what would this jack have been used for?

[urban]

I found this in a shed, it's obviously a jack of some sort but looks to be for a specific use, anybody know what for!? Says 5 tons on it, it ratchets up but when the lever is turned to lower it just drops like a sack of the proverbial!

It's pretty big and very heavy.

 

[madkayaker]

Toe jack for lifting machinery when there is load on the jack it will lower properly same as a farm jack

 

[Robotstar5]

If it works the same as a Hi-lift (farm jack) you have to have the handle in a certain position before moving the lever to the "lower" position, allows you to control the down movement.

 

[madkayaker]

Or you end up wearing the jack handle! you fast learn mind how to do it

 

[Robotstar5]

Or you end up wearing the jack handle! you fast learn mind how to do it

I use mine so infrequently, I always do a couple of "test runs" before using it in anger

 

[madkayaker]

I'm good with it as long as I remember to hold the handle at all times when it's set for lower or the slightest knock and away it goes!

 

[urban]

Cheers for the replies, they sound dodgy as hell, thought mine was broken but obviously just the way they are, thankfully i've never jacked anything up with it!

Are they worth any money or just scrap value?

 

[cumbriasteve]

They are worth a few quid, anywhere from £20 and up, seen them go on ebay for various prices and sometimes quite high bids.

 

[Robotstar5]

Probably worth something to a collector if you have no use for it, I'd oil it and put it back in the shed as it will be needed for a job usually a week after you've sold it!

 

[madkayaker]

Put a bit of load on it (couple of kids should do it) and you will see how it works

 

[MonsterLandrover]

Iv seen these before. They are railroad jacks arnt they?

 

[brightspark]

Iv seen these before. They are railroad jacks arnt they?

yep x war dept as well

 

[chriskelland]

Quite often used to lift rail for re sleepering. Some narrow gauge loco's carried a pair for re railing, old temporary track was very rough and loco's often derailed.

 

[awemawson]

I've got it's identical twin, and also a 10 ton version. Very handy for shifting things you otherwise cannot get at. Last used mine for hoyking the side of my forklift up to have a looksee underneith.

 

[W4yne]

The symbol on the bottom right of the plate which looks like an arrow would indicate military issue. The symbol known in the military as the "crows foot" is stamped on all their equipment.

 

[MonsterLandrover]

Just spoken to someone who knows alot about these things. He says its used for lifting machinery to put skates under for moving and yes, your right, it is military issue.

 

[urban]

Nice one, cheers for all the info, absolutely no use for this so it will most likely end up on ebay.

 

[Welderpaul]

I've got a couple of these at work. I don't look forward to using them.
Last time i used them it was to jack up a 10t machine to get some tank skates under. Not bad to lift, but a bit hairy coming back down - a bit too uncontrolled for my liking.....

 

[madkayaker]

Hydraulic bottle jack is much nicer for lower

 

[Pete.]

Toe jack. Very robust and handy. They shouldn't be uncontrollable on the down-lift if they are working right. You can still buy these things new, but they aren't cheap.