Hi-Lift Jack 48" All-Cast Jack HL-485

These things haven’t changed much over the last 120 years. It has been a long time since I last used one of these jacks, but I recall the castings being a little bit better quality on the older models. Perhaps that’s just my memory but I recall the cast parts being formed a bit better with tighter tolerances. Maybe that’s just nostalgic thinking. Other than that impression, this jack is the same workhorse it has always been. I wanted the maximum amount of travel for winching operations, so I purchased the 60”, all-cast model. The jack arrived in good condition, and I lubricated it as the manual instructs. I disassembled some of the parts to inspect the jack and lubricate it. I used a little white lithium grease on the reversing latch and the reversing switch cam bar. The other moving parts got a little Ballistol oil. There’s not much to these things and that’s a positive feature – there’s very little to go wrong. After being lightly oiled the jack functioned flawlessly. The main steel bar was well made and as good as any I’ve seen. The holes for the climbing pins were clean, sharp and well formed, the rails were straight and true. It looks like Hi-Lift puts a lot of attention into the quality of that main bar. I was not impressed with the cotter pins used to retain the handle and the base plate. I’ll likely upgrade those components. The top clamp/clevis is attached with a bolt & nut. While the bolt head and nut are ¾” hex and fairly heavy, this setup looks like a potential failure point. The bolt head and nut should have a flange or at least a washer to spread the load more. The entire shank of the bolt is threaded, and it is a loose fit through the top hole in the bar. That hole is the same shape and style as all the other holes for the climbing pins. That bolt should have a non-threaded shank where it passes through the bar and that shank should be a closer fit to that hole in the bar. I suspect the Pittman bolt would shear, as it is designed to for safety, before the top clevis or top clevis bolt failed; but it looks like a potential failure point. All the fasteners appear to be finished with zinc chromate or dichromate (yellow steel), which generally holds up well to weather. The Pittman bolt and nut (which also acts as the shear pin to prevent overloading the jack) has a locking nut to prevent it from backing off on its own. To disassemble the jack, you need TWO each of the following wrenches: ½”, 5/8” and ¾”. Plus, there are a couple of cotter pins that need to be pulled out to remove the handle and base plate. A hammer and punch are required to remove and replace the climbing pins. In a nutshell, if you had spare parts and some hand tools, you could conceivably repair one of these in the field, but you would likely be better served with a second jack. The paint on a tool like this is destined to get worn off during regular use. I don’t get too upset about the initial quality of paint on something that will spend its life in mud, dust, dirt, snow and gravel; but the paint actually looks pretty good right out of the box. I haven’t done any serious work with this jack yet but in some moderate testing, it performed as expected. The 60” (5 foot) model is a bit unwieldy so if you don’t need that extra foot of travel, you can save yourself some bulk and 3 pounds by going with the 48” (4 foot) model. The 60” model comes in at over 31 pounds and that’s before you start hanging chains and rigging hardware on it. The best piece of safety gear to go with these jacks is located between your ears. Use your brain and a Hi-Lift jack can be an extremely versatile and useful tool. Be stupid around it and it can kill or maim you in an instant and it will be nobody’s fault but your own. So, there you have it, a 120-year-old work horse that is still working and doing it at a reasonable cost. UPDATE: After some use, including some serious winching operations and lifting operations, I can report this jack is the same 100% reliable, high quality jack that I've used in the past.

I purchased the Hi-Lift Tractor Jack HL485 48" Hi-Lift Red All Cast Jack several months ago, and I couldn't be happier with its performance on my farm. As a farmer, I needed a rugged and dependable jack that could handle heavy-duty tasks and endure the rigors of farm life. This jack has not only met but exceeded my expectations in every way. Durability: This Hi-Lift tractor jack is built like a tank. Constructed with cast iron components, it exudes strength and durability. I've put this jack through its paces, using it to lift tractors, heavy machinery, and even the occasional stubborn tree stump. It has stood up to all the abuse I've thrown at it without breaking a sweat. The all-cast construction gives me peace of mind that it will last for years to come. Versatility: The 48-inch lifting height is perfect for my needs, allowing me to work comfortably around tractors and other farm equipment. Its load capacity of 7,000 pounds is more than enough for the tasks I tackle on the farm. The two-piece handle and socket are not only durable but also easy to use. It provides a secure grip, making the lifting process smooth and efficient. Safety: Safety is paramount when working on a farm, and the Hi-Lift Tractor Jack doesn't disappoint in this regard. The inclusion of safe-use information stickers with load details and operating instructions on the handle is a thoughtful touch. It ensures that I always use the jack correctly and safely, minimizing the risk of accidents. Finish: The powder-coated finish with zinc-plated hardware not only adds to the jack's durability but also gives it a sleek and professional appearance. Even after several months of heavy use in all weather conditions, the jack still looks brand new. Value for Money: Considering the quality and performance of this jack, the price is more than reasonable. It's a true workhorse that has saved me countless hours of labor and frustration on the farm. In conclusion, the Hi-Lift Tractor Jack HL485 has become an indispensable tool on my farm. Its durability, versatility, and safety features make it a top-notch choice for any farmer or anyone in need of a reliable heavy-duty jack. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a dependable lifting solution that can withstand the toughest conditions. It's an investment that pays off in time saved and peace of mind knowing you have a jack that won't let you down.

