Tool Review: OTC Hydraulic Vehicle Positioning Jack and Storage Rack

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Q: How did the tool/equipment function as far as saving you time?

A:  Since the rack is on wheels, I was able to roll the entire set of jacks across the shop in one trip. It also kept them organized, so they weren’t in a pile getting tangled up. The jacks save a lot of time since they are self-loading and require less effort and no extra equipment.

Q: How has using this tool impacted your shop's profitability?

A: One person can prepare a car to be moved in minutes, keeping production moving on other things. 

Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?

A: The rack needed to be put together, but it only took about five minutes. The jacks came fully assembled. By habit, I made sure they were topped off with oil, and there was no air in the cylinders to make sure I didn’t have any problems. They were already good to go. 

Q: How easy was it to use?

A: The rack is great. It has four pegs that the jacks easily slide down onto, keeping them positioned in a way that you can grab them without problems. The jacks are really easy to use. Open the release valve and slide the frame apart so the rollers are in front and behind the tire, tighten the valve, release and pump the pedal until the tire is just off the ground, drop the safety pin in place, and re-secure the pump pedal. To lower, just reverse the process. After use, make sure the jacks are clean and slide back onto the rack for easy, organized storage until the next use.

Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?

A: The rack was in a relatively small box since it needed to be assembled. Each part was very well protected with bubble wrap and taped securely to prevent damage to the finish on the parts. The jacks came fully assembled in larger, heavy duty boxes fitted with styrofoam that held the jacks in place. The boxes had plastic strapping to keep everything secure. My set of four jacks and rack was shipped freight and was tightly strapped and plastic-wrapped to a small pallet. 

Q: Was there a manual included? If so, did you use the manual, and was it easy to understand?

A: Yes, there was a manual included with the jacks and the rack. Both are printed on glossy paper. I figured that was for us techs who handle them before washing our hands. Both were easy to read and understand. They included safety warnings and operating instructions with illustrations. There was also troubleshooting information and maintenance for the jacks. Both manuals included assembly instructions for the rack.

Q: What features did you like?

A: The rack held the jacks well, and it had a handle, making it easy to move everything all at once. The jacks have a grab handle so that you can pull them off the rack and carry them without having to worry about pinching your hands. The hydraulic pump and self-lifting design made use almost effortless. The car can be completely moved by one person in minutes, but I suggest grabbing at least one more person after setup to help guide the car to prevent the risk of hitting anything.

Q: Is there any way you could think of to improve or add to this tool?

A: The only thing that comes to mind so far would be to add locks to two wheels on each jack and the rack to help ensure there is no movement, just in case the floor isn’t completely level where the car is being moved to or from, or where the rack is stored when not in use.

Q: How does this tool compare to other tools you've used like it?

A: These are so much nicer. The one I used prior to these required using a floor jack to lift the car so that the dolly could be placed under the tires, taking much more time and effort. 

Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?

A: Based on the comparison between these and the ones I’ve used, I’d have to give them a 10. The self-lifting ability is priceless, and the wheels roll so much nicer than the smaller ones on the old type.