Hi there need to get a better trolley jack. Been using a small 1.5 ton halfords one but its ancient and need something to lift higher plus I could do with two as I am about to remove gearbox. Budget is around £100. Was looking at some online but problem is don't know what quality and build is like (They all look very similar but is it good Chinese or bad Chinese etc ). My local motorfactors only do professional and there £400 upwards. Halfords have a 2 ton one for around £100 but not sure if its any good. Had a look at SGS but seen mixed reports on build quality and reliabilty. The halfords ones come with 3 year guarantee. Will get used fairly often but not all the time.

 

Any reccomendations welcome. 

Many thanks Alasdair

Hilka Pro-Craft 2.5 Tonne Quick-Lift 4x4 Trolley Jack

2.5-tonne trolley jack suitable for 4x4s, light vans and cars. Includes adjustable saddle extension for when extra lifting height is required. Versatile lifting range of 150 to 440mm (without extension) and 530mm (with extension). With a quick-lift side lever for raising to lifting point with only one pump. All-steel frame and wheels with heavy duty cast iron pump. Built-in pump prevents overloading for safe operation with hydraulic bypass system to stop ram over travel.

 

£99.99

 

 

I bought the smaller 2 ton procraft low profile one for half the money and it has been excellent for DIY . Mine only lifts up to a foot the one above can lift up to around 20inch.

 

Screwfix stock them, reasonable reviews with only a few reported as faulty. One complains the wheels sunk  into his garage floor but is that not a fault with the garage floor?

Thanks will take a look. Need it fairly soon. Didnt think to try screwfix

Alasdair

1 hour ago, Alasdair1 said:

Had a look at SGS

I have this one:-

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3x-3-ton-trolley-jack

 

Works well for me.

It is cheaper to order direct than through ebay.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

Edited 13 November, 20241 yr by AGFalco
added ebay bit.

I am still using the Viking (now Sealey is it?) 1500 kg trolley jack that I bought when I was 18 in order to earn my supplementary living to my apprenticeship wage by welding up cars, I was obliged to in order to carry on with my apprenticeship and studies after being made homeless. The only maintenance it has had in the intervening 47 years was to add a tiny bit of hydraulic fluid maybe 2 years ago, this jack has taken serious, sustained and regular abuse in all that time.

 

To put todays prices in perspective it cost £62.50 from Halfords with the 12.5% discount through the company (2000 employees) motor club, a months net wages for me at the time, the Portapak gas welding kit cost £278, nearly 4 months wages!!!!! I'm beginning to wonder now if the Portapak was not in fact more than £300.

 

I bought a very heavy low profile high lift quick lift 3 Tonne Chinese jack on Ebay a couple of years ago for less than £100, it seems to be the same model as the SGS branded one, twin pistons (one for quick lift) and small front rollers, it's very good indeed other than the weight which is no bad thing.

Many thanks, Going to pop into halfords and have a look. Need it soon as car is off the road. I have a few old ones about but they are getting past it. Still work but leak fluid and tend to drop slightly. Tried new seals but reckon there worn out aand not worth repairing. One is a 30 year old 2 ton Kamasa. Probably knackered them from lifting random things that were too heavy.

Alasdair

SGS have any early black Friday sale on at the moment so I just ordered this https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3lp-low-profile-garage-trolley-jack

 

Its a high lift one to 535mm (half a meter). Free next day delivery as well although I wont be using it until next spring. There's also a 2 tonne one with four axle stands for £64 which i didn't thing was expensive.

 

I have had the SGS jack on my wants list for a while as I don't trust the ebay jack I bought earlier in the year. I scares me when just trying to place the axle stand in place, so not quite the impulse purchase.

 

Kev.

 

 

That is the one that I have.

 

Seems expensive compared to the standard one, I think they may have jacked up the price to offer a fictional discount, worth a look elsewhere as many sell the same model.

 

No way would it lift 3 tonne though, it has a very long strong handle and you really have to heave on it to lift the front end of the Yeti.

Yeah, I have that one as well. I've had a front wheel off my Vito with it, but as above, it was a bit heavy going. I definitely wouldn't want to lift the whole front end of the van in one go with it, much less 3 tonnes. 

 

I also have this one

 

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tjl2-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack

 

It could do with a bit more lift ideally, but if I have it on a half inch board, it's perfect for most standard height cars. It's the one I find myself using more than any other. 

 

I've had a few Sealey 3 tonne jacks and they've never lasted. 

 

Also have one of the old orange Halfords trolley jacks, it's pretty much immortal. 

I recently wanted a second jack to accompany my 3T Machine Mart jack. It has been faultless, sturdy and highly reccommend them

 

I went with the Halfords 3T low profile as the trade discount made it a competitive price. It has the quick lift with an added foot pedal and also has slightly softer wheels which makes dragging it out the the garage very quiet. Overall a very nice jack.

 

Whats the lift height? The one I ordered was delivered today with an extended lift height of 535mm and not the standard lift height 465mm that I suspect is the varient that both @J.R. and @StevesTruck must have purchased when they have mentioned that my purchase is available cheaper elsewhere.

Edited 16 November, 20241 yr by tetley
Friday night = drinking cider

@SuperbTWM

 

Sorry....

I didn't ask. How are you finding your new jack?

 

Also, Machine Mart Leeds has become my new favorite shop. Very friendly staff who are willing to accomodate me with my questions.

Halfords Advanced 3 Tonne Low Profile Trolley Jack (260531)

• "Load Capacity - 3 Tonne
• Guarantee  - 3 Years
• Maximum Height : 50.5cm
• Minimum Height - 7.5cm
• Maximum Height - 50.5cm
• Saddle Diameter - 11cm"

https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-workshop/axle-stands-trolley-jacks/halfords-advanced-3-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack-260531.html

 

11 hours ago, tetley said:

@SuperbTWM

 

Sorry....

I didn't ask. How are you finding your new jack?

 

Also, Machine Mart Leeds has become my new favorite shop. Very friendly staff who are willing to accomodate me with my questions.

I like it, it’s my new favourite!

 

If you don’t already,  get a couple of Hockey Pucks with the slits cut in, a lot nicer for jacking off the sills. They do have a tendency to stay on the car though, made that mistake and lost it somewhere down the road 😂