards and hoists, the right recovery equipment can get you out of some pretty sticky situations. For vehicles with higher clearance, there is another recovery essential that shouldn’t be overlooked. So, what do you need to know about the Hi-Lift jack?
What exactly is a Hi-Lift jack?
A Hi-Lift jack is a mechanical jack that has been specifically designed and developed to lift high clearance vehicles or makes and models sporting larger tyres.
With other jack types – including hydraulic bottle and scissor jacks – falling particularly short when it comes to the job of lifting these vehicles, the Hi-Lift jack’s human-operated ratcheting system delivers results fast. They’ve been used in the 4WD market for more than a century, giving 4×4 and pickup truck owners the means to lift with ease.
Also referred to as the farm or handyman jack, its long, vertical design and sturdy, secure sliding mechanism means it has countless uses beyond the lifting of heavy, high clearance vehicles – but more on that later!
Which high-lift jack is best for my vehicle?
You don’t have to search too far to find a premium Hi-Lift jack that’ll work wonders for you and your vehicle during a heavy rescue. For the original and best, choose a jack from world-leading brand Hi-Lift.
Accessible in several heights, Hi-Lift jacks are well known for being the most versatile on the market, and the best farm and commercial jacks on the planet. With accessories such as jacking points and straps, you can jack and lift, winch, and clamp to your heart’s content. It’s one of the reasons why it is used for heavy rescue, extrication, forced entry, stabilisation and shoring, and much more.
On top of all this, the firefighter-designed tool is super simple to use, providing a recovery must-have you can rely on across a wide range of scenarios. Our Hi-Lift jacks are even compatible with factory bumpers along with a range of underbody guards and aftermarket bumpers.
How should I use my Hi-Lift jack?
With our fully tested, rated, vehicle-specific recovery solution, you can rescue your 4WD from the most remote setting. Like any jack however, a Hi-Lift jack must be used with care and across the right applications.
While useful in a wide range of scenarios, a Hi-Lift jack generally shouldn’t be used when changing tyres or working under the vehicle. Lifting a wheel or extracting a vehicle that has become stuck is however a situation where a Hi-Lift jack should be called upon. It can even be used as a manual winch as MotorTrend explains:
“One of my favourite ways to use the Hi-Lift is as a manual winch. Yes, most of my rigs have a power winch on the front, but sometimes you need a second winch or to pull in a different direction than the front-mounted winch is able to do. One of the most common recoveries we perform is pulling up a vehicle that has slid sideways off of the edge of a shelf road.”
Whether lifting, winching, clamping and spreading, or pushing, putting safety first and taking the time to maintain your jack – with regular cleaning, lubrication and proper storage – is crucial.
Ready to find the Hi-Lift jack for you? Shop our Hi-Lift jacks right here.
