| Author | Message | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 455 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221  Rating: |
Hello fellow bus nuts. I am in search of a hydraulic bottle jack so I can do some of my own service. Technically a 12 ton should be fine for lifting one corner but I keep wondering if I should get a 20 ton just for a safety factor. What do most of you have/carry? | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.63.161.138 Rating: N/A |
I go overboard here as I full time and do all my maintenance/repairs while sitting out in the desert. Right now I have all four tires sitting about eight inches off the ground, sitting on wood platforms, which allows ingress/egress of my fat body to the bays for some rewiring. I accomplished this with the help of TWO 20 ton air over hydraulic jacks which I purchased some years ago while on sale at harbor freight ($100 each). I also carry two regular 20 ton jacks which sometimes are more convenient to use than the air overs. When it comes to jacks, more is better, both in size and number. Ed Sitting in the desert outside of Blythe, Ca with 1200 watts of solar and 200 watts of wind generation,utilizing Starband internet by satellite. | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 121 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 174.91.226.239  Rating: N/A |
Same as Ed the 20 ton air over from HF but I also have a 12 ton regular. 2 jacks is enough for me, but of course 4 air overs would be great and allow an easy lift of the whole bus. More important than jacks are good blocking materials, enough to safely support axles/frame members whatever.... NEVER TRUST A BOTTLE JACK AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF SUPPORT. That is what makes an air over so nice. You can position it, then back away during the lift, then position blocking then lower onto blocking, then get under the bus. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 999 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.20  Rating: N/A |
Unless the jack is very thin , it will not fit under a coach , esp if a tire is down. The air over truck jacks are as thin as it gets , but even then sometimes the coach will need to be run on blocks to get the jack under. FF | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 675 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.53.153.91  Rating: N/A |
They have LOW_PROFILE hydralic jacks in all tonage. As FF said sometimes that is still to low and always carry with you some blocks that you can run on to get the height you need. Also get a plate of steel 1/4 to3/8 thick so you can set a jack on it and not bury it in the dirt. Gomer | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 308 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38 Rating: N/A |
Be careful of the lift on a low profile jack. I bought 2 of them and didn't use them for a couple of years. When I went to use them I found out the hard way that they only had 1 1/2" of lift. Almost useless when they sink into the ground a little. Bill | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1754 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
I have a low profile 12 ton jack for the 4104; there are also jacking plates on the bottom of the beams, which limit clearance for regular jack. Bill is right about this. The lopro 12 ton has more lift than the 20 ton, but not by much. Also that 20 ton jack of any brand is more of a bear to shove around under the coach along the road.Harbor Freight's low profile jacks are taller than those supplied by other companies. If it'll work, fine; can't beat the price. A ramp or a couple short pieces planks should be carried if you have the space to spare. You can pull the good dual up on a plank or two. Also, you can slip one under jack to spread out the load. Any of you that plan on changing a flat need to make a practice run before it happens. If you can't make it work out on the road, no use carrying all the extra weight. While you are at Harbor Freight, might as well get a one inch impact wrench, proper sockets and 50 ft of 1/2 inch air hose. Watch for sales. You can get setup for the cost of one road service call, unless you have AAA or equiv. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 456 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62 Rating: N/A |
I should clarify this wouldn't be for R&Ring a flat on the road (that's what coach net is for). I want to convert the rear to spring brakes and will need to rotate the spider and I also want to renew the linings in the front | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 237 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 208.81.157.234  Rating: N/A |
Flyer today from HF. 12 and 20 ton on sale for $64.99 and $84.99. Lowpro 12 ton min/max height 7"/12 5/8". 20 ton 7"/12" per the add. PS These are air over hydraulic and are very short stroke. The specs in the add include screwing out the top. Stroke is more like 2.5". The sale includes regular, non low profile. One of each, low and regular might be a good combination. The low pro to get it up high enough to get the longer stroke under it. I always have blocks and start with those to get some clearance. One of these days she won't move and I will be wishing I had a low pro jack. Don 4107 (Message edited by Doninwa on November 17, 2009) | ||
| Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly)
Registered Member Username: Tomconnolly Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2003 Posted From: 96.252.201.44 Rating: N/A |
www.NorthernTool.com Torin Stubby Hydraulic Bottle Jack — 12-Ton, Model# T91207A $29.99 Torin Stubby Hydraulic Bottle Jack — 20-Ton, Model# T92007A $39.99 Tom C |
