Which Axle Stand Do I Need?
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Quick answer: choose a Melco stand by its safe working load (per stand — always used in matched pairs) and the working height you need. Pick whichever of the three tables below matches how you think about the job — by load, by height, or straight to the model number.
All capacities are Safe Working Load (SWL) per stand. 1 tonne = 1,000 kg.
1. By load capacity, then height
Find your capacity band first (SWL per stand), then choose the working height. Match to your heaviest expected load with a sensible margin.
| Capacity (per stand) | Model | Working height | Height class | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 tonne (3,000 kg) — light commercial | ||||
| 3 t (3,000 kg) | AS/20 | 300–500 mm | Low entry | Vans & light commercial, round axles (V crutch) |
| 3 t (3,000 kg) | AS/20A | 300–500 mm | Low entry | Vans & light commercial, subframes & jacking points (flat crutch) |
| 4 tonne (4,000 kg) — heavier light commercial | ||||
| 4 t (4,000 kg) | AS/30 | 500–750 mm | Medium | Robust light-commercial stand, round axles (V crutch) |
| 4 t (4,000 kg) | AS/30A | 500–750 mm | Medium | Robust light-commercial stand, subframes & jacking points (flat crutch) |
| 6 tonne (6,000 kg) — commercial all-rounder | ||||
| 6 t (6,000 kg) | AS/40/S | 300–500 mm | Low entry | Low-entry 6 t — mobile / roadside fitting |
| 6 t (6,000 kg) | AS/40 | 540–1000 mm | Medium | Industry-standard commercial all-rounder |
| 6 t (6,000 kg) | AS/50 | 700–1250 mm | High lift | 6 t at greater height, wide base (wheels option) |
| 6 t (6,000 kg) | AS/60 | 1450–1750 mm | High lift | High-lift — standing under the vehicle (wheels option) |
| 7.5 tonne (7,500 kg) — heavy-duty | ||||
| 7.5 t (7,500 kg) | AS/50/HD | 700–1250 mm | High lift | Heavy-duty mid/high height (price on application) |
| 7.5 t (7,500 kg) | AS/60/HD | 1450–1750 mm | High lift | Heavy-duty high-lift |
| 8 tonne (8,000 kg) — heavy-duty commercial | ||||
| 8 t (8,000 kg) | AS/40/HD | 540–1000 mm | Medium | Heavy-duty commercial (HGV / bus / plant) |
| 12–16 tonne (12,000–16,000 kg) — high-capacity low-entry | ||||
| 12 t (12,000 kg) | AS/45 | 300–500 mm | Low entry | Low-entry high-capacity — HGV, plant, aerospace |
| 16 t (16,000 kg) | AS/45/HD | 300–500 mm | Low entry | Heaviest low-entry — off-road / earth-mover tyre work |
2. By working height, then load
Find the height class you need to work at, then choose the capacity. Working height is the range the stand adjusts between.
| Height class | Model | Working height | Capacity — single / pair | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low entry — 300–500 mm (low clearance) | ||||
| Low | AS/20 | 300–500 mm | 3 t / 6 t (3,000 / 6,000 kg) | V crutch, round axles |
| Low | AS/20A | 300–500 mm | 3 t / 6 t (3,000 / 6,000 kg) | Flat crutch, subframes |
| Low | AS/40/S | 300–500 mm | 6 t / 12 t (6,000 / 12,000 kg) | Low-entry 6 t |
| Low | AS/45 | 300–500 mm | 12 t / 24 t (12,000 / 24,000 kg) | High-capacity low-entry |
| Low | AS/45/HD | 300–500 mm | 16 t / 32 t (16,000 / 32,000 kg) | Heaviest low-entry |
| Medium — 500–1000 mm (standard working height) | ||||
| Medium | AS/30 | 500–750 mm | 4 t / 8 t (4,000 / 8,000 kg) | Robust light commercial, V crutch |
| Medium | AS/30A | 500–750 mm | 4 t / 8 t (4,000 / 8,000 kg) | Robust light commercial, flat crutch |
| Medium | AS/40 | 540–1000 mm | 6 t / 12 t (6,000 / 12,000 kg) | Industry-standard all-rounder |
| Medium | AS/40/HD | 540–1000 mm | 8 t / 16 t (8,000 / 16,000 kg) | Heavy-duty commercial |
| High lift — 700–1750 mm (working under the vehicle) | ||||
| High | AS/50 | 700–1250 mm | 6 t / 12 t (6,000 / 12,000 kg) | Wide base; wheels option |
| High | AS/50/HD | 700–1250 mm | 7.5 t / 15 t (7,500 / 15,000 kg) | Heavy-duty (POA) |
| High | AS/60 | 1450–1750 mm | 6 t / 12 t (6,000 / 12,000 kg) | Tallest; wheels option |
| High | AS/60/HD | 1450–1750 mm | 7.5 t / 15 t (7,500 / 15,000 kg) | Heavy-duty high-lift |
3. By Melco model number
Full specification for every current model, in model-number order — for customers who already know the Melco code.
