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Tag: truck jack maintenance

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Hydraulic Jacks Jacks Truck Jacks

Quick and Easy Maintenance Tips to Prolong Your Truck Jack’s Life

A truck jack is a mechanical device that is used to lift heavy-duty armored trucks and military-grade vehicles, among other types of trucks and heavy vehicles. Heavy duty truck jacks are specially designed to bear these loads that ordinary automotive jacks traditionally cannot.

Apart from providing superior lifting solutions and Designed for heavy-duty lifting of vehicles, including trucks and armored cars. These Jacks also provide additional services like tire and oil changes. The diversity and quality of truck jack benefits you will derive from your equipment depends primarily on two factors. One, its mechanism of operation, meaning whether it is built for singular or multi-purpose use.

Two, whether it is stored and maintained properly with regular checks being implemented. This step is critical for the long-term wellbeing of your heavy-duty truck jack and making it more reliable and durable for you despite on-the-job wear and tear. Miss this crucial step and you have an empty tin can on your hands needing frequent replacement.

That is why we will cover 8 quick and easy maintenance tips to prolong your heavy-duty truck jack’s life in this blog. By following these steps, you can turn your recurrent purchases (of buying new heavy-duty truck jacks and replacing them at regular intervals) into a long-term investment in truck lifting solutions.

Features that Guarantee Prolonged heavy duty Jack Life 

Before we get into the 8 quick and easy maintenance tips to prolong your heavy-duty truck jack’s life, we would like to ensure that you know that these alone are by no means foolproof measures against a jack’s long term on the job wear and tear. 

What kind of heavy duty truck jack you buy?

Meaning the truck jack benefits its features have to offer- matters just as much. So, we will quickly discuss the top features inherent to top performing heavy duty truck jacks that future proofs your investment. 

  1. Load Capacity – The load capacities of heavy-duty truck jacks vary significantly from ordinary ones, owing to the types of vehicles they are designed to lift. So, naturally, it would follow that a heavy-duty truck jack would have a higher load capacity more commensurate to lifting bigger trucks than regular jacks. Using the right jack for the right vehicle is bound to prolong the life of the jack. 
  2. Component Quality – Perhaps the most important feature of an ideal heavy-duty truck jack- whether it is a hydraulic or pneumatic- is the quality of its component parts that determine its prolonged performance. Stan Design Inc. is a leading heavy-duty truck jack manufacturer that uses high gloss powder coat paint and zinc plated components that enhance their functionality. 
  3. Build Material – Finally, the material used to build the jack- usually steel- must be of high quality so it can ensure safe and prolonged use of the heavy-duty truck jack. This quality goes a long way in determining whether additional support accessories like chocks or stands would be required in the lifting process. Stan Design Inc. heavy-duty truck jacks are made with high-grade steel that resists corrosion and deterioration. 

Heavy-duty Truck Jacks– 8 Maintenance Tips 

Maintaining your heavy-duty truck jack is no rocket science. Everyone can do it with a little patience and our guide. So, without further ado, here are 8 quick and easy maintenance tips to prolong your heavy-duty truck jack’s life. Happy learning! 

  1. Storing it in a clean and dry place– Heavy-duty truck jacks have various components that must not be exposed to humid or dirty environments. For instance, in hydraulic jacks that run on grease and fluids, stored within, any contact with dirt or external moisture is bound to contaminate it, rendering it useless or potentially harmful even.
  2. Creating a regular inspection checklist– Once the storage is looked after, stick to a robust checklist of items or procedures required to maintain your heavy-duty truck jack. You may begin with setting up a maintenance routine which will help you compartmentalize your time and organize your chores accordingly. Even though jacks rarely demand any attention, if kept properly, keep an eye out for unusual issues.
  3. Using quality lubricants– High-grade oil, grease, or hydraulic fluid, in the case of hydraulic jacks, must be used for the truck lifting solutions. This reduces unnecessary friction which can lead to premature wear and tear within the mechanical and structural components of jacks. Check and refill oil levels accordingly. With pneumatic jacks, check pressure test point locations, flow rates within the system, air motor speeds, etc.
  4. Checking for physical dents– The most visible giveaway sign of a potential malfunction is a physical dent on your jack body or, worse, broken parts. So, keeping a lookout for these on and off your jack, prevents the costs related to repairs from accruing. And of course, it also helps you to get it fixed before it hurts you or someone else.
  5. Cleaning and restoring after every use– Use a damp cloth to clean the dirt after a use, before it settles and gets sticky. Grease tends to attract a lot of dirt because of its texture, leading to rusting and clogging within jack
  6. Troubleshooting burst hoses or valves– Applicable exclusively to pneumatic heavy-duty truck jacks, troubleshooting burst hoses or valves prevents or identifies early excessive air leakage, inadequate pressure levels, loose manual operations, and erratic functioning components. Compressed air is an unstable element in pneumatic systems, so missing this step can cost heavily.
  7. Bleeding hydraulic cylinders– Applicable exclusively to hydraulic heavy-duty truck jacks, this step involves releasing pressure before putting the jack away. Bleed the cylinders regularly before storage. Otherwise, the jack would strain lifting and supporting loads. This also makes the tool more compact and easier to store. Finally, it releases stress on the system that can contribute to the deterioration of various components.

