AC Hydraulics distributor

[bmwpower]

Curious as to their availability, I emailed AC Hydraulics to find out if there was a US distributor. Turns out there is a distributor in Canada, which may be close enough for some people. Those in Canada finally have one over on us.

Anyway here is the distributor information:


Flema Products Ltd.
324 Tilley Road
Kelowna, BC
V4V 2K5, Canada
Ph: 1-800-437-4422
email: [email protected]
website: www.flemaproducts.com

Price as quoted to me for a DK20Q was the following:

DK20Q...$480
Freight...$71
Customs...$26

Total $577

They were very quick to respond to my questions, too.

Hope this helps those that really have to have one.

....edit....

Pelican Parts
Pelican Parts seems to have some stuff in stock.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_ACHyd1-detail.htm

 

[Jay H 237]

I'm wondering why they don't have atleast one distributer in the US? Wierd they don't seem interested in a segment of the market.

 

[tatra]

what are the items for?

 

[bmwpower]

I'm wondering why they don't have atleast one distributer in the US? Wierd they don't seem interested in a segment of the market.

I guess no one wants to step up to the plate for money reasons. Likely not enough money to be made at that price point?

 

[bmwpower]

what are the items for?

Lifting cars.

 

[tatra]

ok, checked the numbers and it 's a jack..........is that american or can dollars?

 

[Hiball]

ok, checked the numbers and it 's a jack..........is that american or can dollars?

Regardless Alot of coin for a 2 ton jack. Then again ive never used one or rebuilt one but by the pics it appears to have a long slender cylinder and when its under load would put mucho strain on that sealing surfaces. Maybe those Denmark guys are on to something, dunno....

Would like to throw these into the mix, Not american made but ive had good luck with the omega brand and its a solid jack.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-4086-omega-29023.aspx


Here is the new OTC low profile jacks, this style is new to the game but ive heard good things about it so far. I found this same jack priced at $269 by google but this link provides a detailed link.
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/5202.cfm

 

[bmwpower]

ok, checked the numbers and it 's a jack..........is that american or can dollars?

US dollars.

Regardless Alot of coin for a 2 ton jack. Then again ive never used one or rebuilt one but by the pics it appears to have a long slender cylinder and when its under load would put mucho strain on that sealing surfaces. Maybe those Denmark guys are on to something, dunno....

Would like to throw these into the mix, Not american made but ive had good luck with the omega brand and its a solid jack.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-4086-omega-29023.aspx


Here is the new OTC low profile jacks, this style is new to the game but ive heard good things about it so far. I found this same jack priced at $269 by google but this link provides a detailed link.
http://www.jackxchange.com/products/5202.cfm

It's 2.2 tons actually. I agree - the price is steep. They never used to be that much $$. I think they used to go for $300 or so.

 

[ImportTuner]

The AC stuff has always been expensive; I paid closed to $200 for my jack stands back when I was making decent money. I would definitely not buy them today ..
even though they are the best/strongest/most stable jack stands I've ever used ..

 

[franzdom]

I was wondering what happened to them as well, they sure are nice jacks. Thanks for the info.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

ASE deals ?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

http://www.asedeals.com/auto_shop_jacks.html

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

SORRY - ALL MODELS ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
We are not taking orders for these at this time.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR FLOOR
JACKS FROM HEIN WERNER, OMEGA,
AFF, RANGER AND ZINKO

Another great alternative to the DK13HLQ is the Ranger model
RFJ-3000LPF. This model more closely resembles the DK13HLQ
than any other hydraulic jack we've seen.
Click here to view the Ranger RFJ-3000LPF

 

[krooser]

I just got a price for the two ton high lift jack...DK13HLQ @ $720.00 plus freight and customs.

Yeah it's pricey but I'd buy it in a minute if I wasn't so broke! These are very nice... and if you amortize it over the 50 years it should last the cost is a little easier to swallow.

The only problem is I'm not sure I'll be needing it when I'm 110 years old.

 

[brockstar]

Steve Ultgar (sp) used to sell them on his website UltimateGarage.com and I know he's on this site every so oftern. Maybe he can comment?

Probably like anything else, they just became too expensive with the dollar sinking.

 

[GDA]

AC Jacks are worth every penny in my opinion.

Ever since bmwpower started this thread I have now been lusting for one of the workshop cranes. Dammit!

 

[The Alchemist]

I have a DK20Q and love it. One down side is the rubber o-ring on the wheels break pretty easy, and now I'm left trying to decide what to do with the wheels.

 

[bmwpower]

AC Jacks are worth every penny in my opinion.

