AC Hydraulic vs Compac?

[marlinspike]

Ok, I've settled between two jacks...either the AC Hydraulic DK13HLQ or the Compac 90535. I realize the AC Hydrualic has the benefit of being lower profile, but from pictures it looks like the Compac is plenty low until you get very far back, so it should do the job. The Compac is less expensive, but at this price I guess that doesn't really matter anymore. Anybody know how the quality compares?

 

[mobiledynamics]

I just googled the 90535. The price for the AC is not that much more....
I'd go with the AC but then again, I've got the 13, 20 and 4 of their stands...

 

[marlinspike]

I had read some people who had issues with their AC Hydraulic, so I was a little worried about quality. Then again, I guess nobody goes on the internet to write how well something is working. I called the Compac distributor to get a measurement on how steeply the Compac jack rises in height, and interestingly enough they guy said it sounded like I would want an AC Hydraulic for my needs (they USED to be the distributor for those). He said they're every bit as good as Compac, which is to say they're very very very good. So now I'm left with the Compac is cheaper and goes higher, but the AC is much lower profile...hmmm...decisions decisions.

 

[Monte]

difficult choice but either one will make you happy

(btw. which issues ?)

 

[marlinspike]

difficult choice but either one will make you happy

(btw. which issues ?)

I can't find them now, but I had seen multiple people who said the jack was no longer lifting properly after a few years.

 

[mobiledynamics]

My only beef with AC is their wheels.

 

[Monte]

btw. these jacks are good too
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product...=basic&keyword=jack&sortby=newArrivals&page=1

http://www.otctools.com/products/Service_jack


ps:
maybe you could ask the owners of these jacks if they had problems....
here´s one with a Compac jack
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89157


this thread is full with some AC owners:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43029


the AC jacks are also sold under several different names like "CAR1", "WM Tec" and car parts wholesalers like "PV" in germany so they can´t be that bad i guess...

at least i´m happy with mine

i have this one from AC too and it´s good too:

 

[marlinspike]

I wish european tools cost the same in the US as they do in Europe
The Griot's one doesn't go high enough.
Compared to the AC, the Compac is $93 cheaper after shipping, goes 3 inches higher, and is rated to a higher weight. That said, I will never use the higher weight. The AC goes about a half inch lower, but it looks like they have the same height chassis measured at the highest point, and the Compac is narrower between the rear wheels, which is both a positive and a negative...THIS IS TOO DIFFICULT haha.

 

[alan camby]

I am very interested in the AC jack. My only concern is the weight limit.
The jack is rated for 1300kg (2866lbs) from what I can tell.

If a 1/2 ton truck weighs close to 6000lbs, and I am trying to lift one end, I will be right at the 2866lbs.

1/2 ton trucks are as heavy as i go. I really like how height this jack goes. Seems like most floor jacks only go to about 20" tall.

I see that they make a 2000kg model but it seems to lack this extra high feature, if memory serves me correctly

Edit: Maybe I should look at the Compac. Just noticed that the Mile X company is about 1.5 hours from me.

Is this a good price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compac-90535-1-5-Ton-Capacity-High-Lift-Jack-/190765864971

 

[marlinspike]

The DK13HLQ goes up to about 29 inches. However, I don't think I'd use it on a 1/2 ton truck. I'd think you'd want something like the Compac 90534 to get a load that heavy that high http://www.mile-x.com/compac-90534-high-lift-jack.aspx

 

[alan camby]

The DK13HLQ goes up to about 29 inches. However, I don't think I'd use it on a 1/2 ton truck. I'd think you'd want something like the Compac 90534 to get a load that heavy that high http://www.mile-x.com/compac-90534-high-lift-jack.aspx

Ha, you typed that as I edited my post

 

[alan camby]

The DK13HLQ goes up to about 29 inches. However, I don't think I'd use it on a 1/2 ton truck. I'd think you'd want something like the Compac 90534 to get a load that heavy that high http://www.mile-x.com/compac-90534-high-lift-jack.aspx

I wonder if I really need that much more capacity????

The 90535 is 1500kg (3307lbs) and 6000lbs is a very heavy 1/2 ton truck.
Most are around 5500lbs or less. So i think 3000lbs would be as heavy as the jack would see.

I like over built, but hate to let go of the extra money for something I don't need.



Someone please tell me I answered my own question

 

[ultgar]

My only beef with AC is their wheels.

AC had a lot of problems when they went to the new wheels. Took a few years to get them sorted out. Bad batches of rubber o-rings on the wheels and plenty of shipping damage from Fedex and UPS.

