Technical Trolley Jack recommendations

[ZaphodB]

What's the prevailing thoughts on bottle jacks? I've seen them used with success (indeed they're the regular carry) in various far-flung islands when I've been off fishing.

All about height (both closed and extended), not much use if you can't get it under the car, and again how high does it go, can you get your stand/support in after extending.
There's also the 'problem' of them being (more) unstable in all directions compared to a trolley jack.

I am sure it'll serve you well.
@Pugglt Auld Jock Before I ordered I did look to see whether it was made in China, the bigging up of the German association made me suspicious and I think it probably is made in China, even though there is no indication on the box of where it is from.

Well the switchboard woman I spoke to had a distinctly german accent (seriously ) ..... I'll let you know if I find a country of origin when it turns up.

Ordered anyway

 

[icheatatscrabble]

All about height (both closed and extended), not much use if you can't get it under the car, and again how high does it go, can you get your stand/support in after extending.
There's also the 'problem' of them being (more) unstable in all directions compared to a trolley jack.


Well the switchboard woman I spoke to had a distinctly german accent (seriously ) ..... I'll let you know if I find a country of origin when it turns up.

They're definitely a German company, but I think they source a lot of their products from China - Their wiper blades are and says they are made there on the web site.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I am sure it'll

I am sure it'll serve you well.
@Pugglt Auld Jock Before I ordered I did look to see whether it was made in China, the bigging up of the German association made me suspicious and I think it probably is made in China, even though there is no indication on the box of where it is from.
But it has been fine for me and never given me any scary moments and worked well lifting a relatively heavy car (Saab 9-3 Aero convertible) and lifts my Cinquecento like it's made of balsa.
I have four of their axle stands too and the Saab sat on them for about three months - Also good customer service too.

As long as you have a good look at what you're buying, because there is still some "cheap and nasty stuff" being sold, I wouldn't be put off at all buying something with a made in China sticker on it. There's actually some very good and very affordable stuff they're making these days and I think some of the better quality "budget range" jacks definitely fall into this category. Personally I'd be a bit wary of stuff around the 25/30/35 pound range because apart from quality they often have a very limited lift which makes them a waste of time for what we would want, but once you're up into this sort of price range there's actually some reasonable stuff available for "hobby" use. Bet they're all of far eastern origin badged by the selling organization. I've seen jacks like my wee ones in the back of breakdown wagons. I think the heaviest thing my wee blue jack has lifted was my pal's Jag when he had a flat round at his house. It didn't struggle at all.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

All about height (both closed and extended), not much use if you can't get it under the car, and again how high does it go, can you get your stand/support in after extending.
There's also the 'problem' of them being (more) unstable in all directions compared to a trolley jack.


Well the switchboard woman I spoke to had a distinctly german accent (seriously ) ..... I'll let you know if I find a country of origin when it turns up.

Ordered anyway

I'm not a fan of bottle jacks for lifting cars. Apart from being tall they're too unstable in my opinion. I've "acquired" a couple over the years and can't remember actually using one. Was thinking of trying to make a press out of the bigger one with some welded up I section beams but never got round to it. Anyway, why would I when I can borrow the use of one in a couple of the garages where I'm well known?

Having had quite a lot to do with German product and engineers when I worked with Firestone/Porsche/VW I think you can be confident that this will be a good quality product even if it does originate somewhere in the far east. They are very exacting about quality. I'd be very interested to know if a country of origin does show on the box? I found makers names/marks on the castings of the pump body and lever mechanism on my old blue one which were definitely not "European". Shinnfu was one of them. That pumping element lasted a good 20 years.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Earlier this afternoon I was digging about in a box of old Briggs and Stratton parts I have looking for some gaskets which might help a friend out with his ride on rebuild. I came across the box for the old blue trolley jack! It's a Hilka, as I think I mentioned, Model number 82302020 with a capacity of 4400lbs/2000kilos and there's a big HILKA brand name on the top of the box. However, clearly displayed, but in quite small print, on the bottom of the box - Made by Ever Young Ind. Co. Ltd. Taiwan. I quite like that they allowed that. Now I'm wondering if they are who is making all these modern ones?

Edit. Just googled Ever Young Ind Co but all that came up was a company which was set up in 2002 and I bought the jack long before that, probably mid 1980s?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I'm not a fan of bottle jacks for lifting cars. Apart from being tall they're too unstable in my opinion. I've "acquired" a couple over the years and can't remember actually using one. Was thinking of trying to make a press out of the bigger one with some welded up I section beams but never got round to it. Anyway, why would I when I can borrow the use of one in a couple of the garages where I'm well known?

I'm now biased because of my experience, of course, but having had my 'oh fook' moment thanks to a 'stable' jack's complete and instantaneous collapse, then on a like for like basis, I can buy a hugely overspecced* bottle jack and really good quality axle stands for less than the cost of a 'should do the job' trolley. At least with a bottle jack there's absolutely no temptation whatsoever to just nip your hand underneath for a second...

*Like this one, and many others https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cbj10b-10-tonne-bottle-jack/

 

[bugsymike]

I'm now biased because of my experience, of course, but having had my 'oh fook' moment thanks to a 'stable' jack's complete and instantaneous collapse, then on a like for like basis, I can buy a hugely overspecced* bottle jack and really good quality axle stands for less than the cost of a 'should do the job' trolley. At least with a bottle jack there's absolutely no temptation whatsoever to just nip your hand underneath for a second...

*Like this one, and many others https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cbj10b-10-tonne-bottle-jack/

One of the advantages of a trolley jack is the cup that takes the weight, so if for example you were lowering an axle or cross member the cup supports it as the trolley wheels keep it in line.

 

[ZaphodB]

Just arrived , quick delivery .... and it looks like a decent jack in the flesh.

Not sure about lightweight lol , but it's fine

and for those curious , it is made in PRC .... but it is a substantial, well made jack as far as I can see, metal wheels all round.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Just arrived , quick delivery .... and it looks like a decent jack in the flesh.

Not sure about lightweight lol , but it's fine

and for those curious , it is made in PRC .... but it is a substantial, well made jack as far as I can see, metal wheels all round.


View attachment 466644

can't wait to see it unboxed!

 

[ZaphodB]

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Told you good customer service and not too bad for the money. Yeh it is pretty heavy isn't it!