Quick Answer: Best Farm Jack
- The Hi-Lift Jack X-TREME jack is our top of the line, all-cast jack that includes many special features
- Unique gold zinc-coated winch/clamp/spreader attachment ensures the greatest rust resistance from extreme use for all the hardware
- Two piece handle and socket is durable and reliable, One position for all winching, clamping, and spreading positions
- Safe use information stickers, including rated load details and operating instructions, affixed to handle
The best farm jack would come with lots of useful features, incredible specifications, and at an affordable price range. It should be well-built and last a long time. But choosing a farm jack is not that simple.
It is very easy to spend your money on the wrong jack if you are not familiar with this tool. To help refine your search, we have gathered a list of some of the best farm jacks out there.
In this post, we will be reviewing them with a comprehensive buying guide on how to choose the best handyman jack.
Best High Lift Jack
What is a farm jack?
A high lift jack (or farm jack) is a piece of equipment used to lift heavy objects.
High lift jacks are typically used on farms to move large pieces of equipment or hay bales. They are pulling posts with farm jack or be used for construction projects or home repairs. From our perspective, they are often used in off-road applications, as they can provide the necessary power and height to lift a vehicle out of a ditch or other difficult situation.
High lift jacks come in many different sizes, some of them are even designed to be portable so that they can be taken with you on your next outdoor adventure. It has a long arm with a small wheel at the end. The wheel rests on the object that you are trying to lift, and the arm pulls the object up.
Best Farm Jack Reviews
Hi Lift HL 484 48″ Farm Jack Review
Hi-Lift Jack Company is one of the best brands when it comes to high-quality jacks. From this prominent brand comes this 48-inch black cast and steel jack.
As the name implies, all of the parts of this high-quality jack are built with cast iron, except for only 4 pieces.
Those 4 pieces are made of stamped steel. This farmers jack comes with a top winch connector clamp, so you will be able to use it as a winch as well. In addition, they use zinc-plated hardware on this jack for durability.
You will like the two-piece handle and socket. It makes the jack very easy to use and you can remove the handle anytime you want to store the jack.
As a safety measure, the Hi-Lift comes with a shear bolt that prevents it from being operational when there is an overload.
Speaking of which, the Hi Lift model HL484 is rated for a lifting capacity of 4660 lbs. or 2114 kg. On top of that, it has a tested load capacity of up to 7000 lbs. or 3175 kg.
Even though this is a high-strength recovery tool, the hi-lift model hl-484 weighs only 28 lbs. The net dimension of these 48 inch farm jacks are 49 x 5 x 10 inches.
It would be ideal for all types of demanding recovery tasks, whether you are clamping, pulling, spreading, winching, lifting, and/or pushing, etc.
At the same time, you are getting excellent build quality with a long-lasting lifespan on this farm jack.
Adding the average customers’ budget into the equation, the HL484 off-road jack would end up being the best farm jack in our review, however, when choosing the best product, we didn’t want the small difference in price to influence our decision.
Its hi lift jack alternative is hi lift model hl 485 or their 36 inch farm jack.
What Previous Buyers Said?
According to most previous buyers, the Hi-Lift Jack HL484 is a workhorse.
They say it is built with high-grade materials, and have liked the use of the shear bolt as a safety feature. A few customers complained that this farm jack rusts very easily.
Other than that, they have praised the ease of use of this product. Few users also liked the two-piece handle of the Hi-Lift HL484 as it is durable and user-friendly.
Pros:
- Easy to use and budget-friendly
- Rugged build quality
- Comes with a shear bolt as an overload protection
- Comes with a two-piece handle
- Zinc plated hardware and powder coat finish
Cons:
- The rust-resistant coating could be better
Review of Hi-Lift Jack XT485 48″ Hi-Lift X-TREME Jack – Winner: the best farm jack
Hi-Lift has so many jacks of high-quality that it is very difficult to not review multiple products on a single review post. Thus, we are talking about another Hi-Lift jack: the ‘XT485 48″ Hi-Lift X-TREME Jack’.
As the name suggests, this is the ‘X-Treme’, in other words, the flagship model of hi lift farm jacks from ‘Hi-Lift Jack Company’. Consequently, it is also one of the most expensive options out there.
This is a 48-inch jack that weighs about 33.1 lbs. The overall dimensions of the jack are 51.2 x 10.5 x 5 inches. Now, this is an all-cast jack, meaning the entire body is made with high-end cast iron.
As a result, it will usually last longer than the previous one. To top all these, it features a gold zinc-coated winch attachment, with the handle also gold-zinc coated.