I sold AC jacks here in the US for 10 years and still think they are the best jack out there today. I used to spend 20-30 minutes inspecting and adjusting every jack before it went out the door. My competitors would drop ship the jacks and sell them for a few dollars less. After a hernia surgery a few years back, I gave up on the selling the line.

Here's what you need to look for with any new AC Hydraulics jacks...

I still have my DK13HLQ and DK20Q and keep enough spares to last me the rest of my life. The wheels have also been replaced with polyurethane and no longer have problems.

 

[marlinspike]

Where did you get the polyurethane wheels?
Also, I had pretty much settled on getting the AC after looking at how different the slope at which height increases is compared to the Compac, but you touched on my last remaining worry: spares. Compac has an actual distributor in the US. AC it looks like is only sold by Pelican which did what looks to have been basically a group buy, and I feel like spares will be hard to come by. Are they generically serviceable, or with an AC once it breaks will it just be a paperweight?

 

[ultgar]

Where did you get the polyurethane wheels?
Also, I had pretty much settled on getting the AC after looking at how different the slope at which height increases is compared to the Compac, but you touched on my last remaining worry: spares. Compac has an actual distributor in the US. AC it looks like is only sold by Pelican which did what looks to have been basically a group buy, and I feel like spares will be hard to come by. Are they generically serviceable, or with an AC once it breaks will it just be a paperweight?

I had a few prototype sets made up years ago but never went through with the first production run. They would have added $75 cost to each jack and people were already complaining about the costs of the jack with the stock wheels.

The jacks are easy to work on once you've taken them apart a few times. I still have a few new handles, wheels and cylinders (both the DK13HLQ and DK20/20Q use the same cylinder). If Pelican is going to import these, they need to support them with tech support and spare parts. SD

 

[marlinspike]

Well, they have spares, but for instance they have 5 repair kits. My guess is, once they're gone, they're gone.

 

[Monte]

A good distributor should be able to get you all spare parts.
you can find a spare parts list here if you scroll down:
http://www.ac-hydraulic.dk/pdf/manuals/dk13-20.pdf

I am very interested in the AC jack. My only concern is the weight limit.
The jack is rated for 1300kg (2866lbs) from what I can tell.

the DK20HLQ is rated at 2000 KG and goes up to 795 mm



Compac jacks are also available with hard rubber wheels ....

 

[ultgar]

A good distributor should be able to get you all spare parts.
you can find a spare parts list here if you scroll down:
http://www.ac-hydraulic.dk/pdf/manuals/dk13-20.pdf


I agree....


the DK20HLQ is rated at 2000 KG and goes up to 795 mm

The 20HLQ is not a good choice for the typical high line European cars or a US sports car....they will have problems reaching under any vehicle less than 125mm (5")

 

[RKA]

I had read some people who had issues with their AC Hydraulic, so I was a little worried about quality. Then again, I guess nobody goes on the internet to write how well something is working.

If it makes you feel any better, I bought an AC jack + stands (from ultgar) about 10-12 years ago and haven't had a lick of trouble with it! The release mechanism is smooth and predictable, not touchy like many jacks. I'd buy another today if I was convinced they intend to keep a presence in the US and continue to make parts available.

 

[Monte]

The 20HLQ is not a good choice for the typical high line European cars or a US sports car....they will have problems reaching under any vehicle less than 125mm (5")

but he has a 1/2 ton truck

 

[ultgar]

but he has a 1/2 ton truck

No problem then assuming he'll always be using this with high clearance vehicles.

When I sold the line, the majority of the sales came from Porsche, BMW, Corvette and Viper owners. The DK20 or DK20Q was a great little jacks (68 lbs) to throw in the trunk to take to track events and the DK13HLQ would reach under the lowest vehicles with 16" reach under 4" of height. Enough to grab the front subframe on an M3. I even sold 2 to Ferrari North America for use with the 360 Challenge cars.

In 10 years, I sold 4 DK20HLQ's and 2 of them were eventually returned. SD

 

[marlinspike]

Apparently those Compac rubber wheels add $80 per wheel!

Those pics that UltGar put up, those are why I'm skiddish of AC. At that price point, those should have never left the factory.

 

[ultgar]

Those pics that UltGar put up, those are why I'm skiddish of AC. At that price point, those should have never left the factory.

You're right....that's why I used to inspect and test each jack and adjust them as needed before shipping them to my customers. The pictures I posted earlier were sent to the folks in Denmark to show them what was going out the door. SD

 

[marlinspike]

On the flipside, you'd think ESCO could be bothered to just open up a box and put a ruler next to the Compac jack, so I could make an informed decision.
I'm tempted to just go with the AC Hydraulic for the simple reason that ESCO doesn't want to do a little legwork (or maybe I've just been spoiled by good salesmen).

