BRITISH STANDARD AUTOMOBILE SERIES

BS AU
154a:1989
(Superseding
BS AU 154:1 970)

Specification for

Hydraulic trolley jacks

UD C 62 9 . 1 1 9 : 62 1 . 866 – 82 . 0 0 1 . 4. 0 04. 1 5 : 62 0 . 1


BS AU 154a:1989

Committees responsible for this
British Standard
The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Mechanical
Handling Standards Committee (MHE/- ) to Technical Committee MHE/1 2,
upon which the following bodies were represented:
Associated Offices Technical Committee
Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers
British Ports Federation and the National Association of Ports Employers
British Railways Board
British Telecommunications plc
Construction Plant- Hire Association
Department of Health and Social Security
Department of Trade and Industry (Mechanical Engineering and
Manufacturing Technology Division) (MMT)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales

Federation of Wire Rope Manufacturers of Great Britain
Garage Equipment Association
Health and Safety Executive
International Powered Access Federation
London Regional Transport

This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Mechanical
Handling and Automobile
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
31 January 1 989
© BSI 02- 2000
First published May 1 970
First revision January 1 989

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference MHE/1 2
Draft for comment 87/761 36 DC

ISBN 0 580 17093 4

Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No.


Date of issue

Comments


BS AU 154a:1989

Contents
Page
Committees responsible
Foreword

Inside front cover
ii

1

Scope

1

2

Definitions and nomenclature

1

3

General


1

4

Performance

3

5

Corrosion prevention and packaging

3

6

Marking

3

7

Documentation

3

Appendix A Overload type test

4


Appendix B Stability type test

4

Appendix C Proof test

4

Appendix D Typical dimensions of types of hydraulic
trolley j ack (for information)

4

Figure 1 — Hydraulic trolley j ack

2

Figure 2 — Hydraulic trolley j ack positioned on inclined
plane for stability type test

4

Table 1 — Typical dimensions of general purpose and
long reach j acks

5

Table 2 — Typical dimensions of light duty j acks


5

Table 3 — Typical dimensions of kerb j acks

5

Table 4 — Typical dimensions of high lift j acks

5

Publications referred to

© BSI 02- 2000

Inside back cover

i


BS AU 1 5 4 a: 1 989

Fore word

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Mechanical
Handling and Automobile Standards Committee and it supersedes
BS AU 1 54: 1 970, which is withdrawn.
BS AU 1 54: 1 970, which was the first edition, sought to specify the requirements
necessary to ensure that hydraulic trolley j acks are efficient and safe in use,
without thereby inhibiting individual design. This was achieved by not specifying
definite values but instead by allowing a range of values or, in most cases, by

quoting a maximum or minimum value only.
The main features of the previous edition have been retained in this revision.
However, in addition certain design requirements have been specified and light
duty j acks, intended for domestic use, have been included. The test requirements
have also been changed.
Appendix A and Appendix B describe type tests for strength and stability,
Appendix C describes a proof test to be applied to each j ack and Appendix D gives
tables of some typical dimensions of j acks.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
C omp liance with a British S tand ard d oe s no t of itse lf confe r immunity
from le gal ob ligatio ns.

S ummary of p age s

This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii

© BSI 02- 2000


BS AU 1 5 4 a: 1 989

1 S cop e


This British Standard specifies requirements for

2.7
cre e p

five types of hydraulic trolley j ack that have been

the tendency of the raised height of the j ack to be

designed for tilting and, in some instances,

reduced over a period of time when the lifting head

manoeuvring vehicles.

is subj ect to a load

The types and ranges of safe working loads (SWL)
are as follows:

3 General

a) general purpose: up to and

3 . 1 O p e ration

including 20. 4 tonnes (see Table 1 ) ;

The j ack shall be designed to be used on a firm, level


b) long reach: up to and including 20. 4 tonnes

surface to lift one end, or one side, or one wheel of a

(see Table 1 );

vehicle, so that a stand or stands can be placed

c) light duty: up to and including 2. 0 tonnes
(see Table 2);
d) kerb: up to and including 6. 5 tonnes
(see Table 3);
e) high lift: up to and including 1 1 . 0 tonnes
(see Table 4).
NOTE

The titles of publications referred to in this standard are

listed on the inside back cover.

under that part of the vehicle.
NOTE

3 . 2 S tre ngth and stab ility
3.2.1

For the purposes of this British Standard, the
following definitions apply and the nomenclature
shown in Figure 1 has been adopted.


