Viking Pit Jacks Buyer's Guide
What a pit jack does, what your pit and your air supply need to provide, how the six Viking models differ, and which stands and adaptors go with each one.
S models suit pits 680–960mm wide. M models suit 920–1220mm. Measure before anything else.
15 tonne on a single ram, or 20 tonne on a double ram with shut-off valves for single or twin lifting.
800mm on both 15 tonne models. On the 20 tonne pair, 200mm standard or 420mm high lift.
What a pit jack is for
A pit jack works from inside an inspection pit. It sits on the pit rails and rolls along them, so you can bring the saddle to a jacking point anywhere along the vehicle without moving the vehicle itself. A jacking beam does a similar job across the arms of a vehicle lift. If your workshop lifts from a pit, this is the tool.
The Viking range is aimed at commercial work: heavy plant, tractors, vans and commercial vehicles. Air operation carries the effort, and the frame is designed to be left permanently in the pit rather than moved between bays.
What your workshop needs first
680 to 960mm for an S model, 920 to 1220mm for an M. Measured at the narrowest point.
All six are pneumatic and need an air supply within the pit area. Each jack comes with an air coupling and water separator.
These are 230 to 295kg machines intended for permanent installation, so professional installation is recommended.
Budget for a stand alongside the jack. Nobody should work under a load held on the jack alone.
Measure your pit first
Measure the clear width between the two rails the jack will sit on, at the narrowest point along the run of the pit. That measurement decides whether you need an S or an M model. Everything else, capacity, lift height and accessories, can be chosen afterwards.
The ranges overlap between 920 and 960mm. If your pit measures inside that band, either width fits, so choose on capacity and lift instead.
Send us the width and the vehicles you work on and we'll confirm the model before you order.
15 tonne or 20 tonne
The 15 tonne models lift on a single ram. The 20 tonne models use a double ram with shut off valves, so you can lift on one ram or both together, which helps when the load is over a single axle rather than spread across the beam.
Capacity and ram count go together across the range: every 15 tonne is single ram, every 20 tonne is double.
High lift or standard
On the 20 tonne models the choice is 420mm of beam travel or 200mm. The high lift version is the one to take if you work on higher axled vehicles, where 200mm will not bring the beam up to the lifting point from the pit rails.
Both 15 tonne models lift 800mm, so lift height is not a decision on those. Pit width is.
What every model in the range shares
These features are common to all six, so they are not part of the choice. They are worth knowing because they are what you are paying for over a cheaper jack.
A rocket lift feature brings the saddle up to the jacking point quickly, then slows once under load for a controlled lift.
Leaf spring support bearings let the ram traverse across the pit width, so you can line up on a jacking point without fighting the frame.
Deadman controls and a limited descent control valve govern the way the load comes back down.
Air operation takes the effort out of lifting heavy plant, tractors and commercial vehicles.
A large handle for moving the frame, an air coupling and water separator, and a parts tray with a rubber mat insert.
Every model in the range carries the 3 year Sealey guarantee.
The range compared
| Model | Suits pit width | Capacity | Rams | Beam lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPJ15S-1S | 680 to 960mm | 15 tonne | Single | 800mm |
| VPJ15M-1S | 920 to 1220mm | 15 tonne | Single | 800mm |
| VPJ20S-2L | 680 to 960mm | 20 tonne | Double | 200mm |
| VPJ20M-2L | 920 to 1220mm | 20 tonne | Double | 200mm |
| VPJ20S-2H | 680 to 960mm | 20 tonne | Double | 420mm |
| VPJ20M-2H | 920 to 1220mm | 20 tonne | Double | 420mm |
All six run on compressed air and carry the 3 year Sealey guarantee.