Wow, what a wonderful jack. I used it to level a storage building. It's a brute. It was the very same jack as the local stores, but cheaper and fast, free shipping.

I'd give this 10 stars if I could. I love it. I have the 48", it's a bit awkward and will fall over easily, base will kick out if the item moves. The base does have a lot of holes that I could bolt to a far bigger base, but it works well as is. I LOVE the easy ratchet style, ease of lifting to lift height and the choice of slowly lowering a heavy, precarious load or allowing the ratchet mechanism to free fall down. I'm using it to pull up fence posts, lift heavy machinery up onto blocks on a steep incline. It would be easier to use with two people, but this 70 year old, 5'1" woman can manage it fairly easily. I do have to use a light hammer to release the catch pin, but that's no biggie at all. It is heavy to carry, but doable.Seems very rugged. Well worth the $$$...

Update: 10/6/2021 Mine was in fact defective, one of the retaining pins was bent from the manufacture. I had inspected and lubricated as per instructions but if I don’t know how it is supposed to look vs how it looked not sure how I am liable but I am. I bought the repair kit and immediately the release for down worked and I was able to lower. Need to really check on their QC before sending these out. Glad it works so I bumped it up to 4 stars but failure to take responsibility leaves them one star short. I hate posting negative reviews because I love to give a product the benefit of the doubt and people can be nit picky. That being said this product is incredibly sturdy and can lift with ease. I like that they very clearly inform users to lubricate and grease before use. I read the entire manual and greased and lubricated the points that were stated. However I have used it 5 times on 3 different vehicles of different weights (jacking up not winching) weight ranges from 1/2 ton to 2 ton. Every single time it has no problem jacking up but refuses to come down under a load. I switch it into the down position and use positive control while pumping it up and down and it stays in the same location. It can’t be locking up because I see the pins moving. With no load it jacks and releases quickly. I think something is malfunctioning, they claim at >100# load it would step down on the upstroke it has done nothing I have fully extended the bar all the way down and back up and nothing. I had to use another Jack to relive pressure and then it fell. I bought the handle keeper and the extended base. Feel like I wasted $175 and this was all to keep my family from being stranded with our 5th wheel trailers and RV if we get a flat. Bought a trailer buddy at 1/4 of the price and really want the Jack but we will have to see if the company stands by their product or not. I will post an update. Right now I’m not happy though.

I primarily bought this for pulling small stumps, fence posts and general use around the property. Came well packaged and quite quickly. Have not had a lot of time to use it, but pulled most of the pine stumps out pretty well. There are limits as far as how big you can go, but was happy with the results on the ones it could handle. The jack is very heavy and seems well made. There seems to be a bit of a break in period where it begins to free up and operate smoother as you use it more. It also helps to lubricate the mechanism and pins during use to help with this. The paint on mine was flawless when it arrived, and as others have said, yes, it wears /comes off on places where there is metal sliding against metal. I really don't think there is much that can be done about that, and as far as the rest of the paint , it seems fine. If you are buying this to do real work with, it shouldnt be an issue. It's heavy cast iron, and its never going to rust away to nothing. If you're buying this as a fashion accessory for your Jeep's hood, it might be an issue for you.. The only gripe I have, is that not all of the bolts are grade 5, and I feel that on something like this, they should be, even though they are not load bearing. That being said, I think its a very well made, quality tool ,and I would recommend it.

This hi-lift jack is a beast! Folks, I am not getting any younger. I am 71 now and I encountered an unexpected problem. I built a raised garden bed a few years ago. I built it to last using steal and wood with both 2 by 4 and 4 by 4 legs. It was perfectly level when I placed it next to my fence. It is 2 feet off the ground. It is 8 feet long two foot wide and two foot high above the legs. It is filled with dirt and has been very successful when growing plants. The planter sits upon pavers on own side and large rock trim on the other. My neighbor did work on the other side of the fence and it caused the rock on my side to diminish. As a result the planter is starting to twist on one side because the ground is no longer level. This planter is so heavy that I could not lift it and I doubt that several strong young men could not either. This Jack easily lifted the low corner to enable me to level the ground with a 2 by 4 under the short leg and allowed me to reinforce that leg with a 4 by 4. My problem is solved and the cost was less than what a professional would have charged to fix my raised garden. Now, I should warn owners that this Jack is heavy and might cause the user physician harm if users do not follow the safety directions. Before using this product it must be lubricated with the correct lubricant and the user must ensure that it is placed on a level and stable footing before use. This is a lift that is capable of lifting fence posts out of the ground or lifting vehicles to change tires with ease; however, safe use is required to prevent the possibly of injury. If you use this lift properly, following the instructions provided, you will be absolutely amazed at the power and results that this tool provides. Enjoy!

The jack works great and wasn’t scratch up

Excelente calidad, vale la pena pagar la pequeña diferencia de precio con respecto a los gatos chinos, la construccion es muy solida y esta hecho en USA.

Excellent jack. Built a stabilizer base from C-channel that keeps the jack more stable.

Solide und schwer. Sollte lange halten

conforme aux besoins . Attention ce produit n'est pas un gadget il est lourd ,et peut ce révéler très dangereux en cas du non respect des règles de sécurités.

I bought this jack to remove a fence post. Of course it is working but most important is the high quality of this Jack and precise manufacturing. I like it too much so that I would like to buy a floor jack of this brand but they do not produce. I highly recommend this Jack.