Engineering Jacks

  Last updated 13 January 2024  Contact Me   Home

Database For Vintage and Classic Engineering Jacks

Other vintage British car jack databases:

Vehicle/Jack Matches Index

Car Maker Branded Jacks

Armstrong Bradbury Britool (BTC) Desmo Duco Dunlop
           
DWS Engineering Enots Epco Ern Lake Eversure
           
Ford Harvey Frost King Dick Lake & Elliot Lucas Metallifacture
           
Miscellaneous Prima Read Shelley SkyHi Smiths
           
Stadium Tangye Woden Unknown    

George Radion in Australia has a database on Australian-made Jacks

This engineering jack database is dedicated to the memory of Mike Moody, credited throughout the various databases as NewMoody. Mike passed away in March 2022. He was an avid collector and vendor of all types of classic jacks but with a specific love of the large engineering type. He was the inspiration behind this specific database. I will be for ever indebted to Mike for his research, knowledge and detail that is imbedded throughout the website.

The database is for vintage and classic Engineering jacks. It is bit of a 'catch all' database for heavy duty jacks. Their use likely includes workshop use for heavy lorries; railways; and construction work. Always difficult to decide what was used for each type of work so I have included them here in no particular order as many are unbranded. Many of the photos and comments have been gleaned from Ebay and other sites. As always information is always welcomed.

Please note that this information is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but I make no claims about authority on this subject. Use your own discretion when evaluating the accuracy of the information.

The values are normally taken from auction sites world-wide, but exclude postage.

Request to vendors: Please feel free to use the information from these databases in your adverts. An acknowledgement of the source would be most welcome. However, please do not twist any of the information. Where I say along the lines: 'May be for car X' please make this clear in your advert. An altered statement saying: 'It is for car X' will create false facts and misinformation. If you know for certainty a jack's heritage please contact me so that I can amend the entry. Thank you.

 Capstan, followed by Railway; Wooden; Industrial & Heavy Vehicle - Barrett, Gibbons, Howard, Rotary Hoes, Tangye, Webley, Youngs

 

Capstan

 

 

Named

 


Youngs 6 Ton


 

Unknown By Weight

 

 

 

 

Unknown Jack_1

Description

Single screw capstan jack. Stamped on the neck XWSJ3. Only other details as shown in photos.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Bar diameter 1 inch. length not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

 

1.5 Ton

 

 

 

 

Unknown Capstan 1.5 Ton_1

Description

Single screw capstan jack. Cast 1 1/2 TONS. Only other details as shown in photos.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2021 = £20.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2023 = £3.25 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 










Unknown (Snail) Capstan 10 Ton

Description

Single screw capstan jack. Cast 10 TONS plus a snail motif. 25" closed and 36" extended. Only other details as shown in photos.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

Railway

 













SkyHi SSLM 16-10-27

Description:

Skyhi 16 Tonne hydraulic railway heal and toe jack, model SSLM 16-10-27.

Details as shown in the photos. Courtesy Ebay seller Cheaplots0.

Entry repeated in SkyHi database.

Applicable Vehicles:

Railway track jack

Jack Handle Type:

As shown

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:










Smiths Perfect Jack

Description:

Smiths railway engineering jack. Cast SMITHS PERFECT JACK. Measures 9.5" closed and approx 17.5" raised. Other details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Railway track jack

Jack Handle Type:

Rectangular bar.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

 

Thomson Safety Rail Jack

Description

Railway track toe lift jack. The toe starts 6.5" above the base, rising to 10.5". The main structure is 11.5" closed and 15.5" open. The base measures 9.75" x 6.5". The casting in the first photo reads LAMP MFG & RAILWAY SUPPLIES LTD LONDON  K1B.  In the second photo the other side is cast THOMSON SAFETY TRACK JACK PATENT No. GB347497.

The patent is registered to Edward Collier Thomson, Glasgow and dated 30 April 1931. It is explained in the patent as keeping the lifted rail above the level of the jack so that it cannot obstruct any running gear of any passing train, should the jack be in use. This might also explain why there is no quoted weight cast on the jack.

All photos and information courtesy of NewMoody.

Application:

Railway track lifter.

Jack Handle Type:

Bar of unknown length.

Year Dates Noted:

Circa 1931

Value:

 

 

 

Wooden

 

 

 

 

Haley's Patent 2 Tons

Description

Single screw Wooden jack believed to be late 1800s. Cast HALEY'S PATENT 2 TONS on one side and 2 TONS on the other. Only other details as shown in photos. Last photo is not the same jack but shows the type of handle used (credit Grace's Guide).

