Trolley Jack recommendations

[B17NNS]

Very light duty, home use only, to lift my Tuscan a corner at a time.

Basically I just want to pop my wheels off, clean and check behind and repaint my arches.

Will this do?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Edited by B17NNS on Friday 26th April 09:20

[DrDeAtH]

Arcan garage jack from Costco. May be overkill. Bit it's a good sturdy piece of kit and lifts from a low height.
£85 ish inc vat.

[B17NNS]

Does look a nice piece of kit. Probably overkill for my needs though and no local CostCo.

[cornet]

I have one of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-2-tonne-...

fine for jacking up one wheel at a time. I usually put a small block of wood between the cup and jacking point as the cup isn't that big - other than that can't complain for the money.

If you don't have some already you can get it with axles and chocks for £20 more http://www.screwfix.com/p/2-tonne-combi-kit/66742

[DocArbathnot]

cornet said:

I have one of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-2-tonne-...

fine for jacking up one wheel at a time. I usually put a small block of wood between the cup and jacking point as the cup isn't that big - other than that can't complain for the money.

If you don't have some already you can get it with axles and chocks for £20 more http://www.screwfix.com/p/2-tonne-combi-kit/66742

I had something like this from Halfords. Fine for occasional use. I cut a rubber ball in 1/2 to use in the cup, makes it much more stable when lifting on the subframe.

[DocArbathnot]

cornet said:

I have one of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-2-tonne-...

fine for jacking up one wheel at a time. I usually put a small block of wood between the cup and jacking point as the cup isn't that big - other than that can't complain for the money.

If you don't have some already you can get it with axles and chocks for £20 more http://www.screwfix.com/p/2-tonne-combi-kit/66742

I had something like this from Halfords. Fine for occasional use. I cut a rubber ball in 1/2 to use in the cup, makes it much more stable when lifting on the subframe.

[cornet]

DocArbathnot said:

cornet said:

I have one of these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-2-tonne-...

fine for jacking up one wheel at a time. I usually put a small block of wood between the cup and jacking point as the cup isn't that big - other than that can't complain for the money.

If you don't have some already you can get it with axles and chocks for £20 more http://www.screwfix.com/p/2-tonne-combi-kit/66742

I had something like this from Halfords. Fine for occasional use. I cut a rubber ball in 1/2 to use in the cup, makes it much more stable when lifting on the subframe.

Neat, will be trying that, thanks for the tip!

[Old Merc]

I got a professional Sealey garage jack with quick lift pedal from Euro Car Parts for £90.They often have offers going and all the equipment is good trade stuff,will probably throw in a pair of axle stands? always best to have a pair anyway.

[Super Slo Mo]

Machine Mart do a few options:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Or if you want a low-profile domestic spec one:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Or their cheapest one:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

I've had a three tonne pro-spec Clarke one for 8 years or so, it's been absolutely fine, although it's heavy (38 kg or so).

If you wait for one of their VAT Free days, you get a 16.7% discount to boot .

Please though, whatever you do, don't work around or under your car without additional support, be it axle stands or just big blocks of wood etc. Jacks are not safe on their own, and you won't have time to move your leg/arm/head if it fails or falls over.

[B17NNS]

Super Slo Mo said:

Please though, whatever you do, don't work around or under your car without additional support, be it axle stands or just big blocks of wood etc. Jacks are not safe on their own, and you won't have time to move your leg/arm/head if it fails or falls over.

Cheers

Think I'll go with either the Machine Mart or Halfords low profile one.

[dingg]

Or if you want a low-profile domestic spec one:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

I went for this one and it does what it says , well worth it IMO

[Super Slo Mo]

B17NNS said:

Cheers

Think I'll go with either the Machine Mart or Halfords low profile one.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be patronising, I'm just utterly paranoid about it, as you don't get a second chance if it goes wrong.

I gave my brother and his mate a bit of a bking some years back when I turned up at my parents house to find the two chaps underneath a Land Rover 90 that had the front end in the air, wheels off, supported solely by a farm jack, which is about as unstable as you can get.

[Old Merc]

Super Slo Mo said:

Machine Mart do a few options:


Please though, whatever you do, don't work around or under your car without additional support, be it axle stands or just big blocks of wood etc. Jacks are not safe on their own, and you won't have time to move your leg/arm/head if it fails or falls over.

I agree,big time.
When I was an apprentice mechanic (50yrs ago!!)if my service manager saw me under a car without axle stands he used to grab my feet,drag me out and threaten to send me home.This has lived with me for ever,I`ve seen serious accidents in workshops,working safely is just part of the job now.

As for jacks,if its going to live always in the garage go for a heavy 2-3ton,like a Sealey Yanky.If you want to take it around in the boot go for those light small ones.

[B17NNS]

Super Slo Mo said:

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be patronising, I'm just utterly paranoid about it, as you don't get a second chance if it goes wrong

I didn't read it as you being patronising. Just a sound bit of advice

[B17NNS]

Super Slo Mo said:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Discontinued now unfortunately so I got the 2.25 tonne low profile.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Seems a decent bit of kit for the price.

Cheers

[Super Slo Mo]

Looks alright, I'm sure it'll do the job just fine.

[m4tti]

B17NNS said:

Discontinued now unfortunately so I got the 2.25 tonne low profile.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Seems a decent bit of kit for the price.

Cheers

Id be tempted to get two of them. I lift my tuscan equally on either side when i used to use trolley jacks, it alleviates any stress on the fiber glass. It may have been a myth but apparently you can put hair line cracks in the body.

[Magna]

You have probably already bought a jack buy now but I`ve spent a bit of time checking a few out and ultimately is comes down to your budget and any transportation issues.

I live in a block of flats and have no access to a garage, therefore a lightweight aluminium jack like this is a good option. Easiy to store and very easy to carry down to the car when required.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Liftmaster-Low-Profile-A...

Very similar to the clarke 1 1/4T lift but has the dual pump.

This one is similar to the Clarke 2.5T
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Liftmaster-2-5-Ton-Alumi...


If you have a garage and don't need to transport the jack around then go for a heavyweight jack. Much better in the long run as the alloy ones have issues with seals going etc. However at 42kgs its not suitable for my situation.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Liftmaster-Pro-3-Ton-70m...

The above steel jack is very similar to the Arcan XL jack which was available from Costco last year for c£80. Its the jack of choice for most but Costco don`t have these anymore and the one of ebay looks a pretty good substitute.

No affiliation to the ebay seller but their jacks look quite good.

[B17NNS]

Cheers Magna, yes I went for Machine Mart 2.25 tonne low profile in the end which has been fine for what I needed it for.

I did swoon over the various aluminium racing jacks available though

[phillpot]

Thinking of buying a "cheap/budget" jack? You might want to read this