TROLLEY JACKS
WHEN it comes to heavy lifting, trolley jacks are often seen as the go-to option. Much like a bottle jack they work by pumping hydraulic fluid from one compartment to another. Ironically enough, most trolley jacks employ a bottle jack hidden underneath the main arm to do the lifting.
Trolley jacks are undoubtedly easier to use on flat ground than either bottle or screw jacks. They trade lifting capacity for speed and can have a wheel jacked up and back down before a bottle or screw jack could even reach the axle tube to start jacking.
Lifting capacities range from 1400kg to 3000kg, and a longer reach allows you to position the jack underneath the 4x4 without having to get under there yourself. Due to their large base they’re also far more stable than most other options.
On the downside they’re incredibly bulky and heavy, taking up considerable storage space and they’ll eat into your GVM. They offer around 300mm of lift, which isn’t much when they start from as low as 130mm, but 300mm is plenty when fitted with an extension; although, due to the arc they operate on, the jack will need to roll freely underneath to keep the 4x4 centred, which can be difficult in rough terrain. Some off-road-specific versions are becoming commercially available, and they offer skid plates to prevent them sinking in soft terrain and have had their weight cut down to 20kg.
If you’re planning on doing a lot of lifting and don’t want to swing a jack handle for 20 minutes, then a trolley jack is a great option, but you have to remember that you trade a lot of benefits for speed.