Design Build Go - new Agile scissor jack review

[David Czarnecki]

Quick video on the new Agile heavy duty scissor jack. 7000 pound capacity and over 20" of height. Take a look.


View: https://youtube.com/shorts/puQ-eNxSVwc?si=VjuCtqB_MB_o67CA

 

[Zimm]

I did. My initial reaction was, 400 bucks for a scissor jack is stupid. Oddly when that was put on FB, I looked into other scissor jacks and ran into this for less than half.

Multi-stage Scissor Jack - Bag & Ratchet Wrench - Gortech USA

An extraordinary breakthrough in vehicle jacks – a new innovation designed for all vehicle owners. Say goodbye to traditional jacks and welcome the future of lifting power with our cutting-edge jack featuring internal arms that deliver unparalleled leverage. Our revolutionary jack operates in...

gortech-usa.com

Out of curiosity for the innovative 2 stage mechanism, I bought it. In my opine, it, like the agile is a tad large and heavy and a space waster for a mid sized SUV compared to a large bottle jack, (nice for a campervan) but it works well and even the extension mounts in such a manner that I would have no qualms using it anywhere in the field that I'd be willing to use the jack, and I didn't think that would be the case. It' is defiantly versatile with it's wide range of operation.

 

[C-Mack]

Just about anywhere you’re likely to get stuck off-road and need a Jack it’s going to be dirty, sandy, gravelly or muddy and would be concerned about getting debris into the ACME threads jamming things up. Sure, one would try and be careful but grit is eventually going to find its way into the mechanism I would think. It’s still a nice stout jack though.

 

[Zimm]

Just about anywhere you’re likely to get stuck off-road and need a Jack it’s going to be dirty, sandy, gravelly or muddy and would be concerned about getting debris into the ACME threads jamming things up. Sure, one would try and be careful but grit is eventually going to find its way into the mechanism I would think. It’s still a nice stout jack though.

I doubt thats a real concern. I've used some rather dirty old jacks and never had that happen.

 

[Tazzieman]

I always thought bottle jacks were better than scissor jacks for HD use. What's changed?

 

[Zimm]

I always thought bottle jacks were better than scissor jacks for HD use. What's changed?

nothing.

 

[Dokatd]

I always thought bottle jacks were better than scissor jacks for HD use. What's changed?

Nothing has changed, you are 100% right. There is no valid place for a scissor jack off-road, HD or not.

Ok, maybe that's a touch harsh, but scissors jacks belong in the trash or in the trunk of a Honda civic.

 

[DenisM]

Nothing has changed, you are 100% right. There is no valid place for a scissor jack off-road, HD or not.

Ok, maybe that's a touch harsh, but scissors jacks belong in the trash or in the trunk of a Honda civic.

A scissor jack is a very useful item repurposed as the lift mechanism for a DIY height adjustable woodwork router table...

 

[Dokatd]

A scissor jack is a very useful item repurposed as the lift mechanism for a DIY height adjustable woodwork router table...

Yes, that's a great application

 

[rob88]

Quick video on the new Agile heavy duty scissor jack. 7000 pound capacity and over 20" of height. Take a look.


View: https://youtube.com/shorts/puQ-eNxSVwc?si=VjuCtqB_MB_o67CA

That thing's a beast. Perfect for getting my truck up high.

 

[NQ94]

I prefer the hydraulic jack and carry one but one of the most universal jacks other than a HiLift, handy for bush repairs, moving and straightening stuff are the Toyota screw jacks. They're small light don't leak, can be thrown
in a tool box and work in any position, not the most stable jack on a heavy loaded car but handy.

 

[Dokatd]

I prefer the hydraulic jack and carry one but one of the most universal jacks other than a HiLift, handy for bush repairs, moving and straightening stuff are the Toyota screw jacks. They're small light don't leak, can be thrown
in a tool box and work in any position, not the most stable jack on a heavy loaded car but handy.
View attachment 7909130

I have used those and agree they are pretty solid.

My favorite hydro was always the indestructible little red bottle jacks that came with rovers in the early 90's. Wouldn't work upside down like the Toyota screw, but solid non the less.

