Special-Built Tractor Jack

Special-Built Tractor Jack TRACTORS Accessories 18-4-10 Swapping rear wheels or mounting duals was a big chore for Mark Hartop of Bedford, England, until he came up with this one-of -a-kind "axle lifter" tractor jack that raises either the front or rear axle using the tractor's own hydraulic power. Width and height of lift arms adjust easily to adapt to any tractor or other piece of equipment you need to lift. Made primarily out of heavy-walled square tubing, you just slide it under the axle, plug in the hydraulic hoses, and lift. Capacity of the lifter varies with how wide the arms are spread. At the inner-most position, it'll lift 25 tons. At the outermost position, only about 3 tons. Hartop designed the hydraulics for safety. A second spool valve is fitted in line with the one on the tractor. The mechanical second valve must be operated before oil will flow and Hartop also fitted a non-return check valve in the circuit to prevent oil flowing backwards should a hose ever burst. It also stops the two hydraulic lift cylinders from slipping back down if tractor hydraulics'are weak. Hartop used 8-in. cylinders because that's what he had on hand but he says longer rams might work better. He plans to fit the lifter with retractable caster wheels so the lifter will be easy to move around on a workshop floor. The unit can be built to any size, depending on what equipment you plan to lift. Contact FARM SHOW Followup, Mark Hartop, Little Farm, Bolnhurst, Bedford, England (ph 0234 376471). (Reprinted from Practical Farm Ideas, P.O. Box 1, Whitland, Dyfed, SA34 0HZ U.K.)

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