The j ack shall be designed with a minimum

factor of safety of

2.5

based on the ultimate tensile

strength of the component parts when supporting
the SWL.
3.2.2

2 D e finitions and nome nclature

An operator should not work under a vehicle that is

supported only by the j ack.

Each type of trolley j ack shall be tested in

accordance with Appendix A and shall show no
permanent deformation or failure of any part and
shall remain fully stable.
3.2.3

Each type of trolley j ack shall be tested in

accordance with Appendix B and shall not overturn
2.1
ge ne ral p urp ose j acks


j acks intended for commercial operation, including
manoeuvring vehicles
2.2
long re ach j acks

j acks similar to general purpose j acks with a
minimum length of 1 800 mm

during the test and shall show no permanent
deformation or failure of any part.
3.2.4

Each trolley j ack shall be tested in accordance

with Appendix C and shall show no visible creep, no
permanent deformation and no failure of any part.
3 . 3 C omp one nt p arts

Each j ack shall comprise a hydraulic pump unit,
reservoir and operating mechanism controlling a

2.3

lifting beam and lifting head housed in a chassis

light d uty j acks

having four or more wheels.


j acks intended for domestic (i. e. non- commercial)

3 . 4 Whe e ls

use. They are not intended for manoeuvring vehicles

The wheels at the handle end shall be of the castor

2.4

type, except in the case of light duty j acks where

ke rb j acks

either castors or rigid wheels are acceptable. These

j acks suitable for easy transportation by virtue of
their short length and detachable handle, intended
for commercial operation including roadside use.
They are not intended for manoeuvring vehicles

castor wheels where fitted shall swivel on
antifriction bearings. When a j ack is standing on a
flat surface under no load conditions, with three
wheels in contact with the surface, the fourth wheel
of the j ack shall be within 5 mm of the same surface.

2.5
high lift j acks


j acks similar to general purpose j acks with a
minimum raised height of the lifting head
of 91 0 mm

3 . 5 H ydraulic fluid re se rvo ir

The hydraulic fluid reservoir shall have sufficient
capacity to enable the j ack to raise the lifting head
to its raised height.

2.6
safe wo rking load

the maximum mass that the j ack may raise or lower
under particular service conditions

© BSI 02- 2000

1


BS AU 1 5 4 a: 1 989

3 . 6 Manufacture

3 . 8. 2 All b earings that require a regular s ervice

Where cas tings are us ed they s hall comp ly with
BS 3 1 00 if of s teel and BS 6681 if of cas t iron. In no
event s hall p eening or p lugging b e us ed on cas tings

or forgings.

shall b e p rovided with access ib le means of
lub rication.

3 . 9 S afe ty de vice s
3 . 9. 1 E ach j ack shall incorp orate a device to p revent

3 . 7 Finish

lifting an overload and a device to p revent travel

All cas t, forged, moulded or welded p arts s hall b e

p ast its des ign s troke.

free of s and, dirt, fins , s cale, flux and other harmful

3 . 9. 2 A releas e mechanis m s hall b e p rovided that

extraneous materials . All external s urfaces s hall b e

has a means of p reventing inadvertent retraction

free from b urrs, fins and s harp edges and s hall b e

when under load.

thoroughly clean at the time of disp atch.


