| Manufacturer |
Model |
Capacity |
Cost |
Weight |
Min Ht. |
Max Ht. |
Our Rating |
| U.S. General |
47246 |
1.5 Ton |
$139 |
38.5 lbs |
3.4" |
17-5/8" |
 |
Notes: [x] numbers are manufacturer's published data.
Why is it that most manufacturers that have "U.S." in their name are usually located overseas? This Chinese built lightweight jack is still a nice alternative to the $600+ aluminum racing jacks seen commonly in NASCAR and other racing series pit stops. But it is by no the best alternative for your sole "shop use" floor jack. This is a speciality jack that we included in the test to show some of the vast differences that racing jacks have when compared to standard full size floor jacks.
These "racing jacks" usually have a mostly billet aluminum construction for lower weight, include a "fast" piston/hydraulic ratio for fewer strokes to achieve max height quickly, include handles on the side for easy pit row transport, use a roller front wheel, and have super low minimum heights to be able to get underneath an already low race car - even with a flat tire. They are the hot rods of floor jacks, and should only be used where they shine the best - at the track. Oh yea, it is also very light - freagin 39 pounds!
U.S. General Racing Jack
|
3.4" min ht.
|
17-5/8" max ht.
|
Lincoln-style Hydraulics
|
The most significant feature of this imported racing jack is the price - it costs about 1/4 what the "high end" racing aluminum jacks used to cost [they were $600-800 from stock car suppliers], priced originally at $199 from Harbor Freight Tools. You can get them in most H.F. stores or get it from their website to see the additional 3 anodized frame colors as well. UPDATE: This jack is now usually $129.99. (2006) There is also a new, heavier duty 2 Ton version of this aluminum jack available from Harbor Freight for $229 [click here].
I first used one of these units at a TAMSCC autocross in 2002 and immediately went home an ordered one for myself [for $199]. It was so light and so low, it made for the perfect "track jack", and almost every single racer I knew bought one of these over the next couple of years. It works GREAT as a limited use/track-duty floor jack - much safer than the $20 portable floor jacks, and just as light and portable. Sometimes racers need to make a quick pit stop, and the hydraulic action will get cars up in the air fast. Loading and unloading a 100 pound jack in the trunk or back seat of your sports car on the way to a racing event SUCKS, and this 38.5 pound alternative can really save your back. It also comes in handy as a secondary "shop jack", in a pinch, but I wouldn't trust the hydraulics for long term shop use. Its a low cost track jack - that's what it should be used for.
The fast hydraulic action this jack employs makes for only 6 pumps to max height, but is traded off with a lower load rating [only 1-1/2 tons, or 3000 pounds] and a lower hydraulic lift range [14" stroke] and saddle height [17" max height]. The pumping effort is also much higher than the jacks that reach similar heights with 15+ pumps - yes, its a simple hydraulic mathematics. With the same chassis size and handle length, a faster hydraulic ram moving to the same height will take more effort. The low minimum height is achieved with nearly zero ground clearance on the chassis and the unique 1-piece front wheel - a single small diameter, full-width aluminum roller in place of two front wheels.
This roller spreads the load well [even on dirt] but might not hold up well to "high mileage" rolling [dragging a buddy's borrowed jack across a large pit area can rack up the miles on the wheels, and I have seen these worn down considerably]. Most racing jacks can also utilize optional "dirt wings", or flat aluminum extensions, in place of the side handles for more footprint for use on dirt or mud pit areas. Ever had to pit in the dirt or mud? It sucks trying to jack up your car, and having your floor jack sink into the murk can ruin your day. Me, I try to avoid going to races where I have to pit in the dirt - I'm picky like that. The low saddle height of this U.S. General jack is an amazingly low 3.5", which is a respectable number, but the 17-1/2" max saddle height is sometimes not enough for most "big" jack stands [like the 6 ton units I like to use in my garage, which have a tallish 15-1/2" minimum height].
This jack is so cheap and prevalent now its almost a no-brainer - Everyone that goes racing should have at least one of these for a "track jack". With its new lower price we upgraded to a "4 star" rating, too. Breaking the saddle on mine (it slipped off of a greasy K-member) took away that elusive 5th star.
Saddle Broke!
|
Full Height
|
Only 38.5 pounds!
|
Being a racing jack, where pit stops speed is of the essence, the lowering speed is a ridiculously quick 1 second from full height. Setting a raised vehicle down slowly is not going to happen with this jack. Hydraulic action is smooth but brutally fast. The U-joint handle-to-piston drive is smooth and looks durable, with an automotive valve spring [a pump design stolen from other racing jacks] and a roller drive actuator [stolen from the Lincoln design] used to pump the piston
A shop accident in 2003 involved this jack, where the cast aluminum jack saddle broke near the edge, and the car's front crossmember slid off the saddle, and then fell onto and ruined the oil pan. The problem was compound - using this jack on short pile, indoor/outdoor carpet [mistake #1] which limited the necessary movement of the vehicle and jack when lifting, leaving the car in Park where the rear wheels couldn't move at all [mistake #2], and using the flat rubber padded saddle on this jack on a narrow, rounded and oily crossmember design that made for a slippery perch [mistake #3] - a train wreck of user and equipment errors! My saving grace - I have heard of others having similar failures, but it usually involved improper use like this. Just remember: if you get one of these aluminum jacks, be careful not to put all of your load on the edge of the cast aluminum saddle, and know when a flat rubber saddle is not going to work on your jacking point. One small change in my set-up would have avoided this stupid accident.
OK, so how do we rate this pump? Great for track use, so-so for shop use. For portability, it beats all others with a weight one third that of the typical 100 pound shop jack. The fast hydraulic ratio sucks for effort but is great for speed. The low saddle height is great for getting under lowered cars but the somewhat low max saddle height limits shop use with larger jack stands, and the lower load rating hurts it in some cases as well. With a better steel saddle [I'd sacrifice a few pounds for this upgrade!] it could be the perfect race jack. Damn good price for what you get.
