Lifting Equipment Which style
Submitted: Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 13:34
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irish127
Hi all, Just came back from a trip up to
Lancelin(narrow neck)
Took my 16ft Jayco on road van over some pretty big sand dunes. Got stuck up on top thanks to my brother,but we manage to get out with help from a bloke with a hi jack lift.
My question is I'm now looking a purchasing either a hi jack lift or a exhaust style lifting bag and maxtraxs.
Has anyone use either or both and what are some of the advantages and disadvantages.
Reply By: Member - Richard H (NSW) - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 14:24
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 14:24
I had a high lift jack given to me as an appeasement from ARB.
They are quite heavy, and in my opinion should only be used in certain applications, that is, where the lifting bar can be secured to the object being lifted, and where there is no danger of it slipping. ARB do sell attachments that work on their bull bars, and there is a chain type attachment that fits onto the wheels. I have never seen one of these used & I don't know how good they are.
I once had a SWB Landrover fall off one, and it nearly got me, so I am extremely wary of using a high lift, or any other type of jack.
However, you do see a lot of them about, and they are quick to do the job.
The exhaust style lifting bag works
well and though I didn't own it, I have used one, and found it good for the conditions we were under and the job it had to do. But they have their applications.
Personally, I use a good quality, hydraulic jack made in the USA. It cost a few bob, and it is rated much higher than the Chinese or Indian jobs, and will lift anything that I'll ever own.
No doubt other readers will offer their view.
AnswerID:
359992
Reply By: Bushed-Tracker - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 14:25
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 14:25
You can winch with the hilift but it is slow and you need to use a chain so you can keep shortening up. They are great lifting
tools but you really need properly installed jacking points and a good wide foot pad - otherwise damage to the bodywork could become an issue - they fall over easily if not properly prepared.
The other negative is their weight. You can also use it as a giant clamp.
I like the exhaust Jacks and i recently gave a away the hilift jack in favour or an exhaust jack - but I do have a winch on the vehicle and a full set of recovery gear plus two other jacks.
They can be slid into narrow spaces under a bogged vehicle that would require digging to get a normal jack in - they are quick and much lighter than a hilift jack.
As with any such device - dont trust them and never get underneath with proper axle stands in place.
B-T
AnswerID:
359993
Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 17:08
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 17:08
Hi irish127,
Hi-lifts can be VERY dangerous. Any chance that you can meet up with some one who has (and uses) one so that you can see the pros & cons. You also need some body strength and agility to use one. A local 4wd club may be able to help with this. You can break your jaw or a lot worse in an instant if you do things wrong and they can be very unstable if you do not have a proper location point to lift from.
An air bag is simple, light weight and relatively safe to use but... You need a good exhaust system - no holes or broken outlet - which could prevent a pressure seal being maintained at the funnel pick-up. Also, will the supplied inflation hose be long enough to get to the point on your van where you want to use the jack ? Some air bags have dual inflation inlet points, you can use either exhaust or a 12 volt compressor tyre pump.
.
AnswerID:
360026
Reply By: MAVERICK(WA) - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 19:08
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 19:08
Use and carry both (+ a hydraulic bottle jack - overkill??). Both easy to use and have + and - in certain applications. caused much merriment when i first used an exhaust bag at a training day and was covered in diesel soot when I disconnected the hose - you learn. i have heard about them being used and causing the vehicle to roll - maybe but that may be a bit of an urban myth (should that be bush myth???). The hi-lift jack has been around for a long time and is a very good tool if used wisely and safely. have used
mine in water and rocks and no problems - but have also seen a very neat and precise hole in the rear door of an 80series when one let go. also saw the reults down the side of a patrol where one shaved the rh rear guard. it wouldn't take much to cause a pretty impressive injury. have also done the lift and push over to get out of mud ruts and for that it was excellent. give a club a call and they will steer you towards some form of demo or maybe training. just make sure before you need to use whatever you get have a go when it is nice and cool and daylight and even, flat ground - you can bet everything when you need to use it it will be hot/freezing/wet/windy/dark/horrible. rgds
AnswerID:
360047
Follow Up By: Wayne's 60 - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 20:52
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 20:52
G'day Mav,
I remember the soot episode and I didn't think was at all funny ........................ Honest .................. not at all ..... lol
Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.
FollowupID:
627948
Reply By: Wayne's 60 - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 21:11
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 21:11
Hi Irish,
As indicated above, all have their disadvantages and advantages and particular applications. You don't indicate your vehicle type which could also have an influence on application. Be advised that some turbo diesels are unsuitable to inflate the exhaust bag, the extra back pressure on the turbo apparently can cause problems. If you want a good indicator of how "easy" the bag is to use ......... ask the sales person to demonstrate it on your vehicle ............ in the car park ............. and make your decision on that. Many modern vehicles have nowhere that can be used as a suitable lifting point .............. only added front and rear bar work might have addition and suitable points. Hydraulic jacks, not OE, will help in many situations too and I am still trying to get a hold of a Mitsubishi Owners Club inovation called the " Bloody Good Idea" for more info .......... look up the club site and follow the links.
Max Trax will only be suitable in some situations as
well and each recovery needs to be assessed.
There will be times that nothing short of " a mate with a BIG helicopter" will get you out of trouble and sometimes it is better not to get stuck .. than to have to have the equipment to get out of it. Gee that does sound Irish ... lol......
Happy travelling.
Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.
AnswerID:
360063
Follow Up By: Wayne's 60 - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 21:13
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 21:13
PS. It will also depend on how much trouble you think you will get into ............ and how much money you have to spend on the solution.
Cheers.
W&S.
FollowupID:
627953
Follow Up By: MAVERICK(WA) - Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 19:19
Monday, Apr 20, 2009 at 19:19
Long time - maried life must be treating you both
well. see you may 2nd?????
FollowupID:
628365
Reply By: irish127 - Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 23:02
Friday, Apr 17, 2009 at 23:02
Thank you all that replied. I have a 2005sr toyota hilux 3lt turbo.
Being in the west of this great country we are planning to do a lot of beach driving and going bush up north.The brand we are looking at is the bushranger exhaust jack which can be inflated by exhaust or air compressor.Again thank you all .Safe travelling
Irish
AnswerID:
360079