Stability of Bulldog Square A-Frame Jack # BD195318 When Faced with Shaking Horizontal Load

Updated 05/06/2014 | Published 05/05/2014

Question:

I am looking to use this trailer jack to raise up a shaker device that can apply 100 lbs of force in the horizontal direction. What I want to know is if this shaker, which will be mounted to the trailer jack, applies a 100 lb cyclical loading in the horizontal direction will the trailer jack stay stiff and quiet or will it shake and rattle? I think that this product has a section that can extend by taking out a pin and adjusting it. This pinned extension may make the thing rattle. I dont need it this extra extension. Can I take this extension out entirely? I only need the extension from the crank. Also, Id like to know the exact weight of this device.

asked by: Kendy T

Expert Reply:

Generally speaking, trailer jacks are intended primarily to handle vertical loads. However, the Bulldog Square A-Frame Jack # BD195318 that you referenced will typically provide better horizontal (side load) stability than a round tube jack of comparable capacity.

Because they are not really intended for your atypical application there have been no tests to verify their performance in such circumstances.

There will always be some degree of play between a jack's inner and outer tubes (both round and square types) to help avoid binding when the jack is cranked up or down. So if your shaker device is mounted to the jack I think it is a safe bet that there will be some degree of motion and hence vibration and noise if subjected to 100-lbs of cycling lateral force.

This unit's shipping weight is 20-lbs so its net weight will be approximately 18-lbs.

expert reply by: Adam R