Transmission Jacks

Floor jacks vs. telescoping under-hoist jacks

Floor-type (low profile) jacks, the group most people mean by transmission floor jack, roll under a vehicle on the ground, on stands, or on a low-rise lift. They start low and lift a short distance. The Norco 72050E runs 7.375 in. to 32.125 in.; the Mahle CTJ-2200 runs 8 in. to 34 in. with 26 in. of ram travel; the ESCO 10812 runs 10 in. to 35 in. The heavy-truck versions are the same idea built wider: the Norco 72025 opens at 4.75 in. on a 43.25 in. by 32.75 in. chassis with an 18.25 in. by 15.25 in. saddle.

Telescoping under-hoist jacks are the tall two-stage units that roll under a vehicle already in the air on a two-post or four-post lift. Their minimum height is high on purpose, because the load is picked up near the underbody. The Norco 72500E works from 35 in. to 72 in., the 72450B FASTJACK from 36 in. to 75 in., the Ranger RTJ-1 from 37 in. to 73 in. The Ranger RTJ-1100 and the Tuxedo 2158-TJ are under-hoist units too, and both start at 45 in., among the highest minimums on this page — only the Norco 72700A starts higher, at 45.75 in. — so neither one reaches a vehicle sitting on stands or on a low-rise. On a transmission jack for a lift, the low height is the number that matters.

Two specialty units sit alongside them. The Norco 72674 Power Train Lift Table has 1,250 lb. capacity and travels 25.5 in. to 65 in. on a 20.25 in. by 32.25 in. platform, listed for engines, transaxles, rear ends, fuel tanks and leaf springs as well as transmissions. The Norco 72060 works over the same 7.375 in. to 32.125 in. range as the 72050E on a 36 in. by 26.5 in. chassis, but carries a 17 in. by 17.5 in. universal bean bag saddle that its listing says eliminates the need for individual DPF adapters.

Capacity: size to the component, not to the truck

• 1,000 to 1,200 lb. Cars, vans and light trucks. Norco 72050E, 72500E, 72550B and 72450B at 1/2 ton; Mahle ATJ-1000H at 1,000 lb.; Ranger RTJ-1100 and Tuxedo 2158-TJ at 1,100 lb., both under-hoist units that start at 45 in.; AME VLT6 at 0.6 tons.
• 1,500 to 2,000 lb. Larger vans and one-ton trucks. Norco 72475A at 3/4 ton; Norco 72700A and 72701A at 1 ton; Ranger RTJ-1 at 2,000 lb. on its first stage and 1,000 lb. on its second.
• 2,200 to 3,000 lb. Commercial and heavy truck, where most semi transmission work lands. Mahle CTJ-2200, CTJ-2200A, CTJ-2200TC and CTJ-2200ATC at 2,206 lb.; CTJ-2700H at 2,700 lb.; Norco 72000E, 72000EI and 72025 at 1-1/2 ton; Ranger RTJ-3000 at 3,000 lb. first stage.
• Above 3,000 lb. ESCO 10812 at 2.2 tons (4,400 lb.), the highest rating here, listed for heavy duty truck, bus, agricultural and construction equipment.
• Quoted by phone. The nine Zinko models run from 0.5 ton (ZM-500, ZML-500, ZAML-502) through 0.8 ton (ZM-800, ZML-800), 1 ton (ZM-1000), 1.2 ton (ZM-1200) and 1.5 ton (ZM-1500) up to 1.8 ton (ZM-1800). Their listings do not offer online ordering, and the ZM-1200 listing publishes no heights or footprint at all, so ask us for the model sheet and current availability.
• No published rating. The Challenger CLHM-HTCJ-2000 listing does not publish a capacity, so it is not placed in a bracket here; request the spec sheet before sizing it to a job.

Two-stage jacks publish two ratings and it matters which you read. The Ranger RTJ-1 lifts 2,000 lb. on the first stage and 1,000 lb. on the second; the RTJ-3000 lifts 3,000 lb. then 2,000 lb. If the load must reach full height, the second-stage figure is your real capacity. The AME VLT6 publishes air capacities per stage of 440 lb., 265 lb. and 130 lb. alongside its 0.6-ton rating, so confirm which applies.

