Ratcheting/locking pin jack stands

[The Fall]

So, I just got a "new" 6-ton pair in from Chicago Pneumatic that looked like they were used for shot-put practice on a Midwest street. Yeah, they're just jack stands, but these were chewed up pretty bad and they're going back.

I don't mind paying money for jack stands; I'm also sold on this design. I realize these are all unfortunately coming out of China, but has anyone had good luck with this style of stand (ratcheting/locking pin) from a brand? In some ways it's a crapshoot, but the Omegas are what I'm leaning toward.

Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FY4LJX2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I use my old Model T axle jack stands that another mechanic made they have the pin and everything. Yeah the Chicago Pneumatic aren’t too reputable unfortunately. I also have a set of Craftsman ones that have held up nicely also but still prefer the Model T ones because they are so strong that I trust them way more.


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[AffableCurmudgeon]

I just Got some pro-lifts with locking pins. I like them.

 

[The Fall]

Good to hear. Thanks.

 

[Qualitytools]

I can't comment on the ratcheting ones but I can recommend the ESCO stands whole-hardheartedly. I have 3 sets that I use regularly and feel extremely safe using them and getting under a car supported by them. Have a look on GJ for some articles about them and surf the net for them. Warning they are not cheap but than again........

 

[TuxThePenguin]

Can you post a photo of those CP ones? I also use Esco, though I'm in this thread to ask for pictures since the Esco stands I have don't fit the criteria.

 

[OHMS LAW]

I recently bought a 3.5 ton cornwell jack And came with 6ton stands. Love em

 

[The Fall]

https://www.cp.com/en-us/tools/products/workshop-equipment/jack-stands/cp82060

The ones I received are already boxed up and ready to go back (6 tons). It's nothing exciting. I think they were used. The box was falling apart -- no big deal -- but everything was rubbing against each other. Sections of paint were missing. I think they'd already been returned and they were just passing them off to the next guy.

They functioned fine. Welds were okay. I don't like it when the handles/pawl don't revert back to their "locked" position on the beam as you adjust them. These didn't really do that. It was just for $100 for IMPORTED stands, it left a lot to be desired.

I appreciate the Esco recommendation, but I'm very accustomed to the ratcheting type. The HF debacle has me doing a reevaluation on stands.

I think Pro-Lift might get the nod. I like the US Jack stands -- I don't mind going deep on these -- but again it's that locking-pin safety feature which I think should be mandatory on stands now. That's just my opinion. Great peace of mind.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I use screw house jacks when working on tractors. They are 10 tons each, have infinite height adjustment and can lift the tractor or component for alignment.

 

[ajchien]

the Omegas are what I'm leaning toward.

I think Pro-Lift might get the nod.

Well, considering that Omega is SFA’s industrial brand and Pro-Lift is their retail brand, you’re probably choosing between two near identical jack stands. Maybe they’re slightly different in price/warranty/support/QC.

 

[uncwstudent]

Though they don't have a lock pin as a secondary safety measure, these TEQ Correct 4 ton jack stands from AAP are great. I think that they are machine welded as the welds are really clean. I bought them based off of the recommendation of another GJ user and love them. With coupons, you pay about $55-60 for a set.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/teq-correct-4ton-quick-start-jack-stand-1-ea-tq43002/11971137-P

 

[spyerx]

I use esco and jackpoint
No ratcheting stands for me

 

[landrover bodger]

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/jsr2-axle-stands i use these they look the same as the omega ones . they are very stable with a car on and the locking pin gives extra safety

 

[The Fall]

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/jsr2-axle-stands i use these they look the same as the omega ones . they are very stable with a car on and the locking pin gives extra safety

Thanks. Yeah, they look identical.

 

[BrandoJames]

So, I just got a "new" 6-ton pair in from Chicago Pneumatic that looked like they were used for shot-put practice on a Midwest street. Yeah, they're just jack stands, but these were chewed up pretty bad and they're going back.

I own both the 3 Ton & 6 Ton set of Chicago Pneumatic jack stands and often tout them on this board. Sorry you had that problem, you certainly should return your set.

One member just recently ordered an Esco set and posted pix here. They were rusted right out of the box (link below). There may be some quality control problems now across the industry. Due to shortages from the Covid lockdowns, retailers may be shipping items that they wouldn't have shipped before the lockdown.

I do encourage you to buy jack stands with locking pins, whatever the brand. Good luck.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426463

 

[tym]

I have some stands from US Jack. Pricey, but quality.

https://www.usjack.com/?_vsrefdom=g...MIkbu4p8SL6wIVRZFbCh2zcArpEAAYASAAEgKm3fD_BwE

 

[HenryAZ]

A minor thing, but I like the design of the pins in the pictured Omega and CP stands. A right trapezoid vs round pins found elsewhere, mostly. I think that pin would hold up better to downward force.

