An air lift jack uses shop air instead of a hand-pumped hydraulic ram, so one technician can raise an axle, a frame rail or a full front or rear end without working a handle. JMC Automotive Equipment carries 9 air lift jacks from 3 manufacturers: Norco Industries, Mahle and Challenger Lifts. Eight are vehicle-lifting jacks. Rated capacity runs up to 30,000 lb on the Mahle CLS-15; the lowest is the Mahle CAL-4, whose specification table lists 8,000 lb while its model name reads 8 ton (see the note below before sizing a job around it). The ninth is a 300 lb air/hydraulic clutch jack for component work. Every unit is new, and every figure below is taken from that model's own product page - from its specification table where the manufacturer publishes one, and otherwise from the manufacturer's published feature list. Norco publishes rated capacity in the model name rather than in its dimension table, and Challenger publishes the CLHM-HR-300 figures as a feature list.
These are commercial and heavy-duty shop tools, built around truck, bus, farm equipment, construction equipment and motor home service rather than quick work on a passenger car. There is no light-duty passenger-car air jack in this category - the lowest-rated unit here is the Mahle CAL-4 at 8,000 lb, and Norco limits its warranty to buyers purchasing for resale or for use in the ordinary course of business. If you are equipping a car bay, call us and we will point you to the right category. For the commercial units below, the figure that decides whether one fits under your vehicles is minimum start height: it runs from 7.9 in. on the Mahle CAL-4 to 17.75 in. on the Norco 82990C.
▸ Read the full Air Lift Jacks buying guide — types, capacity, power and space, comparison table and FAQs
The four kinds of air lift jack in this category
These nine products are not variations on one design; picking the wrong family is the most expensive mistake here.
Single-point portable air jacks
The Norco 82990C is the compact option: 58 in. long but only 13.625 in. wide, which is why Norco lists it for crowded conditions requiring single point contact, and it can be operated in pairs to pick up two points at once. It rides on two 8 in. diameter rubber tread wheels and ships with a removable handle and an 8 ft. air hose, so the operator can stand clear of the load. Its saddle has a serrated surface and locating lugs. Height is set with extension tubes and detent pins rather than an automatic lock, a real difference from the larger Norco models.
Full front-end and rear-end air jacks
The Norco 82999 (USA) and 82999Ai (Import) lift the entire front or rear of a vehicle. Both carry a 10 ton rating, a three-way heavy duty air valve for fine control, and an automatic safety lock that engages in six different height positions independent of air pressure. Both roll on a front swivel caster and two 12-1/4 in. diameter pneumatic rear tires, with adjustable saddles that raise and extend to position. The Mahle CAL-10 is the closest Mahle equivalent: 20,000 lb of lifting capacity, a 30 in. stroke, adjustable lifting saddles with a spread adjustable from 32 in. to 43 in., large pneumatic wheels for maneuverability and a two-stage air valve for raising and lowering. Mahle does not state that the CAL-10 lifts an entire front or rear end, so ask us to confirm it against your lift points.
The USA and Import versions are not identical, and the differences are set out in the FAQ below. The short version: the Import is heavier by 179 lb, starts marginally lower and tops out marginally lower.
Long-reach jacks
The Norco 82995 exists to get the saddle past an obstruction. Norco lists over four feet of reach between the cylinder and the center line of the lifting saddle, and the specification table puts saddle reach at 50 in. That is what lets it lift at a bumper, frame or front axle on trucks, buses, farm equipment and motor homes where a conventional jack cannot reach the lift point. It is rated 8-1/2 ton, starts at 10 in. and reaches 50 in. The trade-off is bulk: 80.5 in. long, 38 in. wide, 53.75 in. tall and 935 lb shipping, the largest unit here. A scissors action frame with four 5 in. diameter steel wheels provides stability during lifting and lowering, and two 10 in. solid wheels handle positioning. Its safety lock engages in five height positions, one fewer than the 82999 pair.
Axle lifts and integrated support stands
The Mahle CAL-4 is a wide-reach axle lift, not a point jack. Mahle lists 44 in. of forward reach center-line to center-line, a 7.9 in. start height to clear low hanging suspension, a 17 in. stroke and a 23.5 in. maximum lift height, with downstops at pin increments every 3 in. It supports a drive axle so you change all tires in a single jack movement, and Mahle states it eliminates the need to go under the vehicle to place jacks or support stands. Note that its 23.5 in. maximum is the lowest of any vehicle jack here: under half the 49.375 in. to 52.5 in. the Norco units, the CAL-10 and the extended CLS units reach, and still well short of the CLS-10 and CLS-15 without their extensions (37.5 in. and 37.3 in.). It raises an axle, not a vehicle to working height.
