Is this Harbor Freight Jack/Lift OK? Anyone use one?

[SpyderSteveFL]

I know this has been discussed alot and I'm not trying to start another tire thread, but I wanted to hear from those that have them.

Considering I am looking for a lift that will only be use maybe a few times a year - oil changes, etc. I am not wanting to spend the $800 for the Big Blue or even the $500ish for a J&S. So that kinda puts me in the Harbor Freight/Craftsman. Really looking at the HF 60636 vs the Craftsman yellow. I do have and will use 3 ton jack stands with it. I saw a video reviewing and comparing the HF to Pitbull to J&S and the HF looked VERY unsteady and the reviewer would not even raise the bike with it. Those that have this jack - has that been your experience? Would you trust the jack to lift it all the way to max range? What about the Crafstman? Is it essentially the same jack or id the Craftsman better made/more stable? My first job with it may be to put in a swaybar. I usually don't skimp on stuff for safety, etc, but its hard to justify the cost of a J&S or better for a few uses a year. How do those of you that actually use these feel around them?

 

[Chupaca]

Here's the thing....

For your first job as stated they do not go high enough. you would have to place it on stands and then block the lift to get the extra hiegth...I have the craftman and it does a great job. Can't speak for the rest. The harbor freight is blue and looks the same as the craftman which is yellow.

 

[SpyderSteveFL]

For your first job as stated they do not go high enough. you would have to place it on stands and then block the lift to get the extra hiegth...I have the craftman and it does a great job. Can't speak for the rest. The harbor freight is blue and looks the same as the craftman which is yellow.

Yes, thanks, I realize I need more height for the sway bar but my real question is how stable the Spyder is on the jack. Does it rock around feeling like it will fall off or is it solid enough to feel comfortable enough even going underneath it to place the stands?

 

[Chupaca]

Depends....

Of course it wobbles front to back without stands but I have been under without stands and do all minor work that way but if heavy torquing like rear wheel etc then I place the stands under the front A arms and the rear shock...

Yes, thanks, I realize I need more height for the sway bar but my real question is how stable the Spyder is on the jack. Does it rock around feeling like it will fall off or is it solid enough to feel comfortable enough even going underneath it to place the stands?

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have the other Craftsman lift. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-moto...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4 Here is how I used it to lift my 2013 RT to install the sway bar.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...pyder-on-ramps&p=943149&viewfull=1#post943149

I'm pretty sure both styles of lifts from Sears and HF are identical. Same lift, different paint and label. I can't see any real benefit of the more expensive jack over the cheaper one. They're both rated at 1500 lbs. Don't know about the one you're looking at, but I have to put air in the rear shock bag or lift up on the hitch to get enough clearance to slide the jack under the bike. The jack won't slide under if the bag is low on pressure.

 

[Igofshn]

I have HF. Works great. Less than $100. Perfect for what you want it for.

 

[pitzerwm]

I have HF. Works great. Less than $100. Perfect for what you want it for.

Plus 1 I have used it to change oil no issues. I agree that the Craftsman is the samething except they throw in 2 straps to strap the bike to the jack. I've used it to work under my Honda van as well.

 

[Bensonoid]

I have the Craftsman. I jack it all the way up whenever I want to. I have 6x6 blocks that I lower it onto to change the oil. I have padded 2 ton jack stands I put under it for other jobs, and I lower it onto those small HF furniture mover dollys when I want to move it around. It is lightweight and slides right under so you can have it up in the air very quickly. The most I will do with it solely on the jack is check air pressure in tires. The Craftsman I have is different than the one HF has, don't know if it's better but I went with the Craftsman.

 

[kbwitt]

Oil change no need to lift

If your main reason is for oil changes, you do not need to lift the bike. I was shocked how simple it was to do an oil and filter change.
Good luck Kenn

 

[Large1]

I have a lift buried in the floor set up for my Goldwing have not tried it yet but am thinking if I back the RT on and figure out something to support the Front it should work

 

[Haze]

Bike Jack

I have a Big Red - Pit Bull jack.
It looks like the Harbor Freight jack.
It lifts the Spyder with no problems.
Seems to be stable at height but I will not
go under the bike with out jack stands in place.
Stay safe!!!

 

[SpyderSteveFL]

Thanks. I'm really just interested in the HF vs the Craftsman as those are my only options. On the HF it seems you are talking about the black steel one, similar to the Craftsman red, not the blue one similar to the Craftsman yellow. The only diff I see in the blue vs yellow physically is the locking mechanism.

 

[Bensonoid]

One other difference is that the handle on the Craftsman has a spring loaded knob that you pull and the handle pops right off and out of the way. I don't believe the HF handle removes as easily.

 

[pegasus1300]

I have an HF that I bought 10 years ago for my Venture,but it works great for the Spyder. Mine is yellow and is all steel,the one you are looking at appears to be part aluminum. I think I paid 59.95 for it but have seen it for 79.95 recently. It is stable but I tie the Spyder down to it just to be sure and put jack stands under it also.

Having said that I now most often use 3 car ramps. I drive the front wheels up then use a regular floor jack to put the rear wheel on the 3rd ramp. If you are removing the rear wheel of course this wont work but it does for everything else.