New gadget - Hi Lift Handle-All multi-tool

[TheRoadie]

Didn't see a thread that mentioned this yet - pardon me if I'm wrong.

I got sick of having to bolt my shovel to the roof rack every time I went out, because it was getting rustier and rustier if I left it there, and I worried about shovel pilferage, given the demographics of where I park for my day job. And last trip when I got stuck in sand I didn't have it and had to use a much smaller entrenching tool normally good only for poop holes. So either I was going to get a shorter handle fiberglass shovel or something else.

The something else finally started showing up for a discounted price so I snagged one off Ebay, and was a Popular Mechanics editor's choice award item from the 2007 SEMA show: the Hi Lift Handle-All

Nice designer yellow carry bag - two piece tubular handle with four heads - shovel, pick, axe, and sledge. Now it can be in my recovery drawer forever. As somebody said when I first mounted a Hi Lift on the truck - nothing says you're gonna get stuck like carrying a Hi Lift.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I played around with that exact one at SEMA. Neat concept, we'll see how they hold up. What did you pay for yours?

 

[TheRoadie]

$115 plus $25 flat rate UPS from the Ebay vendor in Albuquerque. 28 pounds, and it was drop-shipped from a warehouse in Compton so they never even touched it themselves. Most everybody else has it for $150 plus shipping.

 

[rctr03]

christmas

my wife gave me one for christmas

 

[teotwaki]

I just cannot see it doing well under heavy use with those fastening systems. But I don't own one so I'll rely on you brave folks to go bust rocks or chop logs to see what happens. :archaeolo

How aboput some close ups of the fasteners? Any wiggle or movement allowed at all or is it perfectly rigid such as to form a solid energy transfer from the handle?

 

[adventureduo]

... and here im thinking it attaches to the hi-lift handle lol

Im like .. "wait a minute... now your shovel weighs like 40 lbs"

 

[TheRoadie]

You're onto something! Here's a better picture showing the two-part handle:

There's enough overlap on the joints that there's only 1/4" of wiggle at the end of the handle if the head is held fixed.

But the exciting part is that except for an internal weld bead, you could put one of these heads into the Hi Lift jack handle! (I just tried.) I'll get out a grinder tonight and try to clean it up. Conversely, it looks like this guy could act as a jack handle and weigh less. So you could either leave one pipe at home, or potentially use two of the tools at once.

 

[DaveInDenver]

How aboput some close ups of the fasteners? Any wiggle or movement allowed at all or is it perfectly rigid such as to form a solid energy transfer from the handle?

Avy shovels with telescoping handles have worked in a similar way for years, so I think it has merit. Naturally swinging an ax has a bit different requirements, I'll admit that.

But, anyone who's done singletrack work has seen a Max Ax. Their connections works a bit differently, but they go the distance. I've used the Max Ax and I think it's the preferred tool IMO, although the shovel on the Hi Lift tool looks like it would be a step up. The Max Ax shovel is a bit of a compromise, no doubt.

 

[teotwaki]

Avy shovels with telescoping handles have worked in a similar way for years, so I think it has merit. Naturally swinging an ax has a bit different requirements, I'll admit that.

Not only do I have the version on the right but was using it up in Big Bear (Calif) last Sunday. Lifting a scoop of snow with that shovel is not the same as a scoop of rocks, mud or dirt though. Different purposes, so the little spring loaded buttons on the Avy shovel are strong enough for their intended purpose.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Not only do I have the version on the right but was using it up in Big Bear (Calif) last Sunday. Lifting a scoop of snow with that shovel is not the same as a scoop of rocks, mud or dirt though. Different purposes, so the little spring loaded buttons on the Avy shovel are strong enough for their intended purpose.

Yeah, I know it's not exactly the same. But my old Voile is going on 10 years now, been through three avy class, used for snow study, snow caves and even pressed into vehicle recovery duty (thankfully never in a real recovery). The idea was a telescoping handle can be plenty fine for the application. The Hi Lift as I understand it uses much more overlap and a snap pin between sections. Haven't seen it up close, just pointing out that it didn't strike me as inherently flawed.

 

[articulate]

. . . go bust rocks or chop logs to see what happens. :archaeolo

We put it through the wringer a few months ago. Attached picture shows my buddy splitting logs with it. He's the sort that doesn't show any mercy on his tools. But he did manage to work one of the hitch pins free after splitting 12 logs.

I think it's a fine tool, the 6-lbs hammer being extraordinarily overkill for camping and trail running. Seriously: what do you use your hammer for? Tent stakes, a bent shock mount? 6 lbs is a lot of hammer. With all due respect for seriously hard trail driving and extreme conditions, if I've got to break boulders to continue down the road, I'm going to turn around and go find the nearest watering hole instead.

The heads fit pretty snug in the handle. And the shovel head is nearly a full size at 12" x 8.75".

 

[Fifthpro]

We put it through the wringer a few months ago. Attached picture shows my buddy splitting logs with it. He's the sort that doesn't show any mercy on his tools. But he did manage to work one of the hitch pins free after splitting 12 logs.

I think it's a fine tool, the 6-lbs hammer being extraordinarily overkill for camping and trail running. Seriously: what do you use your hammer for? Tent stakes, a bent shock mount? 6 lbs is a lot of hammer. With all due respect for seriously hard trail driving and extreme conditions, if I've got to break boulders to continue down the road, I'm going to turn around and go find the nearest watering hole instead.

The heads fit pretty snug in the handle. And the shovel head is nearly a full size at 12" x 8.75".

Articulate, thanks for the info you provided. I am interested on just how this system will hold up with additional use. I have to admit I carry a sledge (smaller than 6lbs...) for some heavy hitting. Never considered breaking boulders but I guess it is an option in extreme conditions....(please do not attack, I mean if life or limb were in jeopardy/emergencies.)

As you use it more, please update!
Cheers

 

[rctr03]

took my out for a two day adventure last weekend. my son gave the tools a hard work out. he gave it a thumbs up :26_7_2:
my 2 cents

 

[FlyingWen]

I've used the Max Ax and I think it's the preferred tool IMO, although the shovel on the Hi Lift tool looks like it would be a step up. The Max Ax shovel is a bit of a compromise, no doubt.

After hearing rave reviews about the Hi-Lift Handle All, we added it to our site. This is a quality product.

I have to agree with DaveInDenver in regards to the Max Ax. While it is a little more expensive, it offers more items at your disposal.
Better to have to many options then too little.

 

[TheRoadie]

After hearing rave reviews about the Hi-Lift Handle All, we added it to our site. This is a quality product.

Now you're breaking my heart - I would have loved to buy it from you instead. I've got an idea - anything I'm thinking about buying that you don't already distribute - I'll just email you and see if you'll set up drop-shipping for us. That's all my vendor did. Or is that not how you want to expand? I dunno.