AC Hydraulic - Overview

Overview

Floor Jacks - One of the basic tools of any home automotive workshop is a hydraulic floor jack. There are many to choose from these days so it's important that the customer select the right one for his or her specific needs.

The first two criteria to be considered are weight capacity and undercar clearance. A 1 ton jack is not the right choice for your Suburban or heavy SUV nor is a jack with a 5" saddle height going to fit under your BMW M3. The third consideration is the physical size and weight of the jack.....a 95+ lb floor jack may not be the right choice for a trip to the track unless you need the extra weight in the trunk for traction in the snow. Make sure the handle is removable for easy transport.

Another important consideration is lift height. The short body models (DK20 & DK20Q) will lift to 20"....the long body jacks will go to 29". For basic repairs and tire removal, the 20" lift height is safer but if you're trying to drop the engine out of a Porsche 911, you'll want to opt for the DK13HLQ. And finally, reach (the distance from the jack handle in the vertical position to the center of the jack pad) may be an important consideration for those who typically lift their vehicles by the subframe. The short bodied models have a 21" reach, the long bodied DK13HLQ can reach 32" under the car (actually a bit more if you start out with the handle in a horizontal mode). Just realize that the 3.1" undercar clearance spec quoted by the manufacturer doesn't extend from the jackpad all the way to the handle.

Given the above criteria, one must now select a jack to meet their needs and budget. With any of the products that Ultimate Garage sells, quality and function are extremely important. This is why I'll continue to offer the AC Hydraulic jacks among my list of recommended garage products.

These jacks, manufactured in Denmark, offer a few more unique features (in addition to those cited above) which I like. The polypropylene handle is easier to maneuver in the garage and less likely to damage your car's bodywork should the handle inadvertently fall into your vehicle. In addition, unlike conventional jacks which will lower if the handle is not turned tightly to seal the hydraulic cylinder, the AC Hydraulic jacks have a dead-man's release....ie, the handle must be pulled and turned to lower the jack .

Jackstands - Whenever working under a vehicle, it is imperative that it be supported with proper jackstands. AC Hydraulic makes some of the finest jackstands I've seen. The circular base pads add to their safety with superior stability and load transfer. Ever see what happens with a cheap set of stands on asphalt on a hot summer day?

Ultimate Garage designed their unique 3000NFP (flat top model) for AC Hydraulic back in 2001. This design has now been copied and manufactured by ESCO (the current AC Hydraulic importer) for sale here in the US. This stand is highly recommended for owners of vehicles which must be supported on the frame rails.

	Ultimate Garage keeps a supply of spares on hand should your AC jack require service - hydraulics, handles......
	...wheels, o-rings and fasteners. Warranty on all AC products is 2 years. Service tips (wheel & o-ring replacements, hydraulic adjustments, etc) are available to all Ultimate Garage customers.