That means those parts of the jack have very little chance of rusting. The top clamp on this jack is a bit unique as it is full of features. For example, it comes with 7/8 inch shackle holes for non-binding shackle attachments.
Additionally, it has a ⅜ inch chain slot for secure winching, with no hook required. You will also like the cut-out wedge for gripping when spreading.
The top clamp comes with a quick tightening wing-nut and it can be attached at any point on the jack. This top clamp comes with a load capacity of up to 5,000 lbs.
This all-cast Hi-Lift jack has a lifting capacity of up to 7000 lbs. or 3175 kg. It also features a removable two-piece handle.
If the high price is not an issue and you are looking for a high-end farm jack that will serve you for years, then the ‘XT485 48″ Hi-Lift X-TREME Jack’ is the way to go. There is no question about it that this is the best farm jack.
However, if you can’t afford to go for the priciest option on the market, then perhaps the HL484 will be the one for you. Please see our HL484 off-road jack review above.
What Previous Buyers Said?
This jack is one of the most popular farm jacks among past buyers. The majority of buyers praised the ease of use and the power it offers while operating.
They have also complimented the inclusion of a gold-plated top clamp. Additionally, most of them stated that it is built ruggedly and if you are using it properly, it can handle anything.
Pros:
- Comes with a gold and zinc-coated top clamp
- It features a two-piece handle
- Rugged build quality
- Cut-out wedge for gripping when spreading
- Quick-release pin for removing the foot piece easily
Cons:
- The jack is not totally rustproof
Review of Hi-Lift Jack HL604 60″ Hi-Lift Black Cast and Steel Jack
The third farm jack on our list is also from Hi-Lift Jack Company. It is almost similar to the first High-Lift jack we have reviewed above. However, it is a large one as it is a 60-inch high-lift jack.
This is made from a mix of steel components and cast iron materials. Hence the name is Hi-Lift Black Cast and Steel Jack.
To be precise, only four pieces of this tool are made of stamped steel. Other than that, the entire tool is made of cast iron.
So, it is a bit budget-friendly compared to the all-cast options from Hi-Lift. It also features a top winch connector, with the winch clamp connector having a lifting capacity of up to 750 lbs.
The farm jack 60 inch itself comes with a rated load capacity of up to 4660 lbs. or 2114 kg.
Besides, it has a tested load capacity of 7,000 lbs. or 3175 kg. With such power, it can be a great companion for your overlanding rig.
Even if it is a large heavy duty farm jack, it is very lightweight hi lift jack weighing only 31 lbs. It measures at 62.2 x 10.5 x 5 inches.
It has a two-piece handle and socket, so you can remove the handle for better portability and storage.
It also has a shear bolt to prevent it from operating if you accidentally overload it. All in all, this is a top-quality big farm jack with a very reasonable price tag.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The majority of former buyers have said that it is a very budget-friendly farm jack. They have liked that it is available in 3 sizes, and how the build quality is sturdy and reliable.
The inclusion of the two-piece handle has made it very easy to use.
As with the other Hi-Lift jacks, customers complained about the powder-coating they have used. They said that it can easily rust. Apart from this, previous buyers only had positive feedback about this jack.
Pros:
- Very reasonably priced
- Robust construction
- Comes with a two-piece handle
- Powder-coated finish with zinc plated hardware
Cons:
- Susceptible to rust
Smittybilt High Lift Jack – 2722 Universal Trail Jack Review
Smittybilt is another brand that is known for manufacturing premium recovery and automotive tools. One great thing about Smittybilt is that they offer their products at a very competitive price.
It is not an exception in the case of the Smittybilt 2722 universal farmer jack lift. This is a 54-inch jack that comes in a gray and black color.
It features a large base and coated with a powder coat finish for additional rust-resistance. The body is made with high-strength cast steel for long-lasting durability. All the hardware used on this tool is zinc plated as well.
It has a wide farm jack base (28 sq. inches) for extra support and you will like the inclusion of the winch connector clamp. It is adjustable so you can move it up and down to your liking.
It has a lifting capacity of up to 4660 lbs. The net dimension of the farm jack is 56 x 6 x 8 inches and it weighs around 30 lbs. The tested lifting capacity of this jack is 7000 lbs.
The handle is manufactured from 14 gauge steel tubing for extra rigidity. Also, the handle has a synthetic rubber grip and can be removed anytime you want to.
So if you are looking for a farm jack from companies like Smittybilt, then you can go with this.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Most former buyers of this jack have left positive feedback. They have said that for the price, it is a top-notch jack.
