An off-road jack, or high lift jack as commonly referred to, can be one of the best things you will buy for your 4×4 setup, prior to hitting the road. These jacks can be super handy for getting you out of a messy situation when you’re roadside, or deeper into the bush and the ground conditions are less than fantastic. One thing to remember is that an off-road jack can also be dangerous to use if not used correctly and can lead to malfunctions or injury if safety precautions and guidelines are not adhered to. As far as space and usability goes, a 4WD jack is pretty average at saving you space, and definitely isn’t something you can simply swing over your shoulder or stuff away in a little bag ready to gingerly carry to where it is required, they are made tough and their job is simple, lift heavy stuff! Most jacks made for off-road recovery have weight ranges from well over a tonne and vary a lot in terms of total lifting height, so it pays to measure up your rig before spending your money, but generally even 4WDs with plenty of lift can be taken on by a high lift off-road jack.

Made to be used at home or out in the bush, these hardworking jacks are perfect for 4WDs and larger vehicles and will stand the test of time if they are well looked after and maintained, and of course used only within the constraints of their capabilities. All too often individuals use tooling and recovery gear from reasons beyond their means, and can this result in injury, incidents or simply cost you money when it needs replacing quicker than it should. With plenty of reach capabilities, you’ll find yourself getting wheels off the ground with ease for more than just a flex, making it easier to navigate the art of changing you muddies or getting yourself out of a tricky situation.

What makes these different from floor jacks, bottle jacks and the standard scissor lifts, is that they can extend much further, making it easier to lift your rig up for many applications. Used in the outback for aiding in recovery, fitting a spare tyre, or used at home for giving your car a little bit of underbody attention or a service, these have many different uses, even beyond lifting your vehicle. If you get yourself into a sticky situation, you can even use them for other forms of recovery like simple winching or applying pressure to something that has suffered some damage while navigating rocky terrain. This is definitely something that you would not be able to use a bottle jack for, so replacing your old one-use jacks with a farm jack is definitely worth every cent.

With a simple design and straight forward technique required, a railroad jack like the Hercules, simply attaches to a solid point on your vehicle, and as you apply downward pressure on the handle, the spindles will gradually work their way up the spline, locking themselves in at each point to ensure they hold the load. It is important to ensure that all of your safety checks have been done, and you have done your best to ensure that the surface below is going to remain stable. If there is any sort of movement from below, the jack can quite easily become unstable enough to drop the load. Remembering also that sudden movements in any direction can cause instability leading to your vehicle tipping, sliding off the jack, or causing malfunction which could lead to serious injuries.

As with anything, it is super important to remember that you should always been trained to use the equipment you require and using a 4×4 jack should not be taken lightly. It is best to have someone run you through the basics and show you things that could potentially go wrong, and ways that you can avoid any sort of incidents, ensuring the safety of yourself, those around you, and alleviate the possibility of damage to your vehicle or equipment. Basic and common-sense safety precautions to always remember including;

• Ensure the ground underneath your jack is stable and fit for purpose, incorporate a flat-bottomed jack base where possible
• Ensure lifting arms are fully loaded and pins are locked in place before removing physical pressure
• Always use jack stands where possible and try to eliminate working under a vehicle especially where stability can become an issue
• Never push a load off of a jack, and always lower with pressure applied and take it slow

Adding a simple base plate to your off-road jack set up, can save you money on damages, and can especially improve the safety of any recovery missions or pit-stops during any 4WD adventure. As an essential recovery item, and a safety addition these cheap heavy duty nylon jacking plates can provide stability even on uneven, or muddy ground. Even with one of these in play it is important to remember that there are lots of contributing factors when it comes to how a load could shift or slip, and always take extra precautions, time and care when working in harsh or slippery conditions. Once placed on the ground your jack will easily slot into the top of the plate and as you apply pressure they will hold each other in place, working as the best recovery team you’ll use on the tracks.

When it comes to pricing, high lift, off-road, and 4WD lifting jacks can be super pricey, and make it hard to decode which way you will sway but given their extensive abilities and the face that they harness so much safety improvement when used correctly, there is no doubt that you are going to want to add one to your arsenal anyway. Hercules have created a simple and affordable 48” Off Road Jack with a certified working load of 1050kg, backed with Australia Standards Certification and a super low price. Simply add on the Hercules Off Road Jack Base, and you’ve improved your recovery options straight away for an absolute bargain!