Are there non-metal wheels/rollers replacements or jacks?

[FleaDog]

I've got a heavy long reach HF 2.5 or 3 ton low profile jack, works well, only issue is I tuck it in under my workbench and when I take it in/out the large front roller/caster, and the other caster wheels intermittently roll/stop/roll etc as I am moving it about and it scratches/gouges my epoxy floor. So is there something I can replace these things with like a hard rubber or urethane or something? Thx.

 

[FleaDog]

Bump ttt

 

[nicksnothereman]

I've got a HF low profile jack, works well, only issue is I tuck it in under my workbench and when I take it in/out the large front roller/caster, and the other caster wheels like to intermittently roll as I oil it in/outand scratch/gouge my epoxy floor. So is there something I can replace these things with like a hard rubber or something? Thx.

Put a thick piece of non-painted cardboard (from a box) underneath it (long enough that the jack doesn't move off the cardboard. You really don't want to put wheels with a material that is softer on a jack...no friggin way.

That's what I do at home. It's not the weight not the wheels that are causing the damage. Cardboard will at least put a layer between the wheels and the surface without causing failure (the wheels will bed into the cardboard). Don't reuse pieces of cardboard you use with a jack (jack stands=okay if you line it up correctly with the previous indentations).

 

[Outlawmws]

Agreed, use a mat of some sort. if it's just for under the bench, then I see no reason not to re-use the cardboard..

 

[Burgerkong]

http://www.norcoind.com/norco/products/model/71229.html

 

[955point9cummins]

Wrap the wheels with some duct tape.

 

[Burgerkong]

Wrap the wheels with some duct tape.

Or bicycle inner tubes.

 

[zkling]

Don't quote me on this, but IIRC, a high end Euro jack maker uses steel wheel, but they have a groove cut in them with what looks like an O ring. They advertise it as non marking for showroom floors.

Hold on, let me find a link.

Here we go.

http://www.ac-hydraulic.dk/en/products/hydraulic-jacks/dk20-dk20q/

Maybe if you have access to a lathe, you can chuck up the wheels and cut a few grooves for O rings and use that to protect the floor.

 

[Burgerkong]

DAMN, I thought I was going to beat you to it LOL. The orings compresses under load to the weight of the vehicle spreads out over the entire caster.

 

[zkling]

DAMN, I thought I was going to beat you to it LOL. The orings compresses under load to the weight of the vehicle spreads out over the entire caster.

That is kinda what I was wondering. I would venture to guess they are pretty high durometer? Hence my suggestion of multiple groves across the face to spread out the load. IDK, I thought AC is pretty well respected for their products, so it has to work somewhat well.

Have you used that jack before?

 

[Burgerkong]

That is kinda what I was wondering. I would venture to guess they are pretty high durometer? Hence my suggestion of multiple groves across the face to spread out the load. IDK, I thought AC is pretty well respected for their products, so it has to work somewhat well.

Have you used that jack before?

Nope, I'm still fuming at the local GJer who picked up one for $80 a few years back. I think I can find the thread.

 

[Burgerkong]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173999&highlight=jack

 

[rsanter]

Or bicycle inner tubes.

This is what I have seen done at the big race shops

Bob

 

[955point9cummins]

Soo.. Take the cheap jack... Put the wheels in a lathe.. Put a couple grooves and some o rings and presto.. You've got a non marking floor jack.

 

[Strouty]

Soo.. Take the cheap jack... Put the wheels in a lathe.. Put a couple grooves and some o rings and presto.. You've got a non marking floor jack.

OR……. Presto the wheels will break apart and the car comes crashing to the ground.

 

[Thumper68]

+ on the inner tubes, just cut a section a little wider than the steel wheel and stretch it over the wheel.

 

[FleaDog]

The inner tube idea sounds great and it sounds like it will give the wheels some traction so they will roll instead of sliding/scratching.

 

[zkling]

OR……. Presto the wheels will break apart and the car comes crashing to the ground.

Very unlikely, but some mechanical knowledge should be employed when cutting the grooves.

 

[djb2]

It may be that the o-rings simply flatten under pressure, transferring almost all of the weight directly to the steel wheels. If that's the case, the groove needs to have at least the same cross-section area as the o-ring.

 

[nicksnothereman]

OR……. Presto the wheels will break apart and the car comes crashing to the ground.

Should never work under a jack anyway bro.

I do agree with what you're saying though. Messing with a structural part of a device intended to lift a lot of weight is a friggin darwin award in the making.