I have a 3.5 ton Michellin floor jack I'm quite happy with. without looking I'm gonna guess it was made overseas...but it works quite good, doesn't leak and was affordable.
Rene
I have two of these at the shop and so far so good.
CK5
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Who makes a good USA made AFORDABLE floor jack?
- Thread starter rdn2blazer
- Start date
I have two of these at the shop and so far so good.
BKinzey
1/2 ton status
Let me clarify, I want a good US made jack in the 250 to 400 max dollar prics range, Thats affordable to me.
I wonder if there's any correlation between jack life (seals) and the way it's stored when not in use.
I'd been taught a long time ago that when a jack is not in use, to leave the relief valve wide open so that the jack is fully retracted. I'm not sure if this has any ACTUAL benefit or helps the seals not to freeze, crack or otherwise fail, but I've always had good luck with the jacks (and cherry pickers) I've owned and never had any leaks. This goes for some el-cheapo Craftsman ones, as well as some much nicer (albeit foreign made) floor jacks.
Anyone know if this method for not-in-use hydraulics really makes a difference, or is it merely a coincidence that my stuff has been trouble-free???
I'd been taught a long time ago that when a jack is not in use, to leave the relief valve wide open so that the jack is fully retracted. I'm not sure if this has any ACTUAL benefit or helps the seals not to freeze, crack or otherwise fail, but I've always had good luck with the jacks (and cherry pickers) I've owned and never had any leaks. This goes for some el-cheapo Craftsman ones, as well as some much nicer (albeit foreign made) floor jacks.
Anyone know if this method for not-in-use hydraulics really makes a difference, or is it merely a coincidence that my stuff has been trouble-free???
I wonder if there's any correlation between jack life (seals) and the way it's stored when not in use.
I'd been taught a long time ago that when a jack is not in use, to leave the relief valve wide open so that the jack is fully retracted. I'm not sure if this has any ACTUAL benefit or helps the seals not to freeze, crack or otherwise fail, but I've always had good luck with the jacks (and cherry pickers) I've owned and never had any leaks. This goes for some el-cheapo Craftsman ones, as well as some much nicer (albeit foreign made) floor jacks.
Anyone know if this method for not-in-use hydraulics really makes a difference, or is it merely a coincidence that my stuff has been trouble-free???
Never heard of this. I just leave it how ever it was when I last touched might be open, might be closed.
I PMed Dan @ ruff stuff, trying to convince him to build a bad ass jack out of the grade 50 structural steel he uses on his parts. He said thats a very interesting idea! I told him it would be very easy to make all the pieces for a jack with his capibility. Cut it all out, bend it, weld it. Not much more difficult then one of his bad ass diff covers I think. Just would need to get good US made jack pumps. All we can do is hope.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
i think it has more to do with protecting the shaft, when you leave it extended for longer than normal periods of time, that ram/shaft tends to built up surface rust, then when you go to use it, extending it and retracting it, that surface is not good on the seals.
This is what i have been told, and is actually just a bit of commom sense really.
yes, i always retract/relax the jacks/lifts when not in use. So far, the engine hoist is still alive, and it's pretty old looking, even the one i gave my buddy Paul.
This is what i have been told, and is actually just a bit of commom sense really.
yes, i always retract/relax the jacks/lifts when not in use. So far, the engine hoist is still alive, and it's pretty old looking, even the one i gave my buddy Paul.
The only way it would make any difference is if the handle actually has enough weight to put pressure on the seals all the time. Maybe the constant pressure causes some to develop leaks, I don't know. I would think that it had more to do with how dry it was or large temperature changes.Never heard of this. I just leave it how ever it was when I last touched might be open, might be closed.
I PMed Dan @ ruff stuff, trying to convince him to build a bad ass jack out of the grade 50 structural steel he uses on his parts. He said thats a very interesting idea! I told him it would be very easy to make all the pieces for a jack with his capibility. Cut it all out, bend it, weld it. Not much more difficult then one of his bad ass diff covers I think. Just would need to get good US made jack pumps. All we can do is hope.
