Axle Stands and Load Capacity

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I have a set of three tonne axle stands that I bought for holding a truck so the tyres would not be on the ground. I also use the same set of axle stands for putting under my Series III 109s. Yes, it is overkill.

Technically, the Curb Weight: of a Series III 109 is 1700 Kg - accessed 16th April 2023 from, Just a moment... (https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Land-Rover/412/1974-Land-Rover-109-Series-III-26.html)

If I was to go to a auto-parts store what rating axle stands would I buy? The automatic reaction is a 2 tonne set because it allows extra capacity - more margin of safety.

Alternatively, could I divide 1700 kg by four = 425 kg and buy something like a 500 kg rated axle stand and still have a decent margin of safety? Or maybe a set of four 1 tonne capacity axle stands.

Logic suggests dividing the load by the amount of contact points ... left and right front axle & left and right rear axle equals 4 contact points . However, logic does not help while laying underneath a 1700 kg vehicle and you hear a loud noise and sense sudden movement above you. The words, 'better safe than sorry' spring to mind

Kind regards
Lionel

[Slunnie]

I have this theory for machines, load carrying equipment etc. Go significantly bigger or stronger than what you need.

I'm not convinced everything actually meets its stated capacity, even though, especially in the area of load carrying there should be a significant safety factor built in.

I think so many things are built too light for what they state and as a result are not durable. You want stands which are not even close to their capacity - you or someone else may not get a second chance at it if you've made a mistake. You should be paranoid about a vehicle landing on you.

Also, don't divide the weight of the vehicle by 4. Wheel weights can be significantly different to those values.

[Lionelgee]

I have this theory for machines, load carrying equipment etc. Go significantly bigger or stronger than what you need.

I'm not convinced everything actually meets its stated capacity, even though, especially in the area of load carrying there should be a significant safety factor built in.

I think so many things are built too light for what they state and as a result are not durable. You want stands which are not even close to their capacity - you or someone else may not get a second chance at it if you've made a mistake. You should be paranoid about a vehicle landing on you.

Also, don't divide the weight of the vehicle by 4. Wheel weights can be significantly different to those values.

G'day Slunnie,

Given your comment about variability in load ratings and build quality - with the stated capacity of the 2.6 litre six cylinder powered Long wheelbase Series 3 is reported to have a Curb Weight: of a Series 1700 Kg - accessed 16th April 2023 from, Just a moment... (https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Land-Rover/412/1974-Land-Rover-109-Series-III-26.html) What rating set of four axle stands would you buy for the job?

I was thinking about axle stands that have a 2 tonne capacity written on their label. With the weight of the Land Rover - as 1700 kg, it should provide a safety margin of 300 kg on each corner of the Land Rover.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

G'Day Slunnie,

Going the other direction to correct capacity of axle stands ... how do you go about calculating the correct capacity for a set of tyre/wheel dollies that allow cars to be moved around a shed without needing a team of people to shift the car. Again - is it the total weight of the car for each wheel? Or is it a division of the weight of the car by 4 for each corner?

What capacity of tyre/wheel dollies would you get for a 1700 kg Curb Weight Series 3 long wheel base Land Rover fitted with the six cylinder petrol motor?

Amendment - Okay, I should have included the link - since I 'borrowed' the photograph ... accessed 16th April 2023 from, https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/MwwAAOSwAOdbQUga/s-l1600.jpg

Kind regards
Lionel

[Slunnie]

G'day Slunnie,

Given your comment about variability in load ratings and build quality - with the stated capacity of the 2.6 litre six cylinder powered Long wheelbase Series 3 is reported to have a Curb Weight: of a Series 1700 Kg - accessed 16th April 2023 from, Just a moment... (https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Land-Rover/412/1974-Land-Rover-109-Series-III-26.html) What rating set of four axle stands would you buy for the job?

I was thinking about axle stands that have a 2 tonne capacity written on their label. With the weight of the Land Rover - as 1700 kg, it should provide a safety margin of 300 kg on each corner of the Land Rover.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel,

For me, I use 2000kg axle stands.

[Slunnie]

G'Day Slunnie,

Going the other direction to correct capacity of axle stands ... how do you go about calculating the correct capacity for a set of tyre/wheel dollies that allow cars to be moved around a shed without needing a team of people to shift the car. Again - is it the total weight of the car for each wheel? Or is it a division of the weight of the car by 4 for each corner?

What capacity of tyre/wheel dollies would you get for a 1700 kg Curb Weight Series 3 long wheel base Land Rover fitted with the six cylinder petrol motor?

Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel, I havent used these before, but I would also look to get ones with a significant margin above expected load.

According this this website you should have the following axle weights
Land Rover springs & weights (http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/springs.htm)

Front Unladen 771kg
Front Laden 970kg
Rear Unladen 1003kg
Rear Laden 1710kg

[101RRS]

Lionel - the stands you buy in places like Supercheap to not have a safe working load like lifting gear so a 450kg stand in a worst case scenario will fail at 450kg not two or three times that like SWL stuff will. There is not a lot of difference in price between stuff at Supercheap etc so go the highest you can afford and then good for something heavier in future.

You pictured some wheel dollies in an earlier post - do not get that model you showed. I have 4 of them and they are an absolute waste of money. I put my 1500kg jag on them and I could not push the car around in the garage - cheap and nasty wheels and open bearings - will not roll with load on them.

The proper hydraulic ones are many time more expensive but they do work - when I delivered the the same jag to a workshop for work it went onto garage quality wheel dollies and you could push the car with just one hand.

So dont buy the ones in your pic.

[Lionelgee]

Lionel - the stands you buy in places like Supercheap to not have a safe working load like lifting gear so a 450kg stand in a worst case scenario will fail at 450kg not two or three times that like SWL stuff will. There is not a lot of difference in price between stuff at Supercheap etc so go the highest you can afford and then good for something heavier in future.

You pictured some wheel dollies in an earlier post - do not get that model you showed. I have 4 of them and they are an absolute waste of money. I put my 1500kg jag on them and I could not push the car around in the garage - cheap and nasty wheels and open bearings - will not roll with load on them.

The proper hydraulic ones are many time more expensive but they do work - when I delivered the the same jag to a workshop for work it went onto garage quality wheel dollies and you could push the car with just one hand.

So dont buy the ones in your pic.

Hello 101RRS,

Thank you for posting the reply about the axle stands. I buy mine at a local truck place. The wheel dollies I picked off eBay just to grab an example that had a clear photograph to post up. It is good to know that they are less than ideal!


Kind regards
Lionel