Offroad floor jacks

I found myself needing a offroad floor jack for work projects, being a railroad field mechanic means not always working in a shop with a nice concrete floor, but in the dirt and rocks next to and between the RR tracks.

I was looking at the Harbor Freight Badland floor jack which costs $300, but my manager has an aversion to buying HF tools for work. I mentioned the Pro Eagle option at $600, but it was deemed too pricy.

I found a CAT 3 ton offroad floor jack on Amazon that seemed like a great in-between option for $400. Bought on the company Visa and put it to use right away, lifting a 1,500# Meritor axle for a piece of heavy equipment. I was working on the RR track and tossed down a piece of plywood to keep it rolling smoothly.




This CAT jack is big and heavy at 90#'s, but it's incredibly well built and has a flat skidplate on the bottom, for use in soft situations. It also includes a jack pad extension for even more height, if needed.

I don't know that it's the best option as a 'race jack' but it could be handy to keep on a trailer, in the back of your truck, etc. The weight is the biggest issue IMO, but if you can get past that it's a good option. I'm already impressed with it and am looking forward to using it again.

I have the Badland off-road jack and while it is not as easy to move around as a normal swivel wheel jack, I now use it the most in my shop. I like them quite a bit. The CAT one looks like a great mid point between the two.

I love my Harbor freight badlands jack. It always go in the trailer on long trips with the buggy.

Interesting video. Here are stats on the 3 major Competitors.

I’ve really liked the badlands jack. The steering is the only downside for use in the garage. I think I’ll get a northern tool one next, as it has normal swivel type wheels.

Well this thread made me look and the Strongway was on sale from Northern Tool, I also had a coupon so it was $240 to my door.
Initial impressions: the Badlands is nicer.
The extension holder on the Strongway is chincy sheetmatal ‘flaps’—- I don’t know that they’ll last. The handle is shorter, smaller diameter, thinner gauge. The handle also has (at the top) about a foot of travel before the plungers start to engage. The jack handle thumb screw doesn’t have a keeper like the Badlands, mine went missing during shipping. I do think the caster wheels will be nice for use around the garage. Will update more as I use it.

Harbor Freight showed a newer smaller version of their offroad jack at SEMA. It’s a 1.5 ton and considerably smaller and lighter. It also features “descent control” which looks to be a nice feature.