A few users complained that the base plate is a bit oversized. On the other hand, some users stated that the oversized base plate offers extra stability.
Apart from that, they seem to agree that it is a well-built jack that is easy to use. They have also liked the removable handle.
Pros:
- Great price to performance ratio
- Comes with zinc-plated hardware
- Finished with durable powder-coating
- Removable handle for easy storage
Cons:
- As per some users, the base is a bit oversized
Torin Black Jack 48 Off Road Jack Review
The next jack on our list is the Torin Big Red ratcheting farm jack. It is a 48-inch farm jack that comes in a black/red color.
You can get this in 3 sizes: 33 inches, 48 inches, and 60 inches. All of the sizes have a lift capacity of up to 3 tons or 6000 lbs.
This multi-directional jack comes with a lifting height range of 5.12 to 40 inches. They have coated it with a rust-resistant powder coat and used zinc-plated hardware.
This big red farm jack is made of high-grade steel, so you can expect long-lasting performance from this jack.
It has been tested to meet the ASME B310.1 standards, and it comes with the ‘Fast Lifting Mechanism’, which allows the jack to have very high lifting speed.
The overall dimensions of this farm jack are 49 x 10 x 6 inches and it weighs about 30.2 lbs.
For clamping and winching purposes, the top clamp can be adjusted anytime. The handle is removable and it comes with a rubberized grip for ease of use.
You will also like the wide and thick base that offers additional support and stability.
As it is a very powerful utility farm jack, as you can use it in farm-related applications, as a come-along for moving logs, and even as a winch for your 4×4 rig.
Its alternative is Reese 48 inch farm jack.
What Previous Buyers Said?
As per the current users of this Torin Big Red jack, this is a really well-built farm jack. They are very happy as it comes with a high load capacity. They have also liked that it is available in 3 sizes.
Some customers even said that it is one of the best farm jacks on the market at the moment. Another thing people liked about this piece of farm machinery is that it is covered with 1 year of warranty.
Pros:
- Comes with a powder-coated finish and zinc plated hardware
- Comes with a limited 1-year manufacturer warranty
- It meets the ASME B30.1 standards
- Wide base for additional stability
Cons:
- Some customers reported issues regarding the reversing latch switch
Best Offroad Jack: Quadboss Farm Jack Review
Admittedly, Quadboss is not a name brand, but we have found out that this particular farm jack comes packed with features.
At the same time, the price of this jack is not that high. It comes in a yellow-black color and has a lift capacity of up to 3000 lbs.
This one is made of steel and comes with a top clamp clevis. Meaning, this jack is ideal for lifting off-road vehicles and farm equipment.
You can use this jack for spreading, lifting, pulling, winching, and even hoisting. It is a 48-inch farm jack finished with a rust-resistant powder coat.
The net dimensions of this best off road jack are 49.2 x 10.2 x 5.9 inches and it weighs about 29.8 lbs.
The base is wide and sturdy enough to offer it steady support. Overall, in terms of the build quality and craftsmanship, this is a great farm jack for the money.
What Previous Buyers Said?
This particular hi lift farm jack received mixed reviews from its users. Some of them said that it could come with a higher lift capacity. However, others said that for the price it is a great option.
They liked that it is a sturdy and reliable jack. Interestingly, many buyers also liked the unique yellow-black color of the farm jack.
Pros:
- Comes with all-steel heavy-duty construction
- It has an adjustable top clamp clevis
- Easy to maneuver
- Comes with a powder coat finish
Cons:
- The lift capacity is not that high
Review of Pittsburgh Automotive 42 In. Harbor Freight Off-Road Farm Jack
This is a 42-inch farm jack made of all-steel construction. The lifting arm can be adjusted to any particular position on the upright, thanks to the ratcheting mechanism.
This best jack for off road has a lifting height range of up to 6 to 42 inches, and a load capacity of up to 7000 pounds or 3.5 tons.
This versatile small hi-lift jack can be used for pulling, lifting, spreading, or winching.
It comes with a very wide base of 28 square inches, and the lifting nose of the jack measures 4.5 inches x 1.5 inches. The Pittsburgh farm jack 7000 lbs measures 48 x 7x 4 inches.
The Pittsburgh farm jack weighs only 30 lbs and it comes with a removable handle. Thus, you will be able to store it very easily.
This red/black off road farm jack is finished with a corrosion-resistant powder-coating. Nevertheless, it is a very cheap yet powerful farm jack with a lot of great features.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The current users of this Pittsburgh Automotive Farm Jack have both positives and negatives to say about it.
