Trolley Jack Recommendations?

[DrZhivago]

Can anyone recommend a 2.5 or 3 ton workshop trolley jack? My trusty old Browns Engineering (BECO) jack has seized up after 40 years use.

I have Screwfix and Machine Mart catalogues here. Machine Mart sell one by Clarke for just over £100, but I have heard criticism of Clarke stuff (made in China I believe, but what isn't?). They also do a quick-lift version for half the price but that's only more to go wrong, and the castors on it would look more at home on a tea trolley.

Screwfix likewise offer two 3t , one half the price of the other; from the pictures the dearer one has thick side plates and weighs 39 kg, while the cheaper one's side plates look like pressed steel sheet with the edges curved for strength and weighs just 16 kg. They also have a 2.5t jack featuring a higher lift (to 530mm, recommended for 4x4s) and weighing in at 20 kg.

There is obviously a distinction between amateur and professional markets here. I don't fancy lifting 3 tons with 16 kg, and I've seen pressed steel jacks buckle before now.

 

[SEMPTIE]

Try SGS Engineering in Derby I have a 3T trolley jack from them for about £70
www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks

Simon

 

[DrZhivago]

Thanks for that link. Their jacks look OK, more like the equivalent of my old BECO.

 

[Mogwyth]

Try SGS Engineering in Derby I have a 3T trolley jack from them for about £70
www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/trolley-jacks

Simon

Tis what i have too, good value jacks.

 

[Anseo]

My 2p's worth.

Ultra low profile jack, and quick lift is a boon.

Lots of cars (think spoilers etc.) make them a necessity nowadays, can't go wrong if you choose ultra low profile really.

Clarke tools (Machine Mart) and many other brands are using the same jack with very slight cosmeticbadging differences, they meet UK safety standards for lifting gear and I literally trust my life with them (axle stands etc. used in conjunction).

Costco havehad a particularly nice offering, anyways, around £70.00 - £130.00 will get you one.

For portability, the Machinemart type 2 tonners at less than £30.00 will do the job safely and give long durability.

I have jacks of the type mentioned above, car maintenance etc. being a hobby, all have given great service and though never overloaded have performed well under loads up to rated performance claims.

 

[DrZhivago]

Ultra low profile jack, and quick lift is a boon. Lots of cars (think spoilers etc.) make them a necessity nowadays, can't go wrong if you choose ultra low profile really.

With either the caravan or my 4x4, low profile is not an issue. I am more concerned about a good lift height. My previous 4x4 was high enough for me to work under it (and even roll over) without jacking it up at all

Clarke tools (Machine Mart) and many other brands are using the same jack with very slight cosmeticbadging differences.

I suspected that might be the case.

 

[Anseo]

Ultra low profile jack, and quick lift is a boon. Lots of cars (think spoilers etc.) make them a necessity nowadays, can't go wrong if you choose ultra low profile really.

With either the caravan or my 4x4, low profile is not an issue. I am more concerned about a good lift height. My previous 4x4 was high enough for me to work under it (and even roll over) without jacking it up at all

Yes, when I had the LR110 I could crawl under and roll over with relative ease, only downside was I spent too much time underneath the damn thing :S .

Clarke tools (Machine Mart) and many other brands are using the same jack with very slight cosmeticbadging differences.

I suspected that might be the case.

Problem with 'portable' 2 tonners is the lack of height with having a 4X4, I have not looked (but will now :lol: ) if there is a high lift 2 tonner on the market.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Just for anyone not in the know, trolley jacks should only be used to lift a caravan on hard ground, so as the arm raises and travels through an arc, the "trolley" of the jack can move and prevent undue side loads on the caravan chassis members, or trying to tip the jack up .

 

[Anseo]

Another caution !

I have block paviours on my driveway and often jack up the car on them.

But on one occasion, on using a small trolley jack on the block paviours, the front jack wheels found a rest point between the paviours and would not travel as jacking commenced.

I noticed the heavier than usual pressure required on the jack handle and then noticed the rear wheels of the jack rising into the air, I always keep a visual inspection on what is going on now, too easy to be in a hurry and not notice such things

 

[RayS]

Toolstation have a reasonable unit.
I carry a piece of plank wide and long enough to allow for trolley jack movement when in use specifically for use on r soft or uneven surfaces. Comes in handy for other things e.g as levelling board or support for jockey wheel on soft ground.

 

[Jules_ht]

Costco seem to currently be selling an Arcan aluminium and steel 2 tonne jacks. It looks to be an amalgamation of the old aluminium 2 tonne ones (which were good and also very light) and the steel 3 tonne one (which is also great but did weigh almost 3 tonnes itself).

I'd give one of these mixed metallurgy 2 tonne Arcans a go no worries. The reviews on the Costco site tell you all you need to know. Great value at £99 delivered, too.

In terms of reach etc, these are the stats:

Min height: 10.2 cm
Max height: 47.0 cm
Lift Range: 36.8 cm
Weight: 26 kg