Which Axle Stand Crutch Do I Need?

The crutch is the head that sits on top of the stand and carries the vehicle. It is a load-bearing part — if yours is bent, cracked or worn, replace it. Melco stands take one of three crutch heads; the one you need depends on your stand model and on what you are supporting.

Melco axle stand crutches compared: V crutch, A crutch and flat top crutch
Left to right: V crutch · A crutch · flat top crutch. Shown to relative size.

The three crutch types

V crutchMelco V crutch

V crutch

Two plates meeting in a deep V trough that self-centres a round axle across a range of diameters. For older vehicles and trailers, and anywhere you support the vehicle directly under the axle.

Fits: AS/20, AS/30 (also older AS/5, AS/10)

View V crutch →
A crutchMelco A crutch

A crutch

Shaped like the underside of a capital A — the walls rise then splay outward, so it takes either a flat subframe or a round axle. The versatile everyday head for cars and light commercials.

Fits: AS/20, AS/30

View A crutch →
Flat top crutchMelco flat top crutch

Flat top crutch

The wide one: straight vertical walls and a broad flat seat, made to sit under the flat subframe of a heavy commercial vehicle. Fitted to the bigger stands from the AS/40 up — the most popular by volume.

Fits: AS/40 and up

View flat top crutch →
Quick way to tell them apart: the V is a single pointed V; the flat top is the widest, with a broad flat seat and short lips at each end; the A is narrower, with walls that splay outward like the base of a capital A.

Find your stand → the crutch that fits

Axle stand Crutch type Notes
AS/5 V crutch Round axles, older pattern · contact us
AS/10 V crutch Round axles, older pattern · contact us
AS/20 V crutch or A crutch V for round axles; A for subframes & jacking points
AS/30 V crutch or A crutch V is the standard head; A is the alternative for flat subframes
AS/40 Flat top Commercial subframes
AS/40/HD Flat top Heavy-duty AS/40
AS/40/S Flat top Low-entry AS/40
AS/45 Flat top Low-entry, high capacity
AS/45/HD Flat top Heavy-duty AS/45
AS/50 Flat top Taller commercial stand
AS/50/HD Flat top Heavy-duty AS/50
AS/60/HD Flat top Heavy-duty high-lift stand

By crutch type → the stands it covers

Crutch type What it is for Fits these stands
V crutch Round axles — self-centring V trough AS/5, AS/10, AS/20, AS/30
A crutch Flat subframe or round axle — versatile everyday head AS/20, AS/30
Flat top Flat subframe of a heavy commercial vehicle AS/40, AS/40/HD, AS/40/S, AS/45, AS/45/HD, AS/50, AS/50/HD, AS/60/HD
Not sure, or crutch worn? The crutch is a load-bearing, safety-critical part. If yours is bent, cracked, badly worn at the seat, or you are unsure which you have, do not guess — send us a photo of the head and the stand model code and we will confirm the right replacement.