Will a hi-lift jack be sufficient to change a wheel?

[steve.lorimer]

Hi folks

Will a hi-lift jack be sufficient to change a wheel on a lorry, or do I need to get a different jack?

I've got a 4 tonne Leyland DAF GS (ex-military 4x4 lorry). I've got a hi-lift jack that will be sufficient to lift one wheel... I'm wondering if this will be sufficient to change a wheel.

Thanks
Steve

[diesel jim]

Most hilifts (the type used with land rovers and such) are rated to about 3 or 4 tonnes.


a fully loaded 4 tonner is about 7 IIRC. so i'd say a bit fat no.

not sure if you can get an air jack that size? that would make life easier,

failing that, a HD bottle jack and a large piece of wood to sit it on (if off road) should do.

[RogerM]

2 x 10 tonne bottle jacks with some wooden blocks would get you out of most offroad situations.

Tyre changing - 1 x 10 tonne bottle jack plus wooden blocks.

[steve.lorimer]

Hi folks

Thanks for the advice... which I have taken on board and am now the proud new owner of a 10 tonne bottle-jack.

Together with my high-lift jack I'm sure we'll overcome!

Thanks
Steve

[Stanley]

Hi
I do training in Africa with high lift jacks for mining exporation companies and they are working hard just to lift a Landcruiser so I too would give a thumbs down for a highilift jack for your wagon. Bottle jacks are the way forward and a good supply of wooded blocks. The India made treaded jacks are a good never-fail second jack alternative.
Stanley

[Toby2]

Suggest you have probably made the right decision but a couple of corrections on some of the comments - Re the weight, a jack is only lifting part of the weight of the vehicle as the rest of the weight is carried on the remaining wheels. A jack is nominally only lifting about 1/4 of the weight, maybe slightly more if the vehicle is tilted over towards a flat tyre but not much. Therefore weight rating is unlikely to be a problem. I changed a wheel on my Unimog 404 last Sunday and it is probably coming in at a total weight of about 2.5 tonne. Jack had no problem at all. However where bottle jack is probably a better idea is because of how unstable high lift jacks can be at height. Don't particularly enjoy the point when the vehicle is solely on the high lift with one wheel off and the next going on. Would be okay if using in conjunction with a suitable axle stand.

[steve.lorimer]

Thanks Toby - great advice.

[Bundubasher]

Genuine Hi-Lifts are great. Cheap copies bend under load or the ratchet system goes. However I recomend you weld on special Hi-Lift jacking points. Make changing a wheel a doddle.

I carry a bottle the oe toyota bottle jack as a backup - I hate crawling in the dirt to fit or use the things.

2007 Safari - The Great Trek Home

[BedfordMJ]

The point about hi-lift jacks being unstable is spot on, I hate the bloody things. Bottle jacks much better idea.

[Bundubasher]

Yes - in the hands of the uninitiated, one can experience a serious multiple twatting through misuse of a Hi-Lift: you just have to see one uncontrolled episode of down ratcheting to realise that.

However - with the right vehicle (jackpoints, chains etc) and ground (flat!) preparations they make lifting the vehicle quick and simple. They also have other uses such as extricating yourself from ruts and boggings; forcing open doors; breaking beads on tyres; lifting collapsed vehicles where there is no space to insert a hand let alone a bottle-jack; and a multitude of other nefarious uses that they were never intended for.

[ChrisC]

I agree with many of the comments made!

To start with only buy/use a decent quality jack - not some cheap copy, they can be highly dangerous.
As can a proper Hi-lift in the hands of the un-initiated or inexperienced! But and its a big one, they are irreplaceabl as a Hi-lift jack of all trades - pardon the play on words.

As Bundubasher says they are some flexible that I wouldn't travel without one - like your jacking points Enzo.

[Bundubasher]

Thanks (inspired by ARB actually). I also welded some on the rear as well: For extra security you can even secure the hi-lift "jaw" to the jack point using a bolt.

[graysworld]

May I just add something......people have died using all types of jack! it pays to remember that a jack is a lifting device not a supporting device. if you can use an axle stand do so, or put a spare wheel under the vehicle....never work on/under a vehicle standing on a jack alone high lift or bottle. If a hydraulic seal goes the jack will collapse.


graeme

[Bundubasher]

Yes, although unweidly, they are also good for beating people over the head with.