[AT] Neat jack idea

[hank at millerfarm.com]

There are two safe ways to use any jack of any type.  The first is to  
know all possible ways the load could fall, and then physically place  
everyone (humans, cats, dogs, cows, ...) outside of that range.   The  
other, more practical way is to have good stable jack stands underthe  
load.   If the load will go very high you may have to jack up a  
little, put the stand in place, jack some more, add a second stand,  
then jack, then adjust the first stand, until you get things high  
enough.

Your cribbing is fine for when the jack itself fails to hold the load,  
but the jack can tip.   Your stands have a base that will not tip  
(Make sure your stands really are stable.   A log can be a good stand,  
or it could be a bad one)

If I never again lose a friend because the jack supporting his  
car/whatever fell over it will be all right with me.

Jacks are for lifting, use solid stands once the load is lifted.    
This goes for any jack, not just the hi-lift type.

The bottom line is think safety.  So use your brain.

Quoting charlie hill <chill8 at suddenlink.net>:

> I think the safe way to use those jacks (if the situation will allow) is to
> have some cribing on hand.  Jack the load up 4 inches or so, insert a piece
> of cribbing (cribing sp ?), go another 4 inches add another piece, etc.
> That way if the jacks decides to auto-rachet down or turn over the load
> can't fall very far.  Of course most of the time you would need it when
> there was no cribing to be found.