Which Trolley Jack Do I Need? Low Cars, 4x4s and Sinking Jacks

The jack will not slide under a lowered car, runs out of height under a van, or creeps down under load. Match the saddle heights and capacity to your vehicle, fix or retire a sinking jack, and support the vehicle on axle stands before you go underneath.

PartsForMachines lists 125 trolley jacks and jack kits from Sealey, Draper, MO-TEC, SIP, Chicago Pneumatic, Sykes Pickavant and Clarke.

Why Does My Trolley Jack Sink or Stop Lifting?

A jack that rises only a little with each pump, or feels spongy, may have air in its hydraulics or be short of oil. One that creeps down under load can have a release valve that is not closing fully, low or dirty oil, or pump valves that no longer seal.

Start by closing the release valve fully, without over-tightening, and trying the jack with no load. Then bleed it and check the oil (see the FAQs). If it still sinks, have it repaired or replace it. Either way, a jack is for lifting, not holding, so get the car onto axle stands before you go under it.

Will a Trolley Jack Fit Under My Low Car?

It will if its minimum saddle height fits under the jacking point and its body clears the sill or splitter in front of it. Measure both gaps, then compare them with the jack’s minimum saddle height and maximum chassis height.

The 1500SLR low-profile trolley jack, for example, starts at 70 mm, is no more than 150 mm high at the chassis and has a long 915 mm chassis for tight spots. Low-entry jacks vary in lift: the 1500SLR rises to 610 mm, while the 1020LE stops at 385 mm.

Is a 2-Tonne Jack Enough for a Van or 4x4?

Only if its rating suits the vehicle’s weight and it lifts high enough, so check both. Compare the weight in the handbook with the jack’s rated capacity. Some are built for them: the 2.25-tonne 1025HL suits 4x4s and light commercials, and the 3-tonne 1153SUV suits SUVs and light commercials.

Height is the other trap: low-entry jacks such as the 3-tonne 3000LEHV can stop at 500 mm. The 2500RG high-lift trolley jack works from 150 mm to 714 mm with its saddle extension and suits chassis heights up to 200 mm. The 2-tonne 2200HL runs from 80 mm to 805 mm.

Where Do the Jack and Axle Stands Go?

Jack only at the lifting points shown in the vehicle handbook, then lower the vehicle onto axle stands on firm, level ground before you go under it. Chock the wheels that stay down. If the jack digs into tarmac or a soft floor, move to solid, level ground, ideally concrete. Never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.

Choose axle stands rated for the vehicle. In the 3040ARCOMBO jack and axle stand set, both the jack and the stands are rated to 3 tonnes, while the 2-tonne JKIT01 kit includes two 2-tonne stands.

What Should I Check Before I Buy?

• the vehicle’s weight against the jack’s rated capacity, and axle stands rated for the vehicle
• minimum saddle height and maximum chassis height against the gap under the jacking point and the sills or splitter
• maximum saddle height against the lift you need to get the wheel clear, especially on a van or 4x4
• chassis length for deep-set jacking points, and the jack’s weight if it has to travel
• safety features and standard: an overload valve, controlled lowering, EN1494 marking and the right saddle pad

Browse the trolley jack range, or contact the PartsForMachines team by WhatsApp, telephone or email with the vehicle, its weight and the clearance under the jacking point.

Product options, delivery options and returns terms are shown on each product page. A 30-day return policy applies to eligible items.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I bleed air out of a trolley jack?

With no load on the jack, open the release valve, pump the handle through several full strokes, then close the valve and check the pump action. Strokes and steps vary by model, so follow your jack’s manual.

What oil should I use to top up a trolley jack?

Hydraulic jack oil only. Never use brake fluid or other liquids such as alcohol, as the wrong fluid can damage the seals. Top up with the saddle fully lowered and the jack level, to the level the manual gives.

Is an aluminium trolley jack strong enough for a 4x4?

Check the rated capacity rather than the material, then check the height. The RJA2500 aluminium trolley jack is rated at 2.5 tonnes but tops out at 480 mm, so check that is enough to get a 4x4’s wheel clear.

How much lighter is an aluminium jack?

It varies, so compare weights. At 2.5 tonnes, the aluminium RJA2500 weighs 26 kg, the aluminium-and-steel 31479 weighs 28.5 kg and the 2500LE, with a steel chassis, weighs 30.3 kg.

What does a quick-lift or Rocket Lift pump do?

It brings the saddle up to the jacking point in fewer pump strokes, so you spend less time pumping; many use twin pistons. The 2100TB and 2200HL add a foot pedal for the same job.

Which jack reaches deep-set jacking points?

A long-chassis jack. The 2-tonne 2100TB is 940 mm long and the 10-tonne 10QJ is 1,510 mm long, and both are built for deep-set jacking points. Our long hydraulic trolley jacks go up to 20 tonnes.

How can I tell whether a cheap trolley jack is any good?

Ignore the price and check the specification: rated capacity, saddle heights, an overload valve, controlled lowering and EN1494, the European standard for mobile jacks. Not every jack has every feature: the SIP 03642, for example, has no safety bypass.

Where can I get a grooved saddle pad?

Slotted pads suit jacking points with a seam or rail. The JP25 cross-slotted jacking pad fits many jacks, including the 3040 and 4040 series and the RJA2500; check your jack’s model against its fit list before ordering.

Can I put a block of wood on the saddle to gain height?

No. Never pack the saddle with blocks, spacers or other extenders. If the jack is too short, choose one that lifts higher, or one with its own saddle extension, such as the three-height extension on the 2500RG.