Toe Jacks

The toe jack (sometimes called a 'floor jack') is engineered to lift heavy loads that are low to the ground. They boast a small but mighty construction and allow users to manoeuvre large machines around the workshop without risk of damage or operator injury.

Cromwell stocks a range of toe jacks from trusted brands that are used by professionals around the globe.

What are toe jacks?

Designed for lifting heavy-duty machinery and equipment, the toe jack is commonplace in most factories and workshops. They consist of a thin 'toe' that can slide under heavy equipment, and a powerful hydraulic mechanism that can then pick it up without causing strain or injury to the operator.

Why a toe jack?

Many heavy machines are designed with incredibly low ground clearance. This gives them better weight distribution and a lower centre of gravity, making the machine sturdier and helping to nullify vibrations when in use. It also prevents users from losing nuts and bolts, which could otherwise roll under the machine. This is all well and good, however it does mean that standard jacks are unable to get their forks underneath these machines to pick them up - hence the need for a toe jack.

The toe jack boasts an incredibly strong yet incredibly thin 'toe' that can fit under such machines. They are fully adjustable and are suited to moving any heavy-duty machine around the warehouse, workshop, or factory with ease.

The robust hydraulic mechanism of a toe jack makes them exceptionally strong for their size, and their compact forked design means multiple toe jacks can be used on a machine should one not be wide enough.

When are toe jacks used?

Toe jacks are an invaluable addition to most factories and engineering workshops around the globe.

Depending on the model you get; most toe jacks can lift several tonnes, yet the toe height is only a few millimetres. This makes them excellent at getting a firm hold on heavy machines with low ground clearance, allowing users to reposition them with ease. They are used across a wide range of industries, including:

• Engineering workshops
• Heavy construction
• Shipbuilding
• Hospitals
• Labs / research facilities
• Oil / gas rigs
• Plant construction

If you're looking for the right toe jack for your industry, get in touch to ask our experts for professional advice.

Types of toe jack

Toe jacks come in a few configurations to best suit the needs of specific industries. A few common configurations are:

• Ultra-Low Entry - Doing what it says on the tin, ultra-low entry toe jacks sacrifice some lifting capacity for an extremely thin toe, allowing them to slip through the gaps in even the lowest machines. They are often used in conjunction with a standard jack - the toe jack lifts the machine up enough for a standard jack to get a hold on it.
• Rotational - Rotational toe jacks are similar to standard toe jacks; however they allow the user to swivel the jack which can be useful when manoeuvring machinery in confined spaces.
• Coated - Typically used in specialist environments such as research labs and hospitals, coated toe jacks have a coating that prevents rust and corrosion, improving longevity of the tool.

Considerations when choosing a toe jack

• Lifting capacity - One of the more obvious considerations, but important nonetheless. Ensure the weight of your machines is lower than the lifting capacity of your toe jack.
• Tip and roll - Some rotational toe jacks have tip and roll mechanisms to easily rotate the machine when space is limited
• Toe height - It's worth measuring the ground clearance of your lowest machines to ensure the toe jack can fit under easily.

Toe jack jargon buster

Standards: ASME/ANSI B30.1.198 & B30.1-2020
These US standards detail the construction, operation, testing and inspection standards that all jacks (including toe jacks) are held to.

FAQs

How does a toe jack work?
Toe jacks use either a mechanical ratchet jack or a hydraulic system to raise machines and equipment. Mechanical ratchet jacks use a manual jack handle whereas hydraulic systems used pressurised oil to raise a load.

Can a floor jack get wet?
As long as the hydraulic system in a jack remains sealed and separate from water, floor jacks are waterproof. Many are coated to prevent rust and corrosion.

Regulation Information

LOLER applies to ALL lifting equipment used for work purposes, even if it was manufactured and put into use before LOLER came into force in 1998. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 applies to all work equipment, including lifting equipment, and requires workplaces to provide suitable and safe equipment for the task, along with proper training. Work equipment must be maintained and inspected and related risks prevented or controlled.

Pre-use checks must be carried out on lifting equipment. The purpose of these pre-use checks is to identify faulty equipment; this is not the same as routine thorough examination and inspections but in addition to them at each use. All lifting equipment requires to be thoroughly examined by a qualified competent person at various points, as required by PUWER, to maintain efficient working order.

Regulation Jargon Buster

LOLER - Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations
PUWER - Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
HASWA - Health and Safety at Work Act
WAH - Work / Working at Height

Please note that the products in this category are not suitable for lifting people; please consult the manufacturer's data sheet for more information.

For the further information and full details of your legal responsibilities:
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (LOLER) Regulations 1998 - AcoP - L113