safe jacking of UC mk 2

[Piper]

You're all going to hate us! We've got so many questions!!

So, we're in the process of removing the exhaust and following will be the track etc. Where are safe jacking locations for the UC? Can someone explain how best to do this so we don't die or harm the UC. My hunch is some long wood blocks but I don't know.

Any help, suggestions, what to do or what NOT to do really appreciated.

Cameron

[charlie fitton]

.....put the jacking pin in the front axle, and use a jack under that.

Lots of big wooden blocks, placed carefully under the corners will hold it up.

I've used a matching set of axle stands as well.

Again - what part of the world are you in?

[Piper]

woops, sorry, we're in Huntsville ON, CAN

[charlie fitton]

but not an out of country call.

[Jordan Baker]

When I jacked mine up I didn't have the jacking pin that Charlie mentions. I simply used a bottle jack. I placed it under the floor at the rear and lifted up the rear end with it. I placed a number of wood blocks under the floor and then did the same at the front.

However this didn't take the wheels off of the ground fully but I did give me more room to work under it.

For removing the track you would be best to pop a track pin and lay the track out flat either to the front or rear. Do this with both tracks and then simply role the carrier forwards or rearwards to clear the track. i used our tractor to give the UC a nudge. On a hard surface you should be able to roll a UC on its road wheels with one person.

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
For removing the track you would be best to pop a track pin and lay the track out flat either to the front or rear. Do this with both tracks and then simply role the carrier forwards or rearwards to clear the track. i used our tractor to give the UC a nudge. On a hard surface you should be able to roll a UC on its road wheels with one person.

Just bear in mind that with any such tracked vehicle that once the tracks are split there are no brakes whatsoever.

Roll it will on the slightest gradient.

The brakes only stop the sprockets. . . . . . . . .

R.

[chris vickery]

Piper, are you with the fellows doing the carrier in conjunction with the Legion in Huntsville?

If so, you may recall that I did extend an offer of technical assistance with your project should you want or need it. I am just up the road in Powassan.

[Piper]

HI Chris

Yep, that's us. We're in the process of getting our group together and your name is on our list. Currently Richard and I are doing the early sorting out of things. Once we have the preliminary stuff done we'll be emailing the group. Thanks once again for your support and knowledge!

Cameron

[ron]

Hi Cameron,
Here is an original jacking bar sitting in a cross tube minus wheels to better show its use,
Regards,
Ron

[ron]

Fully inserted

[ron]

Just require a decent block of wood under the bottle jack

[ron]

Whilst I was in the shed taking the previous pics I thought that I might show a few more

[ron]

Sorry this one is a little dark

[ron]

Just a few parts

[ron]

bits and pieces

[ron]

more

[ron]

This is the transfer case of a Marmon herrington two man tank

[ron]

About to start on my latest carrier here is the motor

[ron]

I have made up a trolley to slide under the hull with steel wheels it sure makes it easier to move the hull about

[ron]

Here is my pride and joy the gantry, its 16 feet high fitted with a 3 ton chain block, just the job for our hobby

[ron]

I have just fitted a new front to the carrier, I am not into full swing as yet, we have family and friends here for the new year given a few weeks it will be full steam ahead,
I must say I am sorry if it seems that I have Hi jacked this thread I had no intention of doing so its just that it started off regarding the jacking bar question so I just took a few more pics fo you all to enjoy

[Col Tigwell]

THE SHED DE SHED DAS SHED

I am green with envy, it is just simply the best.

Now we all know the wife loves you greatly.

We have some photos of carriers going and in Korea on display at the museum, I am hoping to have them when the display comes down soon.

Regards


Col

[ron]

Hi Col.
Looking forward to seeing the pics of the carriers in Korea,
Regards,
Ron,

[horsa]

I envy you for your shed as well as my carrier restoration is happening in a tent on a gravel pad that has about a 10 degree slope.

To stay with the jacking thread, I would strongly advise the use of something like short sections of railroad ties for use as blocks to support the hull since they are pretty heavy and will help to prevent the carrier from slipping if you are in and out of it with the wheel assemblies off. A 3-ton floor jack can lift one corner of the vehicle with ease for placing the blocks underneath.

Again, mine is on sloping gravel so your project will probably be more stable. But once I had my tub fully striped of parts I had each wheel mounting pipe supported with a 5-ton jackstand. Seemed to hold OK until I needed to raise one side a bit and the stand diaganol to where I was jacking folded up and dumped the vehicle over. The stands are strong for direct downward pressure but will buckle with pressure from the sides.

Lots of fun getting it all back off the ground after that exercise.

[ron]

Hi David,
I completely agree with what you say regarding the safe jacking of the hull, I have always used what we call here railway sleepers in your part of the world, its better to be safe than sorry, do you have any pics that you can share with us? of your restoration,I personly dont like to use jack stands for the reason that you have given,also steel on steel is not a good combination, thanks for your comments on the shed,
Regards,
Ron,

[horsa]

Mine is a January 1944 Ford T-16. Slow but stead progress as the first shot will indicate as you can see the partially striped hull on jack stands. Progressive shots show some of the work that is done now. The rear end is completely finished now but I haven't taken any shots of it. Without a gantry and no way to roll a complete assembly over gravel, I had to assemble it one piece at a time onto the vehicle. My engine and tranny are also compelte and sitting in my smaller car garage on dollies. I need to finish building oil cooler lines and two more steering linkage rods before I can drop it in. Good thing about working in a tent is I can roll up the sides for cooler airflow as we get heat here like you do in southern OZ. Plus I can paint with my compressor and gun in there without real worry about overspray getting onto the walls. You have to look a the good side of any bad situation I guess

[ron]

Hi David,
Fantastic job, well done, your carrier looks great, It matters not where we restore them the main thing I reckon is that you are doing it and not just hanging on to the carrier and saying Oh one day I might get around to restoring it, think of all the times we have all heard that well done mate its a credit to you,
Regards,
Ron,

[colin jones]

I have to say your carrier looks great. Thats what hard work, dedication and paint does to 65 year old machines. We often take for granted what we have and do, but when I see how this restoration is being done under a tent and on stones, I wish you were here in Adelaide and you could do it in my shed and I would help as well.
Here's a pic of my new workshop at home for my restorations.
You make me feel very lucky.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Colin

[colin jones]

overhead gantry system

[ron]

Hi Colin,
Bugga me now thats a shed, looks like its Trading time, Mmmmmmm I recon a running Matilda might get that shed off you, either that or a nice little Valentine, I dont mean a card either, so settle down,

Regards,
Ron,