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Floor jacks Hydraulic Jacks Jacks

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Floor Jack for Lifted Trucks 

What are Floor Jacks? 

Floor jacks are handy tools that are useful in servicing your vehicle. From lifting the rear or front ends of your vehicle, to suspending them at a certain angle or length, to lowering them safely, effective floor jacks take care of it all. 

Floor jacks come in all shapes and sizes, and most importantly, in all categories of servicing. Namely, semi-truck floor jack, heavy duty pit jacks, military grade floor jacks, small car pit jacks, rolling bridge jacks, etc. 

You must purchase a floor jack based on your particular requirements to get the most out of it. In this blog, we will discuss how to understand your floor jacking needs, the process to choose the right floor jack, where to buy one, and finally our top picks. Read on. 

Understanding your Floor Jack Requirements 

Understanding your floor jack requirements before making a purchase is the key to getting the highest return on your investment. For this reason, we have collated a list of points which can break down the process in 3 tangible terms for you to gloss over. 

  1. Vehicle size – The first and foremost step in understanding your floor jack requirements is to assess your vehicle size. It is a fairly straightforward step, but imperative not to be missed. If you have a small car, like a family car or small van, you may or may not purchase heavy floor jacks made of sturdy materials, but if you own heavy duty military grade trucks, you should service them in commercial garages which host the right equipment, or at least use heavy duty pit jacks. 
  2. Undercarriage profile – The next step is to buy a floor jack that fits the distance between your vehicle’s chassis and the floor, also called ground clearance. 
  3. Storage Infrastructure – Finally, and perhaps the most enduring deciding factor in buying a floor jack is being mindful of its storage facilities. If you have a home garage, you must keep it clean and dry for storing your purchase, as the floor jack’s maintenance directly affects its longevity. 

Guide to Choose the Right Floor Jack 

Choosing the right floor jack based on your requirements is not rocket science. To choose the right floor jack for your needs, you must equip yourself with our 5-point basic toolkit, and you shall be all set to go. 

What is the toolkit, you ask? Well, researching the top 5 features that are a must in the best floor jack to lift the trucks. Here are the 5 features. 

  1. Load Capacity – The load capacity of a jack is directly proportional to the load lifting faculty of its build materail. And it represents the amount of weight it is built to lift- meaning in simple terms, whether it can lift small cars or heavy duty military grade trucks. A floor jack with a higher load capacity will safely carry loads without excessive manual exhaustion. It is generally measured in pounds or kilograms. 
  2. Build Material – As discussed in the point above, the material with which a floor jack is built is an important factor in determining its performance and longevity. Whether it is built to withstand heavy duress and long-term wear and tear, along with natural depreciation like rust and oxidation processes, can be assessed by this factor. High quality fine grade steel products are sturdier than plastic or rubber floor jacks. 
  3. Size and Portability – Often overlooked in the purchasing process, the size and portability of a floor jack has a considerable effect on its regular use. Larger sized floor or pit jacks that are used along with lifting systems fixed in commercial garages would obviously not be the right purchase choice for customers looking for portable options that can be safely tucked away in car storage compartments for quick access in emergencies. 
  4. Convenience and safety – Features in modern floor jacks should go beyond ensuring safety in its functioning and the personnel involved in operating it. They must include features that make it convenient for use- for instance, buttons for lifting and lowering, axles, stands or chocks for securing, and so on. However, safety features must not be overlooked and checking its locking mechanisms, etc. are a must. 
  5. Designed to Fit – Lastly, the ultimate guiding factor in choosing the best floor jack for lifted trucks is to see whether its design is functional. This means understanding, say for instance, that the fine polish on the floor jack body does not only showcase a sleek appearance, but also usefulness like protection against corrosion. Functional designs are the need of the hour, that would not only be useful in appraising the longevity of your floor jack but also whether the price it is listed at is worth paying. 

Where to Buy Floor Jacks? 

There are many great options available online for purchasing the best floor jack to lift a truck. However, there are only a handful of businesses that fit both your needs and your budget. 

And even lesser, that manufacture jacks that fit your pits too. Stan Design Inc. is one of them. With over two decades of experience within the industry, Stan Design Inc. has craftily mastered the art and craft of designing and manufacturing technologically advanced jacks that are pocket friendly. 

Their line of Scorpion floor jacks come in both hydraulic and air bag variants, with a wide load capacity that can accommodate a large range of vehicles. That is why their products are our top picks, which we will discuss in the last section. 

Stan Design Inc. Scorpion Floor Jack Models 

Scorpion TJ12S 

  • Capacity- 24,000 lbs./ 12 Tons 
  • Lifts Over 15.75”

Scorpion TJ12SL 

  • Capacity- 24,000 lbs./ 12 Tons 
  • Only 7.5’’ Collapsed
  • Height  Lifts Over 15”  

Scorpion TJ14

  • Capacity- 28,000 lbs./ 14 Tons 
  • Only 8.25” Collapsed Height 
  • Lifts Over 20”  

Scorpion TJ12E 

  • Capacity- 24,000 lbs./ 12 Tons 
  • Only 8’’ Collapsed Height 
  • Lifts Over 15.75” 
  • 2 Extendable Arms  

Scorpion MJ25 

  • Capacity- 25,000 lbs./ 12.5 Tons 
  • Lifts Over 36” 
  • Extendable Beam with Stackable Adapters Designed for All Military Vehicle Applications.

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Categories
Jacks Truck Jacks

How to Properly Maintain and Store Your Truck Jacks

Understanding the Importance of Regular Jack Maintenance

Trust us when we say this, you do not want to mess with the storage and maintenance of your heavy-duty jacks such as military grade truck jacks. Or, for that matter, even your regular car jacks. 

The correct and safe usage of car jacks is an essential and fundamental life skill that every driver should possess. And with the need for usage comes the responsibility of maintaining and storing them correctly. 

It is a common perception that heavy duty jacks or military-grade jacks lose their vigor over time. What does that mean? To solve the problem we need to break it down into small tangible chunks. 

Simply put, ‘losing vigor’ in the context of jacks can mean anything from physically breaking down (including malfunction of constituent parts and units) to mechanically shutting off (for instance hydraulic fluids drying up in hydraulic jack systems. 

From operating inefficiently (like lifting or lowering slower than it used to) or degrading in quality (due to rust or corrosion) to hindering productivity or becoming unsafe or outdated for continued usage, to name a few among other things. 

And well sure, most of these issues are bound to happen over a considerable period of time after sufficient usage, they can still be effectively handled to be postponed by enhancing their longevity simply by storing and maintaining their carefully. 

After all, jacks like heavy duty jacks or military grade jacks are essential tools for the maintenance of the long-term operational health of your vehicle, as well as your emergency aid for quick and cheap automotive fixes.

However, it is no rocket science, everyone can do it with a little patience and our guide. Happy learning! 

Checklist For Regular Inspections – Common Mistakes to Avoid

The first step to maintain truck jacks properly is to create a robust checklist for regular inspections, as it would not only help you easily avoid common mistakes associated with the process, but also save you time and money in the long run.

Read our comprehensive checklist for avoiding the top 3 mistakes people make while using and maintaining jacks. Feel free to refer to it for getting started.

  1. Prevention is cure. That is why choosing the right jack for your vehicle tops our list. If your jack is compatible or its weightlifting capacity, its portability and size, its profile, etc.- with your vehicle then it automatically lowers the possibility of injuring itself, your car, or the person wielding it (including yourself). 
  2. Knowing its type. Understanding the method of operation of your jack- that is, whether it is a hydraulic jack or an air bag jack, for instance – will enable you to know where and what to look at for inspecting its health. For instance, hydraulic fluids naturally run out after continued usage, needing refills without which the jacks refuse to function properly. So, keeping it in check can take care of that issue. 
  3. Keeping a lookout for dents or broken parts on and of your jack. This is a clear giveaway that your jack is set to malfunction sooner rather than later and you might want to get it fixed before it hurts you- something most people tend to ignore, ultimately paying dearly for it in times of distress. 

5 Easy Steps to Maintain, Clean, and Lubricate your Jack

There is no easy way of putting it but the longevity of jacks- be it heavy duty jacks, military grade jacks, regular bottle or floor jacks, scissor or pit jacks, or any other variant- solely depend on your quality of storage and maintenance.

So, here are 5 easy steps to maintain, clean, and lubricate your Jack. We will cover their proper storage techniques and ideal storage conditions in the following section before ending this blog.

