Help me decide which trolley jack & axle stands please

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by paulcalf, Aug 19, 2019.

  1. This is what I ended up with
    https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3-js-3-ton-trolley-jack-with-axle-stands


    Please help - Im being very indecisive - I've been meaning to buy some for years

    I've read various threads on here, but can't decide exactly what I need (home use not on the road)

    My dilemma is mainly due to lift height required.
    I have decided on ratchet type axle stands (SGS's ones also come with safety pin)
    I don't ever want to buy or look at axle stands and trolley jacks again, these need to last my lifetime.

    My bus weighs 1900kg when fully laden including people!

    Can someone who knows my technical limitations (@Lasty @Dicky @theBusmonkey @mikedjames @davidoft @Baysearcher @3901mick @Flakey etc)
    put me out my misery please, so I can order something.

    A. £102 for a 3 ton trolley jack that lifts to 465mm. 4T Ratchet axle stands that lift to 420mm.
    https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3x-jsr-3-ton-trolley-jack-ratchet-axle-stands
    Will these be high enough in the unlikely event 'I' attempt to remove my T1 engine? Or is there a work around if that ever did happen (eg drop engine onto wood on floor, then jack van higher with blocks of wood, so the engine could be slid out)

    B. £152 for a low profile jack that lifts to 535mm. 4T Ratchet axle stands that lift to 420mm.
    https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3lp-jsr2-low-profile-trolley-jack-ratchet-axle-stands
    High enough if i ever remove the engine?

    C. £122. 3 ton garage heavy duty jack that lifts to 520mm. 4T Ratchet axle stands that lift to 420mm.
    https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3-jsr2-jack-axle-bundle
    High enough if i ever remove the engine? Bloody heavy though & says currently out of stock!

    D. £138. 3 ton garage heavy duty jack that lifts to 520mm. 12T Ratchet axle stands that lift from 395 to 605mm
    £90. https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3-garage-3-ton-trolley-jack
    £48. https://www.sgs-engineering.com/jsr6-ratchet-axle-stands
    High enough if i ever needed to remove engine?, but are they too high (at lowest setting) for normal use?

    E. Something else. Although i'll probably stick with SGS as ive heard good things and they look sturdy


    I'll probably only use them for minor stuff like oil changes and wheel removal

    Feel free to insult me whilst replying as i should be able to work this out for myself. I haven't done that much myself on the bus hence why i need input from those that have done lots, but also know my lack of technical abilities!

    Thanks in advance

    Sorry for writing so much - here's a picture of a giant unicorn
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2019
    PanZer, Deefer66, mcswiggs and 8 others like this.
  2. No unicorn pic :(
     
    Pedro del monkeybike likes this.
  3. Not everyone sees it when first looking
     
  4. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    Got a 2.5 ton 4x4 one from Screwfix ( or possibly Toolstation)
    Has an extension piece that goes on pad.
    Makes it a nice easy job as your half way to chassis with the extension on.
     
  5. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Ok .. I use a set of Halfords ramps to get most of the height and then a Halfords 4x4 2.5 tonne jack to perform height adjustments if the engine is running so I can drive it up the ramps when I pull the engine.
    That jack has the fast start feature where it lifts faster until it comes under load.

    Ramps with bus on wheels are a lot more stable than axle stands.

    Trouble is my driveway has gone shiny and it spits the ramps out from under the bus when I get the bus back down.. need spikes or rubber pads for grip..

    Otherwise I use the axle stands that came with the jack which are big and solid for 4x4.

    Of course because the product is both good and good value ( occasional half price offers putting the kit at £50 for years) they dont sell it any more. It was black and not stylish looking....

    High lift is essential, but if you cant make it all the way the fan housing can be removed and replaced in the engine bay and then the remainder slides out a lot easier without much lifting.


    The jack capacity only needs to be about 60%-70% of the weight of the bus as that is supposedly what you would be lifting if you lift the bus from the middle of the rear suspension at the gearbox nose. So anything over 2.5 tonne or so is adequate.
     
  6. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    It’s one of this pictures where you need to see ‘through’ the picture.
     
    paulcalf likes this.
  7. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    paulcalf likes this.
  8. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    If you get a bit of ply the same size as the ramp base + 1.5 feet in length and bolt the bases to them, you get no slip as the wheel traps the wood/ramp under the van.
     
  9. iblaze

    iblaze Supporter

  10. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    Can I nominate pad size and construction matters....nice broad rubber pad for old vans and check the size of the jack wheels, long extension arms means the wheels move quite a lot, bigger wheels are better.
     
    scrooge95 likes this.
  11. Thanks Mike

    Is this the one you have
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Halfords...ift-4x4-15cm-53cm-Lifting-Range-/321680460692

    It gives 530mm of lift, but as you say no longer available!

    So if 'I' ever remove the engine, ramps would be better than axle stands, so perhaps i should rule out the 12t axle stands and just go for a trolley jack with enough lift
     
  12. sgs mention heavy duty wheels

    I will also get a broad rubber pad if i can
     
  13. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    Would love some of those ramps car dealerships have to display vehicles.
     
    paulcalf likes this.
  14. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    It’s more size as they should be weight capable....e.g. last house had block paving and the jack wheels get stuck pulling the vehicle over, which it doesn’t come can cause it to fall off the jack.
     
  15. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    I've got an SGS engineering jack (can't remember which one, but can look if you're interested).
    The difference in quality over Clarke etc is chalk and cheese.
     
  16. The 3t garage Jacks (C&D) have large steel wheels

    Im narrowing it down i think!
     
  17. If its the one that @Mattlad got to replace one of yours then it is the heavy duty 3t GARAGE one

    I take it you mean these sgs ones are much better than clarke ones?
     
  18. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Yes and yes.
     

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