Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Cost	Weight	Min Ht.	Max Ht.	Our Rating
AC Hydraulics	DK20	4400 pounds	$353	67.5 lbs	3.15"	19-1/4"
AC Hydraulics	DK13HLQ	2900 pounds	$497	[84.7 lbs]	[3.15"]	[29.2"]

Dean brought his AC DK20 jack by for the test in 2003 (he paid less than $200 for it back then on a Group Buy - prices have gone up dramatically!), and it threw down some good test numbers. AC Hydraulics - a Danish brand unknown to many - makes high end quality hydraulic equipment. Danish - isn't that vierd! This brand's line of jacks all have ultra-low chassis designs (3.1" minimum height) and some other very unique features. This DK20 model is priced considerably above other name brand jacks we tested at $353 (used to be $219), and has a 4400 pound rating. The Danish safety laws to which this unit is spec'd requires a 2 times over-load rating, so its can probably withstand more load than most of the 3 ton rated units. It looks stout and works great.

This unit is only available stateside from two companies that I have found, including UltimateGarage.com and AutomotiveServiceEquipment.com. As with most every pimp garage item they carry, the price from Ultimate Garage is usually higher, but they do seem to know their way around AC Hydraulics jacks (they keep lots of spare parts on hand). Always shop around both, plus google around for other sources. Don't forget to order the optional $25-30 rubber jack pad, too. They used to offer a polyurethane wheel upgrade but its hit or miss.

DK20

3.1" min ht.

19-1/4" max ht.

Unique Hydraulics

The wider than normal formed channel steel chassis [a fat 16" wide] is different than any of the other steel models we tested, which usually use flat plate steel in a bolted or welded arrangement. The formed channel sheet is thinner, and lighter overall, but thanks to the semi-boxed shape it is still very rigid. The chassis design is purposely made flat and 3.1" low for the first front 4 inches past the saddle, which makes for a significantly low minimum saddle height as well as a good bit of the frame at this low height. The minimum saddle height is a super low 2.95", but the hard plastic non-marring wheels are slightly taller, which makes the minimum useful height a still short 3.15".

The hydraulics and handle are different than any other design we tested, and both work very well. The "ergonomic" round handle looks odd but works better than you might imagine - rotating the handle to release a load is extremely easy. To lower a load, the handle is pulled out about 1/2", then rotated slightly, and the load is slowly lowered. Since its a two-step release, you can't bump the handle and accidentally lower a car. Nice feature and easy to control.

AC DK20

Low & Wide

Steel Saddle

Optional Rubber Saddle

The wider than normal frame width makes for more stability under lateral loading and the wide plastic wheels roll easily and without damaging delicate floor coatings or tile. The standard saddle is a nearly flat steel design with four slightly raised hooks - pretty much a compromise of the two common styles [flat and hooked]. A flat, ribbed, rubber saddle is optional from AC for only $20 - I would buy this, as it is cheap and useful for certain situations. If you have an expensive car that you do not want scratched or dented underneath when you lift it with your floor jack, a rubber saddle pad is a must. There are numerous other options, including a "quick lift" foot pump [the "Q" option], but I wouldn't recommend this option on the DK20. It makes more sense to have a foot pump on the long-reach DK13HLQ model, on which it comes standard. Speaking of the DK13...

AC DK13

DK13 next to DK20

Ergonomic Handle

HOLY SHIT! You gotta see this

Length Matters. Oh yes, you know its true. Do you want the biggest engine? The most horsepower? The largest brakes? The fastest and best? You call it what you want, but when you get the DK13 jack, ALL your peeps will have Jack Envy. The features of the DK13 are very similar to the DK20 above. The chassis is the same, just stretched eleven inches. So you get eleven more inches for only about $150 more? What a deal! The load rating on the DK13 is 2900 pounds, down from 4400 on the DK20, from having the frame stretched so far while utilizing the same hydraulics, but you do get an extremely tall maximum lift height of nearly 30 inches. This load capacity is still enough to lift almost any real sports car's front or back end. The 18.9" overall chassis width is also 2.9" wider than the DK20. If you have a low sports car and want the wildest jack on earth, the DK13HLQ is it. WE CROWN THE AC HYDRAULICS DK13 "THE COOLEST JACK ON THE PLANET".

Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Cost	Weight	Min Ht.	Max Ht.	Our Rating
Matco	MFJ35	7000 pounds	$193	103 lbs	4-3/8"	19-3/4"

We initially tested the Matco 3-1/2 Ton "The Beast" model MFJ35 jack at a friend's (Ed) house in 2003 and really liked the results, quality and "beefiness" of the Matco. Matco is a professional hand tool manufacturer [with prices/quality in line with Snap-On and MAC] and this series of floor jacks they sell are of similar quality. A little over 4" min saddle, almost 20" max lift height. 7000 pound capacity, 103 pounds of mass, 14-3/4" wide. SUPER smooth hydraulic action, 2-piece 4-foot padded jack handle, big rubber padded oversize saddle. Great feature set. I had never seen or heard of until early 2003 when we used it at Ed's. On the MATCO website this jack was a $193 list price, which is right in line with the other high end jacks here, but without the hassle weeding through of dozens of overpriced vendors. You can buy it from MATCO website or a MATCO tools dealer, and that's it. Updated: Fair and McCall both ordered Matco 3.5 ton jacks in 2003 and have had great first hand experiences with them both. Hydraulics are considerably slower than the newer "rapid pump" units, which means the Matco is only used when the Craftsman 50240 is already in use. Still, its a great, tough jack.

Matco 3.5 Ton

Matco 2 Ton

Lowest height

Matco next to HF

As you can see on this link, there is also a 2 ton lower load rated version of this same jack. The 2 ton "quick lift" jack listed on that page [MFJ2QL, list $152.95] is also tempting. Looks like the same chassis just with a different cylinder, faster hydraulic action, lower total weight capacity, and narrower front wheels. For $40 less, and for faster jacking and less overall weight, its a great option for budget shoppers. $153 for a top quality 2 ton jack with all the bells and whistles. We recommend this series of Matco jacks whole-heartedly because we've used them and seen the quality. Also on that page you will see a Matco aluminum racing jack they sell for $699 - nearly identical to the U.S.General we tested, but with only a 1 ton rating.

Napa - Matco Clone

Sunex - Matco clone - BUY THIS

After this article was posted, a reader [Mike N.] found two lower cost alternatives to the Matco Beast 3.5 ton jack, and both appear to be high quality clones. The first is the Sunex #66035 3 1/2 Ton Floor Jack that appears to be identical to the Matco Beast - even the picture is the same, with just the Matco logo photoshopped out. The second is the NAPA 791-6420 3 1/2 Ton Floor Jack, that NAPA says is made by Lincoln [which means it is made in Taiwan], that looks like a blue painted Matco. Our reader found prices as well - The Matco Beast was going to cost him $198.95 with shipping; he found the Sunex #66035 for as low as $135.99. At the time he found the NAPA on sale as a "Real Deal" with the jack plus two 4-Ton jack stands for $199.99. Thanks to our sharp eyed reader, and if you like this jack, look for the Sunex clone! Helluva jack for $136.

Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Cost	Weight	Min Ht.	Max Ht.	Our Rating
AFF	200T	4000 pounds	$165	[99 lbs]	[2-3/4"]	[20"]

This next jack is similar to the Matco, even made by the same manufacturer, American Forge & Foundry Inc.. AFF was formed in 1963, they have grown into a specialist in providing top quality auto shop equipment at competitive prices. After looking at the various models, it became obvious they make the Matco series of jacks. A new "low-rider" model I noticed in 2006 is the 200T. This is a 2 ton rated full sized floor jack with a low profile frame. Prices range from $165-209 at time of writing. I am very tempted with this model, as it offers the quality and robustness of the Matco Beast that I have come to trust plus the low profile of the AC Hydraulics DK20/DK13 (yet without the insane prices!).

The Model 200T floor jack "lifts quickly with double-pumper technology" from a low 2-3/4" to 20". That's the lowest minimum height I have ever seen, yet still gives a full 20 inches of max lift. Some other features include "Universal joint technology and precision valve for a more controlled release", overload protection safety valve, pinned saddle with rubber padded saddle protector, Steel Yoke, Tough powder-coated frame, One-piece, foam-covered 50" handle. OK, I need one of these now, too!

AFF Model 200T

Double-Pumper Hydraulics

If any reader has this jack please contact us. We are looking for pictures, direct measruement verifications (weight, max & min heights), and first hand experiences. That thumbnail picture above (click to enlarge) is the only one I could find on the internet.ToolTopia.com has this one, as does Automotive Service Equipment and AutoBarn.net. Watch out for shipping costs - I saw one quote at $75! One of the lowest prices I found had free shipping though, so Google "AFF jack 200T" and look for the best shipped price.

The AFF website shows replacement and upgrade parts for this 200T, the 350T (Matco series jacks), and also seems they make the the Craftsman aluminum racing jack. Their complete 2006 product catalog is here in PDF format.