First of all, they have said that the Harbor Freight farm jack lacks the top clevis clamp. In contrast, they have praised the overall build quality of the tool.
The majority of the buyers seem to agree that this small farm jack comes with a very low price tag. They admire the lifting range of this farm jack Harbor Freight as well and are recommending it to the buyers who are looking for a farm jack without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Cheap hi lift jack
- Comes with a powder-coat finish
- Rugged build quality
- Very easy to use
Cons:
- No top clevis clamp
Buying Guide – Best Farm Jack
What to Consider While Buying the Best Farm Hi-Lift Jacks
Lifting Height and Lifting Range
Typically, most farm jacks come with a height of 48 to 60 inches. However, the height of the jack doesn’t determine how high the jack can go while lifting.
Rather, every farm jack will come with a specific lifting range.
But as farm jacks are mostly high lift jacks, they have a very high lifting range. As a result, they are also suitable for off-road vehicles.
However, a word of caution, the higher you are raising the jack while operating, the less stable it becomes.
Thus, you should not lift the jack a lot higher than recommended. Meaning, before you choose a farm jack, determine if the lifting range of the jack will be enough for your tasks.
Lift Capacity
Another very critical factor would be to consider the lift and/or weight capacity of the farm jack.
Normally, it will come with 2 different weight capacities. One would be the rated lift capacity and the other will be tested maximum weight capacity.
Now, the rated weight capacity is the usual amount of load it can handle without any issue. Typically, most farm jacks will come with a rated weight capacity of 3000 lbs. to 5000 lbs.
On the other hand, the maximum tested weight capacity would be much higher like 7000 lbs.
The maximum tested weight capacity is the highest amount of load the farm jack can handle without breaking apart.
But it is not advised to lift more than the rated load capacity of your farm jack. The maximum tested lift capacity is there for safety reasons.
Lifting Speed
The lifting speed refers to the time it will need the farm jack to lift the load to its highest point.
Normally, most jacks can lift a load with just 5 to 8 cranks of the handle. However, some of the best farm jacks come with a high-speed lifting mechanism.
Those jacks can lift a load with just 3 to 5 cranks, but they tend to be pricey. As a result, lifting speed is not that vital when choosing a farm jack.
If you don’t have any issues with budget and want to work faster, then you can go with a farm jack that has a faster lifting speed.
Clevis or Clamp Attachment
The top-rated jacks will come with a clamp or clevis attachment at the top. You can attach chain attachments or hooks on that spot for winching or pulling purposes.
If you want to use your farm jack as a winch when necessary, you should choose one with the top clevis or clamp attachment.
Also, keep in mind that the clamp attachment will have a different weight capacity than the jack itself.
The Handle
You should pick the farm that comes with a heavy-duty handle. Otherwise, while using the jack, the handle might break apart or bend down. It is better to choose a farm jack that comes with a removable two-piece handle.
The removable handle makes it easy to store the farm jack. The handle socket should also be well-built. If the handle has a rubberized grip, that will be a plus.
Build Quality and Design
As usual, with any recovery equipment, you should be concerned with the build quality of the farm jack.
It is better if it is made of steel or cast iron. Also, for long-lasting strength and durability, it should come with a rust-resistant powder coating.
Safety, Comfort, and Ease of Use
A farm jack could be a very dangerous tool if you can’t use it properly because it will lift heavy machinery on a daily basis. So, go for a farm jack that is user-friendly.
You should look for a versatile jack that can be used both horizontally and vertically. That way, you can use it whether you are winching, spreading, lifting, clamping, or pulling.
On top of that, it should come with overload protection mechanisms like a shear bolt. That way, you will not be able to use the farm jack if you have overloaded it.
Try to avoid jacks that you will need to operate by twisting the handle, instead of pulling the handle up and down.
Additional Accessories of High Lift Jack
If you want to maximize the potential of your farm jack, you can use various high-lift jack accessories like recovery straps, high-lift jack base, and so on.
Most high-lift farm jack makers offer accessories and attachments that are compatible with their jacks.
Usually, each brand has its own unique accessories that are ideal for specific models of farm jacks. So, make sure you are buying the right accessories.
Price
Farm jacks are not that pricey. Of course, the better the quality and features, the higher the price will get.
A lot of things depend on a farm jack as you are working with a very powerful tool. As a result, you should not cheap out and get an average quality jack.
It is always better to get the best quality farm jack for your money. This will make sure you will be able to complete your work faster, more reliably, and safely.
Best Farm Jack Accessories
Off-Road Base
Purpose: to alleviate jack sinkage on soft surfaces.
