Which of these axles stands would you go for?

[visor_down]

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/hydraulic-jacks/axle-stands

Evening

Looking for set of axle stands and thought I would ask for thoughts on the above range. All are similar price so looking for most stable and easiest to use.

Will be used on a gravel drive (not the fine chipping sort) so needs to be stable.
Not sure which saddle type is best the cast v type or the bent metal plate? Same for the tripod vs 4legs

Will be used on all sorts from focus which is very low through to 4x4 so hoping can get one that does it all. Was going to get the largest to cover all bases but unsure if the 370 min height would be inconvenient on standard cars.

Any thoughts or experiences on which are the best buy would be appreciated
There look to be pretty good value and ce tuv approved but open to other suggestions
Cheers

 

[urban]

I personally prefer the ratchet type stands, find them much easier to put under and drop down afterwards, seem to be able to locate and get them the right height much quicker.

Depending on the gravel maybe put a thick board under the stands to give them a good footing, like they do on crane outriggers... this may make it less stable though if the gravels very large and the jagged type.

Just my 2 pennies worth

 

[zzr1200]

Personally I don't like axle stands with cast parts, I prefer the good old angle iron and steel tube design.

Axle stands are not expensive per set and more than one set is always useful, why not buy both sizes, they should cover most uses.

I have always found its the lack of lift height on the trolley jack thats more of a pain when working on vehicles.

 

[octo0072000]

wouldn't use any of them on a gravel drive they will just sink
you would need to put a couple of sheets of 3/4 inch ply down to spread the weight also to give you a level surface to work on under the car either that or concrete a car space

 

[urban]

My cheap machine mart 2 tonne trolley jack always worries me when it's on full extension under a corner of the car, a relief to get a stand under it.

 

[langy]

There is no way I would put a car on stands on gravel, you must have a death wish !!!

 

[kelsham]

A friend of mine lost his Son when a car slipped off a jack while he was underneath.

Since then I have been very cautious when working beneath cars. I always use axle stands and leave the jack in place. I would not use stands or Jack on unstable ground.

Kels

 

[Robotstar5]

If I have to take a wheel off to do a job, I always put it under the sill or chassis "just in case"

 

[stuvy]

If I have to take a wheel off to do a job, I always put it under the sill or chassis "just in case"

same as above and what langy mentioned.

Flersh isnt as strong as steel

 

[urban]

If I have to take a wheel off to do a job, I always put it under the sill or chassis "just in case"

I've always done this but someone once told me if the car slipped off the stands and jack it'd hit the wheel and blow the tyre off the rim like a blow out... I still take my chances and throw it under the sill, still stand a better chance than if the tyre wasn't there, blow out or not.

 

[octo0072000]

I've always done this but someone once told me if the car slipped off the stands and jack it'd hit the wheel and blow the tyre off the rim like a blow out... I still take my chances and throw it under the sill, still stand a better chance than if the tyre wasn't there, blow out or not.

very much doubt it would blow out if a sharp piece when into the tyre it will go down it wont go bang that's a loads of rubbish

 

[hippytyre]

I have large and small ratchet type ones at work (tyre garage) and I rarely use the larger ones. Handy to have both but you'd get by using the smaller ones. Just be careful where you place them.

 

[mw3hgd]

I agree with the above about the ratchet type. Makes life so much easier and more finely adjustable

 

[visor_down]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Ordered a set of the ratchet ones. Re the gravel it is the fine chipping sort, i can scrape it away where necessary and there is solid ground beneath with compacted scalping, not had any probs so far with the old stands regarding stability, but appreciate the advice, always worth being extra careful with these things
cheers

 

[octo0072000]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Ordered a set of the ratchet ones. Re the gravel it is the fine chipping sort, i can scrape it away where necessary and there is solid ground beneath with compacted scalping, not had any probs so far with the old stands regarding stability, but appreciate the advice, always worth being extra careful with these things
cheers

you could use a sheet of 3/4 mdf for under the car also much nicer to lay on than chippings better support for the jack and stands as well

 

[LewisT]

i always find on some axle stands the saddle ( bit at the top dont know its real name ) are to wide and deep to use on standard jacking points on some cars without fouling the floor pan or other things before the sill has sat down, but i do usually put some soft wood or think cardboard on the saddle to stop them wrecking the sills

 

[Wedg1e]

I've always done this but someone once told me if the car slipped off the stands and jack it'd hit the wheel and blow the tyre off the rim like a blow out... I still take my chances and throw it under the sill, still stand a better chance than if the tyre wasn't there, blow out or not.

Absolutely: even with no tyre the rim is probably 8 or 9 inches wide which is enough to save your head - or even your ribcage.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Many years ago (around 35 !) I bought a new bungalow which the builders just laid a single row of concrete slabs and the rest was red ash. At the time I had a Reliant 3 wheeler and did all the work in the drive. One day the axle stand gave way on the red ash trapping me underneath. No warning just tipped sideways. I was lucky it was a lightweight Reliant as neighbour managed to lift it off me but still painful. Dread to think what it would have been like to have a "proper" car fall on me and has made me very careful ever since.
BTW I've got 5 sets of axle stands ranging from small (folding from Lidl) to huge 12 ton. I prefer the ratchet type every time. Still got the ones that sunk into the red ash

Paul H