Application:

Most likely a railway jack but could be agricultural, perhaps for a cart or maybe even a stagecoach?!

Jack Handle Type:

Crank handle that fits the right hand lug of the metal face plate. Se example in last photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

  

   

 

Haley's Patent J Glasgow

Description

Single screw wooden jack mid 1800s. Cast HALEY'S PATENT J. GLASGOW MAKER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR MANCHESTER. The jack measures 31" closed and 44" open. The base measures 12" x 6". Weight is estimated at approx 80lb.  This particular jack was located in Texas USA.

The company was noted for supplying railway jacks in the 1800s. I wonder if this jack was part of a railway equipment contract to the USA railways during their construction. Many other railway items were exported during this period.

Photographs and description courtesy of Oscar Chapa in Texas.

Last photo is not the same jack but shows the type of handle used (credit Grace's Guide).

Application:

Most likely a railway jack

Jack Handle Type:

Generic type shown in last photo..

Year Dates Noted:

1800s

Value:

 

 


Copied from the Tangye Database

 

 

Tangyes Haley (Wooden)

Description

This must be the oldest jack in any of my databases. It is a wooden body jack with a single screw. It is 27" retracted and 40" extended. It has a wooden pedal at the rear for rapid lifting. The metal plate on the front is cast TANGYES HALEY JACK BIRMINGHAM. The cap reads 2 TON. Pictures and data courtesy of Darren Tebbitt.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known but probably a horse drawn cart!

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated.

Year Dates Noted:

1861, 1869 (last photo).

Value:

Any sales recorded in the Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Unknown Railway Jack

Description:

Unknown make of railway jack. Detail as shown in the photos.

Application:

Railway jack

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

 

Industrial & Heavy Vehicle

 

 

Barrett

 

 

 

 

Barrett Geared Commercial

Description:

The Barrett Geared Commercial jack has 2 models:

Model 100. 3 ton capacity. Lift range of 10 3/4" to 17".

Model 200. 5 ton capacity. Lift range of 13" to 19 3/4".

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

Gibbons

 

 

 

 

Gibbons No 1 Mark 1

Description:

The Gibbons No 1 Mark 1 is a 5 ton single screw ratchet chassis jack for large vehicles. It is cast GIBBONS No 1 MARK 1 above one of the handles and below the same handle WOLVERHAMPTON E.C. 0790 5 TON. It measures 22.4" lowered and 32.2" raised. Photos and details courtesy of John Vose.

Application:

Garage jack.

Jack Handle Type:

Tubular bar extension to integrated ratchet handle.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

 

Howard


 

















Howard Rotavator Equilift

Description:

The Howard Rotavator Equilift is a 5 Ton ratchet jack. It is referred to as a 'Toe Jack' for lifting a low lying load resting mere centimetres off the floor. No measurements known.. Cast HOWARD ROTAVATOR Co LTD MADE IN ENGLAND with 5 TONS TESTED above. On the other side the body is cast ALL STEEL and the cover is cast EQUILIFT with TRIP DOWN UP below, adjacent to the selector toggle.

The jack appears almost identical to the Rotary Hoes 5 Ton jack below.

Additional notes from NewMoody: The patent for this jack was awarded 13.12.1923 to Arthur Ernest Lake – Ern Lake. However, the concept of rotating hoes was pioneered by Arthur Clifford Howard of NSW, Australia from 1912. For commercial reasons Howard came to the UK in 1938 to found ‘Rotary Hoes’ in Horndon, Essex and to market his jacks, eventually becoming the Howard Rotavator Co Ltd.

 

Application:

Low lifter.

Jack Handle Type:

Probably the same as the Rotary Hoes 5 Ton jack below.

Year Dates Noted:

1938

Value:

Average price paid in 2021 = £44.55 - 1 sale


 

Rotary-Hoes

 

 

 

 

 

Rotary Hoes

Description:

Possibly an agricultural Jack judging by the company name.  It is a single screw. Closed height 11.25", open in the region of 19" (specimem jack seized closed). Base 8.25" x 5.75". Casting on 2 main body ribs: ROTARY HOES LTD on one and EAST HORNDON on the other.

Additional notes from NewMoody: The concept of rotating hoes was pioneered by Arthur Clifford Howard of NSW, Australia from 1912. For commercial reasons Howard came to the UK in 1938 to found ‘Rotary Hoes’ in Horndon, Essex and to market his jacks, eventually becoming the Howard Rotavator Co Ltd.

