Topic: Trolley Jack for lowered cars (Read 4424 times)

VXL V6 · « **on:** 23 April 2018, 17:47:08 »

Need some advice!

Looking for a trolley jack that will handle lowered cars, at my Dad's house I have a 2.5 Tonne 'unknown' brand one (It's too heavy to lug backwards and forwards between houses) which is generally a good workhorse and I can use for all our cars lowered or not - however this is on a hard standing slabs / concrete area whereas I want to purchase something that I can use on my tarmac driveway at home by sliding a piece of board underneath to stop the jack wheels sinking!

I've been considering this as it's around my budget and seems to have good reviews.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ctj1250ab-1-25-tonne-aluminium-racing-j/

I like the large saddle with built in rubber pad but am concerned with the lifting capacity, obviously the jack is only to lift the car high enough to get the axle stands underneath.

On another note, is it possible to get new seals etc for trolley jacks like this www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-2-tonne-trolley-jack, I have a couple of these style (one Halfords, one unknown but identical) but they get that sinking feeling now when trying to lift anything sfter a few years of use!

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 April 2018, 17:49:34 »

These guys have a good reputation with the OOF populous...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks

1.25 tonne seems a bit lightweight for my preference.

Nick W · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 April 2018, 18:05:35 »

The Machine Mart one struggles to lift an Omega, and the casters on the back aren't up to the job.

Resealing a jack shouldn't be too difficult; your local hydraulics specialist ought to be able to provide them over the counter without you having to figure out what you need to order

VXL V6 · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 April 2018, 18:08:22 »

Quote from: jimmy944 on 23 April 2018, 17:49:34

These guys have a good reputation with the OOF populous...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks

1.25 tonne seems a bit lightweight for my preference.

Perhaps something like this then:-

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks/tja25-aluminium-trolley-jack

VXL V6 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 April 2018, 18:10:34 »

Quote from: Nick W on 23 April 2018, 18:05:35

The Machine Mart one struggles to lift an Omega, and the casters on the back aren't up to the job.

Resealing a jack shouldn't be too difficult; your local hydraulics specialist ought to be able to provide them over the counter without you having to figure out what you need to order

I'll have a google for hydraulics specialists in the area

TheBoy · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 April 2018, 18:18:14 »

I use the Costco lightweight (not that lightweight though!) one, which is adequate. Made by Arcan IIRC.

Previously I had the older Costco one, Arcan 3000XL ?? which was brilliant, very very good, but bloody heavy. It actually still worked when dragged out of the garage rubble, though its handle was missing (presumably melted) and no way would you ever trust it after than level of abuse.

You should have looked at mine when here. My complaints of my current one are its reach needs to be longer for the Jag (jacking points in a awkward place at the back), and the side handle get in the way of axle stands... ...clearly not annoyed me enough to remove them yet

Andy B · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 April 2018, 18:38:52 »

I have the older '2 ton' jack from Vostco that Jamie describes ....it's actually 1800kg (the Yanks have too many variations on a ton to know what a ton is)
It's low enough to get under my Smart, but lifts high enough to lift my R Class off the floor for basic stuff.

tunnie · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 April 2018, 20:41:59 »

I also have same Costco one, one of best bits of car DIY tools I ever bought.

It’s damn heavy though as mentioned, it’s nice and low

Andy B · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 April 2018, 21:20:28 »

Quote from: Andy B on 23 April 2018, 18:38:52

I have the older '2 ton' jack from Vostco that Jamie describes ....

I really should proof read my posts .....

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 April 2018, 21:32:58 »

I have one of the Machine mart 1.25 tonne lightweight jacks.

It's OK lifting an Omega but on its limits, I'd say. It's great for getting under low cars, however, and its light weight and small size are welcome.

If you get one, take it apart and threadlock all the fasteners first.

tigers_gonads · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 April 2018, 21:52:09 »

Halfords do a low level 2.5 ton jack iirc $:-\$

ronnyd · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 April 2018, 22:19:35 »

I,ve got the SGS 2 ton low profile jack which works well for me. Don,t get to use it much though.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 April 2018, 22:48:19 »

I also have one. For the money, its a superb little thing. Only complaint is its fickin heavy for its size.
I wrecked several machine mart Clarke jacks in a short space of time, so thought I would try the SGS one. Ive had it a couple of years and its been great.
It also has a low saddle height, which saves trying to lift the Omega up and kick the jack under, which I always had to with the Clarke jacks.
If the budget allows, I'm sure an alloy one will be better, but my budget didn't at the time.

omegod · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 April 2018, 22:56:25 »

Another vote for the costco 2 tonne one, it'll give you a hernia if you try and carry it but it's a superb bit of kit

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 April 2018, 08:04:25 »

What are the requirements to be able to shop at Costco? Do you need s membership card/“be a business” or can anyone go?