 

[70Mach1]

I also have the CP 3 ton stands. They arrived from CP undamaged and are decent quality for the price.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Not all ratcheting ones are "created" the same. I always bought Craftsman 3- and 4-ton stands. Last set was bought in 2017(?).... they at least inspire a bit of confidence in that they have a tight-ish fit. In a pinch I had to buy some Torin 2- and 3-ton stands. They're soooo loose, they scare me. They'll be leaving in the scrap pile. I dunno what I'd buy nowadays for saddle-style stands.

For the newer cars, I use Esco stands. They're super nice, but spendy.

-Ryan

 

[The Fall]

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[Qualitytools]

Not all ratcheting ones are "created" the same. I always bought Craftsman 3- and 4-ton stands. Last set was bought in 2017(?).... they at least inspire a bit of confidence in that they have a tight-ish fit. In a pinch I had to buy some Torin 2- and 3-ton stands. They're soooo loose, they scare me. They'll be leaving in the scrap pile. I dunno what I'd buy nowadays for saddle-style stands.

For the newer cars, I use Esco stands. They're super nice, but spendy.

-Ryan

Saddle style, do you mean the top with a slight curvature? ESCO has that as well as the flat top. I think you can buy just that part without having to buy the entire stand, this way you can interchange them when needed.

 

[Skin]

Pins on ratchet stands dont make any sense unless there is something wrong with the stand in the first place. When weight is on the pawls its physically impossible to release the lever. Drilling a hole for a pin doesnt change that.

More over the pins actually expose you to more danger since you will instinctively put more of your body under the vehicle to set the height while said vehicle is only held up by the floor jack.

 

[mr.lemons]

If you lift the lever with enough force to lift whatever is on the stand then I think it will drop. Obviously nudging the lever with your leg or whatever won't be enough force to drop the stand with the full weight of a car on it but if the stand is holding up just one corner of a lightweight car then it's probably possible. I think the levers are designed to fail if you lift them with too much force but do we know how much force that is?

Edit. This vid explains it better than I can.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G7_Aa8pbM7Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[HenryAZ]

The Hein-Werner ratcheting stands have dual pawls that catch two places on the lift bar.

 

[BrandoJames]

Pins on ratchet stands dont make any sense unless there is something wrong with the stand in the first place.

You wouldn't know if there's "something wrong with the jack stand" until it fails. For example, the pawl may fracture or accumulate rust over time--so a perfectly functional jack stand purchased 3 years ago may now be a defective jack stand. The main idea here: you don't want a single point of failure--that's why jack stands with locking pins are worth a few extra dollars. I'm always amazed by people who refuse to spend an extra $20 bucks for safer lift equipment.

More over the pins actually expose you to more danger since you will instinctively put more of your body under the vehicle to set the height while said vehicle is only held up by the floor jack.

Sorry, no. You can easily insert the locking pin on a jack stand without crawling under a vehicle. The video below provides a good explanation on the value of jack stands with locking pins. I hope that helps.

 

[lardy1]

I sure wish I could find a source for those angular pins. I have one stand missing its pin. I feel safer with them.

 

[The Fall]

"Pins don't make any sense..."

Whatever, dude. You don't have to buy them.

 

[BrandoJames]

I sure wish I could find a source for those angular pins. I have one stand missing its pin. I feel safer with them.

You might send an e-mail to the vendor--offer to pay for the pin + shipping. I doubt it would be that much. They may send you one for free--a simple gesture like that will often create a loyal, lifetime customer.

 

[Skin]

You wouldn't know if there's "something wrong with the jack stand" until it fails. For example, the pawl may fracture or accumulate rust over time--so a perfectly functional jack stand purchased 3 years ago may now be a defective jack stand. The main idea here: you don't want a single point of failure--that's why jack stands with locking pins are worth a few extra dollars. I'm always amazed by people who refuse to spend an extra $20 bucks for safer lift equipment.

You have no idea how ratcheting pawl stands work if you think "rust" is going to cause a failure. I mean, unless you're storing them in the ocean for 50 years before you use them. A fracture?

Dont buy a junk stand in the first place and you wont have to worry about ridiculous premature failures.

 

[TheLawnRanger]

I just Got some pro-lifts with locking pins. I like them.

I got the 3 ton set with locking pins a few weeks ago. The saddle on one was missing some chips of metal on the edge but was painted over at the factory. I sent them back. This seems to go against what I've read about the company so I ordered another pair. I decided to go with the 6 ton set this time since I'll use them the rest of my life if they're aren't any problems. I'll see in a day or two.

