We Manufacture TrestleJacks
To Strict Quality Assurance Standards

Whenever you need to change a tyre, or repair brake linings, or bearings on a vehicle such as a heavy load trailer, the wheel has to be lifted and supported safely.  You can rely on the TrestleJack TJ470 or the TJ515 unit to cut downtime dramatically. It lifts a trailer axle faster than any conventional system – in fact, the entire process can be achieved in less than 10 seconds with no human effort.

The TrestleJack uses driving motion from the tractor to lift and lower trailer axles. Because nobody is allowed close to or underneath the trailer for the lifting and lowering procedures, the result is a far safer working environment. Once the TrestleJack is upright, it transforms into an axle support stand with a safe working load of 40 tons.

TrestleJacks may be used singly to lift and support one side of an axle,  or used as a pair for a complete axle, or used in multiple pairs to lift an entire fully loaded trailer in less than 10 seconds.

TrestleJacks are designed to work on most commercial and recreational trailers.  The choice of which model to use is determined by the height of the axle from ground level of a fully inflated tyre, measured in mm.

When lifted and supported by a TrestleJack, there should be sufficient ground clearance underneath the tyre to facilitate easy removal and replacement of the tyre.

Tyre size and height dimensions are determined from Tyre Section Width, Profile (aspect ratio) and Rim Size.  These 2 numbers are embedded in the sidewall of the tyre  – e.g.

385 / 65 / R22.5

385:   Tyre Section Width in mm

65:      Profile (aspect ratio) side wall height expressed as a % of the Tyre Width

R22.5: Wheel rim diameter expressed in inches

Note: The Profile (aspect ratio), refers to the height of the sidewall as a % of the tyre section width.  In our example above, 65 means the profile height is equal to 65% of the 385mm tyre section width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the higher the sidewall will be, and in turn determines the ultimate diameter and radius of the tyre.  In general terms, bad road conditions (as in some parts of Africa) require higher tyre profiles.  Where road conditions are good (as in the USA and Canada), lower tyre profiles are possible.

In the above example, the Wheel Radius is 536mm.  In practice, after taking into account the diameter of the axle, the TJ-515 model will suit but the model TJ-470 will not give enough lift.

Typically, applications include the following:

Commercial heavy freight applications – TJ515 and TJ470 (40 ton)

Flat Bed Trailers

Low Bed Trailers

Dry Van and Enclosed Trailers

Refrigerated Trailers and Reefers

Step Deck Trailers – Single Drop Trailers

Extendable Flatbed Stretch Trailers

Stretch Single Drop Deck Trailers

Extendable Double Drop Trailers

RGN or Removable Gooseneck Trailers

Tankers – fuel, gas, food grade products, hazardous chemicals

Tippers 

Light duty and recreational applications

TJ220 ADJ 6 ton model fits any light duty  and recreational trailer with tyres ranging from 12″ to 16″ and include:

Trailer Dollies

Light Duty Trailers

Caravans

Horse Box Trailers

Boat Trailers

Motorcycle Trailers

Yes, both axle types are supported.

TrestleJacks are the safest lifting and standing device currently available on the market. During the lifting and lowering process, no person is allowed close to or underneath the trailer. The driver is kept safe in the cab during the process.

In the upright position, TrestleJacks are a safe axle standing, supporting or blocking device. The cup’s position of five degrees over the top dead centre ensures that no rolling forward can occur without applying significant force. In the event where a tyre needs to be changed on a sloped surface, a chock block can also be placed in front of the TrestleJack.

TrestleJacks are load tested to 1.5 times the safe working load. For example a 40 ton TrestleJack is load tested to 60 tons.  A load certificate valid for 1 year, a risk assessment, and standard operating procedure is also made available to help users familiarize themselves with the use of the product. Online training videos are also provided to TrestleJacks clients.

Yes. TrestleJacks have been tested in mud, on a dirt road, paving and tar roads and on sloping and uneven ground. Both empty and loaded trailers have been tested. So on the roadside, in the field and in the shop TrestleJacks are a safe, fast, easy and reliable automatic trestle.

Please ensure that the operator is familiar with the content in the standard operating procedure available on the website.

TrestleJacks have been designed to work on most surfaces. Placing the TrestleJack close to the spring blades or airbag mounting point ensures that no slipping could occur.

Due to the design and predominant use of SSAB Domex 700 steel, the weight of TrestleJacks are invariably lighter than competitive products.

TJ515: 25kg

TJ470: 23kg

TJ220 ADJ: 7kg

One TrestleJack may be used for lifting and supporting a single side.  Two TrestleJacks are required to lift an axle.  Used in multiple pairs per axle, TrestleJacks will ensure that an entire fully loaded trailer can be lifted and supported safely in less than 10 seconds.

