Bottle jack safety.

[Aquamoose]

Dont use wood it splinters/Its also flammable

Wood are excellent for cribbing when used correctly. It’s used by many rescue crews all over, including myself as a FF attached to a heavy rescue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[richfinn]

Wood are excellent for cribbing when used correctly. It’s used by many rescue crews all over, including myself as a FF attached to a heavy rescue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rescuing people in an emergency is very different to trying to save a few bucks by not using the correct tools

I can't imagine Firefighter trucks are ever supported by wood during any type of professional repair procedure

 

[SeisMec]

I can't imagine Firefighter trucks are ever supported by wood during any type of professional repair procedure

Wood blocking has far less long term durability than metal jack stands. And moving a jack stand and raising its saddle seems remarkably faster than moving and stacking separate two-by, four-by or six-by wood blocks. But faster and more durable do not necessarily mean safer.

Almost all commercial jack stands are designed for use on non-deformable, approximately flat, and approximately level surfaces - like the concrete floor of a shop, dry and well packed gravel or perhaps an asphalt driveway. In the later case, one had better add the privisio that it's not a 110F/43C afternoon.

A few jack stands have support pads under their feet like this one.

A few have no support pads what-so-ever. But more typically they have recessed support pads welded inside each leg about 1/2" above the foot. ( Look closely at the rear most leg of the left hand jack stand in the picture below.) Should the thin edge metal of a foot crush into the supporting surface, the recessed pad is there to provide a last ditch increase in weight distribution.

In most situations, properly utilized wood blocking is just as safe as jack stands. The converse is not true.

 

[Mr. T]

Rescuing people in an emergency is very different to trying to save a few bucks by not using the correct tools

I can't imagine Firefighter trucks are ever supported by wood during any type of professional repair procedure

I’ve never seen a rigger use a jack stand. But I’ve seen plenty of 60 plus ton machines being supported by wood cribbing.

 

[richfinn]

Wood blocking has far less long term durability than metal jack stands. And moving a jack stand and raising its saddle seems remarkably faster than moving and stacking separate two-by, four-by or six-by wood blocks. But faster and more durable do not necessarily mean safer.

Almost all commercial jack stands are designed for use on non-deformable, approximately flat, and approximately level surfaces - like the concrete floor of a shop, dry and well packed gravel or perhaps an asphalt driveway. In the later case, one had better add the privisio that it's not a 110F/43C afternoon.

A few jack stands have support pads under their feet like this one.

A few have no support pads what-so-ever. But more typically they have recessed support pads welded inside each leg about 1/2" above the foot. ( Look closely at the rear most leg of the left hand jack stand in the picture below.) Should the thin edge metal of a foot crush into the supporting surface, the recessed pad is there to provide a last ditch increase in weight distribution.

In most situations, properly utilized wood blocking is just as safe as jack stands. The converse is not true.

I carry a couple of metal ramps for my trailer, and use them under the jack/stand if I need to

 

[speed bump]

Rescuing people in an emergency is very different to trying to save a few bucks by not using the correct tools

I can't imagine Firefighter trucks are ever supported by wood during any type of professional repair procedure

Metso calls out wooden cribbing to support mobile crushers while they are in operation. I've seen a drilling rig with 18k of 5 inch drill pipe (534000 lbs) cribbed up with wood. If it came out tomorrow we couldn't use wooden cribbing at my plant it would take somebody a month just to fabricate metal cribbing for things we use wood for regularly. Point being wood is perfectly acceptable for cribbing and is regularly used for things a lot heavier than a fire truck.

 

[SeisMec]

I carry a couple of metal ramps for my trailer, and use them under the jack/stand if I need to

More convenient than assorted wood blocking. But not inherently safer!

 

[richfinn]

Metso calls out wooden cribbing to support mobile crushers while they are in operation. I've seen a drilling rig with 18k of 5 inch drill pipe (534000 lbs) cribbed up with wood. If it came out tomorrow we couldn't use wooden cribbing at my plant it would take somebody a month just to fabricate metal cribbing for things we use wood for regularly. Point being wood is perfectly acceptable for cribbing and is regularly used for things a lot heavier than a fire truck.

I use jack stands and a proper hydraulic jack because its the correct way to do it. If you want to crawl around under a truck supported by wood or a ****** bottle jack knock yourselves out!!!!

