Using Cement Blocks as Blocking?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I kinda like these.

Jim

This is cheating.   

However, I would never crawl under a bus that is supported only by Hydraulic jacks.  I once was operating a backhoe and my co-worker was in the ditch close to the bucket, and a hydraulic hose blew and the boom and bucket came crashing down.  Thankfully he was out of the way enough that he did not get hurt, but he did get covered with hot hydraulic oil.  But for that reason, I never would walk under a bucket of a loader or backhoe after that, as hoses can blow and fittings can fail at any time for a number of reasons.  I would also never get in the back of a dump truck under the bed to work on brakes or anything else without first blocking up the bed.  But I saw people do that all the time when I was working in construction i na previous life. 

[Jim Blackwood]

Agree, and... agree. The semi trailer landing gear make very nice jacks once they are set up. But getting there takes some fairly serious commitment. Still, being screw jacks once they are set they don't move so no readjusting in the middle of the night. Neither hydraulic or air are as secure.

Jim

[luvrbus]

This is cheating.   

However, I would never crawl under a bus that is supported only by Hydraulic jacks.  I once was operating a backhoe and my co-worker was in the ditch close to the bucket, and a hydraulic hose blew and the boom and bucket came crashing down.  Thankfully he was out of the way enough that he did not get hurt, but he did get covered with hot hydraulic oil.  But for that reason, I never would walk under a bucket of a loader or backhoe after that, as hoses can blow and fittings can fail at any time for a number of reasons.  I would also never get in the back of a dump truck under the bed to work on brakes or anything else without first blocking up the bed.  But I saw people do that all the time when I was working in construction i na previous life.

Gary that not the case with all Hyd leveling jacks some only have wires the pump is on each jack no hoses and they need pressure to retract 

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Okay.  I didn't know that Cliff.  But that makes sense. Would it be the same way on Stabilizers on a backhoe?

[luvrbus]

Okay.  I didn't know that Cliff.  But that makes sense. Would it be the same way on Stabilizers on a backhoe?

The new equipment since 99 with all the electronics are a marvel for safety,I had new 792 John Deere excavator that would shut the engine off if it blew a hose it would sense to much flow for a component,if on full throttle if useage wasn't deteceted it would go to idle and in 3 minutes  would shut down,I liked that operators didn't they didn't have AC setting on their @$#

[chessie4905]

I buy tilting dumpsters of blocks over at Amish sawmill for 25 bucks, about a pickup load. Lots of heavy blocking pieces. 10x10, 5x8, 4x4, etc. I just get oak if they have it. Sometimes poplar.

[luvrbus]

Most place don't have it but the Mesquite here in the desert is some hard stuff,I tried to plane some and it ate the blades up

[Lin]

Old railroad jacks like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324388740054?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&customid=b72cbd6f103f1a51117ed98e5cc0ff67

could be usable as a jack stand in the retracted position (not jacked up).  I once got a couple of them at a flea market for $20.  They have been supporting a semi trailer I have for many years.  But personally, I think Styrofoam is the best since it so light and easy to move around.   

[luvrbus]

Old railroad jacks like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324388740054?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&customid=b72cbd6f103f1a51117ed98e5cc0ff67

could be usable as a jack stand in the retracted position (not jacked up).  I once got a couple of them at a flea market for $20.  They have been supporting a semi trailer I have for many years.  But personally, I think Styrofoam is the best since it so light and easy to move around.

Those track jacks will send a 4 ft steel bar sailing if not careful and they will take off a finger

[chessie4905]

I had one. Wouldnt use it to jack a bus. Foot too small and have to be careful when lowering. 20 or 30 ton hydraulic jacks are cheap enough now. but spring for air assisted ones. If you Don't have an air supply, use your bus's.