Hi-LiftFR-485 48" First Responder Extrication Rescue Tool

Shipping was pretty quick for a heavy awkward package.Arrived nicely packed in a heavy fitted cardboard box that is fully stapled shut, it's not opening up accidentally.This is not my first Hi-Lift, but it is my first time laying hands on the First Responder. It's very well made, there are both chain and strap anchors on the base and most of all I like that it is made to straddle two 4x4's .I'm not a first responder, I bought this for a Jeep to carry on the trail. The extra capabilities of this tool over the basic jack makes it well worth the extra money for me.When I first took it out of the box I figured I would remove all the glow in the dark stuff. But, then I seen it in a dimly lit room, the glow stuff is very bright, it's impressive.What I don't like about it is the color. I feel like I'm going to be hunted down by a burger peddling clown who wants his jack back. I'm going to bead blast it and powder coat it my own custom color.I would love to be able to purchase new glow stickers, which are very thick plastic, 1/16th inch maybe, because these will need to be removed to strip it for new powder coat.Overall, I'm very happy with it. I'll update this after I've used it a few times

Like the other models of hi-lift jacks, it's solidly built and feels hefty carrying it around. With the exception of the base and the color, this is basically the same model and construction as the extreme jack. The $120+ premium you are paying for goes mostly into the base which consists of three parts: The first responder base, the rotating hub that adapts the base to the jack and a retaining pin to hold the two other pieces in place. The jack body and base are solid cast steel, the rotating hub is aluminum. I will try to attach a photo of the base if I can figure out how to.I went with this model because I though the base would give me more flexibility. Based on measurements, it looks like the optional plastic off-road base won't fit with the first responder base but it shouldn't matter since two short pieces of 2x4's should serve the same purpose for significantly less than the plastic off-road base accessory. When the jack is mounted on my roof racks, I keep the base inside my vehicle.I'm still torn whether to give this a four or a five star rating, for your use, it's really up to you whether the extra functionality is worth the additional $120+. For now, I will keep it at five stars ("I love it") and adjust it as I get more actual usage, although I really hope not because if I do get to use it for real, it means I got stuck on the trail and other easier means of extrication have failed.

Works great. Better than expected.

I read the reviews about chipping paint and stickers falling off. Someone mentioned rust, and then there was the question of added price. I work rescue on one of the top 10 dangerous sections of interstate in the United States and I’m here to tell you this thing will open any vehicle on the market. If you want pretty, why are you buying a jack? Tools are meant to be used! Yes the paint on my rails is chipped off 3/4 of the way down. But it’s from moving a 6 ton maple tree and the stump that was stuck in the ground next to it. If you want pretty buy make up and a mirror. If you want a dependable piece of steel rated to do some amazing tasks for fire and rescue, or out on the trail in you Jeep or 4x4, by this jack. It will require cleaning, oiling and maintenance like most tools, or you can hang it on your wall and stare ate the pretty paint.

Badass farm jack, tho I did bend the bar on the 60” first responder jack. It may have been my fault with the loading but the customer service team is sending out a new bar with little questions asked, awesome service. Also they let me know that the old bar can be straightened out at a machine shop and continued to be used safely with the composition of the bar allowing it to be done. Could be nice if your in deep and bend the bar, you might be able to bend it back in the field with another truck or something and then continue to use the jack. Only complaint is that I want a bigger bar on the jack to prevent it bending if I were to lift higher with the 60” height (I bent the bar with the load about half way up)

4 Stars for sturdiness. -1 for the stupid sticker that fell off after first use. Paid extra for the 1st responder version.Had a cool base plate, but other than that- no worth the extra $ for the paint job and the reflective stickers. Those sticker are somehow timed to the requirements of the first responded aspect of this product. The release is sticky. Hopefully time will loosen that up.

This is a solid piece of equipment and the swiveling foot design makes it worth the extra cost, it makes solid contact on asphalt or dirt and seems far safer then the standard Hi-Lift design. The only issues I found was that the glow tape that is attached will most likely fail in short order and the paint is much easier to chip then I hoped it would be. These issues can be addressed via modification and or maintenance therefore I would not consider it a reason to rate the product lower although I do feel Hi-Lift should address them. I feel that this unit is the most solid, and safe Hi-Lift on the market I use it daily while logging, building and working on equipment.

I am highly disappointment as the quality of the metal component of this product and the high lift accessory package are very poor grade metals several bolts /screws and anchors break and bentted as well as the lifting handle that was bended creating an arch I worked with the product twice and that’s the result