Swerve
- For your safety, stay where it's safe
That makes sense but I'm not sure whether it would make a difference if the relief valve was open or not as long as the shaft was fully retracted.
Swerve
- For your safety, stay where it's safe
I wonder if there's any correlation between jack life (seals) and the way it's stored when not in use.
I'd been taught a long time ago that when a jack is not in use, to leave the relief valve wide open so that the jack is fully retracted. I'm not sure if this has any ACTUAL benefit or helps the seals not to freeze, crack or otherwise fail, but I've always had good luck with the jacks (and cherry pickers) I've owned and never had any leaks. This goes for some el-cheapo Craftsman ones, as well as some much nicer (albeit foreign made) floor jacks.
Anyone know if this method for not-in-use hydraulics really makes a difference, or is it merely a coincidence that my stuff has been trouble-free???
I've heard the same thing...if you can, the hydraulic shaft should be retracted. If there is any rust on the shaft, it will certainly tear the seals up, it would be exactly the same reason used master cylinders sometimes fail after bleeding.
I also have a feeling that part of it depends on the metal and lubrication. First time I've ever seen it, the tubes on my bikes suspension started rusting, and they are fairly well oiled at all times, but exposed when not being used. I guarantee it's because they cheaped out on either the chrome finish or the base metal, likely both.
Wasatch K5
1/2 ton status
I've got two Costco steel floor jacks that I bought a few years ago. They have been excellent and I believe they were made by Arcan in South Carolina.
They discontinued that model and were selling an aluminum jack, but recently have gone back to a steel Arcan jack. I'm not sure where it's made.
Costco's customer service is exceptional. so if you have a problem with it, they'll replace it or give you a refund.
They discontinued that model and were selling an aluminum jack, but recently have gone back to a steel Arcan jack. I'm not sure where it's made.
Costco's customer service is exceptional. so if you have a problem with it, they'll replace it or give you a refund.
m-4x4-chevy
Registered Member
I always use 2 floor jacks at the same time to lift the front of the truck. Less hydraulic pressure required in each jack. Less chance of blowing fluid past a seal. Should help them last longer.
Check out a company calld Norco. I'm not sure if they are made here or not, but me and a buddy bought a couple of these several years ago and they are both still working great to this day. I have lifted everything from imports to loaded K30 service trucks with mine (2.5T IIRC) and have nothing bad to say about it. I too was sick of crappy jacks and a customer told me about this company saying he had great luck with them.
Wasatch K5
1/2 ton status
I used one of my Arcans yesterday and sadly noted that it was "made in China".
That normally means it's a sub-standard piece of equipment, but honestly it's worked perfectly since new.
That normally means it's a sub-standard piece of equipment, but honestly it's worked perfectly since new.
blackbitch
Registered Member
Boy, talk about an oxymoron!!! A GOOD anything AMERICAN made! Nothing good or BAD is American made except for sagging britches!!
This is the quote I got from a place in Canada for an AC Hydraulics 4 ton jack. Ouch, but I bet it's a good jack, But I won't be buying one.
Hi Robert
Thank you for the inquirer on the DK40Q jack.
Price each DK40Q; us$995.00, freight included to Zip code 90717
Best regards,
Flemming Lauridsen
Flema Products Ltd.
324 Tilley Road
Kelowna, BC
V4V2K5
Ph 250 766 1080
Ph 1-800 437 4422
[email protected]
http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/
Hi Robert
Thank you for the inquirer on the DK40Q jack.
Price each DK40Q; us$995.00, freight included to Zip code 90717
Best regards,
Flemming Lauridsen
Flema Products Ltd.
324 Tilley Road
Kelowna, BC
V4V2K5
Ph 250 766 1080
Ph 1-800 437 4422
[email protected]
http://www.ac-hydraulic.com/