Tell your wives and kids good luck with the life insurance

 

[WittHay]

When you get away from the automotive shop, Worksafe BC recommends either using wood cribbing or the appropriate jack stands for supporting equipment and heavy vehicles. . A bulletin was sent out a few years back because somebody was crushed when repairing a truck after the jack stands collapsed.

Small jack stands that fit under heavy stuff are sometimes not the right capacity. Good quality ones are not readily available and the easy sourced cheap stuff is well made in you know where.

Typical way of changing a tire on a tractor using a bottle jack and a 6x6 block. Stands or blocking would be used for support if left for a extended period. We use a railroad jack sometimes when clearance allows but its not that extra safe when lowering it . Kind of like a farm jack.

 

[richfinn]

When you get away from the automotive shop, Worksafe BC recommends either using wood cribbing or the appropriate jack stands for supporting equipment and heavy vehicles. . A bulletin was sent out a few years back because somebody was crushed when repairing a truck after the jack stands collapsed.

Small jack stands that fit under heavy stuff are sometimes not the right capacity. Good quality ones are not readily available and the easy sourced cheap stuff is well made in you know where.

Typical way of changing a tire on a tractor using a bottle jack and a 6x6 block. Stands or blocking would be used for support if left for a extended period. We use a railroad jack sometimes when clearance allows but its not that extra safe when lowering it . Kind of like a farm jack.

I don't have a problem with the tyre change per se, but please dont go underneath that thing or let any kids or animals near it supported like that!!!!

I use stands that are rated for what I do, and comply with the appropriate safety regulations for the UK and my jack has a built in safety locking system if the hydraulics fail

We also have a "zero tolerance" safety policy to ensure compliance with regulations so we can have contracts with large volume vehicle manufacturers

 

[joecon]

To prevent the jack stands from sinking in the ground you can use a "jack pad" it is a wooden or plastic square you set the jack on. You can make them your self or buy then from tow truck supply company.

 

[rlitman]

Metso calls out wooden cribbing to support mobile crushers while they are in operation. I've seen a drilling rig with 18k of 5 inch drill pipe (534000 lbs) cribbed up with wood. If it came out tomorrow we couldn't use wooden cribbing at my plant it would take somebody a month just to fabricate metal cribbing for things we use wood for regularly. Point being wood is perfectly acceptable for cribbing and is regularly used for things a lot heavier than a fire truck.

These masonry towers have been standing since 1872 on wooden foundations:

 

[cpttuna]

to each his own. I always have two means holding up my vehicle even if I'm only changing the tire. you do it your way, I 'll do it my way. Stay safe

 

[WittHay]

One of the local university's has a guide to use of blocking and jack stands

Wood blocks have to be Douglas fir minimum 4x4 and no bigger than 8x8

All jacks should have a secondary form of support when lifting

No Wilmar jack stands allowed. I take that to mean cheaper imported stuff that is not Ansi certified. All jack stands have to be used to 50% of rating.

All jack stands should have a secondary support in either wood blocking or a second set of jack stands.

In the real world people cut corners whether a tractor is resting temporarily on a bottle jack or a car is resting for days on cheap 3-ton jack stands

 

[RTM]

Back in the day (40 yrs ago) we changed the engine out of a wrecked import. We were going to use jack stands, but a pro mechanic said wood blocking was safer, And gave us an approximately 20” high stack of 2x6 or 2x8 boards, all nailed into one mass, 30” long, one for each side. Was far safer than the 3 ton jack stands he said, you’ll never knock the car off them.

 

[richfinn]

Back in the day (40 yrs ago) we changed the engine out of a wrecked import. We were going to use jack stands, but a pro mechanic said wood blocking was safer, And gave us an approximately 20” high stack of 2x6 or 2x8 boards, all nailed into one mass, 30” long, one for each side. Was far safer than the 3 ton jack stands he said, you’ll never knock the car off them.

That's a lot of wood,and a lot of fuel to burn inside a workshop if something bad happens!!!!

 

[RedneckWelder]

I use jack stands and a proper hydraulic jack because its the correct way to do it. If you want to crawl around under a truck supported by wood or a ****** bottle jack knock yourselves out!!!!

Tell your wives and kids good luck with the life insurance

You don’t know jack about what you are talking about.

