All-Cast vs. Cast & Steel Jacks. What’s the difference?
Hi-Lift Jack company produces two types of mechanical jacks, often referred to as Handyman Jacks, farm jacks, or trail jacks. Even though we produce nineteen different jack models of various sizes and colors, they are all built off of two different foundations; the All-Cast Jack and the Cast and Steel Jack.
The only physical difference between our All-Cast and Cast and Steel Jacks is the material of which four specific parts are made. The components that make up the All-Cast Jack are manufactured from high-yield and tensile-strength grades of malleable and ductile castings while the Cast and Steel Jack models contain a combination of stamped, high-strength steel parts and casting parts. The standard bar on all Hi-Lift models is made from custom, hot-rolled steel I-beams that are cut to size, then punched to reveal the oval shaped holes that run the length of the jack.
Some components of the Hi-Lift® Jack can be made of either steel or casting without compromising strength or safety. Because Bloomfield Manufacturing Company (our parent company) is a well-equipped metal fabricator, we can produce steel parts more economically than the casting parts. The result is a more affordable price for the Cast and Steel Jack models without compromising its strength or load capacity.
What parts of the Cast and Steel Jacks are made from stamped steel?
The steel parts on the Cast and Steel Jack are the Top Clamp-Clevis, Foot Piece, Handle Socket, and Pitman.
Pitman 
Top Clamp-Clevis 
Handle Socket 
Foot Piece
It is important to note that the functions and the capacities of all Hi-Lift® Jack models are the exact same, regardless of whether they are the All-Cast version or the Cast and Steel version. Hi-Lift Jacks have a tested capacity of 7,000 lbs and rated capacity of 4,660 lbs.
Cast Top Clamp-Clevis 
Cast Pitman 
Cast Handle Stocket 
Cast Foot Piece
So why do we produce two similar Hi-Lift® Jacks from different materials?
Cost is a major concern for many buyers these days so making two different materially-constructed types of Jacks in different price ranges makes sense.
Which Hi-Lift® Jack is best for you?
Uses for Hi-Lift® Jacks are as varied as their owners. If the Jack is used with substantial pressure repeatedly on a daily basis, the eventual wear areas are usually the pivot points at the handle socket connections.
Under those circumstances we would expect the All-Cast Jack models to have longer operating life. The average user, however, will get total operating satisfaction from the Cast and Steel Jack models, and at a lower cost. The tradeoff for price is longevity for frequent users.
Hi-Lift® All-Cast Jack Models
- Hi-Lift® All-Cast Jacks
- P.J. Harrah Signature Edition Jacks
- Hi-Lift® X-TREME Jacks
- Patriot Edition Jacks
- First Responder Jacks
Are Hi-lift jCks sold through Summit or Jegs different ??
Both Summit and JEG’s sell Hi-Lift Jacks. They should be the same as all other Hi-Lift brand Jacks. Just make sure the label actually says Hi-Lift so you’re not getting a cheap import knock-off brand.