HomeMy WebLinkAbout306.006 - Hi-Lift Jack
TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
306.006 HI-LIFT JACK
EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007
Current Revision Date: 7/26/19 Next Revision Date: 7/26/24
Author’s Name/Rank: Justin Moore Captain Review Level: 1
Administrative Support
Leslie Oulashian
Management Analyst II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members with guidelines for safe operation of the HI-Lift Jack (Jack).
APPLICATION
Contents of this policy apply to all members while operating the Jack during
maintenance, training, or emergency operations.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
This section intentionally left blank.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
This section intentionally left blank.
PROCESS
The Jack is a multifaceted tool, which can be used for lifting stable loads, clamping
or spreading, raising vehicles or other mobile loads, and when properly stabilized,
winching loads and stretching wire.
The Jack is made from cast-steel metal and weighs 28.16 pounds. It has a height of
50.25 inches, a width of 5 inches and a depth of 9.63 inches. The rated maximum
tested load is 7,000 pounds. When used as a clamping device, it is rated at 750
pounds; and when used as a winching device, it is rated at 5,000 pounds.
Section 306.006
Page 1 of 8
The minimum lifting height at the point of the nose is 4.5 inches with a maximum lift
height of 38.63 inches. The handle force required to raise 4,660 pounds is
177 pounds at 34 inches on the handle. If the Jack is overloaded during operation,
the shear bolt, which is located in the lifting mechanism, will break. If the shear bolt
breaks, as it will at approximately 7,000 pounds, the load should be supported but
the Jack's handle will drop freely. The Jack must have a minimum load of
150 pounds or more on it to lower step by step; otherwise, the lifting mechanism will
slide down to the base plate, "dropping" the load.
1. General safety precautions:
Inspect the Jack for rust, damage, and badly worn or missing
parts before each use. Check the climbing pins to ensure they
are not rusted, worn, or damaged. Check the steel standard
bar to make sure it is straight and the holes are not blocked.
Check for cleanliness and lubrication as the Jack is not self-
lubricating and it will not operate safely without the proper
lubrication.
The Jack should not be used to support a load independently.
Securely chock and/or crib the load to be lifted making sure
the load cannot slip, roll away or fall. Never operate under a
suspended load supported with just a Jack.
Caution should be used when manipulating the reversing
latch. Always place the handle against the steel standard bar
before moving the reversing latch into the lowering position.
This will prevent the handle from uncontrollably moving up and
down rapidly. Care should be exercised to remain clear of the
handle’s travel path.
During lowering, the weight of the load pushes up against the
Jack’s handle. When manipulating the handle, the hands
should be in a palm-down position to prevent slippage. Make
sure everyone is clear of the load before lowering. Never
push a raised load off the Jack.
2. Instructions for raising a stationary load:
a. Chock one or more of the wheels for stabilization.
b. Block the load utilizing blocks or stabilizers, which have a
weight capacity greater than the weight of the load being lifted.
Section 306.006
Page 2 of 8
c. Place the Jack’s base plate securely on a firm, level, and dry
surface with the steel standard bar pointing straight up.
d. Added stabilization can be added to prevent the Jack’s base
plate from slipping.
e. Lift the reversing latch until it locks in the up position.
f. Grasp the handle or the handle socket and raise the lifting
mechanism until the nose is completely and securely under
the load as close to the lifting mechanism as possible.
g. Grasp the handle firmly with both hands, palms facing down.
(See Figure 1.)
Figure 1
h. Carefully pump the handle up and down to raise the load; the
load will be raised on each down stroke of the handle.
i. A series of clicks will be heard as the lifting mechanism moves
up the steel standard bar.
j. Watch the load and the Jack carefully; stop jacking if either
one starts to move.
k. Do not continue raising the load unless it is safe to do so.
l. When the load is raised to the desired height, place the handle
in the upright position against the steel-standard bar.
m. Block the load securely and lower the load onto the blocking.
