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Had a jack stand collapse today.

Dr. RGB

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andy29847

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Good info here on jackstands.

Just to be sure everybody knows, the weight capacity for jackstands is normally advertised by the pair. That means that one jack in a 6 ton jackstand set should be limited to 3 tons.

Jackstands are a pain in the butt. They never seem to be the right height, they are heavy, they need to be 100% reliable. I need Jackstands for my 2014 Honda car, my 2020 Jeep, and my 2001 38 foot diesel motorhome. Needless to say, one size does not fit all.
 
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andy29847

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In 2020, Harbor Freight recalled 1.7 million of their 3-ton, 6-ton, and 12-ton Pittsburgh-brand jack stands due to concern that, if the load on the jack shifted, the “pawl” could disengage and cause the load to drop. Eleven people reportedly received non-life-threatening injuries. Some of replacement stands were later recalled. Safety-consciousness generated by the publicity caused a revival of interest in tubular pin-locking stands, as well as incorporation of locking pins into ratcheting stands.


Jeep Wrangler JL Had a jack stand collapse today. jackstand
 

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John VonJeep

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In 2020, Harbor Freight recalled 1.7 million of their 3-ton, 6-ton, and 12-ton Pittsburgh-brand jack stands due to concern that, if the load on the jack shifted, the “pawl” could disengage and cause the load to drop. Eleven people reportedly received non-life-threatening injuries. Some of replacement stands were later recalled. Safety-consciousness generated by the publicity caused a revival of interest in tubular pin-locking stands, as well as incorporation of locking pins into ratcheting stands.


jackstand.jpg
I’m not anti-Harbor Freight. But I won’t use their stuff if my life depends on it.

That said, their ICON line of hand tools is rather nice for the price…
 

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When I'm actually under a vehicle working on stuff I'll cram some old tires under the vehicle, but I think I need to shop for better stands. I have one tall 6 ton set and a shorter 3 ton. I like using the 6 tons if I can since they're quite a bit taller. Always nervous seeing jack stands maxed out at the highest setting just kinda teetering on that last notch :(

I WILL be getting a set of those pin stands for sure.
 

andy29847

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For those interested, this was a good watch.


In the movie, you could really see the "roll pin" mentioned in the OP's report of failure.


Notice that all jacks far exceeded the weight rating. The tip over test was something new to me. I didn't know why until I saw the test, but I like jack stands that have little feet at the corners.

Jeep Wrangler JL Had a jack stand collapse today. 108663_400x400
 
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roaniecowpony

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When I'm actually under a vehicle working on stuff I'll cram some old tires under the vehicle, but I think I need to shop for better stands. I have one tall 6 ton set and a shorter 3 ton. I like using the 6 tons if I can since they're quite a bit taller. Always nervous seeing jack stands maxed out at the highest setting just kinda teetering on that last notch :(

I WILL be getting a set of those pin stands for sure.
Yeah I hate those ratchet stands and the way the post is loose in the base. I do the same with the tires.

One day, it occurred to me that I had a couple sets of rusty old no-name stands that looked very sketchy for a honda car, let alone my truck and jeep. I had spent tens of thousands of dollars on vehicles, tools and had several floor jacks, but just some junky ass stands. I felt really stupid at that moment, realizing the critical nature of jack stands. That's when I started learning about stands and looking for a really good set.
 

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For those interested, this was a good watch.

Wow, Timm. I'm not sure what kind of Geek it makes me that I actually enjoyed watching that video. But I really did enjoy it!
I use Hein-Werner 12 tons because I need the 29" of height. But, I'll be rethinking my stand setup now that @fat_head dodged that bullet. Glad you're okay, man!

I always put my stands on cribbing so I don't have to go up beyond three teeth - just to make sure the stands stay solid. I use 4x6s bolted together to make 4x12s and they are 14" long. So, they are 4x14x12 platforms. I got the idea from some leftover hi-lift bases I had. It's the same cribbing I use for my hi-lifts in the soft sugar sand here in Florida.

Jeep Wrangler JL Had a jack stand collapse today. 4x6 Cribbing
 

roaniecowpony

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Here's the first one I had seen. It's somewhere in eastern Europe.
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