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[VXL V6]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

[Kevin Wood]

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]

Halfords do a low level 2.5 ton jack iirc 

[ronnyd]

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]

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]

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]

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