Note: Caution should be exercised when using the Jack on
curved or tubular vehicle bumpers. Do not use an
extension on the handle for more leverage.
Section 306.006
Page 3 of 8
3. Instructions for lowering a stationary load:
a. With the handle in the upright position, ensure the reversing
latch is locked in the up position. (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2
b. Grasp the handle firmly with both hands, palms facing down.
c. Carefully pump the handle up and down to raise the load; the
load will be raised on each down stroke of the handle.
d. Raise the load enough to relieve the blocking.
e. Remove what blocking was added.
f. Place the handle in the upright position against the steel-
standard bar.
g. Move the reversing latch to the down position forcefully.
h. Again grasp the handle firmly with both hands, palms facing
down.
i. Carefully pump the handle up and down to lower the load; the
load will be lowered on each up stroke of the handle.
Note: Watch the load and the Jack carefully; stop jacking if
either one starts to move. Do not continue lowering
the load unless it is safe to do so. The Jack must
have a minimum load of 150 pounds or more on it to
Section 306.006
Page 4 of 8
lower step-by step; watch for the lifting mechanism to
slide down to the base plate when no longer loaded.
4. Instructions for winching:
The Jack can be utilized as a winch, if needed, for rescue operations.
Keep in mind the ability to move the load will be based on the
maximum working limitations of the Jack. (See Figure 3.)
The working load of each chain must be greater than the strength of
the Jack. If a chain breaks while winching, the load could shift or the
chain could snap back.
Figure 3
a. Make sure the top clamp is in line with the bar.
b. Install one end of a chain securely to the object to be winched.
c. Securely attach the other end of the chain to the top clamp of
the Jack.
d. Use a shackle if the chain will not fit through the top clamp of
the Jack.
e. Take another chain and secure one end to a fixed, stable
object.
f. Secure the other end around the lifting nose on the Jack.
Note: Do not attach the chain or shackle to the bottom hole
of the lifting nose.
Section 306.006
Page 5 of 8
g. Operate the Jack as you would for raising or lowering a load.
5. Instructions for clamping: (See Figure 4.)
Figure 4
a. Loosen the top clamp bolt.
b. Turn the top clamp 90 degrees to the steel bar and retighten
the bolt.
c. The top clamp can be connected anywhere along the steel-
standard bar.
d. Operate the Jack as you would for raising a load.
6. Cleaning and lubricating the Jack:
If the moving parts of the Jack or the steel standard bar are clogged,
use air pressure, water pressure, or a stiff brush to clean. Use a non-
flammable cleaning solvent or another good degreaser to clean the
Jack. Remove any existing rust, preferably with a penetrating
lubricant. Do not use motor oil or grease to lubricate the Jack.
Lubricate the Jack using white lithium grease, light penetrating oil, or a
silicon or Teflon spray at the following points: (See Figure 5.)
Section 306.006
Page 6 of 8
Figure 5
a. Keep the front and back edges of the steel-standard bar lightly
lubricated and free from dirt and rust.
b. Keep the pitman pin lubricated or it will damage the handle
socket and pitman.
c. Keep the shear bolt clean and lubricated to keep it from
wearing out.
d. Keep both climbing pins and springs lubricated and free from
dirt and rust.
7. If the Jack binds:
Dirt, rusty, climbing pins or a worn or bent steel-standard bar can
cause binding. As the Jack becomes older, the climbing pins may start
binding in the holes of the steel-standard bar. This will prevent the
Jack from operating properly and safely.
Regularly cleaning and lubricating the lifting mechanism may prevent
some binding. Test the Jack by jacking it down without a load. If the
binding continues, indicate the problem on an FD-37 and route the
Jack to the Repair and Maintenance Section for repair.
If the Jack binds while under a load, use another Jack with an equal or
larger load capacity to lower.
Section 306.006
Page 7 of 8
INFORMATION
This section intentionally left blank.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
CROSS REFERENCES
No cross-references recognized.
Section 306.006
Page 8 of 8