 

[BrandoJames]

You have no idea how ratcheting pawl stands work if you think "rust" is going to cause a failure. I mean, unless you're storing them in the ocean for 50 years before you use them. A fracture? Dont buy a junk stand in the first place and you wont have to worry about ridiculous premature failures.

I forgot that your ego was the most important thing in this thread. Right in the middle of a major jack stand recall involving one of the biggest tool vendors in the country, you post something like the above.

Try posting something helpful to the members here instead of just chest-thumping about your "expertise".

 

[bpjr]

In that Utube video...if the pawls didn't fully engage the teeth in the first place the results are bogus.

At first glance I thought my 10 yr old non recall HF stands were ok...but a serous check later using paint to mark pawl depth found pawls are at an angle and only engage the teeth about 1/8" on the one side and 1/16" on the other side. Similar to the recall stands. The same check on my yy HD Husky stands shows about 1/4" engagement all the way across the pawl. The HF stands have worked ok but after comparing to the Husky I'm taking the HF stands back.

 

[WittHay]

Another funny thread. Exactly why is a discount store with the worst warranty in North America one of the largest sellers of safety equipment in the US?

Matco had this on there Facebook page. Most of the comments were the usual HF rhetoric, they are all made in the same factory so why buy from Matco when HF is way cheaper. Sort of like politics cant change peoples minds.

Those little pins on double ratcheting stands are so the stand doesn't drop when you are positioning it by the handle. The pawl still handles all the weight anyways just like any other jack stand.

Just buy any brand of stand that is sold in other countrys. For example Matco is sold in Canada so is Napa, OTC and a dozen other brands. The OP is from Texas so the next time something involves safety equipment look at whats done in Mexico probably way safer than HF. Yah allll know that Pittsburg stands werent made in America

 

[lolaetype]

I just Got some pro-lifts with locking pins. I like them.

I bought a pair of their 3 ton stands about 3 weeks ago on Amazon for under $30. I like the trapezoidal secondary locking bar. Barring metal fatigue I don't see them collapsing.

 

[BrandoJames]

I thought my 10 yr old non recall HF stands were ok...but a serous check later using paint to mark pawl depth found pawls are at an angle and only engage the teeth about 1/8" on the one side and 1/16" on the other side.

That was smart to use paint to test your jack stands. The HF recall notice identifies a problem with "pawl engagement with the ratchet teeth", due to "aging of production tooling". I'm not sure if the pawl or the ratchet teeth (or both) were slowly wearing along the edges.

CEO Eric Schmidt attributed it to a "welding error". It sounds like the HF jack stands were fine out of the box but lost structural integrity over time.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E016-6561.PDF

 

[The Fall]

Just a follow up; "Something I Learned Today" for the Husker Du fan above.

I picked up the Torin 6-ton locking-pin jack stands and they're awesome. Welds look good, locking pin slides in fairly easily, the handle drops all the way/pawl engage how it should as you ratchet the beam up and they sit squarely on the ground. I used them for an oil change yesterday on my lowered '51 Ford F-1 and I really liked them.

I realize with these stands, it can be luck of the draw. But I wanted to follow up if anyone else is looking for a recommendation.

Product description/#: Torin AT46002AB Steel Jack Stands: Double Locking, 6 Ton (12,000 lb) Capacity, Black, 1 Pair

 

[BrandoJames]

Just a follow up; "Something I Learned Today" for the Husker Du fan above. I picked up the Torin 6-ton locking-pin jack stands and they're awesome.

Glad you picked up a set of quality stands, good luck with that set.

 

[oldwino]

I have the Chicago Pneumatic stands and feel comfortable working under them. Welds are pretty decent and the material is pretty beefy. Only complaint is the chains that keep the pins with the jacks are about two links too short. Takes some effort to insert the pin

 

[The Fall]

Glad you picked up a set of quality stands, good luck with that set.

Thanks.

I think the Chicago Pneumatic stands are pretty good too. They simply arrived so haggard from poor packaging and likely prior use.

 

[oldwino]

[QUOTE

I picked up the Torin 6-ton locking-pin jack stands and they're awesome. Welds look good, locking pin slides in fairly easily, the handle drops all the way/pawl engage how it should as you ratchet the beam up and they sit squarely on the ground. I used them for an oil change yesterday on my lowered '51 Ford F-1 and I really liked them.
[/QUOTE]

I’ve seen the Torin stands advertised but haven’t seen them in person. From the photos it looks loke the base is pretty small so I was/am concerned with rocking. How stable are theywhen extended fairly high?