I've had quite a few jacks through the years. But my all time favorite is a little guy I bought from Montgomery Ward about 25 years ago. It's a four wheel floor jack, short, very rigid laterally when elevated, good working spring loaded return, narrow base, non tipping lift cup. But the trick part is that the hex socket bottom handle attaches/detaches with with a big hand wing head bolt that enters a groove in the handle so it can't pull out, yet leaves it free to spin to control the integrated rotary handle hydraulic valve. Wait, it gets better. This instantly removable handle telescopes. It has a spring loaded locking pin so it can be short or long in use as you need, but always short in storage. Click, snap, it's done. Very positive, fast and reliable. It's small enough that it has fit behind seats of a series of small pickups without being turned on edge. Never leaks, never gives trouble, and always ready. The wheels roll well enough that I once jumped out and picked up the rear end of a jerk's car who had parked in my business parking space with his full sized Buick. I was scheduled to work 12 hours without relief and delivery trucks were already waiting for me to open the front doors at noon. No time to screw around with this guy who had ignored the huge sign warning of instant tow away. That jack lifted his rear end, pulled it out on the jack wheels and his front tires, and dropped it for the police. Nice jack. If you see one like it, pounce. Someone was thinking when they made it, just like the amazingly efficient space allocation of the Westy interior. John |
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