Sears Yellow/Red Jacks
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: East of Baton Rouge
I ran across them and they looked nice. Not sure how a high priced bike necessitates a more expensive jack though ...
I'll take another look at the ones recommended in here. Kind of what I was afraid of though in posting the question. 1/2 say SEARS is fine. 1/2 say it's crap :P
I'll take another look at the ones recommended in here. Kind of what I was afraid of though in posting the question. 1/2 say SEARS is fine. 1/2 say it's crap :P
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Amen! I had a yellow until one of the two flip-supports started slipping over the stop. The 2nd flip-support couldn't stop the fall, and once it starts there's no stopping it. Damned good thing I got in the habit of engagine the hydraulic valve in addition to the steel stops. That's the only thing that saved it. Pitbull's great! Want a heart attack, go Sears <g>. My experience anyway...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: East of Baton Rouge
Amen! I had a yellow until one of the two flip-supports started slipping over the stop. The 2nd flip-support couldn't stop the fall, and once it starts there's no stopping it. Damned good thing I got in the habit of engagine the hydraulic valve in addition to the steel stops. That's the only thing that saved it. Pitbull's great! Want a heart attack, go Sears <g>. My experience anyway...
But let me cry uncle on this thread. I saw a few youtube videos of the yellow jack stands and the bikes wobbled the entire jack. The price was right but that wasn't the quality level I had in mind. I wanted the cheapest "solid" one I could get. So I just ordered the J&S. 100 cheaper than Pit Bull and the only difference I could see was a 4 ton jack instead of 6 and smaller casters. But I'll only have the bike up 3 or 4 times a year for service so ... this is plenty for me.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: Central CA
Hi all. Getting ready to do my 20k miles service on an '09 Electra Glide but I still need to get the jack. Wondering if anyone has experience with the yellow or red jack from SEARS, how good they are, and what the "real" difference is?
I don't care about turn tables or anything fancy. I just need something to reliably go up and down. Reliable being the big thing because I hate having to purchase things twice because I bought garbage the first time around.
I don't care about turn tables or anything fancy. I just need something to reliably go up and down. Reliable being the big thing because I hate having to purchase things twice because I bought garbage the first time around.
I've had the red Sears jack for two years now, no problems, works for me.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
I bought a Sears Yellow Jack about a month ago. I was looking for something to lift my new Limited for cleaning and routine service. IMHO the jack is well made but the basic design makes it a compromise for long heavy bikes. My last jack (sold with my last bike) was similar in design to the J&S only much much cheaper. It had locks but not nearly as finely made. Paid $89 for it off the back of one of those tool trucks and it was rock steady and never failed.
The Sears jack is steady laterally but rocks like a hobby horse fore and aft when off the ground. Even with the jack placed all the way back under the frame the bike still has a rear weight bias causing the bike to sit tail low on the jack. Was the bike going to fall off the jack? No. Did it inspire confidence. No. Just washing the bike caused a rocking motion.
I bought the Yellow Jack because it would take up a little less floor space in my cluttered garage. The base seemed large enough to allow for a stable platform. I don't know if it's the aluminum construction and/or the dimensions and design but a Full Dresser is not ideal for this jack. Just because the jack is rated to hold the bike doesn't mean they go well together. I'll be looking for a new jack.
The Sears jack is steady laterally but rocks like a hobby horse fore and aft when off the ground. Even with the jack placed all the way back under the frame the bike still has a rear weight bias causing the bike to sit tail low on the jack. Was the bike going to fall off the jack? No. Did it inspire confidence. No. Just washing the bike caused a rocking motion.
I bought the Yellow Jack because it would take up a little less floor space in my cluttered garage. The base seemed large enough to allow for a stable platform. I don't know if it's the aluminum construction and/or the dimensions and design but a Full Dresser is not ideal for this jack. Just because the jack is rated to hold the bike doesn't mean they go well together. I'll be looking for a new jack.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,731
Likes: 100
From: Delafield,Wi. 53188
The cheap jacks work but I wouldn`t want to change a tire with one. Just watch the video for the J&S. It`s not rocket science. The width of the jack gives it stability that`s worth spending a couple hundred more for. I like my J&S.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Southern Illinois
I use the harbor freight jack it is a bit wobbly, solved that problem by lowering it back down on a 4x4 across the frame, solid as a rock . The worst part was the 2 stage release, you have to go through the fast release before you get to the slow release. And it will drop 2 to 3 inches before slow kicks in seems like a lot farther though. But I just deal with it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
I've been happy with both of my Harbor Freight lifts for years. I gave a red one away after using for 5 years and it never failed me.
A couple years ago I picked up the aluminum HF lift with the control in the handle. Plus it's much lighter. The key thing is to get it up in the air, put the bar through the holes, and let the weight settle down on the bar and everything is fine. If you don't do that it could feel squirmy.
I like the aluminum one much better.
A couple years ago I picked up the aluminum HF lift with the control in the handle. Plus it's much lighter. The key thing is to get it up in the air, put the bar through the holes, and let the weight settle down on the bar and everything is fine. If you don't do that it could feel squirmy.
I like the aluminum one much better.