It is important when travelling off-road to be prepared to overcome any obstacles you may become stranded on. This is why a jack should be included in your off-road 'tool kit'. There are two types of jacks, the hi-lift or the exhaust jack.
The hi-lift jack has the ability to lift, winch, clamp, pull and push. It is used when you have beached your 4WD in a creek bed on a rock or branch. The hi-lift jack uses a mechanical ratchet action, working a lug up a long steel bar, to raise the vehicle higher than a normal jack does. Once lifted, you can either push the vehicle sideways off the obstruction, or you can pack something under the wheel that's in trouble. When jacking a vehicle on soft ground, you will also need a baseplate. A decent sized bit of ply about the size of a kitchen chopping board will do.
A hi-lift jack can also be used as a winch by using either a couple of chains, or winching straps. You then need to undo the jack from its lifting shaft and put it back on it the reverse way it came off. After attaching the chains or straps to the jack and the vehicles, winching is done by engaging the lift mechanism on the jack.
The ARB hi-lift jack has a 3,175kg capacity, has a 1.3m or longer column and is the only all casting jack manufactured today.
Exhaust jacks are well suited for use when stuck in sand, mud or snow. To work, the exhaust jack must be able to be placed under the car. The pipe from the bag is then connected to the exhaust pipe and as soon as the car is started, the bag begins to inflate under the car, lifting it up.
The ARB exhaust jack has a capacity of 4,000kg and comes with the option of a 65mm and 100mm cone size for different sized exhaust pipes.
When using either jack, you must ensure that you don't raise the vehicle beyond the point of stability. You must also never get underneath the vehicle when it is raised.
Hi-lift and exhaust jacks are available from Adelaide Off-Road at 52 The Parade, Norwood. For more information contact Adelaide Off-Road on 08 8363 5999.