Quality hardwood blocking (never pine) is an excellent, versatile cribbing material. It also has an advantage of providing much more friction than steel on steel. Not only do I use cribbing to support heavy machines every day. I have also welded, used torches, and thermal lances in very close proximity to cribbing and it holds up just fine. It’s not saving a couple bucks, it’s the way it’s done. We have 25 ton jack stands as well but they take a lot of footprint and are difficult to deal with and a lot of time will not fit. A cribbing tower is easy to build under a machine, can fit odd shapes better, and is very solid.

I have also been operating a machine that was thrown off steel stands due to slipping while in the lifting and blocking phase. The wheel loader pitched off and the oscillating rear axle let me tip over to the side and get a good view of the table where all my tools were laid out on. Thank god she didn’t roll all the way over. Took a while to negotiate for the release of the seat cushion by my *******. That was a moment I wish I had used cribbing instead of stands.

Now I will say it would be unlikely for me to use cribbing to support a car simply because the jackstands are a lot easier to deal with device for that application, outside of building cribbing towers for say a long term pull engine/trans type thing.

 

[richfinn]

You don’t know jack about what you are talking about.

Quality hardwood blocking (never pine) is an excellent, versatile cribbing material. It also has an advantage of providing much more friction than steel on steel. Not only do I use cribbing to support heavy machines every day. I have also welded, used torches, and thermal lances in very close proximity to cribbing and it holds up just fine. It’s not saving a couple bucks, it’s the way it’s done. We have 25 ton jack stands as well but they take a lot of footprint and are difficult to deal with and a lot of time will not fit. A cribbing tower is easy to build under a machine, can fit odd shapes better, and is very solid.

I have also been operating a machine that was thrown off steel stands due to slipping while in the lifting and blocking phase. The wheel loader pitched off and the oscillating rear axle let me tip over to the side and get a good view of the table where all my tools were laid out on. Thank god she didn’t roll all the way over. Took a while to negotiate for the release of the seat cushion by my *******. That was a moment I wish I had used cribbing instead of stands.

Now I will say it would be unlikely for me to use cribbing to support a car simply because the jackstands are a lot easier to deal with device for that application, outside of building cribbing towers for say a long term pull engine/trans type thing.

I know all about jacking and supporting vehicles after 35 years of auto mechanic work, but thanks for telling me a load of irrelevant stuff before admitting you use jack stands, its entertaining but it doesn't change the fact that wood is flammable and has no place underneath vehicles when humans are relying on it not to kill them

In fact it's f*cking mental that home gamers who think its fine to rely on a bottle jack and have no clue about safety are being encouraged to go underneath vehicles supported by random bits of old wood by people on the internet who are so f*cking full of themselves and how knowledgeable they are, that they might end up killing somebody

I'm saying to you home gamers/DIYers use proper rated metal jack stands on a solid level base under the appropriate section of the vehicle, dont use old bits of wood or bricks or any other stupid sh*t like rubber tyres
because nobody really wants you to die!!!!

 

[RedneckWelder]

I know all about jacking and supporting vehicles after 35 years of auto mechanic work, but thanks for telling me a load of irrelevant stuff before admitting you use jack stands, its entertaining but it doesn't change the fact that wood is flammable and has no place underneath vehicles when humans are relying on it not to kill them

In fact it's f*cking mental that home gamers who think its fine to rely on a bottle jack and have no clue about safety are being encouraged to go underneath vehicles supported by random bits of old wood by people on the internet who are so f*cking full of themselves and how knowledgeable they are, that they might end up killing somebody

I'm saying to you home gamers/DIYers use proper rated metal jack stands on a solid level base under the appropriate section of the vehicle, dont use old bits of wood or bricks or any other stupid sh*t like rubber tyres
because nobody really wants you to die!!!!

Cool story bro

 

[OneDollarSaab]

Cars are less flammable in the USA, probably because we are not cursed by Lucas, Prince of Darkness.

 

[richfinn]

Cool story bro

If you were my "Bro" I would be seriously worried about my genetic heritage

 

[richfinn]

Cars are less flammable in the USA, probably because we are not cursed by Lucas, Prince of Darkness.

Yep, that may be true but in my experience it's the "freak accidents" that get people killed!!!

