The jack stands may collapse under load, which can increase the risk of injury to people near or under a lifted vehicle. Owners of these jack stands are asked to immediately discontinue use due to safety concerns.
Do Harbor Freight jack stands fail?
Harbor Freight is recalling a portion of the three-ton jack stands which were used as replacements for a group of defective jack stands it recalled in May 2020. In May, the company recalled 1.7 million of its three- and six-ton jack stands due to a heightened risk of them collapsing while under load.
Can you use ramps instead of jack stands?
Ramps are less versatile than jack stands. Since your tires sit directly on these ramps, you cannot remove the tires or work on them like you would the jack stand. This means that you will need to purchase a separate tool (like the jack stand) to fix tires. Lifting your vehicle with a ramp will also require more space.
How heavy should jack stands be?
We recommend choosing a jack rated at roughly the same capacity as the curb weight of the vehicle it is lifting. For example, a 4,000 pound (two ton) SUV would need a two ton jack. While you won’t be lifting the entire vehicle at once with the jack, it leaves a healthy safety margin.
Has anyone been hurt by Harbor Freight jack stands?
The very recent recalls of the Harbor Freight Steel Jack Stands have brought to light an alarming safety hazard and source of severe injuries that cause over 4,500 injuries each year according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NHTSA).
Can a jack stand fail?
Even a brand new car jack could fail unexpectedly. Harbor Freight recalled several 1.7 million of their jack stands last year, due to their stands slipping under a load.
How many people died from Harbor Freight jack stands?
“[O]ver the course of the sales of these [6-ton] jack stands, we received 11 claims of injuries related to their use, none of them life threatening,” Hoffman told R&T in an email. “And there have been no fatalities.”
What can I use instead of a jack stand?
Jack Stand Alternatives
Mini ramps: Like jack stands, mini ramps are inexpensive. A commercial grade 2 post or 4 post lift: If you’re going to buy a 2 post or 4 post lift, commercial grade is the way to go. The Kwik-Lift: Last, but certainly not least, there’s the Kwik-Lift.
What jack stands are recalled?
The May 2020 Harbor Freight Jack Stand Recalls
After years of complaints, the NHTSA finally issued a recall of over 1.7 Million Pittsburgh Automotive® 3-Ton and 6-Ton Heavy-Duty Steel Jack Stands.
What is safer than jack stands?
Car ramps have enhanced safety features that make them more stable than jack stands. They offer a larger surface area, which adds traction to the ground and supports the car’s wheels. Another advantage is affordability. Ramps are ideal for oil changes and other maintenance that doesn’t require extensive work.
Can you work under a car with just a jack?
Lifting a car is one thing, but that’s not enough for a safe DIY job – NEVER (we can’t stress this enough) ever put any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a jack! If you’re going to do anything under a lifted vehicle, it must be supported by jack stands. Otherwise, the results could be disastrous.
Which is safer car ramps or jack stands?
Ramps get you slightly higher elevation than a jack/jack stand will, but they are limited on exactly what you can do under the vehicle as it is resting under load. For example, you have no way to get the wheels/tires off without additionally jacking that side of the vehicle up and off the ground, which is dangerous.
What size jack stands do I need for my truck?
In short: Buy 2-ton (4,000-pound) jack stands only if you have a small light vehicle. Buy 3-ton (6,000-pound) jack stands for a medium to large vehicle or a medium SUV. Buy 5 or 6-ton (10,000 or 12,000-pound) jack stands if you will be routinely working on a truck or large SUV.
How much weight will a 3 ton jack stand hold?
Jack stands manufactured after 2015 should be rated in pairs. That is, a pair of three-ton jack stands should together safely support 6000 pounds.
Can I use 2-ton jack stands hold my truck?
Jack stands can hold a lot more weight than their manufacturers suggest. Without a safety pin in place, the two-ton-rated four-leg jack stand is able to withstand 12,300 pounds (just over six tons) of force before slowly collapsing.
Where are Harbor Freight jack stands made?
The manufacturer of the jack stands is Jiaxing Golden Roc Tools in Zhejiang, China.
How do I return a Harbor Freight jack stand?
Please bring your set of 3-Ton and/or 6-Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands, item numbers 56371, 56373, 61196, and 61197 to your local Harbor Freight Tools store to receive a full cash refund, or gift card equal to the shelf price of these jack stands plus 20%.