Lift-Mate
Purpose: to lift a wheel or vehicle directly from the wheel.
Farm Jack Running Gear Cover
Purpose: to protect the moving parts from the elements and to wrap the jack tight to prevent rattle noise. This one is a hi-lift jack neoprene cover.
Farm Jack Handle Keeper
Purpose: to secure the jack handle to the steel bar while not in use in order to eliminate rattling.
Advantages of Using Farm Jack
There is no denying that a farm jack is a very useful tool when it comes to farming and off-roading.
The main purpose of a farm jack is to lift up large vehicles to change a tire or to perform repairment works underneath the vehicle. However, there are more creative ways to use a farm jack.
For instance, you can use a farm jack for lifting heavy farm machinery. It can also be used as an emergency extrication spreader.
You can also use different types of farm jack accessories to strengthen your farm jack to do many other demanding tasks.
In addition, most farm jacks come with a top clamp clevis attachment with which you can turn the jack into a powerful winch. In doing so, you can even change the direction of any stuck vehicle in case of emergencies.
How Does A Farm Jack Work?
A farm jack can be intimidating to look at. However, it has a very simple mechanism. You can say that there are two parts of a farm jack that are the spine and the handle.
The entire spine will have a number of equidistant holes. Those holes act as a stable footing for the jacking mechanism.
Now, when you would want to raise the jack, you will have to crank the handle up and down.
With each crank, the climbing pin on the jack will be unplugged from its current hole. Then the pin will be inserted into the hole above your current hole.
The more you crank the handle, the more the jack mechanism will start to raise up along the spine of the jack’s body. At the same time, it will lift your vehicle or the load.
How To Use Farm Jack Safely – How to Operate a Farm Jack
These jacks can be very dangerous if you are not using them carefully. In this section, we will provide some tips to avoid any kind of accidents while using a farm jack.
- Make sure, the only purpose of using a high lift farm jack is to raise up the load. A farm jack is not there to hold up the load for a long time. So, don’t lift the jack more than you need to.
- It goes without saying that you should never go under a vehicle that is supported or lifted up by only a farm jack. Any type of jack is not designed to hold up the load for a long time. It could tip over any time. If you want to work under the vehicle then you should use heavy-duty jack stands.
- Never ever put anybody or yourself between the farm jack and the vehicle.
- Always try to use the farm jack on a solid and stable surface while lifting heavy loads
- Many professionals recommend throwing in a tire or log under your vehicle while using a farm jack for safety reasons.
- You should never release the handle while lowering the load.
Best Books On Overlanding
FAQ
Who Makes The Best Farm Jack?
To be honest, it is a tough question to answer. Depending on the preference and requirements of the buyers, the best farm jack manufacturer will vary from person to person.
However, from our experience and other users’ feedback, you could say that the ‘Hi-Lift Jack Company’ makes the best and most popular farm jacks. On top of that, they have a lot of options to choose from.
Who Makes The Best High Lift Jack?
As we have stated earlier, ‘Hi-Lift Jack Company’ is recognized as one of the best High-lift jack manufacturers in the world.
At the same time, their high-lift jacks are also very affordable. You will have a lot of options to choose from.
Are Farm Jacks Dangerous?
Obviously. These are very large, heavy, and powerful pieces of recovery equipment, as opposed to a low profile jack.
So, they do pose some dangers if you are not careful when using them. As a matter of fact, if you are using a farm jack incorrectly, it could be fatal.
Like any other heavy-duty recovery tool, you have to be respectful and follow the proper rules while using a farm jack. That way, you will be able to use a farm jack without any issues.
How Much Can A Farm Jack Lift?
There is no specific answer to this question. Based on the model and brand of the farm jack, the flirting capacity will differ.
Typically, a standard farm jack of high quality should be able to lift somewhere between 2000 lbs. to 7000 lbs.
Every farm jack will come with a specific load capacity and weight limit. You should keep an eye on that number before buying your next farm jack.
Sum Up – Best hi lift jack reviews
A farm jack can come in handy under any circumstances. Whether you are a farmer or an avid off-roader, you should keep this tool at your disposal.
We know that it is not that easy to pick the best farm jack out of such a large number of options. So, we have reviewed some of the best high-lift farm jacks out there.
Yet, if you could not still make up your mind, then our suggestion would be the ‘Hi-Lift Jack XT485 48″ Hi-Lift X-TREME Jack’.
This is a truly rugged farm jack with lots of features. Although it is a pricey one, all those unique features and the robust build quality makes this deal worth it.