 

[SeisMec]

... are being encouraged to go underneath vehicles supported by random bits of old wood by people on the internet who are so f*cking full of themselves and how knowledgeable they are, that they might end up killing somebody

I'm saying to you home gamers/DIYers use proper rated metal jack stands on a solid level base under the appropriate section of the vehicle, dont use old bits of wood or bricks or any other stupid sh*t like rubber tyres
because nobody really wants you to die!!!!

Must have missed the post(s) suggesting old, (POS) wood, bricks and rubber tires. Care to point them out?

 

[Mr. T]

I use jack stands and a proper hydraulic jack because its the correct way to do it. If you want to crawl around under a truck supported by wood or a ****** bottle jack knock yourselves out!!!!

I think what a lot of people are trying to tell you is that wood cribbing is not only safe if done correctly it is THE standard and preferred method to support heavy equipment in many industries.

This is something that someone who has been an auto mechanic might not realize or be aware of. Not because of ignorance but simply because you’re not in that world.

Again, no one here has said to throw some pine 2x4s under it and call it good. But using actual cribbing is very safe if done properly.

 

[fsae0607]

I'll add too, wood is excellent for compression loads, hence why it is great for cribbing.

As mentioned, this assumes the wood is in good shape and not rotted or been chomped on by termites

 

[richfinn]

1. We are talking about lifting and supporting cars and light trucks not "heavy equipment", most of which tend to run on highly flammable gasoline (in your country at least)

2. All wood is old, it's made from trees, those big green things in the park

3. If a guy doesn't know not to use a bottle jack as a jack stand, why is it a good idea telling him to use wood??

4. I'm from the place where the "Industrial revolution" started and I'm well aware of wood being used to support things (some of my older relatives were pit chockers), It's not how to support a vehicle that you intend to work under though!!!

Think about what your saying guys, jack stands are the correct tool for the job!!!

 

[WittHay]

This thread is about jacking up a motorhome , quite possibly on gravel or a softer surface.

With a totally flat tire that vehicle is fairly low to the ground. Also those type of wheels sometimes get frozen to the hubs or you cant separate the real duals. Requiring the use of sledge hammers.

That vehicle is closer to a piece of equipment or a truck than a small car.

What would a mobile service tire guy use to remove tires on a motorhome and what blocking or jack stands would they use for safety?

 

[SeisMec]

1. We are talking about lifting and supporting cars and light trucks not "heavy equipment", most of which tend to run on highly flammable gasoline (in your country at least)

Pour gasoline on asphalt, ignite the gasoline with a torch or welding spatter and the tar in the asphalt will burn too. So, never, ever work on an asphalt surface. Cotton and polyester catch fire easily and burn very quickly. So, only wear leather when you're working on your vehicle. Anything else is just never, ever safe. Give the fire hazard a break! I'm pretty sure anyone with a IQ at or above that of your average five year old knows that wood burns.

2. All wood is old, it's made from trees, those big green things in the park

So 'old' is a relative term. What's your point?

3. If a guy doesn't know not to use a bottle jack as a jack stand, why is it a good idea telling him to use wood??

Because wood can be an appropriate support. If you mean more detailed advice should have been given about the quality of wood to use, what size/shape pieces to use and how to stack it; well, yes, that's probably true.

4. I'm from the place where the "Industrial revolution" started and I'm well aware of wood being used to support things (some of my older relatives were pit chockers), It's not how to support a vehicle that you intend to work under though!!![/QUOTE}

Does that qualify you as an expert? Wood cribbing is fine under all sorts of massively heavy equipment, but it's just a death trap when supporting a car or light truck?

Think about what your saying guys, jack stands are the correct tool for the job!!!

I have thought about it. Jack stands are a (not the) correct tool for the job. They are also more convenient, not much more expensive, generally less of an obstruction, and probably more idiot resistant (but by no means idiot proof) than wood cribbing. None of which make wood cribbing an incorrect tool, nor jack stands the only tool.

 

[richfinn]

Pour gasoline on asphalt, ignite the gasoline with a torch or welding spatter and the tar in the asphalt will burn too. So, never, ever work on an asphalt surface. Cotton and polyester catch fire easily and burn very quickly. So, only wear leather when you're working on your vehicle. Anything else is just never, ever safe. Give the fire hazard a break! I'm pretty sure anyone with a IQ at or above that of your average five year old knows that wood burns.



So 'old' is a relative term. What's your point?



Because wood can be an appropriate support. If you mean more detailed advice should have been given about the quality of wood to use, what size/shape pieces to use and how to stack it; well, yes, that's probably true.

