Pit Jacks for inspection pits
Pit jacks are specialist lifting devices used in vehicle inspection pits to raise axles or wheel assemblies during servicing and inspection work. They are widely used in commercial vehicle workshops, ATL inspection pits and heavy vehicle maintenance facilities where safe axle lifting is required below the vehicle.
Unlike standard workshop jacks, pit jacks are designed to operate within the confined space of an inspection pit while providing stable lifting performance for commercial vehicles and other heavy-duty applications.
GEMCO supplies professional pit jacks built for demanding workshop environments, including manually operated and air operated models custom made to suit specific pit installations.
OUR RANGE OF pit jacks
What Is a pit jack?
A pit jack is a lifting system installed within a vehicle inspection pit and used to raise part of a vehicle while it remains positioned over the pit.
This allows technicians to lift an axle or wheel assembly for tasks such as:
Brake servicing
Suspension repairs
Wheel removal
Axle inspections
Underbody maintenance
Pit jacks are particularly useful in commercial vehicle workshops where inspection pits are often used instead of full lifting platforms.
Pit Jacks for Commercial Vehicle Workshops
Pit jacks are commonly used in commercial workshops servicing trucks, buses, fleet vehicles and other heavy-duty applications.
Because these vehicles often require high lifting capacities, pit jacks are designed with strong lifting beams, heavy-duty components and stable movement along the pit.
They provide safe and efficient lifting within the pit environment, allowing technicians to work on larger vehicles without needing to reposition the entire vehicle onto another lifting system.
Pit jacks are also widely used in specialist environments such as military, quarry, mining and railway vehicle workshops where robust lifting capability is essential.
GEMCO Majorlift Pit Jacks
GEMCO Majorlift pit jacks are designed for heavy-duty workshop use and can be custom made to suit almost any inspection pit layout.
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The GEMCO Majorlift Manually Operated Pit Jack is designed for commercial vehicle workshops and offers many of the same safety and performance features found in higher-capacity models. The 12 tonne jack uses two 6 tonne rated rams to deliver lifting power, controlled through air hydraulics to provide two lifting speeds. Positive mechanical locking helps prevent accidental lowering and improves operational safety.
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The GEMCO MPJ12 Majorlift 12 Tonne Air Operated Pit Jack is specially designed for ATL inspection pits and includes twin chrome rams with 450mm of stroke, twin air motors for increased lifting speed and simple push-button controls for raising and lowering. It also features air-assisted lowering, a fully adjustable heavy-duty top beam, independently operated extension arms, spring-loaded rollers for smooth movement and a pressure relief valve to prevent overloading.
These pit jacks are also available in20 tonne models.
Each pit jack is custom designed to suit the specific pit and application, and is supplied with lifting accessories stored on an easy-access rack.
Manual and Air Operated Pit Jacks
Pit jacks are available in both manually operated and air operated configurations depending on workshop requirements.
Manually operated pit jacks are ideal for workshops looking for simple, durable lifting equipment with reliable mechanical performance.
Air operated pit jacks provide faster lifting and lowering speeds with easier controls, making them particularly suitable for busy workshops and ATL inspection pits where efficiency is important.
Both options provide safe lifting performance, but the right choice depends on the type of vehicles serviced, the pit layout and workshop workflow.
Pit Jack Capacities and Heavy Duty Applications
Pit jacks are available in a range of capacities to suit different workshop environments and vehicle types.
GEMCO’s Majorlift range includes 12 tonne pit jacks, and 20 tonne pit jacks available for heavier vehicles and specialist industries.
The 12 tonne range is suitable for many commercial vehicle workshop applications, while heavier-duty pit jack systems are often used for:
Military vehicles
Quarry vehicles
Mining equipment
Railway vehicles
Selecting the correct pit jack capacity is essential to ensure safe lifting and efficient workshop operation.
Features of Professional Pit Jacks
Modern pit jacks used in commercial workshops typically include features designed to improve safety, performance and ease of operation.
Common features include:
Twin lifting rams
Air hydraulic operation
Mechanical safety locking
Adjustable lifting beams
Extension arms
Pressure relief valves
Spring-loaded rollers
Custom sizing to suit inspection pits
These features help technicians work safely and efficiently when lifting heavy vehicle axles inside inspection pits.
Installation and Support
GEMCO supplies professional pit jacks for commercial vehicle workshops and inspection facilities across the UK.
Our team can advise on the correct pit jack specification based on vehicle type, pit dimensions and workshop requirements. Because each pit installation can vary, GEMCO pit jacks are custom designed to ensure the correct fit and lifting performance.
Installation support and technical guidance are also available to help workshops integrate pit jacks safely into their servicing environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about pit jacks
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A pit jack is a lifting device used inside a vehicle inspection pit to raise an axle or wheel assembly during servicing and inspection work.
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Pit jacks are used to lift axles or wheels during brake repairs, suspension work, wheel removal and underbody servicing while the vehicle remains positioned above the inspection pit.
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Yes. Pit jacks are widely used in commercial vehicle workshops, ATL inspection pits and heavy-duty maintenance facilities servicing trucks, buses and specialist vehicles.
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A manual pit jack uses a simpler lifting mechanism, while an air operated pit jack uses pneumatic power to provide faster lifting and lowering with less operator effort.
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Yes. GEMCO pit jacks can be custom made to suit different inspection pit dimensions and workshop requirements.