Three listings contradict themselves. The Zinko ZM-1000 spec table shows a capacity that does not agree with its name or model designation; treat the 1-ton name as the reliable figure and request the model sheet. The ZM-1500 is named a floor type but its paragraph calls it telescopic; its 6.5 in. to 35 in. range is floor-type geometry, so work from the spec table. The Norco 72701A listing describes itself as the 72700A with an air/hydraulic foot pump, but its spec table publishes a lower range, 41.25 in. to 69.375 in. on a 37.5 in. by 38 in. base against 45.75 in. to 74.25 in. on a 38 in. by 38 in. base; work from the spec table.

Height, footprint and what fits your bay

Telescoping and under-hoist minimums vary more than buyers expect, and that spec decides whether the saddle reaches the pan without cribbing. In order: 28.35 in. on the AME VLT6, on a three-stage cylinder; 30 in. on the Mahle CTJ-2700H and the Challenger CLHM-HTCJ-2000, low enough, their listings say, to maneuver under low obstructions; 34.5 in. on the Mahle ATJ-1000H; 35 in. on the Norco 72500E and 72550B; 35.5 in. on the Ranger RTJ-3000; 36 in. on the Norco 72450B; 36.5 in. on the Norco 72475A; 37 in. on the Ranger RTJ-1; 41.25 in. on the Norco 72701A; 45 in. on the Ranger RTJ-1100 and the Tuxedo 2158-TJ; and 45.75 in. on the Norco 72700A. The three Zinko telescoping models, quoted by phone, start at 33.25 in. (ZAML-502), 36.5 in. (ZML-800) and 39.88 in. (ZML-500). Maxima reach 72 in. on the Norco 72500E and the Mahle ATJ-1000H and CTJ-2700H, 74.25 in. on the 72700A, 75.25 in. on the 72475A and 75.39 in. on the AME VLT6.

Footprints run from the 24 in. by 24 in. base of the Ranger RTJ-1100 and the 26.5 in. by 36 in. chassis of the Norco 72050E up to the 39 in. by 39 in. base of the Ranger RTJ-1, the 41 in. by 41 in. base of the Mahle ATJ-1000H, the 42 in. by 49.3 in. envelope of the Mahle CTJ-2700H and the 42.75 in. by 57 in. footprint of the Norco 72674 lift table, the largest here. Measure the aisle, not just the bay. Floor finish matters too: the Norco 72450B, 72500E and 72550B use polyurethane casters that the listings say protect tile and epoxy floors, while the 72475A and 72674 use non-marking phenolic resin wheels. Locking casters are called out on the Norco 72450B (one), the 72475A (two), the 72674 (rear), the Mahle CTJ-2700H, the AME VLT6 (two) and the Challenger, which also lists a retractable tow handle.

Power: hand pump, foot pump, air/hydraulic and two-stage air

How the jack is powered changes how many hands stay free on the load. The Norco floor jacks, the ESCO 10812 and the Zinko ZM-500 and ZM-1000 use a 360-degree rotating pump handle that works from any position. The Zinko ZM-1500 uses a foot pedal pump; the ZM-800 and ZM-1800 listings describe only an easy-to-move handle and the ZM-1200 listing publishes no power or handle detail at all, so request the model sheet. The Norco 72500E, 72550B and 72700A use a foot-operated pump with lowering pedals, so both hands stay on the transmission. The Ranger RTJ-1100 and the Tuxedo 2158-TJ use a foot-operated pump with a hand release valve; the Ranger RTJ-1 and RTJ-3000 list a foot-operated pump without publishing the release type. The 72550B is the double-pump version of the 72500E: it rises twice as fast with no load or a load up to 400 lb., and at the same rate between 400 and 1,000 lb.