  1. Set up a maintenance routine to keep inspections regular without forgetting about it. Even though jacks rarely demand attention and can be inspected two to three times a year, it’s important to watch for unusual issues and do not hesitate to consult professionals as not all repairs are DIY (do it yourself) friendly. 
  2. Release pressure before putting away the jack. Bleed the cylinders regularly before storage when the jack seems to strain in lifting and supporting loads. Not only does releasing the pressure make the tool more compact and easier to store, but it also releases stress on the system that can contribute to the deterioration of various components, enhancing its overall performance. 
  3. Use a damp cloth to clean the dirt before it settles and gets sticky. Grease, the numerous lubricant for most jacks, tends to attract a lot of dirt because of its texture and character. Settled dust and the moisture from the grease can lead to the deterioration, rusting and clogging within mechanical and structural components. 
  4. Use quality oil, grease, or hydraulic fluid to lubricate your jack as and when necessary. This will reduce unnecessary friction which leads to premature wear and tear within the mechanical and structural components of jacks. It is a contributing factor in ensuring the long-term health of your jack. Regularly inspect for oil levels (in hydraulic jacks) and refill it accordingly. 
  5. Keep the cylinders dry and out of water. You should make every effort to ensure that water does not get into the system and mix with oil. In the unfortunate event that the water mixes with oil the floor jack tends to become useless as far as the lifting capacity goes. 

Storage – Proper Techniques and Ideal Conditions

Perhaps, the easiest trick to solve in the puzzle of maintaining your precious little tool’s efficacy is the storage. 

Just store it in a clean and dry area, away from sunlight or moisture and you are good to go! 

This will not only help prevent rusting of essential components, but also save you the pain of losing a fine tool because of the smallest oxidation deterioration as it renders them completely useless. 

Also, All vehicles that are for sale or being imported into Canada must meet the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Remember to store your jacks upright to prevent oil leaks, and follow the above instructions carefully and refrain from using low-quality products since they may end up destroying the overall functionality of the jack. 

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Categories
Hydraulic Jacks Jacks Pit Jacks Truck Jacks

Why Use Heavy-Duty Floor Jacks to Safely Lift Heavy Trucks?

The All Essential Automotive Tools

A heavy-duty floor jack is a must-have tool for any workshop owner or DIY car enthusiast. Maintenance and repairing activities like changing a tire, fixing the wheel assembly, or lubrication – basically anything that has to do with the undercarriage of a vehicle – require it to be lifted high enough for technicians to reach the undercarriage safely. Hence, you need heavy-duty floor jacks to lift heavy trucks, semis, cars, and every other type of vehicle effortlessly and safely.

If you are new to using truck jacks or floor jacks, this blog will help you understand the basics of lifting a heavy vehicle safely for repairs. Read on!

Tools and Accessories You’ll Need

Before you start, keep the following tools and accessories handy:

  1. Heavy-duty floor jack: Ensure it has the capacity to lift your truck’s weight.
  2. Jack stands: These provide critical support once the truck is lifted.
  3. Wheel chocks: To prevent the truck from rolling while lifted.
  4. Lug wrench: To loosen the lug nuts if you’re working on the wheels.
  5. Safety gloves and goggles: For personal protection.

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Choose the Right Location: Park your truck on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
    Make sure the area is well-lit and free from any obstacles.
  • Prepare the Vehicle: If you’re lifting the truck to work on the wheels, use the lug wrench to slightly loosen the lug nuts on the wheels you plan to remove. Remember, do not remove them completely. This will make it easier to remove the wheel later.
  • Place Wheel Chocks: Position wheel chocks against the wheels touching the ground. This will prevent the truck from rolling while it’s lifted.
  • Locate Jacking Points: Consult your truck’s owner’s manual to find the recommended jacking points. These are usually located on the undersurface of the vehicle, near the wheels. They are reinforced sections of the frame designed for lifting. Remember, using a heavy-duty floor jack on any other section of the vehicle for lifting can cause serious damage to the chassis, leading to unnecessary expenses.
  • Position the Heavy-Duty Floor Jack: Place your truck jack or heavy-duty floor jack under the selected jacking point. Ensure the jack’s saddle is correctly aligned with the jacking point to prevent chassis damage.
  • Pump the Jack: Slowly pump the handle of the floor jack until the truck starts to lift. Keep an eye on the vehicle as it rises and stop when you’ve reached the desired height. Be cautious not to exceed the jack’s weight capacity.
  • Insert Jack Stands: Once the truck is raised, immediately position jack stands under the recommended jacking points, making sure they’re secure and the vehicle is resting on them.
  • Test Stability: Gently shake the truck to ensure it’s stable on the jack stands. If it wobbles or doesn’t feel secure, lower it back onto the floor jack and reposition the jack stands.
  • Perform Repairs or Maintenance: Now that the truck is securely elevated, you can perform the necessary maintenance or repairs.
  • Lower the Truck: When you’re finished working, carefully remove the jack stands and slowly lower the truck using the floor jack.

Conclusion Using a heavy-duty floor jack to lift a truck is a skill that can come in handy for various maintenance and repair tasks. Safety is paramount, so always follow the steps described above and take precautions such as using wheel chocks and jack stands. And always remember to buy heavy-duty floor jacks from reputed manufacturers like Stan Design to ensure safety, efficiency, and durability.

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