NO TE

Prevention of inadvertent retraction under load may b e

achieved b y a m echanis m requiring an ab norm al effort for its

3 . 8 Provisions fo r mainte nance
3 . 8. 1 All s crews , p ins , b olts and s imilar p arts s hall

op eration, or a catch to lock the releas e mechanis m, or b y
requiring a s econdary action b efore the releas e mechanis m can b e
op erated.

have means for p reventing loss of tightnes s or for
maintaining adj us tment.

Figure 1 — H ydraulic trolle y j ack

2

© BS I 0 2 - 2 00 0


BS AU 1 5 4 a: 1 989

The release mechanism shall permit the operator to

After suitable cleaning, the j ack shall be treated at

control precisely the rate of descent of the j ack


least with a primer undercoat and finish coat or an

lifting head throughout the full range of movement.

alternative surface treatment that provides

The release mechanism shall be so placed that it can

equivalent corrosion protection, except for those

be operated without exposing any part of the
operator’s body to entrapment between the j ack and
the vehicle, and in any case entrapment of the
operator’s hands between the vehicle and the raised
handle shall be prevented.
3 . 1 0 C limatic conditions

hydraulic components that need to be protected
with suitable grease.
NOTE 1

Any additional corrosion prevention that is required by

the purchaser should be agreed between the manufacturer and
the purchaser.

5 C orrosion p re ve ntion and p ackaging

The j ack shall be designed to work in a temperature


Packaging shall be such as to prevent deterioration

range from – 20 °C to + 50 ° C.

during storage.

3 . 1 1 D ime nsio ns

NOTE 2

The maximum closed height and the minimum
raised height shall be measured to the highest part
of the lifting head.
NOTE

Typical dimensions for trolley j acks are given in

Appendix D.

Attention is drawn to the relevant Sections of BS 1 1 33.

6 Marking

Each j ack shall be legibly and indelibly marked with
the following:
a) the number and date of this British Standard,
i. e. BS AU 1 54a: 1 989

4 Pe rformance


1)

;

b) the name, trademark or other means of

4 . 1 O p e ratio n

identification of the manufacturer;

Each j ack shall be capable of smooth operation

c) the capacity (SWL) in tonnes;

under its full capacity load (SWL) throughout its
entire range of movement in both lifting and
lowering operations by one operator using the
controls provided.

d) an instruction that support stands always be
used and that operating instructions be referred
to;
e) the serial number of the j ack.

4 . 2 Lifting he ad

The lifting head shall remain horizontal throughout
the travel of the lifting beam and be free to rotate
through 360 ° about a vertical axis.


7 D ocume ntation

Full operating and maintenance instructions,
including safety precautions and a parts list, shall
be supplied with each j ack. Details of the
recommended hydraulic fluid shall be included.

1)

Marking BS AU 1 54a: 1 989 on or in relation to a product represents a manufacturer’s declaration of conformity, i. e. a claim by

or on behalf of the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of the claim is therefore
solely the responsibility of the person making the claim. Such a declaration is not to be confused with third party certification of
conformity, which may also be desirable.

© BSI 02- 2000

3


BS AU 1 54a:1 989

Appendix A Overload type test

c) lower the lifting beam to its position of
maximum hydraulic pressure;

Position the j ack on a level surface. Apply a load
equivalent to 1 . 25 × SWL to the lifting head and

operate the j ack throughout its entire range of
movement.

Appendix B Stability type test

d) adj ust the overload device so that it is
inoperative;
e) apply a load to the lifting head equivalent
to 1 . 25 × SWL;
f) allow to stand for 5 min to permit expansion;
g) make any necessary adj ustments to ensure

Position the j ack on a plane inclined at 6 ° to the
horizontal and with the longitudinal axis of the j ack
parallel to the ground and at 90 ° to the plane
(see Figure 2). Apply a load equivalent to the SWL
to the centre of the lifting head when at its
maximum height. Repeat the test with the j ack

that the load is maintained at 1 . 25 × SWL;
h) observe the j ack for any signs of creep
for 5 min;
i) unload the j ack and examine for permanent
deformation or failure of any part;

turned through 1 80 ° .

