Snapped my 20-ton jack on a big maple removal in Nashville

I was lifting a heavy butt log last Tuesday and the hydraulic seal blew out, oil everywhere mid lift. Had to wait 45 minutes for a buddy to bring his backup jack. Anyone else had a critical tool fail on a job site like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

sage3081mo ago

Man that's a rough one, happens to the best of us. Had my Stihl 460 throw a chainsaw chain clean off mid cut on a big oak limb over a deck last spring. Thing snapped like a rubber band and wrapped around the bar so tight I thought I'd have to cut it off with a torch. Took me an hour to get it untangled and another trip to the shop for a new chain and bar. Your mileage may vary on which brands hold up best but in my experience the hydraulic stuff is just as prone to leaking as any other gear when you're pushing it hard. Good on your buddy for having a spare handy though.

kelly3851mo ago

Did it do any damage to the deck when it happened? Glad you and your buddy got through it okay, those close calls can really shake you up.

mary_west1mo ago

Did the chain actually hit the deck at all, or was it just wrapped up on the bar? Sounds like you got lucky it didn't go flying.