Yes. TrestleJacks can be placed on the same side or opposite sides and lifted at the same time to be able to rotate tyres. When lifting an entire axle, two TrestleJacks will be required.

The cup of TrestleJacks is constructed in mild steel. Trailer axles are built with a harder steel. The result is that the TrestleJack cup will wear away rather than causing any damage to the trailer axle.  We have experience of TrestleJacks performing more than 5000 lifts with no problem.

The TrestleJacks design prevents any contact with the slag adjusters found on trailers. On most trailers, it is best to place the TrestleJack in the loading position on the side of the axle where there is no slag adjuster.

Yes. In all our tests with trailers fitted with airbags, TrestleJacks did not get in the way or came close to them. No damage was done.

TrestleJacks are designed for free running axles such as trailers.  They are not designed to lift axles of truck engines, tractors, horses etc, that are the motive power of rigs. 

TrestleJacks are not designed for light trucks, vans, mini-busses and cars.  However some 4-wheel Drive vehicles with solid differentials in the front and back could possibly be lifted, provided care is taken not to damage brake fluid pipes.  It cannot be used on vehicles with Wishbone suspensions.

The TJ515 TrestleJacks is certified for SWL of 40 tons and is priced at South African Rand 5950.  40 Ton hydraulic jacks have a wide range of pricing in the market today.  On average a 40-ton hydraulic jack costs approximately R6700.

But then you still need an axle support trestle to safely secure the axle.  Manufacturers of hydraulic jacks strongly advise that support trestles are to be used, since the hydraulic jack can only be used a lifting tool. This would add an additional cost on average of R3700.  TrestleJacks do both duties faster, safer, and at just over half the cost.

Hydraulic Jack Overview:

Since 1855, before the heavy commercial trucking industry, as we know it started, people mainly used the hydraulic jack for lifting vehicle axles. The hydraulic jack is a product that was designed for a general purpose and normally supplied with the tractor. The tractor supplier is not aware of the type of trailer that will be used, and tractors are also not limited to specific trailer types.

Hydraulic Jack Safety:

As per the user guide of a hydraulic jack, it clearly states that the device is made for lifting a load and not holding it. It specifically states that an axle support stand must be used before any work can be started. Many operators ignore this fact and are introducing unnecessary risks that could lead to injuries and even death. Occupational health and safety regulations specify that all precautions should be taken to ensure personnel safety.

Hydraulic jacks have adjustable components. On a hydraulic jack, a visual inspection cannot detect a potential failure. When a hydraulic jack is left to lie on its side, a seal may become dry which may lead to cracks and ultimately failure. The real danger comes when lifting an axle to replace a wheel, taking it off and letting it stand on the hydraulic jack. If the seal of the hydraulic jack is leaking, a slow descent will take place and when trying to replace the wheel, an operator will notice that the axle is too low. The operator is required to crawl underneath the trailer and again pump the hydraulic jack to create lift. In this situation, a risk is introduced where the hydraulic jack could slip and shoot out injuring the operator or worst a load collapsing onto a person.

Further to potential seal failure, the head on a hydraulic jack does not grip around the axle properly. With a 75mm wide flat grip on a round axle, slipping off a hydraulic jack could spell disaster.

Most Trucks leave on a long haul without the most needed emergency tool for tyre repairs, a reliable lifting device.

Hydraulic jacks, being a generic tool, are not made to lift trailer axles effectively. Trailer axles are almost 125mm higher than the maximum height of a 40ton hydraulic jack.  This means that additional supporting equipment – like a sleeper block (or at worst bricks or stones) – is required to meet the required reach. Even then, lifting a trailer axle is still not straightforward, nor easy or safe.

Peggy J Fischer, a leading expert on truck tyres and wheels and a respected columnist, writes in the publication Tyre Business (23 March 2017):

“According to USA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data, the process of jacking, lifting and supporting tractors and trailers has resulted in more fatal accidents than any other aspect of truck tyre and wheel service.

 Most of these accidents were the result of technicians’ failure to use the proper procedures and/or equipment (specifically jack stands).”

Hydraulic Jack Cost to Transporter:

For any transport operator, time literally means money. In one of our recent studies, we have found that we can save operators a minimum of 25 minutes during a breakdown or a service when lifting one side of an axle. When having to lift more than one side or more than one axle at a time, the time saving escalates dramatically, translating into huge costs savings.

There are many reasons to consider TrestleJacks, but the most important fact is that TrestleJacks is an axle stand with lifting capabilities that far exceeds that of conventional systems.