| Model | SWL single | SWL pair | Min height | Max height | Crutch | Wheels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS/20 | 3 t (3,000 kg) | 6 t (6,000 kg) | 300 mm | 500 mm | 88 mm V | — | Light commercial, round axles |
| AS/20A | 3 t (3,000 kg) | 6 t (6,000 kg) | 300 mm | 500 mm | 88–95 mm flat | — | Light commercial, subframes / jacking points |
| AS/30 | 4 t (4,000 kg) | 8 t (8,000 kg) | 500 mm | 750 mm | 88 mm V | — | Robust light commercial, round axles |
| AS/30A | 4 t (4,000 kg) | 8 t (8,000 kg) | 500 mm | 750 mm | 88–95 mm flat | — | Robust light commercial, subframes / jacking points |
| AS/40 | 6 t (6,000 kg) | 12 t (12,000 kg) | 540 mm | 1000 mm | 144 mm | Feet opt. | Industry-standard commercial all-rounder |
| AS/40/S | 6 t (6,000 kg) | 12 t (12,000 kg) | 300 mm | 500 mm | 144 mm | — | Low-entry 6 t, mobile / roadside |
| AS/40/HD | 8 t (8,000 kg) | 16 t (16,000 kg) | 540 mm | 1000 mm | 144 mm | Feet opt. | Heavy-duty commercial |
| AS/45 | 12 t (12,000 kg) | 24 t (24,000 kg) | 300 mm | 500 mm | 144 mm | — | Low-entry high-capacity (HGV / aerospace) |
| AS/45/HD | 16 t (16,000 kg) | 32 t (32,000 kg) | 300 mm | 500 mm | 144 mm | — | Heaviest low-entry, off-road tyre work |
| AS/50 | 6 t (6,000 kg) | 12 t (12,000 kg) | 700 mm | 1250 mm | 144 mm | Yes | 6 t at greater height, wide base |
| AS/50/HD | 7.5 t (7,500 kg) | 15 t (15,000 kg) | 700 mm | 1250 mm | 144 mm | Yes | Heavy-duty mid/high height (POA) |
| AS/60 | 6 t (6,000 kg) | 12 t (12,000 kg) | 1450 mm | 1750 mm | 144 mm | Yes | High-lift, working under vehicle |
| AS/60/HD | 7.5 t (7,500 kg) | 15 t (15,000 kg) | 1450 mm | 1750 mm | 144 mm | Yes | Heavy-duty high-lift |
Frequently asked questions
What capacity axle stand do I need?
Choose by the safe working load per stand (1 tonne = 1,000 kg), matched to your vehicle’s weight and how it is distributed across the stands, with a sensible margin. The 3 t AS/20 covers vans and light commercial; the 6 t AS/40 is the commercial all-rounder; 12–16 t AS/45 / AS/45/HD suit HGV, plant and off-road tyre work.
Do I need a pair of axle stands?
Yes — always use matched pairs (two identical stands for one raised end, or four if lifting all four corners). Mismatched stands load unevenly.
How do I choose the working height?
Low-entry stands (300–500 mm) suit low vehicles and roadside work; medium stands (500–1000 mm) are the standard workshop height; high-lift stands (700–1750 mm) let you stand and work under the vehicle.
What is the difference between the V crutch and the flat crutch?
The V crutch (AS/20, AS/30) seats round axles; the flat / truncated-V crutch (AS/20A, AS/30A) also seats subframes and jacking points. Choose by what you are supporting under.
Do you still sell car axle stands?
Our dedicated car / DIY range (AS/5, AS/10) has been discontinued. The range now starts at the 3 t AS/20 for professional and light-commercial use. Genuine replacement pins, chains and crutches for older stands remain available.
