remmington
Apprentice
Owns Spark Eroder
Posts: 4,972
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Post by remmington on Feb 13, 2021 16:52:59 GMT 1
I use an engine cross bar (support beam over the top) because I work on my own, so I need the finesse to be able to adjust the angle of the engine with the beam screw-hooks at each eyelet of the power unit - then I can lift the vehicle on the 2-posts and work underneath with a single transmission jack. I have looked in the past at improving my trans jack like Remmington, and I still think that modifying your own jack-head is better than messing around with cradles. I have a cradle, but it's unwieldy and never fits, and it also has a propensity to fall off the top of the jack-post..... A double jack affair has got to be the way to go, if you must work underneath the car, but the only way to get to the transmission mount for removal is to use a support beam over the top whilst the vehicle is on the ground. Or use a ladder........ I have given modifying a jack some thought over the years. I have one or two designs in my head - all will require a pivot and thread - all have a ratchet strap over the box. But I can't really get a simple idea that will work yet - or not be in your way (or cause damage). We have a huge floor trans jack - big thing for trucks/lorrys - on four big casters. With pivots thru the X & Y - contolled by threaded rods - this works well but you have more room to work with on truck with the cab out of the way! I have concluded years ago - throwing gearboxes about on front wheel drive cars is a two man job - if you want to avoid damage/back ache/high level of frustration. We just don't attempt it solo (one of the few workshop rules I enforce!). All the talk about this - I cannot see what is so wrong with a set of 5/6 tread alloy steps - we have a set hung on the wall on the nearside of the car - just waiting for the job of releasing gearbox mounts.
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Post by Karl on Feb 13, 2021 21:10:54 GMT 1
Madness in my opinion
What’s wrong with a good quality set of ladders
A frame type
You can get now are very stable and strong
I don’t see the health and safety concerns TBH
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Post by Karl on Feb 13, 2021 21:11:39 GMT 1
You should see the set we have
Flimsiest things I’ve ever been up
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Post by Karl on Feb 13, 2021 21:12:15 GMT 1
Do have a very good quality transmission jack and axle stands though
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Post by Karl on Feb 13, 2021 21:12:57 GMT 1
And plenty of wood
Railway sleepers chopped up also come in handy around the shop
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Post by Dragon on Feb 13, 2021 22:25:59 GMT 1
Sounds like the HSE rep has gone a bit overboard whilst carrying out a risk assessment for the task, I'd ask your employer if they are unable to supply the correct equipment "how are you meant to carry out the task" ??
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Post by valhalla on Feb 13, 2021 22:52:06 GMT 1
Sounds like the HSE rep has gone a bit overboard whilst carrying out a risk assessment for the task, I'd ask your employer if they are unable to supply the correct equipment " how are you meant to carry out the task" ?? Cherry-picker? Must be loads of these left over from power networks companies.....where the Defender underneath them has crumbled away.
Now, that really would give the HSE rep something to stick in his pipe, and smoke......
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remmington
Apprentice
Owns Spark Eroder
Posts: 4,972
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Post by remmington on Feb 14, 2021 10:19:16 GMT 1
Madness in my opinion What’s wrong with a good quality set of ladders
A frame typeYou can get now are very stable and strong I don’t see the health and safety concerns TBH Nothing - nothing at all!The only problem is insurance inspection costs. Some insurers require each bit of lifting/access kit to be inpected once a year. I have been in places where everything is numbered/tagged. These places tend to have "empty lifting stores" due to the cost of testing each bit of kit. ---------------------- This was a job I did in the first lockdown - I went thru every bit of lifting/access kit we had - from trolley jacks to chains and shackles - the whole lot - axle stands as well. Ladders - steps - alloy towers - youngman boards (the list was endless as I also have a building company). I threw a lot of old stuff out - colour coded the heavy stuff. Inspected and reparied a lot of stuff. Dumped a lot of stuff we do not use anymore. Got rid of the last of the wooden ladders (based on they are too heavy). Also I bought a couple of new trolley jacks (job to find a good well make trolley jack now I can tell you!).
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