Track jacks

[Jim Burrill]

You probably saw this jack on epay...
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/WWII-Track-Ja...b7b2dc5&_uhb=1

And a price of 360.00 has not reached a reserve yet.

I found a common Ford bumper jack for a buy it now for 65.00. The ratchet part looks identical pretty much.

To convert it to be a pretty damn close replica of a real one, it looks like I need to grind off the lift spike from the ratchet ( looks like the Carrier ones had that part cut off before casting, so the fillets still lead in to the missing spike.

Then find two bits of tube stock that match the diameter of the main round stock, weld on the lift spike to match the carrier one, with one sliding up and down the shaft, and one welded to the end of the shaft.

Has anyone else tried this?

Anyone willing to make up the two lift spikes to sell to others?

Cheers,
Jim

[Lynn Eades]

Jim, I am headed down the same track. (excuse the pun!)
There are two diameters of the commercial jack. I have both and plan to use the large one.
Other than the markings and part number the main difference is that the actuating lever that fits the original is rectangular in section and has a matching casting on the jack. the commercial style car jacks are operated with a round rod. these have of course, a matching actuating casting as part of the jack.
Like you, I can live with these differences until I trip over the original at a reasonable price.
I was hoping to borrow the hook parts, and get some copies cast. This hasn't happened yet.
I have been thinking of doing some mods to a ratchet strap (just the hook ends) to see how well they work. I know they are in common useage, ( un modified) with some carrier guys.
The plan is to substitute the standard hook with the hook from an Australian carrier track jack.

[Michael R.]

Jim, I think you are heading in the right direction to modify an existing jack with the features that make it identical to the issue Canadian C01UC series jack. As your carrier is the Windsor, Canada production, it would be great if you could get the same body with the maker name and patent date. I believe the originals have the end track link hook pinned in place vs welded.

Regards the item being offered on eBay, it is not something you see every day. Is it the American production track jack for the G-166 Mk-I/MK-II T-16 U.C.'s out of Somerville, MA? The wider, shorter rod, and shorter track 'horns' suggest to me it is a G-166 tool. Similar principle as the C01UC and C31UCW series, same sub-contractor, but different.




Does anyone know if the British production U.C.'s had a similar track jack tool? Are there any images of a 'British' one in use, or are there any images to show the part numbers and other casting marks?
.
.

[Ben]

The British made track jack............... One of life's mysteries.

[Jim Burrill]

this is what I just bought on ebay for about $60.

I will try to make new lift horns and the spacer. The handle uses a round bar instead of a bit of flat stock, but I can live with this.

[Andrew Rowe]

Is this the type used in UC's ( Canada ) Is this a military one or civilian one?
Where do they stow? , any special place?

[Lynn Eades]

Andrew is there anything on the other side?
It is a track jack. Right hooks and right actuating lever.
1938 marked. how does that work? Made in Canada for prewar British carriers???? Anyone know?

[kevin powles]

Gents, That track jack on ebay, I enquired about a buy it now price, I was told $1200 wow

I think £200 uk pounds sterling is a fair price for the correct working jack from a seller who know what it is, a car boat sale buy is another story.

Kevin.

[RichardT10829]

Ratchet strap....... Job done

[Hans Mulder]

I recently located two track jacks locally, allegedly for the Stuart, (screw type, heavy), but work well on carrier track too. I'll post a pic if I remember.

[Jim Burrill]

On ebay now
Military Tank Track Track Jack Track Fixture 12252120

5163_35.JPG

Pic of the more modern Track jack on ebay for buy it now of $59.50.

When I bought one for my first carrier it was $25.oo

Anyway, if you get one of these, You will need to grind the horns to fit in the carrier track. If you don't, you will have the track together and pinned and then not be able to drop the jack away from it.

Speaking from experience!

[rob love]

I'll second Jim's recommendation for a track jack. If you want a carrier jack, then you have to find an original or at the very least one of the T16 jacks. But if you actually want to join track effectively without worrying about breaking your priceless original, then get one of the APC jacks.

There were two sizes of them in Canada, so watch which one you buy. The regular APC ones are best. There are larger ones for the M109 which may be a bit too cumbersome for the carriers.

[jeff davis]

Found a civy Jack for 10 bucks and welded on 1/2 x 3/4 flat bar seems to work good. picked the jack up cheep as it was missing the bar and jack plate
Jeff

[lssah2025]

Wow the final auction price on that jack..

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/WWII-Track-Ja.../231346760446?

[rob love]

That was a "buy it now" as opposed to an auction. Works out to over $1200 Cdn. incredible, but I am thinking someone with more money than time decided to just pay the price.

Small wonder we don't have a lot of young people jumping into the hobby. It is getting to the point where you need to have your mortgage gone first before you can afford things.

[B. Harris]

Humph.....
Who's looking for a jack?
I have a spare, but needing a rad socket and cash for trade...STILL.

[kevin powles]

Originally Posted by B. Harris

Humph.....
Who's looking for a jack?
I have a spare, but needing a rad socket and cash for trade...STILL.

Bruce, How much cash plus jack are you going to give me for a rad socket?.

Kevin.