The six models
Viking Pit Jack 15 Tonne 680-960mm Pit
Viking Pit Jack 15 Tonne 920-1220mm Pit
Viking Pit Jack 20 Tonne 680-960mm Pit
Viking Pit Jack 20 Tonne 920-1220mm Pit
Viking High Lift Pit Jack 20 Tonne 680-960mm Pit
Viking High Lift Pit Jack 20 Tonne 920-1220mm Pit
Accessories
Safety stands, cross beam adaptors, saddle adaptors and extensions are all made for the range. Stands and cross beams are model specific, so order them against the jack you are buying rather than by capacity alone.
Safety stands
Hold the load once the jack has lifted it. Matched to the low lift and high lift 20 tonne jacks respectively, so check the code against your model.
Cross beam adaptors
Spread the load over two positions from 925 to 1500mm, for lifting points wider than the jack beam. One version for the 15 tonne jacks, one for the 20 tonne.
Which safety stand goes with which jack
Pit jack safety stand for the 15 tonne single ram models.
For the 200mm lift 20 tonne models, VPJ20S-2L and VPJ20M-2L.
For the 420mm high lift models, VPJ20S-2H and VPJ20M-2H.
Adaptors and extensions
The saddle takes adaptors so the jack meets the vehicle properly rather than on bare steel. All of these fit any of the six models.
VPJ-VA, for axle and tube lifting points.
VPJ-UA, for chassis rails and beams.
VPJ-DB, for lifting on the differential.
VPJ-A7 adds 100mm, VPJ-A8 adds 200mm to the minimum height.
If you are unsure which accessory suits your jack, the compatibility table below shows what fits what.
Accessory compatibility
Stands and cross beams are chosen against the jack, not against the vehicle. Adaptors and extensions fit across the range. Column headings are the jack model with the VPJ prefix dropped.
| Accessory | 15S-1S | 15M-1S | 20S-2L | 20M-2L | 20S-2H | 20M-2H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VPJ15SS Safety stand 15 tonne. One stand, rated 15 tonne.
|
✓ | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
|
VPJ20-2LSS Safety stand, low lift. Pair of stands, rated 10 tonne each.
|
– | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
|
VPJ20-2HSS Safety stand, high lift. Pair of stands, rated 10 tonne each.
|
– | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ15MCBA Cross beam, single ram. Rated 15 tonne, saddle span 185 to 825mm.
|
✓ | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
|
VPJ20MCBA Cross beam, twin ram. Rated 20 tonne.
|
– | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ15M2CBA Cross beam, extendable single ram. Rated 11 to 15 tonne across the extension, span 925 to 1500mm.
|
✓ | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
|
VPJ20M2CBA Cross beam, extendable twin ram. Rated 11 to 15 tonne across the extension, span 925 to 1500mm.
|
– | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ-UA U-adaptor. For various chassis profiles, raises minimum height by 60mm.
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ-VA V-adaptor. For contoured and round lifting surfaces.
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ-DB Diff beam adaptor. Brings both rams to a single lifting point.
|
– | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ-A7 Extension 100mm. Leaves a 25mm female connection for a saddle or adaptor.
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
VPJ-A8 Extension 200mm. Leaves a 25mm female connection for a saddle or adaptor.
|
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Compiled from Sealey's published compatibility and accessory data. If you are pairing an accessory with a jack you already own, send both model numbers to info@djmdirect.com and we will confirm the fit before you order.
Common questions
Both the S and M width fit. Choose on capacity and beam lift instead.
The 420mm high lift models suit higher axled vehicles. On the 200mm models the beam travel is shorter, and on both 15 tonne models it is 800mm.
Yes. The double ram models carry shut off valves so you can lift on a single ram or both together.
All six are pneumatic and carry the 3 year Sealey guarantee. You need a compressed air supply within the pit area. Each jack comes with an air coupling and water separator.
No. Use a safety stand to hold the load once the pit jack has lifted it, and match the stand to the jack.
The saddle takes V, U and diff beam adaptors, and 100mm or 200mm extensions if you need more minimum height. Cross beam adaptors spread the load over two points from 925 to 1500mm.
Tell us your pit width and we'll confirm the model
We can also confirm saddle heights and the air pressure your compressor needs to run the jack before you order.
Contact the team
