Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Cost	Weight	Min Ht.	Max Ht.	Our Rating
Lincoln	W95642	2 Ton	$199	[97 lbs]	[3-3/4"]	[20"]

This is the floor jack I have always wanted, the low profile Lincoln W95642 - Lincoln's 2 ton professional line floor jack. I wish we could have found one of these for our comparison, but its so common that the data we took is easy to find on the 'net. The basic design has been around since the 1940s and is the most sold "shop quality" floor jack of all time [in one variation or another]. Minimum height is a low 3-1/2" [although some listings say 3-3/4"] and max height is 20" [this is a standard max height]. This brand of jack used to be U.S. built but recently production moved to Taiwan, with a new parent company called Marquette. Prices are a tad lower now at around $200 + shipping.

Lincoln W95642

2 Ton Rating

As you can see, it has a fairly simple design, but it works so well. The square and somewhat flat saddle is thick stamped steel with a good compromise design - very but flat with four low hooks. A rubber jacking pad is not readily available, but would sure be a nice option. Flanged chassis side plates increase strength and resist twisting, similar to the AC Hydraulics design. The hydraulic unit is sealed to keep out grit, grime and moisture. An automatic valve prevents overloading. Universal joint type release mechanism makes for easy of operation and a smooth action. Cast iron bell crank assembly makes for a rugged and rigid lever point. In-line pump assembly and cast-iron handle socket-permits direct alignment of pump with handle. No off-center forces are going to happen with this super stiff cast piece. Its fully repairable and rebuildable with a large selection of rebuild parts.

The places that sell this jack are focused more towards shops, not individuals. Being marketed to professional auto shops makes them ripe for price gouging. Street pricing for this unit can therefore be higher than you might want to pay - I have seen many listings from $299-$349! A friend of mine found a better deal buying this jack at NAPA under a house brand name at $269 a few years back, but now with internet sources and its import manufacture, you can get it for around $200. See below:

• Many shop distributors like Iserv.net list it at $349
• TheJackExchange has it for $199.95
• And The Jack Exchange.com also has it at $199

A proven classic that any auto enthusiast would be happy with. Step into almost any auto shop or tire store across the country and you will probably see a number of these Lincoln jacks on their shop floor. Its not the most professional sold shop jack of all time for no reason. I have used this model of jack many times and simply love this thing. Well, that was before I used the AC Hydraulics jack...

Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Cost	Weight	Min Ht.	Max Ht.	Our Rating
Norco	71230A	2.25 Ton	$147	[97 lbs]	[3-3/4"]	[20"]

An import made Lincoln knock-off I have seen good things about [but never used personally] is the Norco model 71230A, 2 1/4 ton jack. It has the same 97 pound weight as the Lincoln, similar cast iron handle neck, identical 5-1/2" square steel saddle design, minimum saddle height of 3-3/4", maximum extended height of 20", and is Made in China. Its not an identical copy of the Lincoln [you can see differences in the bell crank casting's shape], but its darn close. Again, we have never used or even seen this jack in person, but some automotive bulletin board posters claim on-line that it is a good product very similar to Lincoln in functionality and quality. It looks darn similar and has the exact same specs. Priced about $50 less than the Lincoln at $147, so if the brand name doesn't mean much to you, go with the Norco copy. Here are three vendors with three different prices:

• HyJacks.com for $175 [note all of the other Norco jacks listed]
• Tooltopia.com for $152
• EdwardsManufacturing.com for $147

Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Cost	Weight	Min Ht.	Max Ht.	Our Rating
Central Hydraulics	47019	3 tons	$149.99	103 lbs	3.5"	19.5"

A Vorshlag.com reader, Zenon, read our initial Jack Shootout article and then found the Central Hydraulics jack model 47019, shown on the Harbor Freight website. Here are some observations from Zenon after purchasing and then using it on his car. This jack has a fairly low price [$149.99, with free shipping], high capacity, low min height, decent max height, 2 strokes to max height, and weighs a hefty 103 lbs. A decent looking unit, with plenty of steel for strength, just not what you'd want to lug to the track in your trunk. We can't tell from the pictures but we think its another Lincoln clone, and that's why we included it on this page. Here's his impressions:

Made in China, it comes with ...12-page instructions... I'm not sure about the rapid up feature. Just from pumping the handle, with no weight on the saddle, it took 9 pumps to get to full height. ...I'll look for some special mechanism for any rapid up feature.

I lifted my Integra GS-R; it took more than 9 pumps, but I don't think I did the full pump action (handle all the way up), due to space constraints in my garage. ....Turn the handle counterclockwise to drop the car. I did not open all the way; I got the car to come down in 4-5 seconds, which makes me happy. I was solo, so I did not do the "stand on the jack while opening the release valve all the way". Again, I'm not too interested in minimum drop time; I just want to car to come down in a reasonably safe time.

HF 47019

3.5" min ht.

19" max ht.

103 pounds

I don't have a basis of comparison for the hydraulic components; you would have a much better idea how the mechanism compares to your other jacks. But so far, I'm happy with it. This is the longest I've ever written about a jack.

Thanks again to Zenon for sharing his impressions, taking some measurements and sending us the pictures of this new jack. It looks like its pretty decent so we gave it a 4 star rating - not bad for a product sold by Harbor Freight. ;) For around the same money, one of the many low cost clones of either the Lincoln or Matco designs would be another competing choice. But this Central Hydraulics jack could be a Lincoln clone - its hard to tell from these pics. All of the other Asian sourced floor jacks we've ever seen are clones of something else - not a knock on them, just the facts. If you have experience with this jack or any other, just drop us a line and let us know what you think.