Understanding Pit Jacks

A Guide to Heavy-Duty Vehicle Lifting, Safety and Workshop Efficiency

What Is a Pit Jack? A Guide to Heavy-Duty Vehicle Lifting Equipment

A pit jack is a specialist lifting device designed to raise the axles or individual sections of heavy commercial vehicles, including trucks, HGVs, buses, coaches and other large vehicles. Commonly used in commercial vehicle workshops, inspection pits and test lanes, pit jacks provide technicians with safe and convenient access to wheels, suspension, brakes and other essential components.

How Does a Pit Jack Work?

Pit jacks are typically installed within an inspection pit, where they can travel along its length to reach the required lifting position. Using a hydraulic lifting system, the jack raises a vehicle axle to the necessary height, allowing technicians to carry out inspections, maintenance and repairs.

Unlike vehicle lifts that raise an entire vehicle, a pit jack provides targeted lifting, making it particularly useful for axle-specific work. Available in different lifting capacities, configurations and strokes, pit jacks can be selected to suit the requirements of individual workshops and testing facilities.

Why Are Pit Jacks Important?

For commercial vehicle workshops, efficiency and safety are essential. Pit jacks allow technicians to lift axles without moving the vehicle, helping streamline maintenance and inspection procedures.

They are particularly valuable when carrying out brake and suspension checks, removing wheels, inspecting wheel bearings and accessing underbody components. In Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs), pit jacks also support the inspection and testing procedures required to assess commercial vehicle roadworthiness.

The correct lifting equipment must always be selected for the vehicle, load and intended application, with lifting points positioned in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Safety Features to Look For

When lifting heavy commercial vehicles, safety must be a priority. A quality pit jack should incorporate appropriate safety mechanisms to help protect both the operator and the load.

Autolift pit jacks feature multiple layers of built-in safety, including:

Overload protection to prevent lifting beyond the jack's rated capacity.

Anti-burst valves fitted to each ram to help prevent uncontrolled lowering in the event of hydraulic hose failure.

Spring-loaded safety lowering valves designed to help prevent accidental lowering.

Ram lock-off handles that allow independent operation and can prevent lowering through the normal controls when engaged.

Optional Security Struts providing an additional mechanical safeguard against unintended lowering.

Correct operation, routine maintenance and appropriate inspections are equally important to ensure lifting equipment remains safe and reliable throughout its working life.

Choosing the Right Pit Jack

Pit jacks are available in a range of lifting capacities, including 13-tonne, 15-tonne, 20-tonne, 30-tonne and 40-tonne models. The most suitable option will depend on the vehicles being serviced, the axle loads involved, the inspection pit dimensions and the type of work undertaken.

Other considerations include lifting stroke, single- or twin-ram configurations, compatible lifting beams and the availability of accessories. For ATF test lanes, it is also important to establish the applicable equipment requirements and ensure the correct spreader beam is specified.

Why Choose Autolift?

Autolift Limited is a UK manufacturer specialising in commercial vehicle lifting equipment, supplying workshops and testing facilities throughout the UK and overseas.

Our range includes heavy-duty pit jacks in a variety of capacities and configurations, alongside transmission jacks and specialist accessories. With a strong emphasis on safety, quality and after-sales support, we help customers find practical lifting solutions for demanding workshop environments.

Autolift pit jacks are supplied with a five-year warranty, subject to terms and conditions, providing additional peace of mind.

Whether equipping a new workshop, upgrading an existing inspection pit or replacing ageing equipment, choosing the right pit jack can make a significant difference to workshop efficiency, reliability and operator safety.

Autolift – specialist lifting equipment for the commercial vehicle industry.