The Mahle CLS-10 and CLS-15 are ShopPRO units combining jack and stand in one tool. Mahle states they have an integrated lift and support stand with no need for additional support stands, are 100% air operated, and use an air rocker valve for smooth, precise control: the solution for spring work. Both have a 10 in. stroke, 5 in. diameter wheels, square extension tubes and a removable handle. The CLS-10 is rated 20,000 lb with a 12 in. cylinder bore, a 17.5 in. start height and a 37.5 in. maximum lift that becomes 52.5 in. with the extension; the CLS-15 is rated 30,000 lb with a 14 in. cylinder bore, a 17.6 in. start height and a 37.3 in. maximum that becomes 52.3 in. The CLS-10 is the lightest unit here at 138 lb shipping and the CLS-15 ships at 230 lb, with the Norco 82990C at 178 lb between them; the full-size Norco jacks run 638 lb to 935 lb.
Component jack (not a vehicle jack)
The Challenger Lifts CLHM-HR-300 clutch jack sits here because it is air powered, but it is a different tool: air/hydraulic, rated 300 lb, with a 360-degree rotating head and an 80-1/2 in. maximum lifting height. Challenger publishes no further application detail for this model, so call us before ordering it for a specific job.
Capacity and height, model by model
Mahle publishes both units on its own listings: the CAL-10 and CLS-10 are 10 ton and 20,000 lb, the CLS-15 is 15 ton and 30,000 lb. Norco publishes its ratings in tons only, and the table below keeps them that way. Ask us if you need a Norco rating confirmed in pounds with the manufacturer.
One conflict is worth stating plainly. The Mahle CAL-4 is titled as an 8 ton lift, but its own specification table lists capacity as 8,000 lb (3628 kg), which is 4 ton. The table agrees with the model designation, since CAL-10 pairs with 20,000 lb exactly as CAL-4 pairs with 8,000 lb. We treat 8,000 lb as the rated capacity and recommend confirming it against the operation manual before sizing a job around it. A separate line in that listing describes ShopPRO lifts as providing up to 20,000 lb; that is a family statement, not a rating for the CAL-4.
| Model | Brand | Rated capacity | Min. start height | Max. lift height | Stroke | Listed air pressure | Ship weight |
|---|
| 82990C | Norco | 10 ton | 17.75 in. | 49.375 in. | 11.5 in. | Not listed | 178 lb |
| 82995 | Norco | 8-1/2 ton | 10 in. | 50 in. | Not listed | 100 psi to lift 5 ton | 935 lb |
| 82999 (USA) | Norco | 10 ton | 12.5 in. | 50 in. | Not listed | Not listed | 638 lb |
| 82999Ai (Import) | Norco | 10 ton | 12.25 in. | 49.5 in. | Not listed | Not listed | 817 lb |
| CAL-10 | Mahle | 20,000 lb | 14 in. | 50 in. | 30 in. | 200 psi | 755 lb |
| CAL-4 | Mahle | 8,000 lb (see note above) | 7.9 in. | 23.5 in. | 17 in. | Not listed | 700 lb |
| CLS-10 | Mahle | 20,000 lb | 17.5 in. | 52.5 in. with extension / 37.5 in. without | 10 in. | 200 psi | 138 lb |
| CLS-15 | Mahle | 30,000 lb | 17.6 in. | 52.3 in. with extension / 37.3 in. without | 10 in. | 200 psi | 230 lb |
The Challenger CLHM-HR-300 is not in the table because it is a 300 lb component jack, not a vehicle jack.
What your shop needs to run one
The eight vehicle jacks are air operated - Mahle lists Power: Air, and the CLS units 100% air operated - with no electric motor and no voltage or phase to specify. The Challenger CLHM-HR-300 is air/hydraulic and also runs off shop air. What all of them need is air, floor and room.
- Air supply. Mahle lists a required air pressure of 200 psi (13.8 bar) for the CAL-10, CLS-10 and CLS-15 - higher than many shops run. Check that figure against your air supply, and confirm the setup with the operating manual or with us before you order. The Norco 82995 notes its large air cylinder requires only 100 p.s.i. to lift 5 ton, a partial-load figure rather than a rating at its full 8-1/2 ton capacity. The 82990C, 82999 and 82999Ai do not publish a required air pressure; consult the operations manual for those models.
- Floor space. Footprints are not comparable across these families. Six units publish both dimensions: the 82990C is 58 in. by 13.625 in.; the 82999 40.5 in. by 35.5 in. and the 82999Ai 39.75 in. by 34 in.; the CAL-10 43 in. by 37 in.; the CAL-4 70.25 in. by 39.5 in.; and the 82995 largest at 80.5 in. by 38 in. Mahle publishes no width for the CLS-10 or CLS-15. The CLS units are measured with and without the handle: the CLS-10 is 48 in. long with its 29 in. handle and 19 in. without, the CLS-15 58.5 in. with its 36.5 in. handle and 25.5 in. without.
- Height clearance. Overall heights run from 17.75 in. on the 82990C and 50.75 in. on the CAL-4 up to 53.75 in. (82995), 65.75 in. (82999), 66 in. (CAL-10) and 66.25 in. (82999Ai). Mahle publishes no overall height for the CLS-10 or CLS-15. Check clearance where the jack is stored and moved, not only where it works.