 

[alan camby]

On the flipside, you'd think ESCO could be bothered to just open up a box and put a ruler next to the Compac jack, so I could make an informed decision.
I'm tempted to just go with the AC Hydraulic for the simple reason that ESCO doesn't want to do a little legwork (or maybe I've just been spoiled by good salesmen).

Have you tried to go thru MileX equipment to see if they would help you measure what you need.

 

[marlinspike]

Yep, they don't stock them, it gets drop shipped

 

[alan camby]

Their ebay store must be wrong then. It says that the item location is Coldwater, Ohio.
Which is where they are located.

 

[mobiledynamics]

BUMPity Bump. Hi Steve. I've got a DK13 and 20 and well as 8 3000N.

I don't know if one day, parts or distribution will dry up, just like how it was stagnet before pelican/ac jacks.

Any recommended parts you would say I should stockpile. Maybe 2 wheels and 2 rebuild kits from Pelican ?

Granted, my usage on them is nowhere near how a *shop* uses them.

 

[ultgar]

BUMPity Bump. Hi Steve. I've got a DK13 and 20 and well as 8 3000N.

Any recommended parts you would say I should stockpile. Maybe 2 wheels and 2 rebuild kits from Pelican ?

Granted, my usage on them is nowhere near how a *shop* uses them.

If Pelican has them in stock, I'd pick up a rebuilt kit and some spare wheels and o-rings (for the wheels). SD

 

[mobiledynamics]

Unless someone happens to have some extra orange wheels that have forsale....cough, cough

 

[arbination]

AC had a lot of problems when they went to the new wheels. Took a few years to get them sorted out. Bad batches of rubber o-rings on the wheels and plenty of shipping damage from Fedex and UPS.

I sold AC jacks here in the US for 10 years and still think they are the best jack out there today. I used to spend 20-30 minutes inspecting and adjusting every jack before it went out the door. My competitors would drop ship the jacks and sell them for a few dollars less. After a hernia surgery a few years back, I gave up on the selling the line.

Here's what you need to look for with any new AC Hydraulics jacks...

I still have my DK13HLQ and DK20Q and keep enough spares to last me the rest of my life. The wheels have also been replaced with polyurethane and no longer have problems.

Hi Steve, any chance you can re-enable the links for the photos?

Thanks.

 

[ricleh]

I bought a DK20HLQ to use on my 1/2 ton 4WD pickup. My truck
is a little over 6000 lbs. The jack works great. It handles the weight with no problem and lifts it plenty high. I got spare wheels and O rings as well as a couple rebuild kits and the rubber saddle. I also got the WJN10 shop crane and I really like the fold up design.

 

[arbination]

My jack dates back to 2005 or thereabouts. It has what I would describe as hard plastic wheels with rubber O rings in the centre. As the jack gets moved around on asphalt the wheels have taken a beating and the O rings have been replaced once and will be due again soon. Are there any alternatives?

 

[Jamie V]

I also got the WJN10 shop crane and I really like the fold up design.

Do you have any pictures you can post up? I'm really liking the fold up design of that hoist!

 

[ricleh]

Do you have any pictures you can post up? I'm really liking the fold up design of that hoist!

AC Hydraulic WJN10

 

[Jamie V]

Thanks! How has it worked out for you? Would you buy it again? I'm trying to convince myself to spend $1,000 on an engine hoist I only use very seldom.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I spy some einzett, poorboys, etc.

Curious. Ontop of the Hazet carry trays, what type of sprayers are those and use application. Lovely setup you have

I've got a 13HLQ and just a standard 20

 

[ricleh]

Thanks! How has it worked out for you? Would you buy it again? I'm trying to convince myself to spend $1,000 on an engine hoist I only use very seldom.

I use my hoist very seldom, but when I need it nothing else will do. I would definitely buy it again.

 

[ricleh]

I spy some einzett, poorboys, etc.

Curious. Ontop of the Hazet carry trays, what type of sprayers are those and use application. Lovely setup you have

I've got a 13HLQ and just a standard 20

Those are Hazet 199N-1 sprayers, although I don't know if they actually make them. They are pump pressurized and can be used to spray most liquids. I use them for many different purposes.

 

[mobiledynamics]

ricleh -

Detailing nut here..
This is the OE : http://www.goizper.com/en/spraying/ik/industrial/ik-foam/ik-foam-1-5