 

[Zimm]

I prefer the hydraulic jack and carry one but one of the most universal jacks other than a HiLift, handy for bush repairs, moving and straightening stuff are the Toyota screw jacks. They're small light don't leak, can be thrown
in a tool box and work in any position, not the most stable jack on a heavy loaded car but handy.
View attachment 7909130

ive collected 5 of them.

 

[Zimm]

Nothing has changed, you are 100% right. There is no valid place for a scissor jack off-road, HD or not.

Ok, maybe that's a touch harsh, but scissors jacks belong in the trash or in the trunk of a Honda civic.

If you're placing the force in line with the weight to be lifted, i.e. not a highlift, and what you're using to create the force isn't a total piece of trash, jacking a truck offroad is all about site prep. What is creating the force doesn't matter, as force doesn't know. Scissor jacks have friction, but no seals. They also aren't 100% rated from flat, but for something like my mgbgt, I stuck the stock death trap on the shelf and put an old astrovan scissor in long ago.

Now, due to the nature of the mechanism, a scissor jack is easy to mass produce extremely cheap compared to a bottle jack, and that's why they are popular to place in cars. There's no reason a quality scissor jack cannot be made, and in fact the one I noted above was a pleasant surprise. You wouldn't say "all wrenches are garbage" because the cheap POS that came with a '72 triumph in the tool kit was hand cast with 70's third world tech.

I cannot think of a scenario offroad where the mechanism creating the direct force has any bearing on whether or not using it is "valid", assuming all other site prep and quality issues are equal, especially because the proximity of the user to danger is exactly the same. I also can't come up with a use case where the convenience of the stretch here is worth the price, weight and ridiculous size of the mechanism in a truck so short on storage as it is. This is a quick and easy contraption fit for a 1 ton offroad Merc van or something similar with excess space where it can maybe double as a leveler, not a Gren.

 

[nuclearbeef]

I have the Gortech. Haven't used it in anger yet, but seems to be well made.


View: https://youtu.be/NwpOELirDcQ?si=VLyrgdEh6C-92_03

 

[Zimm]

I have the Gortech. Haven't used it in anger yet, but seems to be well made.


View: https://youtu.be/NwpOELirDcQ?si=VLyrgdEh6C-92_03

thats pretty stupid. nice way to lose an eye. That may send parts flying and not just bend if it fails.

 

[Dokatd]

If you're placing the force in line with the weight to be lifted, i.e. not a highlift, and what you're using to create the force isn't a total piece of trash, jacking a truck offroad is all about site prep. What is creating the force doesn't matter, as force doesn't know. Scissor jacks have friction, but no seals. They also aren't 100% rated from flat, but for something like my mgbgt, I stuck the stock death trap on the shelf and put an old astrovan scissor in long ago.

Now, due to the nature of the mechanism, a scissor jack is easy to mass produce extremely cheap compared to a bottle jack, and that's why they are popular to place in cars. There's no reason a quality scissor jack cannot be made, and in fact the one I noted above was a pleasant surprise. You wouldn't say "all wrenches are garbage" because the cheap POS that came with a '72 triumph in the tool kit was hand cast with 70's third world tech.

I cannot think of a scenario offroad where the mechanism creating the direct force has any bearing on whether or not using it is "valid", assuming all other site prep and quality issues are equal, especially because the proximity of the user to danger is exactly the same. I also can't come up with a use case where the convenience of the stretch here is worth the price, weight and ridiculous size of the mechanism in a truck so short on storage as it is. This is a quick and easy contraption fit for a 1 ton offroad Merc van or something similar with excess space where it can maybe double as a leveler, not a Gren.

When you get out in rough stuff "site prep" is not always practical. Cranking a scissor jack is also not always practical. The capacity of a scissor jack is typically much lower than hydro especially for the size. Scissor jacks can't be placed in tiny crevices or tight mechanical locations. I can pump a hydro jack with a finger and get decent force, trying to twist a dusty scissor jack with your fingers is kinda impossible.

The only times I have seen scissor jacks in the wild they have folded. A small hydraulic jack was always the solution afterwards.

You won't see seasoned off-roaders using scissor jacks. I said Off-roaders not Overlanders. The Subaru community can keep their scissor jacks.

