Axle stands are handy pieces of equipment to have, but it is important to make sure that they have the proper safety features before using them. An axle stand is used to support a car once it has been raiseed up in the air by a jack stand, with one placed under each axle near the wheel, hence the name. By using car axle stands you can be reassured that if the jack were to fail (this can happen, with hundreds of accidents reported each year) you will be protected from being crushed.
There are a few different types of axle stand available, but before buying or using one, check for these safety features to stay as safe as possible:
- Check for good build quality: The first thing to check is the general appearance of the axle stand. Check for signs of rusting, the quality of the welds, and also make sure that there are no rough edges. First impressions count, don’t buy one if these features are present.
- Look for stable feet: Make sure that the stand has stabilizing feet on its base. If it does not, the stand is likely to be a liability on soft surfaces, and it could be prone to slipping.
- Check the support mechanism: There are generally two types of support used on axle stands, ratchets and pegs. A ratchet mechanism is a generally better and safer to use, since it allows precise control on the elevation of the raise. Peg based stands can be more awkward to use, although they are a little cheaper. If all you have is a peg axle stand, make sure the pegs fit and have a safety catch before using them!
There are so many stands that are inexpensive AND still have these safety features, so why skimp on features just to save a few dollars? Buy quality axle stands to protect you in case an accident happens.
