The 2 Most Common Types of Aircraft Jacks and When to Use Which
Aircraft jacks are a vital part of any ground support maintenance program. While some aircraft jacks are pretty interchangeable provided you’re using the correct aircraft jack pads, there are specific purposes and intended positions for each. Two of the most common types of aircraft jacks used in the industry are axle jacks and tripod jacks. Here’s a little more information about these two types of jacks and their service functions.
1. Axle Jacks
An axle jack is a portable, self-contained hydraulic jack. The lift consists of three rams as well as an outer cylinder. The fluid reservoir is a rectangular tank welded to the base.
Axle aircraft jacks are used for aircraft maintenance involving tire repair and replacement, brake service repair and other maintenance procedures when lifting the nose and/or main landing gear is necessary. Axle jacks are placed directly on or under aircraft landing gear.
2. Tripod Jacks
A tripod jack is also a portable, self-contained hydraulic jack. This type of aircraft jack, however, consists of three core parts: a tubular steel tripod structure with caster wheels, a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic pump assembly.
Tripod jacks should be used for routine maintenance on both the nose and fuselage of the aircraft. This type of jack is typically reserved for raising the nose, wing or tail of an aircraft and is used by manually operating the hydraulic pump to raise the cylinder and ram. When used in sufficient numbers and placed at the required jacking points, tripod jacks are actually able to lift the entire aircraft off the deck.
Tripod jacks are not suitable for lifting when lateral movement of the jack occurs during the jacking operation. This type of movement may occur when raising the aircraft in order to change a wheel that has deflated.
Portable, collapsible tripod jack models are available, but they’re mostly used for military applications.
Make Sure Your Jack Is In Tip-Top Condition Before Use
Aircraft jacks should be run fully up and down prior to using them on an aircraft. Be sure to follow the aircraft manufacturer’s recommended procedures. And when storing your Tronair jacks, make sure to cover them properly to prevent any water and debris from getting into the assembly.
Prior to using any type of aircraft jack, you’ll need to fully inspect it. A five-point inspection is most commonly recommended. Here are the main things to look for during the inspection:
- Check for any bent or stressed components such as lugs.
- Verify all fluid levels and top off, if needed.
- Check welded joints for any signs of fatigue.
- Inspect for missing or damaged components or parts.
- Examine the condition of the locknuts.
In order to prevent accidents or costly damage to an aircraft, there are also a few safety procedures that should be in place when operating aircraft jacks. Keep in mind that in some cases, an aircraft jack pad adapter may be required in order for the jack to work with your particular aircraft.
Tronair offers jack recertification, in-house proof load testing and portable jack testers for general product maintenance.
Get the Right Tronair Jacks for Your Needs
Tronair has a large selection of stabilizer stands, jack extensions and aircraft jacks for sale. It’s easy to find the right aircraft jacks for your needs by visiting the “Tools and Equipment” section of the Tronair website. There, you’ll simply select the aircraft you need to lift and you’ll be given a specialized jack selection for your aircraft. Have a question or need more information? Contact us today.
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