4 Ton Toe Jack

[build]

Well after welding scrap metal, more scrap metal and anything that wasn't tied down I decided to make something productive and usefull.

Since I had to move my bridgeport mill and brown & sharpe surface grinder around the shop, the fabrication of a toe jack was a perfect fit. It was all based around a small 4 ton bottle jack that can be purchased for next to nothing at most places.

The toe jack was make from pieces of scrap pieces of U channel, 3/8" steel plate and odd items that I had around the shop. Everything was welded using the 200 DX stick feature with no problems at all. I am not a welder by any stretch of the imagination, but my project worked out quite well. As you can see my the scratches on the jack, its been in use already. I even lifted a 6000 lb shipping container with no problems at all. From what I could see, there was no deflection of the toe. The jack did not tilt over even when it was extended fully of about 6". Bottom line is this.....make it beefy!!!

The reason for painting it bright yellow is so that I don't trip on it!!

There are no dimensions given and the pictures are pretty well self expanatory. One thing though, you must cut the adjustable screw on the top of the bottle jack with a hack saw in order to remove it. Just screw whats left inside down to the bottom. There is no way to get that small piece out.

Cheers

Richard

[acourtjester]

Thats slick thanks for posting it another project to make.
Here is something you may want to add.

have fun
Tom

[build]

Thats a good idea Tom.

What I did was to squash the end of the small pipe that they provided with the bottle jack to make it fit over the small valve. I found that it worked quite well.
Looking forward to seeing your toe-jack when you get it finished. Like myself, you probably have a lot of "round-to-it" projects that always get in the way

I'm just working on a small mobile stand / support for my model aircraft. I could have made it out of wood but wood doesn't tig weld very well.....
Cheers
Richard

[redbeard]

Here is something you may want to add.

have fun
Tom

If I remember correctly, the ID of 1/4" pipe is about the right size for bottle jack valves, saves a bit of drilling.

[Scotty1]

Over here (Aussie) we call then Trewalla Jacks
They have been around since the early 1900's
20 Tonne + Lift from toe or Top (used for lifting and pulling)
A similar Model was called a Wallaby Jack (It has a long Handle like Kangaroo's Tail) The forerunner of Today's Hi lift Jack!