Hi-Lift® Jacks vs. the ARB Jack

There is a lot of misleading information out there, so here are the facts.

Hi-Lift® Jacks are multipurpose recovery tools designed to do more than just lift. Their value is in their ability to lift, winch, spread, hoist, clamp, etc. – at prices that range from $85 – $130. No other jack on the market can do everything a Hi-Lift® can do. No other jack on the market gives you the same dependable versatility at a reasonable price.

As with any tool, it’s important to educate yourself on safe use procedures and operating instructions before using any jack, because they ALL are inherently dangerous if not operated correctly – hydraulic or mechanical.


Comparing Hi-Lift® Jacks and the ARB Jack

Uses/Abilities

All Hi-Lift® Jacks can be used to lift, winch, pull, clamp, hoist, spread, etc. while the ARB Jack can be used to lift only.

ADVANTAGE: HI-LIFT® JACK

Uses/AbilitiesHi-Lift® JacksARB Jack
LiftingYesYes
WinchingYesNo
PullingYesNo
ClampingYesNo
SpreadingYesNo

Specifications/Capacities

ADVANTAGE: HI-LIFT® JACK

48″ Hi-Lift®60″ Hi-Lift®ARB Jack
Cost$85-$130$85-$130$800+
Min. Lift Height4.5″ (114 mm)4.5″ (114 mm)6.3″ (160mm)
Max. Lift Height38.63″ (981 mm)49.75” (1,263.7 mm)48.4” (1,230 mm)
Travel34.13” (866.9 mm)45.25” (1,149.4 mm)21.65” (550 mm)*
Lifting Range4.5” – 38.63” (114 mm – 981 mm)4.5” – 49.75” (114 mm – 1,263.7 mm)6.3” – 48.4” (160 mm – 1,230 mm)
Max. Capacity4,660 lbs. (2,113 kg)4,660 lbs. (2,113 kg)**4,409 lbs. (2,000 kg)
Lift Per Handle Stroke0.984” (25 mm)0.984” (25 mm)0.512” (13 mm)
*in vertical position only | ** 60” Hi-Lift® Jack models have a reduced rated and maximum load capacity on the upper 12” (304.8 mm). The rated load reduces to 2,660 lbs. (1,206 kg), and the maximum capacity reduces to 4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg) on the upper 12” of the standard bar.

Storage Options

ADVANTAGE: HI-LIFT® JACK

  • 48” Hi-Lift® Jack models have a stored height of 48” (1,219.2 mm). 60” Hi-Lift® Jack models have a stored height of 60” (1,524 mm). Hi-Lift® Jacks also come in smaller sizes (36”/914.4 mm and 42”/1,066.8 mm). Hi-Lift® Jacks can be stored both inside and outside of a vehicle, with many different mounting options available from Hi-Lift® and other aftermarket manufacturers.
  • ARB Jack has a stored height of 35” (890 mm), and can only be stored inside of the vehicle.

The Hi-Lift® Jack is one tool to carry that has as many uses in the field as your imagination can come up with. It’s a “peace of mind” tool with value far beyond its cost. Don’t buy something that claims to be better but has far less to offer. Trust the Hi-Lift® brand – affordable, reliable, multipurpose.

Winner: Hi-Lift® Jack

No other jack on the market can do everything a Hi-Lift® Jack can do. No other jack on the market gives you the same dependable versatility at a reasonable price.

3 Comments

  1. Jack Woolridge on January 23, 2021 at 2:05 am

    I have used hi-lift jacks for 48years. They work well. Thank you hi-lift

    • Steve Dowden on January 27, 2021 at 6:22 pm

      Thanks Jack! We appreciate your kind words, and your support of Hi-Lift brand products.

  2. Unkle_Willy on July 28, 2021 at 4:34 am

    We were at a off-road event when my son asked about a shiny new ARB jack that someone had just purchased and was in the process of mounting on their jeep. The guy proudly set it up to demonstrate how it worked and promptly broke a plastic part that evidently was critical to it’s function, rendering the brand-new jack useless. I felt terrible for him because I knew what he spent on that tool only to have it break the first time he tried to use it. Fortunately it happened in a parking lot and not in a critical situation. The next day I got a Hi-Lift.

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