 

[Zimm]

When you get out in rough stuff "site prep" is not always practical. Cranking a scissor jack is also not always practical. The capacity of a scissor jack is typically much lower than hydro especially for the size. Scissor jacks can't be placed in tiny crevices or tight mechanical locations. I can pump a hydro jack with a finger and get decent force, trying to twist a dusty scissor jack with your fingers is kinda impossible.

The only times I have seen scissor jacks in the wild they have folded. A small hydraulic jack was always the solution afterwards.

You won't see seasoned off-roaders using scissor jacks. I said Off-roaders not Overlanders. The Subaru community can keep their scissor jacks.

"Site prep" and safety is always practical. Observation and planning is part of site prep. Take the time. No one said you're pouring a foundation, but if you're in a situation where using a jack is practical in the first place, you're in a situation where you can secure the vehicle if necessary and set up the cribbing and or shoveling. If it's that bad that you cannot set up the equipment in a safe manner, get help or forcibly recocate it. Nothing is worth injury. Nothing. This isn't a race. Don't be a hero.

When I've run into an issue operating a bottle Jack, its been due to the location of the jack being too shrouded to pump it completely with the arc that's required. It seems to me the spinning of the AO is a strong suit and is quite easy, especially since I always carry a 12v electric ratchet anymore anyway. Bzzzzzzzzt and the AO would be done, while I'm still pumping away. Spinning is actually why I've collected the little landcruiser bottle jacks to keep in the recovery box of each truck. The hook/hoop can be fidgety, but you can stay clear of harms way and spin with multiple extensions, and you dont end up on youtube with a car falling on your arm from reaching under to pump it.

The ability to slide a small scissor jack into a 4" space, is why they reside in my sports cars. Completely situational. Bottle jacks do have an angle limit though.

I have NEVER in person seen a scissor jack fold and up till now, I've only seen cheap garbage at all, and it's happened around you multiple times?

 

[Dokatd]

"Site prep" and safety is always practical. Observation and planning is part of site prep. Take the time. No one said you're pouring a foundation, but if you're in a situation where using a jack is practical in the first place, you're in a situation where you can secure the vehicle if necessary and set up the cribbing and or shoveling. If it's that bad that you cannot set up the equipment in a safe manner, get help or forcibly recocate it. Nothing is worth injury. Nothing. This isn't a race. Don't be a hero.

When I've run into an issue operating a bottle Jack, its been due to the location of the jack being too shrouded to pump it completely with the arc that's required. It seems to me the spinning of the AO is a strong suit and is quite easy, especially since I always carry a 12v electric ratchet anymore anyway. Bzzzzzzzzt and the AO would be done, while I'm still pumping away. Spinning is actually why I've collected the little landcruiser bottle jacks to keep in the recovery box of each truck. The hook/hoop can be fidgety, but you can stay clear of harms way and spin with multiple extensions, and you dont end up on youtube with a car falling on your arm from reaching under to pump it.

The ability to slide a small scissor jack into a 4" space, is why they reside in my sports cars. Completely situational. Bottle jacks do have an angle limit though.

I have NEVER in person seen a scissor jack fold and up till now, I've only seen cheap garbage at all, and it's happened around you multiple times?

I have seen probably a dozen or so scissor jacks fail or fold. They are fine and great for sports cars, not off-road and on heavy trucks. Can you find a specific application that a scissor is better off-road, sure. But does a scissor win out over a bottle, not a chance in hell. Bottle and HiLift should be first and foremost. Anything else is Overlanding fluff and you can keep it.

 

[NQ94]

Totally agree with Zimm, site prep is always pratical, safety is always a priority.
Lifting and jacking equipment is something I take seriously and work with nearly every day. I have had a few of my own near misses and seen enough jack, lifting and pressing related injuries over the years through work.
The crux is it doesn't matter if you like the overlanding fluff, expanding the offroading ego or pretending to be a mechanic in your driveway take the time to plan, assess what and where you are lifting, choose the right tool for the job, prepare the area and protect yourself and others because the ground doesn't move, people are soft, vehicles are hard and gravity, mass and force will always win when it goes wrong.