Andy B · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 April 2018, 08:26:43 »

Quote from: jimmy944 on 24 April 2018, 08:04:25

What are the requirements to be able to shop at Costco? Do you need s membership card/“be a business” or can anyone go?

You need a membership card

https://www.costco.co.uk/membership-individual-requirements

biggriffin · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 April 2018, 09:11:05 »

Quote from: Andy B on 24 April 2018, 08:26:43

Quote from: jimmy944 on 24 April 2018, 08:04:25
What are the requirements to be able to shop at Costco? Do you need s membership card/“be a business” or can anyone go?

You need a membership card

https://www.costco.co.uk/membership-individual-requirements

.

Plus a joining fee.

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 April 2018, 09:56:55 »

Cheers

.

Will investigate where my nearest one is.

aaronjb · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 April 2018, 10:32:52 »

Quote from: jimmy944 on 24 April 2018, 09:56:55

Cheers .

Will investigate where my nearest one is.

Milk & Beans, probably. Or Leicester. MK is always busy, Leicester is always dead.

If you don't qualify (need to be self employed, ex services, or your employer must be on their "Gold Partner" list) then try finding the Costco stand at something like the Grand Designs show .. they get paid commission for each sign up and often don't seem to care.

.. allegedly.

Viral_Jim · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 April 2018, 10:58:27 »

Cheers.

Thankfully I get in on the basis of being a qualified bean counter!

Looking at their store map, SWMBO and I are going to be moving to Sutton Coldfield in the coming months (hopefully) so we can get to the Brum one easily enough - although I suspect that will be rammed most of the time.

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 April 2018, 12:06:42 »

Costco is great!

Not everything is cheap, but everything is good quality. I buy fuel (cheap), meat, fish, marmite, and because I'm a stylish sort of chap, clothes as well.

Andy B · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 April 2018, 17:25:08 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 24 April 2018, 12:06:42

Costco is grxeat!

Not everything is cheap, but everything is good quality. I buy fuel (cheap), meat, fish, marmite, and because I'm a stylish sort of chap, clothes as well.

Their beef is really nice.

TheBoy · « **Reply #22 on:** 24 April 2018, 17:55:25 »

Quote from: aaronjb on 24 April 2018, 10:32:52

Milk & Beans, probably. Or Leicester. MK is always busy, Leicester is always dead.

Milton Keynes is full of, well, Milton Keynes types. Unruly kids ripping open boxes and generally making a nuisance of themselves. But its our nearest.

We tend to use Coventry one a lot, as you don't get the issues of unruly kids and inconsiderate parents.

I agree with the other comments, its not that cheap, but the quality is consistently good. TBH, I only keep my membership going for the meat etc, because the 55m round trip (MK) or 80 mile round trip (Cov) costs more than the savings.

Andy B · « **Reply #23 on:** 24 April 2018, 20:31:46 »

Fortunately we have 2 of them that aren't too far away.

VXL V6 · « **Reply #24 on:** 24 April 2018, 21:53:53 »

Think our nearest is Birmingham followed very closely by Coventry, unfortunately I don't meet the membership criteria

STEMO · « **Reply #25 on:** 25 April 2018, 12:35:36 »

We have Leeds and Sheffield and wifey is eligible, but I CBA......Asda will do for me. 5W/30 is £8 for 5 litres at the mo.

VXL V6 · « **Reply #26 on:** 25 April 2018, 16:04:44 »

Quote from: VXL V6 on 23 April 2018, 18:08:22

Quote from: jimmy944 on 23 April 2018, 17:49:34
These guys have a good reputation with the OOF populous...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks

1.25 tonne seems a bit lightweight for my preference.

Perhaps something like this then:-

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks/tja25-aluminium-trolley-jack

Well just ordered it

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Author Topic: Trolley Jack for lowered cars (Read 4424 times)

aaronjb

STEMO