Hydraulic Lift Ramps

[Distorted Vision]

Are these hydraulic lift ramps safe:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075CWV3L8/ref...

I don't see any mention of safety certification.

If I did go ahead it was my intention to use in conjunction with axle stands for safety in case of a dead fall.
Alternatively support with blocks of railway sleepers.

[gazza285]

Looks like the lifters have safety pins anyway, so you aren’t relying on the jack to hold the weight.

If you are planning on using axle stands anyway, why not just jack the vehicle up and rest it on the stands?

[Distorted Vision]

Axle stands frighten me. I'm concerned about being crushed to death. I'm completely new to DIY home car maintenance. I've watched videos on YouTube of a deadfall occurring because the vehicle has slipped off the axle stands.

But there appears to be no safety certification for these ramps . They are being sold by a Chinese seller.

I want to learn how to change the oil and filter on my car to save some money.

[droopsnoot]

For an oil and filter change, wouldn't a normal set of ramps get the car high enough for you? That way you've removed the concerning hydraulic part.

A decent pair of axle stands shouldn't be a cause for concern, as long as they're on a good surface, and under an appropriate part of the car, and sitting properly. I tend to also put a wheel under the car, so that if the worst happens the car drops down onto the wheel, not the floor.

[tapkaJohnD]

Excellent advice, droopsnoot, but I take off two wheels, pile them one on top of the other under the car. A single wheel is thinner than me!

An alternative is to make "crib blocks". This borrows from the building trade, where a wall or arch may be supported while its built by a temporary wooden structure. This video shows the idea, which may be used under an attached wheel. or under the body shell, where you might put an axle stand, but with a wider, more stable base:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNGkvruDAR0

John

[Distorted Vision]

I purchased this timber to use for protection against a dead fall when using axle stands.

Does this timber look suitable?

[droopsnoot]

Wood might be suitable, though you'd probably be as well off just getting a second set of axle stands and sticking those under the car. That said, you might struggle to find enough points on the car where the level is correct, depends on the car I imagine.

Whatever you do, don't use bricks.

[GreenV8S]

Distorted Vision said:

Does this timber look suitable?

That should be fine if the the ground is hard, flat and level.

Make sure you turn alternate layers 90 degrees so they are all keyed together rather than just being two separate wobbly stacks.

[tapkaJohnD]

Cribbing blocks are used in heavy industry, and commercial versions are available:



You will notice that they are designed to interlock, to form a rigid stack. That is a good way to construct your wooden crib blocks, so that you can have a stack of various heights: