Jack stands are a must-have for any automotive enthusiast's toolkit. They are notably important for safety criteria. Here are some tips for choosing and using this tool right.
Jack stands are small, triangular structures used to keep a vehicle without its wheels in a stable position. Used in conjunction with other tools such as jacks or workshop cranes, they allow maintaining a car or a heavy vehicle in a raised position to perform work underneath. This support is primarily used to secure a jack lift, the latter being able to collapse and risk dropping the vehicle. In fact, doubling up on lifting and support tools is one of the first rules taught to apprentice mechanics.
There are several types of jack stands: screw, pin, ratchet, foldable, tall or low, or reinforced. These accessories should be chosen based on the user's needs. Several criteria come into play:
- the quality of the lifting tool: it must be robust and weigh at least 6kg;
- ease of handling: ratchet supports are the easiest to implement;
- lifting capacity: for a passenger vehicle, a capacity of 2 or 3 tonnes is more than sufficient, even leaving a significant safety margin. For a heavy vehicle, it is essential to use reinforced equipment whose lifting capacity is adapted to this type of vehicle.
To ensure the safety of the operator and the integrity of the vehicle, jack stands must not be altered in any way. Moreover, a few rules must be followed to properly place these lifting tools.
- They must be placed on a flat and solid surface, risking sinking and causing the vehicle to fall if not. If lifting is done on a lawn or gravel area, stability must be ensured using boards.
- They must be positioned at the manufacturer's designated lifting points, those indicated by the manufacturer in the technical guide of the vehicle.
- It is essential to ensure their balance by making sure they rest on all their feet.
Adhering to these guidelines is crucial. In addition to ensuring the safety of the operator, these tips prevent damage to the body or chassis, which could then lead to a loss of warranty.
Safety is the keyword for any intervention under a vehicle. Therefore, it is important to follow various recommendations, both when choosing and using any lifting equipment.
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