Ever since bmwpower started this thread I have now been lusting for one of the workshop cranes. Dammit!

DO IT!

Those cranes are nice!

I was about to pull the trigger on one and then they cut the distributors. Oh well.

They are nice and compact though, but I think that comes with a price (capacity).

I have a DK20Q and love it. One down side is the rubber o-ring on the wheels break pretty easy, and now I'm left trying to decide what to do with the wheels.

Where'd you buy it?

 

[Vinko]

I'd be up for a group buy on the jack stands. Maybe we could import them direct from Denmark.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

vat tax -uck

 

[Monte]

mmmhh AC hydraulic...

 

[Hiball]

mmmhh AC hydraulic...

Im curious could you snap some pics of the pump area in general?

 

[bmwpower]

mmmhh AC hydraulic...

Man that floor looks like the surface of the moon. Gonna tear up those wheels.
Nice jack.

 

[Vinko]

vat tax -uck

Not if you're importing into the US.

 

[rodm1]

I'd be up for a group buy on the jack stands. Maybe we could import them direct from Denmark.

count me in ifor a jack if we can pay with credit card.

 

[ultgar]

No one wants to import these because of the high landed cost and all the Chinese competition. The DK13HLQ and DK20Q are probably the last jacks I'll ever own...I've got some spares to keep me going should there be any failures.

Here's some pictures of the hydraulics and common repair parts....

When I sold these, I used to test all of them and make adjustments/repairs before shipping them to the customers. Unfortunately, I couldn't compete with the "drop-ship" dealers.

OTC was supposed to bring these into their tool program back in 2007 and decided to pass....I believe there may be a few yellow OTC/AC DK13 jacks floating around .

Steve D

 

[The Alchemist]

DO IT!

Where'd you buy it?

I got mine from ASEdeals.com. Again, I love the jack, I just need to figure out what to do with the wheels.

 

[idickers]

I've got the high-lift AC Hydraulics jack, and it is fantastic, although when I bought it it was closer to $300 and even then I thought it was expensive. Smooth operation, great height, and fits under a lot of low cars. I call it the "lift for those that don't have room for a lift". The only bummer is getting parts now; two of the "rubber bands" on the wheels have broken over the years, and I didn't get around to ordering new ones. Hate to see the price with import duty from Canada!
Ian

 

[bmwpower]

I got mine from ASEdeals.com. Again, I love the jack, I just need to figure out what to do with the wheels.

I got mine from Ultgar so I guess I'm set for parts...for a little while anyway.

Not quite sure what you could do. I thought there was a problem with the wheels some time ago and they redesigned them or something. Maybe Ultgar can comment and/or give you more insight on what to do.

 

[Vinko]

No one wants to import these because of the high landed cost and all the Chinese competition.

What were your landed costs importing into the US? How many did you import? Did you consolidate a container with other stuff from Europe?
Did you piggy-back your order from AC with other orders leaving Denmark straight for the port in NJ?

I wouldn't mind importing a quantity but I'd have to get them to LA. If there was a market, I'd try it. Over the past 30 years, I've imported a lot from Asia and some from Europe, but I'd have to look at the costs.

How are the Easco AC-knock off stands you sell? You gave a pretty positive review on your site. I'd be curious to see the diffs between the AC steel and the Chinese stuff.

 

[Vinko]

When I sold these, I used to test all of them and make adjustments/repairs before shipping them to the customers. Unfortunately, I couldn't compete with the "drop-ship" dealers.

I've been in the same boat. Though a completely different product. Anyway, I imagine that there is a market for your kind of service and knowledge.

Customers too don't seem to realize how much stuff is drop-shipped nowadays. In some fields, very few stocking distributors left.

 

[ultgar]

What were your landed costs importing into the US? How many did you import? Did you consolidate a container with other stuff from Europe?
Did you piggy-back your order from AC with other orders leaving Denmark straight for the port in NJ?

I wouldn't mind importing a quantity but I'd have to get them to LA. If there was a market, I'd try it. Over the past 30 years, I've imported a lot from Asia and some from Europe, but I'd have to look at the costs.

How are the Esco AC-knock off stands you sell? You gave a pretty positive review on your site. I'd be curious to see the diffs between the AC steel and the Chinese stuff.

I did not import these directly.........Stertil Koni (MD) and Esco (FL) were the only 2 major importers between 1998-2008. Their landed cost and the exchange rate hit (Euro was around 87 cents in the late 90's and went as high as $1.60 towards the end) drove the landed cost and wholesale pricing through the roof. In addition, AC Hydraulic was slow to ship with high stock order requirements.

