Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: plym ian on 13 September 2012, 07:30:21

Title: new trolley jack
Post by: plym ian on 13 September 2012, 07:30:21
I'm after a new trolley jack, can any one recommend one for about £50. I want a half decent one and preferably one that can lift with minamal effort :)
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: omega3000 on 13 September 2012, 09:46:59
That one tunnie has looks a good one but dont know how much it costs though  :)
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: Jimbob on 13 September 2012, 10:06:17
A fair few of us have ones like http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ctj3000g-3-tonne-professional-garage-j

bit over your budget though.

I bought my first jack, at about your price point.  Soon got bored of using bits of wood to get it high enough so forked out for a better one (see above).
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: feeutfo on 13 September 2012, 10:12:40
You do need to spend more than £50 to get something that's reliable and will last.

A few of us have the Alcan one mentioned here;
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic58183.html

Low, strong, no leaks, very controllable drop.

Been there with tht Clarke/Sealey stuff. They just don't last.

Costco do the Alcan one. £70 iirc, but joining Costco to get in the door is £20
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 September 2012, 10:27:33
My Clarke one is now 8 years old and very heavily used, still fine.
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: tunnie on 13 September 2012, 10:39:03
I use an Alcan 3T Low Profile Jack, lots of people liked it do to low front end, bought in about 2007 ish i think? Been brilliant, TB also bought one the same, its usally from Costco at around £75, but worth the extra  :y

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41F8O0PmeeL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: Nick W on 13 September 2012, 10:43:31
I agree with Jimbob, if you can find the extra cash, it will be money well spent.

The bigger jacks not only lift the car to a usable height, but their extra size means they do it quicker and safer. Because they're not working at full capacity they tend to last longer too. They are bloody heavy though!

Don't forget you need some robust axle stands. Working under an unsupported car is a very stupid thing to do. We all moan about Health and Safety gone mad, but this isn't one of those cases.
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: feeutfo on 13 September 2012, 10:46:44
My Clarke one is now 8 years old and very heavily used, still fine.

Was that the one with the hair trigger, or was that Daz's?

Bloody thing gave me a fright every time it dropped. ;D WHAMMO ;D
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: Jimbob on 13 September 2012, 11:08:20
My Clarke one is now 8 years old and very heavily used, still fine.

Was that the one with the hair trigger, or was that Daz's?

Bloody thing gave me a fright every time it dropped. ;D WHAMMO ;D

Deffo not Marks, think you are right, Daz rings a bell.

been using mine about 4 years, cost me £65 then.  still works perfectly, and its had some stick.
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: SteveAvfc. on 13 September 2012, 18:31:46
Go the for the extra pennies and ensure it's a three tonne lift. My wife bless her thought it would make a good xmas pressie one she bought at a local motor factors, trouble was it only lifted two tonnes. Not safe enough for an Omega imho. :y :y
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: plym ian on 13 September 2012, 18:46:02
cheers for the replies, it's just me being tight ;D

probably fork out the extra just have to sweet talk swmbo now ;D

the one from machine mart looks ok I'll pop in there tomorrow and have a look :y
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: feeutfo on 13 September 2012, 18:57:10
Actually iirc TB has the Clarke and the Alkan. Alkan is way better. Just is, iirc.
Title: Re: new trolley jack
Post by: TheBoy on 13 September 2012, 20:50:20
DTM's has a hair trigger, far more than my Clarke, which is also anxious to go down when you want it.

Mine (Clarke) must be 5 or 6 years old, no issues bar a duff rear wheel, but I tend to use the Arcan one more, as it is better designed - silly little things:

Lower entry (Clarke doesn't fit under TBE)
Wider wheels (I have a naff tarmac drive)
Sponge around lower handle (so as not to damage car)
Rubber insert to protect bottom of car
Faster lift
Longer reach
Higher lift


As the Arcan is around same price as Clarke, if you have access to Pikey Costco, I'd pick the Arcan. But it takes a bit more room, and its a bit heavier.