Jacks and Jack Stands

[Danjo]

This is a question for the wrenchers here.

I have 5 ton vehicle. What jack do you like for big vehicles? I used my 3 ton floor jack and it really took a lot of effort to get it in the air.

At that time I used two pair of 6 ton stands. I really thought that I was maxing those out too.

So what should I get? I’d like some portability too so maybe an hydraulic bottle jack as opposed to a rolling floor jack.

Thank you!

[JackE]

I like the air over hydraulic bottle jacks. Having onboard air is a big plus in that regard. HF has a 12 ton model that I'm kinda thinking about adding as stabilizers. Much cheaper than the big foot system. I haven't given much thought to jack stands. I was thinking some 4x4 cribbing might be more effective. I'm expecting the front corners to be about 5K each, and the rear in the 13K range. Whatever it is will need to be pretty stout.

[Iceni John]

My general rule for Chinese bottle jacks (actually, for most things Chinese!) is to have twice the advertised capacity than what I think will be needed. In other words, I bought a 20-ton jack for the rear axle of my bus and a 12-ton for the front, then they'll be working at about half their rating. And just to be safe, I also bought a spare 20-ton, and a low-height 12-ton in case a front tire were flat, and some 12"-square pieces of 3/8"-thick steel plate to put under the jacks.

John

[BeNimble]

When you have something this heavy, I would have backup. agree a bottle jack is good, less to break, and jack stands double rated. BTW, harbor freight had a recall on theirs,
the ones with the notched teeth and swing arm, I would not use those at these weights.
Put some 4x4 under just in case as backup.

I just watched a roof raise video this morning, and could not believe the people inside cutting at it without any backup to hold up the roof if one of the supports let go.
In another one, no backups and the roof DID fall on them, but they did not get killed thankfully.

[Iceni John]

Instead of jack stands, which for the weight rating I need would be very expensive and heavy, I have some lengths of 8" x 10" fir. I bought a ten-foot piece and had the lumberyard cut it to four two-foot lengths and two one-foot lengths. These fit well under the tires, and I have no worry about 30,000 pounds of bus falling on me. I made sure to buy a piece with no knots or splits, and if it begins to crack I'll replace it immediately. Cheap, works well, doesn't take much space - what's not to like?

John

[magnakansas]

currently for the road I have two 20 ton bottle jacks, my entire bus weighs around 6 tons. I also have a 9,000 lb winch that travels with me. At home I have four jack stands each one rated at 6 tons. I will be changing the type of jack stands to ones that have a pin to lock the height in addition to ratchet type mechanism. I dont use them at home... yet, but I also own four single post wheel lifts that are rated, I think, at 20,000 lbs each... maybe more.. I have not read them in a while. They are designed to pick up a wheel. They are linked by cables to that the controls operate all four at once.

william

[Danjo]

So much of that kind of stuff is rebranded. Who’s got the good stuff?