Application:

Agricultural vehicles.

Jack Handle Type:

Rectangular bar.

Year Dates Noted:

Rotary Hoes Ltd. was incorporated at East Horndon in 1938.

Value:

Average price paid in 2020 = £19.00 -  1 sale

 

  

 

 

 

 

Rotary Hoes FJ9

Description:

The Rotary Hoes FJ9 is a 3 Ton ratchet jack. I am assuming the FJ9 is Foot Jack Model 9. However, this type of jack is more commonly referred to as a 'Toe Jack' for lifting a low lying load resting mere centimetres off the floor. No measurements known. The cover on one side is embossed FJ9  TRIP  UP  DOWN. The other side is embossed 3 TON.  The central body is cast MADE IN ENGLAND ROTARY HOES LTD.

Additional notes from NewMoody: The concept of rotating hoes was pioneered by Arthur Clifford Howard of NSW, Australia from 1912. For commercial reasons Howard came to the UK in 1938 to found ‘Rotary Hoes’ in Horndon, Essex and to market his jacks, eventually becoming the Howard Rotavator Co Ltd.

Application:

Low lifter.

Jack Handle Type:

Tube/rod of unknown length.

Year Dates Noted:

1938

Value:

 

 

 

 

 

Rotary Hoes 5 Ton

Description:

This Rotary Hoes is a 5 Ton ratchet jack. It is referred to as a 'Toe Jack' for lifting a low lying load resting mere centimetres off the floor. No measurements known.. Cast on both sides MADE IN ENGLAND ROTARY HOES LTD. On one side is also 5 TONS TESTED and stamped 811. A flip lever on the cover plate alters the up/down motion.

Additional notes from NewMoody: The patent for this jack was awarded 13.12.1923 to Arthur Ernest Lake – Ern Lake. However, the concept of rotating hoes was pioneered by Arthur Clifford Howard of NSW, Australia from 1912. For commercial reasons Howard came to the UK in 1938 to found ‘Rotary Hoes’ in Horndon, Essex and to market his jacks, eventually becoming the Howard Rotavator Co Ltd.

Application:

Low lifter.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in final picture

Year Dates Noted:

1938

Value:

Average price paid in 2017 = £55.00 - 1 sale

 

 

Tangye

 

 

Tangye  - Copied from Tangye Database

 

 

Tangye Hydraclaw - 5 Ton

Description:

Single hydraulic ram. height closed 13" with a 7" lift. Cast TANGYE PATENT PENDING on one side and HYDRACLAW SWL - 5 TON LIFT - 7INS.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Tube/rod of unknown length.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangye 6.5 Ton

Description:

Label on the top says 6.5 TONS 3' 2" LIFT HYDRAMITE MODEL E TANGYE LTD BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in last photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

Tangye 8 Ton

Description:

The Tangye 8 ton jack looks like it has a double hydraulic cylinder and manual screw extension. Appears to be cast M8DL 0, 8 TON, TANGYE, ENGLAND. Other details as shown in the photos.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in first photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangye 15 Ton

Description:

15 ton aluminium cast jack. It is 10" closed.  Base is 10" x 5". It uses a 5/16" Allen key to operated the valve.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangye 25 Ton

Description:

25 ton aluminium cast jack. Model No. 1625. It is 26.5" closed and 42.75" extended.  Width is 28.7"" and depth is 9.4". It uses a 5/16" Allen key to operated the valve.

Final photo shows it or a shorter neck version in use with the English Electric Lightning Fighter aircraft. Photo courtesy the Lightning XS422 Group.

Application:

English Electric Lightning Jet Fighter!!!

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangye 30 Ton

Description:

Marked Tangye Hydralift PS630. Details as shown in the photos.

Final photo shows it in use with the English Electric Lightning Fighter aircraft. Photo courtesy the Lightning XS422 Group.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangeye 35 Ton

Description:

Marked HYDRALITE TANGYE on one side, TANGYE on the end with 35 TONS below.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangye 50 Ton

Description:

Marked HYDRALITE MODEL 650 on both sides and TANGYE 50 TONS on the end.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

 

 

 

Tangye 60 Ton

Description:

Marked HYDRALITE PS660. Other details as shown in the photos.

Application:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye database

 

      

    

   

Tangye Patent Hydraulic Lifting Jack

Description:

Tangye hydraulic toe jack, 8 ton lifting capacity. 28" closed height.  World War 2 manufacture and would appear to be military use. This particular example was found in the Netherlands. Fourth photo shows what appears to be a military unit badge welded to the main body. Photos and research courtesy of Bouwe de Boer from the Netherlands.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated.