Air/hydraulic foot pumps with metered lowering valves appear on the Norco 72450B, 72475A and 72701A, and the Zinko ZAML-502 and ZML-800 run manually or on air. The two-stage air units are the fastest: the Mahle ATJ-1000H runs stage one on air for speed and stage two on hydraulics for precision, and the CTJ-2700H does the same with a 16 in. air stroke and a 26 in. air/hydraulic stroke. The Challenger CLHM-HTCJ-2000 pairs an air motor with hydraulics. Check line pressure against the listing: 90 to 160 psi for the ATJ-1000H, 90 to 200 psi for the CTJ-2200 family, 110 psi for the CTJ-2700H, 116.72 to 174 psi for the AME VLT6. The Norco and Zinko air models do not publish one, so consult the model spec sheet.

Saddles and adapters

Most units include a fully adjustable universal saddle with corner brackets and a safety chain. Saddle sizes range from 7.125 in. by 8.125 in. on the Norco 72050E to 18.25 in. by 15.25 in. on the 72025; Mahle uses an 11.5 in. by 17 in. head plate on the CTJ-2200 family, and the ESCO 10812 head adjusts from 12 to 18 in. wide and 16 to 20 in. long. Tilt range decides how well you chase an angled pan: ESCO publishes 15 degrees forward, 30 degrees rear and 12 degrees each side, the ATJ-1000H publishes 40, 20 and 10 degrees, and the CTJ-2700H publishes 10 degrees with 360-degree head rotation.

All 21 adapters here are Norco parts. Seventeen name the exact jacks they fit; a listed fitment means the adapter bolts on, not that it ships with the jack. Four do not publish a model list: the 72002 security straps and the 72508 fuel tank saddle are described for any Norco transmission jack, and the 72514 (Mercedes 722) only for a Norco under-hoist jack, and the 72513 (Ford CD4E) publishes no jack compatibility at all, so call with your jack model before ordering those. The 72033 flywheel adapter is listed for the Norco 72030B and 72035, which are not sold on this page.

• Transmission-specific saddles: 72004 (Ford 6R140), 72507B (Ford E4OD and 4R100 4x4), 72512 (Ford/Lincoln 6F50 and GM 4T60E), 72513 (Ford CD4E), 72514 (Mercedes 722), 72527 (Ford 4F27E), 72528 (Ford 6R80), 72532 (Ford DPS6), 72534 (Ford/Lincoln 6F35 and GM 6T40), 72535 (Ford GT) and 72537 (Chrysler 948). The 72527, 72528, 72532, 72534, 72535 and 72537 share one fitment group with the 72525, 72529 and 72533 component saddles: 72050E, 72674, 72500E, 72550B, 72450B and 72475A. The 72004 is the broadest, listing that group plus the heavy-duty 72000E, 72000EI, 72700A and 72701A. The 72507B and 72512 list 72050E, 72675, 72500E, 72550B, 72450B and 72475A, and 72675 is not a model sold here, so confirm the fitment before ordering either one for a 72674.
• Heavy-duty saddles: the 72001 differential adapter (72000E, 72000EI, 72700A and 72701A only); the 72003 Fuller Eaton Roadranger saddle, whose own listing states it is for the 72000E and 72000EI only, although the 72700A and 72701A listings both name a Fuller Eaton Roadranger Adapter as an optional accessory, so confirm with us before ordering it for a 72700A or 72701A; and the 72531, which lets any Norco automotive saddle adapter mount on the heavy-duty 72700A or 72701A, so one truck jack covers both heavy-duty and automotive work.
• Component saddles: the 72525 quick-adjust saddle swaps the corner brackets for ratcheting arms, 6.625 in. retracted to 18 in. extended. The 72533 bean bag saddle takes transmissions up to 750 lb. plus DPFs and driveshafts. The 72529 Ford diesel exhaust adapter is listed for F-250 through F-550 Super Duty with the 6.7L diesel. The 72508 fuel tank saddle handles emptied tanks up to 40 gallon capacity. The 72034 clutch adapter carries its own 300 lb. rating for 14 in. and 15-1/2 in. truck clutches and flywheels and is listed for the 72500E, 72550B and 72450B.

