Looks like quite a bit more than the rated capacity.
How much load can a jack stand take before breaking
- Thread starter atikovi
- Start date
- Status
My wife likes his accent.
JHZR2
Staff member
No doubt there would be a major safety factor. Crushing was never the concern, unlatching, getting the car unstable, and tipping is the concern.
Last edited:
The lifting equipment for large engine assemblies a company I worked for occasionally made were load tested for twice the limit stamped on it; so 10% more?, no.
Yes, this takes away the dumb question: “is it three tons per stand or 3 tons for a pair.? “
I would (or they should) design for at least %30-50 more than rated capacity.
However, as a user/consumer, I would not exceed %70 of the listed capacity. I prefer %50 when I buy my stuff. Meaning I buy twice the capacity of my needs.
I often use 4 (instead of 2) when or if I work under the car with the ramps. My ramps are twice the capacity also. ramps plus 4 Jack stands ... should be relatively safe. I also try to limit the time in case of earthquake, etc.
However, as a user/consumer, I would not exceed %70 of the listed capacity. I prefer %50 when I buy my stuff. Meaning I buy twice the capacity of my needs.
I often use 4 (instead of 2) when or if I work under the car with the ramps. My ramps are twice the capacity also. ramps plus 4 Jack stands ... should be relatively safe. I also try to limit the time in case of earthquake, etc.
Last edited:
2 ton jackstand that holds up to 8 tons is good enough I would say. The video isn't finished so maybe they will crush it further, the frame wasn't really damaged so they could still hold at minimum height
A quick check on the Internet brings up varing opinions. One was that each stand was say 3 tons for a 6 ton total load for a pair, but each single stand was tested to at least 6 tons. I have 4 stands marked 3 tons and always assumed each was good for 3. I’ve had a 3 ton Suburban (6,000 lbs) up in the air at all four corners. That’s just 1,500 lbs or 3/4 ton each. Very easy for these stands as long as they are stable. However, I don’t crawl under unless there is a 2nd stand or wood blocks close to the one I’m near. Have to admit it looks pretty shocking to have 6,000 lbs up on the air. Here is a photo. Enjoy.
Just some random comments.
- I believe that the Michigan made U.S. Jacks stands used to be individually rated while most others were rated as pairs. If memory serves, U.S. jack changed their rating to pairs (2015?) due to regulatory wording requiring that. Their 3 ton rated single stand changed to 3 tons for the pair, with no changes to the stands themselves.
https://www.usjack.com/products/garage-jack-stands "ASME PASE-2014 Standards: Compliant with ASME PASE-2014 standards for Vehicle Support Stands. Rated capacity is per PAIR. They are only sold and intended to be used as a pair."
- I "think" that stands are required to be tested and meet a minimum of 2 times their rated capacity.
- I think that all jack stand instructions state this, which we seem to ignore: "they are to be used in a matched pair to support one end of a vehicle only. Stands are not to be used to simultaneously support both ends or one side of a vehicle" ..... from Norco.
Hmmmmm.... Esco has different ideas: https://esco.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/10497_10498_10498_Instructions-18-small.pdf
- I believe that the Michigan made U.S. Jacks stands used to be individually rated while most others were rated as pairs. If memory serves, U.S. jack changed their rating to pairs (2015?) due to regulatory wording requiring that. Their 3 ton rated single stand changed to 3 tons for the pair, with no changes to the stands themselves.
https://www.usjack.com/products/garage-jack-stands "ASME PASE-2014 Standards: Compliant with ASME PASE-2014 standards for Vehicle Support Stands. Rated capacity is per PAIR. They are only sold and intended to be used as a pair."
- I "think" that stands are required to be tested and meet a minimum of 2 times their rated capacity.
- I think that all jack stand instructions state this, which we seem to ignore: "they are to be used in a matched pair to support one end of a vehicle only. Stands are not to be used to simultaneously support both ends or one side of a vehicle" ..... from Norco.
Hmmmmm.... Esco has different ideas: https://esco.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/10497_10498_10498_Instructions-18-small.pdf
Last edited:
I would hope the heck so ALL have quite a large margin. That way if there are inconsistencies in manufacturing or materials they can still meet their ratings on sheer overbuilding. Build at 4 ton specs, maybe a few would fail at 3.5 tons due to various manufacturing variables, label and sell as a 2 ton where it is very unlikely to fail.
I'm just bsing but given the shotty build quality of so many jack stands I don't doubt they save their behinds by similar principles. That are covering for the not too sharp guy/gal who uses it at full rated capacity.
The safety factor for overhead lifts is 3 X the rated load
I never trust a single device. Jack stands alone are not enough. I will leave a tiny bit of weight on the jack, or better slide the tires under the car so if it does fall, you’re not a pancake. A young man in my town died under a car where a jack stand failed.
I worked in a Rigging Loft for 5 years. All the wire rope slings and rigging has a 5:1 safety factor built in to it.
- Status