I don't sell any knock-off floor jacks (still a little nervous about Chinese hydraulics) but do have the copies of the flat top jackstands that I designed for AC. I could have the stands and jacks made in the US but labor cost with product liability insurance would make these as expensive as the AC units.

The Esco stands have a better finish than the ones I was getting out of Europe....only problem I had was a shipment with pins that were too large to fit in the holes. I have a bunch of spare pins should this problem ever pop up again. Steve D

 

[bmwpower]

Ultgar,
What do you recommend to lube the axles with?

 

[ultgar]

Ultgar,
What do you recommend to lube the axles with?

I don't think I've ever put anything on my wheels...a simple spray lube would be fine. SD

 

[krooser]

Steve... Thanks for the info.

 

[stioc]

Another source in the US I remember was Wayne of Pelicanparts.com - I bought mine from ASE deals about 5 years ago, no complaints, solid jack and like Steve said it's probably the last jack I'll ever own. Too bad they're no longer being imported, I heard some rumors that it wasn't the cost but some liability issue that came up due to some incident. It does make you wonder why the cost would be an issue now after so many years.

 

[Vinko]

I did not import these directly.........Stertil Koni (MD) and Esco (FL) were the only 2 major importers between 1998-2008. Their landed cost and the exchange rate hit (Euro was around 87 cents in the late 90's and went as high as $1.60 towards the end) drove the landed cost and wholesale pricing through the roof. In addition, AC Hydraulic was slow to ship with high stock order requirements.

Thanks for the info. Just out of curiosity, I'm going to see if they'll sell to me. Probably not, but if so, I'll let you guys know.

I don't sell any knock-off floor jacks (still a little nervous about Chinese hydraulics) but do have the copies of the flat top jackstands that I designed for AC. I could have the stands and jacks made in the US but labor cost with product liability insurance would make these as expensive as the AC units.

The Esco stands have a better finish than the ones I was getting out of Europe....only problem I had was a shipment with pins that were too large to fit in the holes. I have a bunch of spare pins should this problem ever pop up again. Steve D

My bad on knock-off floor jacks -- I mean't the copy of the AC jack stand.

That's great that you designed the flat top for AC. That's a really nice design.

I did see the close up photos you'd posted of the Esco welds compared to the AC welds and they do look cleaner.

I wonder about the quality of the steel between the two. I'm having some tests done on quite a few pieces in the upcoming 6 months, and it'd be neat to throw in an Esco and an AC in there, though both of these companies might give the certs. on their own, if asked, I suppose.

That pin problem (which I might not be significant) reminds me of some of the "little" problems I've had in importing product (completely unrelated to auto. equipment) from China.

I've gotten, however, fantastic stuff out of Taiwan, using my own tooling. Which is one of the reasons I don't have too difficult of a time believing the quality of something like TopTul can be pretty good. I've had a steel product, similar to a ratchet handle, made in Taiwan for 30 years and the quality has been really, really good. At the same time, I've had some made in the USA and it's ridiculously precision. Expensive, but some people I work with think the costs aren't too far apart between good quality in Taiwan and the USA.

Anyway, sorry, went off on a tangent there.

Back to the Esco stands. When I saw them on your site I wanted them, but something in me wanted the Danish-made originals more

 

[ultgar]

Thanks for the info. Just out of curiosity, I'm going to see if they'll sell to me. Probably not, but if so, I'll let you guys know.


I've gotten, however, fantastic stuff out of Taiwan, using my own tooling. Which is one of the reasons I don't have too difficult of a time believing the quality of something like TopTul can be pretty good. I've had a steel product, similar to a ratchet handle, made in Taiwan for 30 years and the quality has been really, really good. At the same time, I've had some made in the USA and it's ridiculously precision. Expensive, but some people I work with think the costs aren't too far apart between good quality in Taiwan and the USA.

Keny used to be the contact at AC....he's the one to talk to about becoming an importer....there are currently none here in the US that I know of.

You're right about Taiwanese manufacturing....too bad Esco didn't turn to Rotar for the production of these stands. My Toptul shipment came in on Friday and the packaging, boxing...even the pallets... are way better than what I'm used to from Facom and other companies. SD

 

[Monte]

Im curious could you snap some pics of the pump area in general?

Hi !
i only have these other pics so far:

 

[Monte]

Man that floor looks like the surface of the moon. Gonna tear up those wheels.
Nice jack.

yes the floor looks like the rocky mountains... The wheels don`t like that...