Safety systems, freight and tax notes

Eleven of the twelve Norco jacks here state that their safety overload system prevents use beyond the ASME/PASE load-limiting standard. The 72674 Power Train Lift Table states that its overload system, built into the air/hydraulic pump, prevents use beyond the load-limiting standard. The ESCO 10812 states it is made to conform to ANSI standards. The Ranger RTJ-1100 and the AME VLT6 list a built-in safety overload valve; the Ranger RTJ-1 and RTJ-3000 list an overload system that prevents the jack from being used beyond its rated capacity. The Zinko ZM-500, ZM-1000, ZAML-502 and ZML-800 list a safety bypass and overload system, and the ZML-500 lists a safety bypass system that prevents damage to the cylinder; the ZM-1500, ZM-800, ZM-1200 and ZM-1800 listings do not publish one, so request the model sheet. Norco, Ranger and ESCO listings carry California Proposition 65 warnings.

Norco listings state that tax applies in California, Texas, Indiana, Florida and Missouri. Ranger and Tuxedo listings state that they charge sales tax in California. The other listings on this page do not publish a tax note. The Tuxedo 2158-TJ lists freight at $75 per unit to the contiguous 48 states, on orders of up to two units; Alaska, Hawaii and remote or limited-access locations are excluded and may cost more, and orders of more than two units are quoted separately. Free shipping is flagged on 17 of the 56 listings: all three Ranger models, five Mahle CTJ units, eight Norco models and the Challenger CLHM-HTCJ-2000.

Model comparison

Frequently asked questions

What capacity do I need?

Weigh the heaviest component you will lift, not the vehicle. Car and light truck automatics are handled by the 1/2-ton class: Norco 72050E, 72500E, 72550B and 72450B, or the Mahle ATJ-1000H at 1,000 lb. Class 6 through 8 gearboxes and transfer cases push you into the 1-1/2 to 2.2-ton group: Norco 72000E, 72000EI and 72025, Mahle CTJ-2200, or ESCO 10812 at 4,400 lb.

Floor jack or telescoping under-hoist jack?

If the vehicle goes up on a two-post or four-post lift, you need a telescoping or under-hoist unit whose minimum height reaches the underbody: 30 in. on the Mahle CTJ-2700H and Challenger CLHM-HTCJ-2000, 35 in. on the Norco 72500E, 41.25 in. on the Norco 72701A, 45 in. on the Ranger RTJ-1100 and the Tuxedo 2158-TJ, 45.75 in. on the Norco 72700A. If you work on the floor, on stands, or on a low-rise, you need a low-profile jack such as the Norco 72025 at 4.75 in., the Norco 72050E at 7.375 in. or the ESCO 10812 at 10 in.

Do I need shop air?

No. The manual and foot-pump models, including the Norco 72000E, 72050E, 72500E and 72550B and the Ranger and Tuxedo units, need no air at all. Air is required only on the air/hydraulic and two-stage air models.

Will it fit the transmission I am pulling?

The universal saddle with adjustable corner brackets covers most jobs, and Norco publishes application-specific saddles for common Ford, GM, Mercedes and Chrysler units. Most adapter listings name the jacks they fit, so check that list against your model number; four do not, so call with your model number. Where a listing does not name models, call us before ordering.

What is the difference between the Norco 72000E and 72000EI?

The published specifications are identical: 1-1/2 ton capacity, 7.75 in. to 36.5 in. lift range, a 45 in. by 28 in. chassis, a 10.25 in. by 15.25 in. saddle and a 310 lb. shipping weight. The 72000E is the U.S.A. version and the 72000EI the imported version. Both accept the 72001 differential adapter and the 72003 Fuller Eaton Roadranger saddle.

How do these ship?

Most move by freight and several are heavy: 305 lb. per Mahle CTJ-2200 variant, 410 lb. for the Norco 72674, 670 lb. for the CTJ-2700H. Ranger listings state that unloading at the delivery address is the buyer's responsibility, so plan on a forklift or a liftgate. If you are not sure which model suits your bay, call and we will walk the specs with you.