Year Dates Noted:

1943

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

        

 

 

 

 

    

 

Tangye Traverse Type A

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This traverse jack comes in 4 sizes with lifting capacities of 8, 12, 16 and 20 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Integral, as shown in the photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

    

 

Tangye Traverse Type AAA

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This traverse jack comes in 4 sizes with lifting capacities of 8, 12, 16 and 20 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Integral, as shown in the photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

    

  

Tangye Traverse Tram-Car

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This traverseTram-car jack comes in 3 sizes with lifting capacities of 6, 12, and 16 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Tram cars.

Jack Handle Type:

Integral, as shown in the photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

  

 

Tangye Iron Case Ba

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 4 sizes with lifting capacities of 4, 6, 8, and 12 tons. Difficult to see from the photo angle but judging from the description it appears to have a 'toe lifting' capability. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Integral, as shown in the photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

    

 

Tangye Bottle I

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 5 sizes with lifting capacities of 2, 5, 8, 12 and 16 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

    

 

Tangye Bottle Ka

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 4 sizes with lifting capacities of 2, 5, 8, and 12 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

       

 

Tangye Ratchet Bottle G

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 4 sizes with lifting capacities of 5, 8, 12 and 16 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

 

    

 

Tangye Transport

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 1 size with lifting capacity of 5 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

    

 

Tangye Tripod H

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 4 sizes with lifting capacities of 2, 5, 8 and 12 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

 

Tangye Quick Lifting Tram-Car Telescopic

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This jack comes in 2 sizes both with lifting capacities of 8 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

    

 

Tangye Windlass

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This Toe jack comes in 3 sizes with lifting capacities of 5, 8 and 10 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known.

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tangye Cable Drum Lifting

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

This cable drum lifting jack comes in 2 sizes with lifting capacities of 3 and 6 tons. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not applicable.

Jack Handle Type:

Document states tommy bar handle not included.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

     

 

Tangye Rail Lifter

Description:

The photo of this jack design was taken from an undated Tangye Screw Jacks booklet, publication number 377 - See here.

Wrought iron framed rail lifter jack. 4 sizes as detailed, showing that the diameter of the screw varied with the base height of the lifting toe/foot. All details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not applicable.

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Values in Tangye Database

 

 

 

Webley

 

 

 

 

 

Webley 20 Ton

Description:

Single hydraulic piston toe jack with a 12" lift. Cast WEBLEY, 20 TON, 12 INCH on both sides.

Application:

Heavy engineering.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2020 = £150.00 -  1 sale

 

 

 

Youngs


 

      

  

Youngs 5 Ton Capstan

Description:

Youngs 5 ton single screw capstan jack. The body is cast YOUNGS BIRMINHAM on one side and 5 TONS on the other. 18" closed.

Application:

Heavy engineering.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in the final photo, 18" long.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2022 = £50.00 - 1 sale

 












Youngs 5 Ton Ratchet

Description:

Youngs 5 ton single screw ratchet jack. The body is cast YOUNGS and opposite No.400 5 TONS. 7" closed and 10" extended. The ratchet has a spring loaded catch for changing direction.

Photos and details courtesy of Peter Musselwhite.

Application:

Heavy engineering or lorry jack.

Jack Handle Type:

Circular metal bar of unknown length.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:









Youngs 6 Ton Capstan

Description:

Youngs 6 ton single screw capstan jack. The body is cast YOUNGS 8355 and opposite No.418 6 TONS.

 7" closed and 10" extended.

Photos and details courtesy of Peter Musselwhite.

Application:

Heavy engineering or lorry jack.

Jack Handle Type:

Circular metal bar of unknown length.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:












 

Youngs 8 Ton Ratchet

Description:

Youngs 8 ton single screw ratchet jack. The body is cast YOUNGS BIRMINGHAM 8 TON. 20" closed and 32" extended.

Application:

Heavy engineering or lorry jack.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:















Youngs 20 Ton Traversing

Description:

Youngs 20 ton traversing jack. The bed is cast YOUNGS RYLAND ST WORKS BIRMINGHAM. 20 TON CONTRACT No. 6 STORES 30031 CB 21C. CAT No E3 EC 0594 plus a military arrow. There is also a stamping GIBBONS 20 TONS L&T 1/1942. Other details as shown in the photos.

Application:

Heavy engineering.

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

1942.

Value:



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