air hydraulic jacks?

[Supermike]

Just curious what you guys think of the hydraulic bottle jacks that hook up to your air compressors? Do they work pretty well?

I ask because Harbor Freight has this one for $70 right now, which seems to be a steal for a 20-ton jack! By comparison, a 20-ton at Sears is $279! It looks like better quality, obviously, but worth $210 more? Also, while the minimum height on the Sears jack is about 3/4" lower, the max height is nearly 1-3/4" lower.

20 ton maximum load capacity; Minimum height: 10-1/4"; Maximum height: 20" with screw extension, 16-1/4" without screw extension; Operating pressure: 90-120 PSI; Ram travel: 6-1/2"; Overall base dimensions: 9"L x 5-3/16"W; Air fitting: 1/4" NPT with quick release

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=95553

Also found this one for a similar price, which looks more like the one Sears sells (I know they don't make all their own stuff):

http://www.mytoolstore.com/astro/asthyd01.html

Here are a few others I've seen, including the sears ones:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=41487
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=94487
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... dffidfno.0

[Thunderfoot]

I too hope someone has info on these as I have thought of getting one of the HF ones to lift my 1ton CC dually. I get tired of pumping that handle on the manual 20ton jack I have, it moves real slooooow per pump...

[72hiboy4x4]

I have one of these, bought it at a tool sale for like $100.00.
I use it almost exclusively at the shop, but it does have its limitations.
It uses a LOT of air, but will lift anything I need it to.
Little limited on versatility and the lift isn't that great (mulitiple lifts to jack up the Jeep high enough to work on the axles)

But it is the only one I have used, other than my Hilift jack...Can't live without it!

[hardtailjohn]

I have a pair of them and LOVE them!! I use them for setting the crusher and it's sooooooo much nicer than having to pump that handle!!!!
JH

[Supermike]

Thanks for the feedback! Now the question is, is Sears really worth that much more, or are you paying $200 for the name?

[theskytoucher]

We use them at work (tire store)all the time on the semi's and they work great!!!!!!! just remember when jacking anything up to put the jack stands underneath!!!!!

[Thunderfoot]

Cool I think I will be getting one myself from the local HF before winter, when I need to change my wheels again. I've gotten some of there floor jacks before and they work fine and you can't beat the price on the jack stands when they are on sale

[Thunderfoot]

Dustin,
You got a picture, or a link, or something as to what these Mechanical house jacks look like? So I know what to look for… Thanks!

[averagef250]

Here's one on evilbay... There are several styles, but this is the best one I've found. http://cgi.ebay.com/TWO-WAY-15-Ton-SIMP ... dZViewItem

Another cool thing is they work in any direction. On thier side, upside down, doesn't matter.

If you run across one at a garage sale for $20 don't let it slip by!

[Thunderfoot]

Thanks Dustin, I’ll keep an eye out for one