Jacking up a vehicle for an oil change

[MikePA]

I'm not familiar with that type...could you post a link to an online image, perhaps?

I've never heard them referred to as "Gear Teeth". I've referred to them as 'Ratchet Jack Stands" and if you Google that you'll see some more examples.



EDIT: Missed the bolded words in your post asking about the U bolt jack stands.

 

[bcp]

Interesting combinations here. I've wondered why there weren't floor jacks with a mechanical lock to prevent accidental lowering.

Jack 'n Stand

All-In-One-3-Ton-Bottle Jack Stand


Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm not familiar with that type...could you post a link to an online image, perhaps? Thanks. My Hoe

Here are the ones I have.

Chris

 

[Copperhead]

Wood blocks are very reliable. I use them when I jack up the front end of my semi truck. I don't have a neat air assisted floor jack that can raise up the front, so I use a 20T bottle jack to raise the front and set the solid steer axle on the blocks. I use 6x6 blocks, one on each end. They are holding up 12,500 lb of semi truck front end. Been doing it for years without even a hint of a problem. I use similar 6x6 blocks for setting under landing gear on loaded semi trailer to keep it from sinking. They are roughly 3 ft long each, I use one on each side. They are holding up roughly 34,000 lb and doing a fine job of it. On my pickup, I like using the stands similar to what MikePA posted a couple of posts ago.

 

[My Hoe]

Here are the ones I have.


Chris

Chris,

Thank you--I've never seen those "U-bolt" style jack stands before, but I can see how an accidental release (which is, theoretically, at least, possible, with the "Ratchet-type" or "Gear Tooth" type).

Thanks for the info!

My Hoe

 

[some zilch]

i use wood blocks as well. i have (4) 12"x 12" x 18" oak blocks that i use. i trust them more than any jackstand. i used to use them on my beam-type lowboy trailer (a trailer that lifts the load in the center and has no deck, just beams down the center, about 4 feet wide. helps keep very tall loads like off road haul trucks and huge front end loaders lower to the ground). four of these blocks would hold up a 100 ton load on the trailer going down the road

 

[k0ua]

Here are the ones I have.

Chris

Those do look pretty safe I have never seen them before.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Those do look pretty safe I have never seen them before.

I got them at Menards back in the 90's. I bought 4 pair on sale. Wish I had a dozen more.

Chris

 

[crazyal]

The ratcheting jack stands are designed so once weight is put on them they can't be released. What I like about the style Cris has is the metal that connects the legs. More surface area to help spread out the load. All too often I see people put a 2x under a jack stand so they can use it on pavement or dirt. The ratchet style just has a small piece of sheet metal that contacts the ground. A thin piece of wood like a 2x will split. I would suggest if you own the ratchet style jack stands weld a piece of steel on the bottom of them.

 

[chopped]

The ratcheting jack stands are designed so once weight is put on them they can't be released. What I like about the style Cris has is the metal that connects the legs. More surface area to help spread out the load. All too often I see people put a 2x under a jack stand so they can use it on pavement or dirt. The ratchet style just has a small piece of sheet metal that contacts the ground. A thin piece of wood like a 2x will split. I would suggest if you own the ratchet style jack stands weld a piece of steel on the bottom of them.

I agree. I had a set of stands years ago and my dad had welded some angle iron aroun the bottoms of them