Hydraulic Jack

[Ducky's Dad]

Time to buy a new shop jack to replace my old big$ Chinese number. Parts may or may not be available, but the search for parts burns time and may not result in a working jack, so I'm willing to buy a fresh one. Over on DT a couple years ago we had some discussions about jacks and a number of you swear by the Harbor Freight jacks, partially because they can sell you rebuild kits when necessary. I like the idea of an aluminum jack and HF has a 3-ton rapid pump that seems decent:

http://www.harborfreight.com/aluminum-r ... 68052.html

I think 3-ton should be enough for the PW and that is probably the heaviest vehicle I will own, unless I fall into a pot of money and get a UniMog. So, anybody have direct experience with the HF aluminum jack? I know it's twice the price of the iron/steel jack but should be a lot more convenient to store and move around. Advice and comments appreciated Thanks.

[Cactus Red]

If you have a CostCo card, or know a member, get one of the ARCAN 3.25 low profile floor jacks. It's a lot less money for a better quality unit.

[Ducky's Dad]

The Arcan 3.25 is not listed on the Costco website, and I don't remember seeing anything like it in my infrequent visits to the store. I will be near a Costco on Friday and will stop to check. Did find some discussions on other boards about the Arcan 3.25 and the older 3.5, and guys seem to like them. Lifting range is OK for my needs, but it is a steel jack and is heavy. At $110 it's not a budget buster, but I worry that when it breaks down the line, I'll have to pitch it just like my current $400 Chinese jack. When I bought the old one it was the next best thing to a Lincoln, but the distributor disappeared during the recession and now nobody knows anything. Parts are a complete crapshoot, just trial and error. What's the parts situation for the Arcan?

[Cactus Red]

The owners manual has a parts list in it, and they have a US website/address.

Sent via gigawatt laser...

[Ducky's Dad]

Stopped at Costco yesterday and was told they have been out of these jacks for about a month. They expect to have them again, but no idea when.

[Ducky's Dad]

Called Costco corporate and they didn't know when/if the Arcan jacks would be in. Stumbled across a two year old NAPA 3.5 ton on CraigsList for $100 and nearby, so grabbed it. It's the cheaper of the two 3.5s that NAPA sells (both Chinese), but I'm hoping that the NAPA label means I can get parts when I need them.

[ScottWagon1]

Need a new jack myself. Let us know how it works.