- Wheels and floor condition. The 82999 and 82999Ai use a front swivel caster and two 12-1/4 in. pneumatic rear tires. The 82995 uses two 10 in. solid wheels plus four 5 in. steel wheels on the scissors frame, and the 82990C two 8 in. rubber tread wheels. Mahle lists 5 in. wheels on the CLS-10 and CLS-15, and describes large pneumatic wheels on the CAL-10 without publishing a diameter. Small solid wheels and a cracked floor are a poor combination at 935 lb.
Load holding, warnings and documentation
How a jack holds a load once it is up matters more than lifting speed. The Norco 82999 and 82999Ai lock automatically in six height positions independent of air pressure, and the 82995 in five. The lock does not rely on the air system to stay engaged. The 82990C sets height with extension tubes and detent pins and does not list an automatic safety lock.
None of these 9 listings declares an ALI, ANSI, ASME, ETL or OSHA certification, and we will not claim one the manufacturer has not published. If certification is a requirement for your facility, insurer or customer, ask us before ordering and we will request written confirmation. One compliance item does appear: all four Norco models carry a California Prop 65 warning. The Norco product pages also carry a state sales tax note - check it on the product page before you order. Documentation ranges from an operation manual alone on the Mahle CAL-10 and CAL-4 to an operations manual, exploded drawing, product specifications and sales sheet on the Norco 82990C and 82995.
Warranty terms are published on each listing. Norco covers the 82990C, 82995, 82999 and 82999Ai against defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product or part, expressly limited to buyers purchasing for resale or for use in the ordinary course of business. Mahle covers its ShopPRO lifts and jacks for life against defective materials and workmanship, with one year on wearable parts. Challenger covers the CLHM-HR-300 under its Mobiles line: one year labor, one year functional parts, five years structural parts.
Six of the nine models are flagged to ship free: the Norco 82995, 82999 and 82999Ai, the Mahle CAL-10 and CAL-4, and the Challenger CLHM-HR-300. Confirm current terms on the product page, since the five of those that publish a shipping weight are freight items of 638 lb to 935 lb, and the Challenger CLHM-HR-300 publishes no shipping weight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Norco 82999 and the 82999Ai?
They share the same intended use, three-way heavy duty air valve, six-position safety lock, front swivel caster with two 12-1/4 in. pneumatic rear tires, and adjustable saddles. The specifications differ: the 82999 (USA) starts at 12.5 in., lifts to 50 in., has 14.75 in. of saddle reach, measures 40.5 in. by 35.5 in. by 65.75 in. and ships at 638 lb. The 82999Ai (Import) starts at 12.25 in., lifts to 49.5 in., has 13.5 in. of saddle reach, measures 39.75 in. by 34 in. by 66.25 in. and ships at 817 lb.
Which model fits under a low vehicle?
The Mahle CAL-4 has the lowest start height at 7.9 in., and Mahle specifically lists a low starting height to clear low hanging suspension. Then the Norco 82995 at 10 in., the 82999Ai at 12.25 in., the 82999 at 12.5 in., the Mahle CAL-10 at 14 in., the CLS-10 at 17.5 in., the CLS-15 at 17.6 in., and the Norco 82990C highest at 17.75 in. Measure clearance at your lift point before choosing.
Do I still need separate support stands?
Only the Mahle CLS-10 and CLS-15 are described as an integrated lift and support stand needing no additional support stands, and the CAL-4 as eliminating the need to go under the vehicle to place jacks or support stands. The Norco listings do not state whether additional support stands are required. The 82999 and 82999Ai list an automatic safety lock that engages in six height positions independent of air pressure, the 82995 in five, and the 82990C sets height with extension tubes and detent pins. Follow the support and safety procedure in that model's operations manual. Note that the CLS-15 product page currently links the CLS-10 manual and flyer, and its listing states that the image is for reference only and the real product may differ - ask us for the CLS-15 documentation before you order.
Is the Challenger CLHM-HR-300 a vehicle jack?
No. Challenger lists it as a clutch jack: air/hydraulic powered, 300 lb. capacity, 360-degree rotating head and 80-1/2 in. maximum lifting height. Challenger publishes no further application detail for this model, so call us before ordering it for a specific job. The vehicle-lifting units here are rated from 8,000 lb upward.
Which one should I buy?
Work backward from the job. Full front or rear end: the Norco 82999 or 82999Ai. Lift point behind a bumper or overhang: the Norco 82995 and its 50 in. saddle reach. Drive axle service and full tire changes: the Mahle CAL-4, provided its 23.5 in. maximum lift height is enough. Spring work with jack and stand in one tool: the CLS-10 at 20,000 lb or the CLS-15 at 30,000 lb. Tight bays: the Norco 82990C is the narrowest at 13.625 in. wide, though it is 58 in. long; if floor length is the constraint rather than width, the Mahle CLS-10 is 19 in. long with the handle removed and the CLS-15 25.5 in., though Mahle does not publish a width for either. Call us with your vehicle type, lift point and shop air pressure and we will confirm the fit before you order.
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