4. I'm from the place where the "Industrial revolution" started and I'm well aware of wood being used to support things (some of my older relatives were pit chockers), It's not how to support a vehicle that you intend to work under though!!![/QUOTE}

Does that qualify you as an expert? Wood cribbing is fine under all sorts of massively heavy equipment, but it's just a death trap when supporting a car or light truck?



I have thought about it. Jack stands are a (not the) correct tool for the job. They are also more convenient, not much more expensive, generally less of an obstruction, and probably more idiot resistant (but by no means idiot proof) than wood cribbing. None of which make wood cribbing an incorrect tool, nor jack stands the only tool.

Meh, I'm unconvinced your trying to help anyone and think your more interested in whatever point your attempting to prove (to yourself), tell inexperienced people whatever you want, I'll be sticking with the metal jack stands advise because its better/safer and faster
and if somebody does get crushed to death there is a paper trail for the coroner's office

 

[Hiball]

All this over how to support a vehicle during a simple tire change?

 

[Copymutt]

Just an aside. One of my fav. Cribbed structures. Built in 1926. Harpswell, ME. Bailey island.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Why are you worried about how the Vehicle is supported if you aren’t working under the vehicle? If you are just replacing a tire, leave it up till the task is completed. IMO putting yourself in harms way to lower the vehicle down without a tire and then back up simply to reinstall the tire seems silly to me. If it’s going to be a extended period of time till the tire can be replaced, invest in some jack stands.

All this over how to support a vehicle during a simple tire change?

These things.

OP is going to be changing a tire. He is not going to be under the vehicle. I change tires all the time with a jack and no jack stand because I am not under the car.

 

[Aquamoose]

Rescuing people in an emergency is very different to trying to save a few bucks by not using the correct tools

I can't imagine Firefighter trucks are ever supported by wood during any type of professional repair procedure

Actually at the Los Angeles County Fire Department (with 72 bay doors), cribbing is often used to work on not just engines, but ladders, tenders, bulldozers, and aerials. (We don’t use the term “Firefighter trucks”)

Furthermore, you have NO place telling us professionals (especially me) who did this for a living using wood cribbing. You remain steadfastly stubborn despite the facts & testimonials presented to you.

Folks like you pisses me off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

LOL. In my small town's fire department, the ladder trucks have wood cribbing visibly stored with the outriggers next to the wheel chocks.

 

[richfinn]

Actually at the Los Angeles County Fire Department (with 72 bay doors), cribbing is often used to work on not just engines, but ladders, tenders, bulldozers, and aerials. (We don’t use the term “Firefighter trucks”)

Furthermore, you have NO place telling us professionals (especially me) who did this for a living using wood cribbing. You remain steadfastly stubborn despite the facts & testimonials presented to you.

Folks like you pisses me off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can tell you whatever I like and I dont care if it pisses you off

Metal stands are the correct way to support vehicles you are venturing underneath not bottle jacks or wood

 

[Dutch01]

I only have a pair but three is all you really need.

This photo from the OP is my concern

It should be in the WTF thread.

 

[atikovi]

As long as it's properly supported, what's the problem? No different than a 747 that only has 3 effective contact points with the tarmac. Triangles in nature are the strongest structures, or something like that.

 

[Dutch01]

This

...... No different than a 747 ........

and this

...... Triangles in nature are the strongest structures, or something like that.

warrants this quote:

​

 

[mikeinri]

Here is what I ended up doing.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with what the OP did.

A few years ago, I did a major brake job on my RV (29 feet long). The tires (2 at a time) were off for the better part of a month, as I was doing this in my free time, and it seemed like everything I touched (brake lines, etc.) needed to be replaced.

Anyway, I used all of the above for this job: bottle jack, jack stands and wood. Since I was working on grass (only level part of my yard big enough for the RV), I put a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood down first. Had to use some 4x4s to get the jack high enough.

I jacked it up, put a jack stand under, then moved to the other side. Whichever side I got under, I would move the jack to (tried to keep pressure on both the jack and stand on either side as I worked).

I believe the 12-ton jack was from Harbor Freight. I absolutely know that the 6-ton jack stands were definitely from Harbor Freight.

Not saying I'm better or worse, smarter or dumber than the next guy. But, nothing moved during this whole time...

Mike