j ) reset the overload device so that it operates

Appendix C Proof test


beam is horizontal.

between the SWL and 1 . 1 × SWL when the lifting

Test each j ack as follows:
a) raise the lifting beam to its full designed
height, ensuring that sufficient hydraulic fluid is

Appendix D Typical dimensions of
types of hydraulic trolley j ack
(for information)

present in the reservoir at all times to prevent
ingress of air to the hydraulic pressurizing

Table 1 to Table 4 give typical dimensions of types of

system;

hydraulic trolley j ack.

b) measure and record the maximum raised
height;

Figure 2 — Hydraulic trolley j ack positioned on inclined plane for stability type test

4

© BSI 02- 2000



BS AU 1 54a:1 989

Table 1 — Typical dimensions of general purpose and long reach j acks (in millimetres)

Capacity range (SWL)

Closed

Raised

Overall

height
(max.)

height

width
(max.)

(min. )

Width at
front
wheels
(max.)

Frame

height
a
(max.)

Distance
between centres
of castor wheels
(min.)

tonnes
Up to and including 2. 25

115

61 0

395

330

1 65

305

Over 2. 25 up to and including 3. 25

1 50

61 0


430

330

1 65

305

Over 3. 25 up to and including 6. 5

1 65

61 0

460

355

205

305

Over 6. 5 up to and including 1 1

1 75

61 0

51 0


250

275

355

Over 1 1 up to and including 20. 4

1 85

61 0

560

295

295

380

a

This measurement excludes that part of the frame to which the handle is connected.

Table 2 — Typical dimensions of light duty j acks (in millimetres)

Capacity range (SWL)

Closed


Raised

Overall

height
(max.)

height
(min.)

width
(max.)

Width at

Frame

front

height
a
(max.)

wheels
(max.)

Distance
between centres
of rear wheels


Length
(min.)

(min.)

tonnes
Up to and including 2. 0
a

1 45

355

250

205

1 30

1 80

550

This measurement excludes that part of the frame to which the handle is connected.

Table 3 — Typical dimensions of kerb j acks (in millimetres)

Capacity range (SWL)

Closed


Raised

Overall

height
(max.)

height
(min.)

width
(max.)

Width at
front
wheels
(max.)

Frame
height
a
(max.)

Distance
between centres
of castor wheels
(min.)

tonnes

Up to and including 1 . 6

1 35

500

380

320

1 65

245

Over 1 . 6 up to and including 2. 8

1 45

505

380

320

1 90

245

Over 2. 8 up to and including 4. 5


1 65

505

380

320

205

270

Over 4. 5 up to and including 6. 5

1 65

530

420

320

205

305

a

This measurement excludes that part of the frame to which the handle is connected.


Table 4 — Typical dimensions of high lift j acks (in millimetres)

Capacity range (SWL)

Closed

Raised

Overall

height
(max.)

height
(min.)

width
(max.)

Distance
between front
wheels centres
(min.)

Frame
height
a
(max.)

Distance

between centres
of castor wheels
(min.)

tonnes
Up to and including 1 . 6

1 55

91 0

500

385

225

330

Over 1 . 6 up to and including 3. 6

1 80

91 0

500

385

230


330

Over 3. 6 up to and including 6. 5

1 82

91 0

535

405

270

380

Over 6. 5 up to and including 1 1

1 82

91 0

535

41 0

335

405


a

This measurement excludes that part of the frame to which the handle is connected.

© BSI 02- 2000

5


6

blank


BS AU 154a:1989

Publications referred to
BS 1 1 3 3 , Packaging code .
BS 3 1 00 , Sp ecification for steel castings for general engineering p urp oses .
BS 6681 , Sp ecificatio n for m alleab le cast iro n .

© BS I 0 2 - 2 00 0


BS AU
154a:1989

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