Let’s talk jacks

I have a 12-ton air over hydraulic, because they didn't have 20-ton's in stock. But it's more than enough for me. The entire semi only weighs 18k, and I'm not trying to jack up the whole truck at once. Plus, it's small enough to take on the road with me.

 

I have a 50 ton air over hydraulic.
It will lift a trailer completely loaded with cars with ease.
Not sure where I got this one but I have seen them at harbor freight before.
I also have an air line and impact guns that go with me on the road.
I change all my own tires at home and on the road.

 

There is only a handful of jack manufacturers left these days.
SureWerxs/American Forge and Foundry makes a 22 ton that works good.
They make the same jack for Harbor Frieght, Lowes, and many others. Depending on the branding i’ve seen a price range of $350 up to $800 for the same jack.

 

Alot of people dont know about these guys....

Emerson Manufacturing

I will stand behind their products and have used them as a professional.

Unless your gonna be lifting loaded equipment you wont need 30 to 50 ton capacity. 10 ton service jacks are the norm for tractor service.

Anything made by Lincoln is usually high quality.

Our last shop purchases came from these guys.

Home - Gray Manufacturing

Keep in mind, this is not the home user stuff, but daily use quality equipment.

The air jacks with pins are quite nice as they double as a jack and stand in the same unit.

 

Lincolns are great and if the cylinders fo bad can be rebuilt for around $90 bucks.

I’ve gotten a few Grays over the years in auctions and estate sales. They are the nicest imo. The only problem is when the retractor seals start to leak and let the fluid pass through they are done. Costs too much for a novice dyi to fix.

 

Would any bottle jack be small enough to fit under a truck and have enough extension to lift one up so I can put jack stands under it?

I’m looking for a kit to do my big weekly grease maintenance on the front suspension.

looking at the big red 20t on Home Depot and want to make sure it can lift the truck enough to get jack stands under it.

 

Steer axle is a little harder to get a jack under but I use a standard bottle jack. Finding a place for Jack and Jack stands could be a little harder. If you are just lifting it up to grease just use the bottle Jack, grease and let it back down. No need to use stands.

 

The stands are needed to get the grease point on the transmission and my safety for working underneath if I need to.

 

If you just want to be able to squeeze under the truck make some ramps out of 2×12s . I made some about 7.5inch tall very handy