The Mini Jack has superior strength in a compact size and is a great jack for small, residential jobs that require a bit of lifting and supporting. Meant primarily for crawl spaces, decks, or other tight spaces, the Mini Jack is a reliable, space-efficient option. It has a 15,000 lb safe load capacity and 3,000 lb lifting capacity.
This jack can be used commercially or for DIY applications and is available in two sizes, covering a range of adjustment from 6.5 to 9 inches or 9.5 to 15 inches. Tried, true, and heavily tested, this small jack is an affordable powerhouse.
If you’re unsure if the Mini Jack will meet your needs, give us a call! We’re happy to talk through your project and will guide you honestly to what product will serve you the best. Learn more about the Mini Jack in this guide.
Understanding the Mini Jack
Whether you’re flipping a home, keeping your own home stable and safe, or in the construction industry, a screw jack can be indispensable. The Ellis Mini Jack is unique and it’s important to understand the differences between what you get from us and others to best serve your project needs.
What is the Mini Jack?
Here are the essential details:
- The Mini Jack is a small device that supports vertical loads up to 15,000 lbs with a 2.5-to-1 safety factor built in.
- It fits into confined spaces like under decks and in crawl spaces and attics.
- The working mechanism in this jack is the turning wheel, which is easily rotated using a turning rod.
- This little powerhouse lifts up to 3,000 lbs and the turning rod makes this much easier.
- Unlike many others you’ll find on the market, it can be used as a permanent support. It comes with a locking mechanism that is tightened using an allen wrench and is easily unlocked if you need to adjust or remove the jack.
Basically, for its size, it packs a punch. The Mini Jack is used in a wide variety of projects that need support without a huge adjustment range or the need for thrust bearings. Thrust bearings increase lifting power by 10x and are in our light-duty and heavy-duty Steel Lifting Shores.
Why Ellis Manufacturing?
For almost 75 years, Ellis Manufacturing has been committed to versatile solutions built to last. We are still family-run and maintain integrity through quality products and excellent customer service. We have the toughest products with high capacity ratings and ship quickly since we’re centrally located in Oklahoma.
Product-wise, we’re known for our steel lifting shores, lumber screw jacks, and our custom solutions. As the leader in adjustable support and lifting jacks, we offer reliable solutions for tough jobs. We love to hear about your projects and answer honestly about whether our products can help. Call us today: (800) 654-8311.
Mini Jack Technical Details
This miniature jack is yet another Ellis Manufacturing product known for durability and reliability. For a DIY homeowner, a construction company, or a handyman, they pack power in small spaces. They have one job, and they do that job exceptionally well.
The MJ-3 starts at 6.5 inches tall and has an adjustment range of 2.5 inches. Our MJ-6 is a bit taller, starting at 9.5 inches with a range of 5.5 inches, making both jacks ideal for tight spaces. Review the full product specs below.
Construction
Material
The Mini Jack is composed of 10 lbs of high-carbon steel, providing optimum support for all your small-space needs. The powder coat finish means you don’t have to worry about rust. The base plate is welded on, and the top plate is not removable, providing the most secure single-unit to lift and support in crawl spaces.
Load
On both sizes, the load capacity is 15,000 lbs (7.5 tons) and has a 2.5-to-1 safety factor. They both have a 4x4” base plate with a 4x4” top plate that swivels independently from the screw. This makes it much easier to lift and support.
Lifting
These mini’s can safely lift as well as support. With a 12” turning bar, they can lift up to 3,000 lbs. Some homeowners have used them as deck supports, in attics, or for extra support in crawl spaces to help with foundations. Make sure to unlock the safety screw before lifting.
Safety
Both Mini Jacks have a safety lock screw that is included and requires a 6mm allen wrench to tighten. We recommend tightening the screw prior to loading, unless you will also be using the jack to lift. Then you’ll lift and tighten the safety lock after the jack is raised.
Before construction begins, we recommend that you consult with a certified engineer. Do not extend the screw past the adjustment range and do not exceed the max safe load capacity.
The differences between the two sizes are listed below.
Specifications
| Mini Jack (MJ-3) | Mini Jack (MJ-6) |
|---|---|
|
Overall Height Screwed Down:
6.5"
Overall Height Fully Extended:
9"
Range of Adjustment:
2.5"
|
Overall Height Screwed Down:
9.5"
Overall Height Fully Extended:
15"
Range of Adjustment:
5.5"
|
Shorter and Skinnier Alternative: Stealth Lifting Shore
Ellis Manufacturing has a line of screw jacks that are shorter and narrower than the Mini Jack: our Stealth Lifting Shore. All Stealth shores have a max width of 3.5”, created to be fit and sealed inside a standard 2x4” framed wall. They are also made with our patented thrust bearings, which increase lifting power under load by up to 10x.
We offer 11 different heights, ranging in load capacity from 3,000 to 20,000 lbs. The four that are smaller than the Mini Jack can all support 20,000 lbs and have the following range of adjustments:
- Stealth-3: 3.25" to 4.25"
- Stealth-4: 4" to 6"
- Stealth-5: 5" to 8"
- Stealth-8: 8” to 10”
Real-World Solutions
When foundations become weak, cracked, or you have uneven and sagging floors, you need a dependable and fail-safe screw jack to shore up your home. The Mini Jack is great in cramped spaces, but we also have a wide range of screw jacks to support a multitude of projects.
Commercial Needs
Multi-level homes or commercial buildings benefit greatly from our Heavy Duty Steel Lifting Shores. They’re built to handle the toughest jobs, providing dependable support for complex and high-demand tasks. These screw jacks are engineered to exceed expectations:
- Patented thrust bearings, which ease lifting by 10x without the metal-on-metal grinding or the need for adding a hydraulic bottle jack.
- High-load capacities of 25,000 to 56,000 lbs with a 2.5-to-1 built-in safety factor.
- Advanced lifting ability far exceeds the competition: our heavy-duty shores lift up to 20,000 lbs using a 1" diameter, 24” long steel adjustment rod for extra leverage.
- Interchangeable u-heads make supporting and lifting beams stable and secure.
Residential Projects
The Mini Jack is great for homeowners and DIY solutions. But, Ellis Manufacturing also offers a wide range of jacks for both supporting and lifting in residential home repairs that require taller or stronger jacks. Our Light-Duty Steel Lifting Shores and our standard Light-Duty Shores are reliable solutions for foundation support or repair, floor leveling, or deck support. The Ellis Manufacturing Screw Jacks offer versatility in height using 4x4” or 6x6” job cut lumber.
Additional Information
Footers: proper footing creates a wider surface area to try and mitigate any potential settling issues. With a concrete footer, not only do you get the surface area on the bottom, but you also get pressure along the sides from the soil pushing against the sides of that concrete block. If you can, we recommend digging a 2' x 2' x 2' hole and packing it with gravel. Use the Ellis Base Plate Extension to add more surface area to the base of your Steel Shore, Screw Jack, or Mini Jack
Vertical Support: Mini Jacks should be attached to a flat solid foundation and should not be subject to any lateral force. They should be used to support straight vertical loads only, and this means using a level to ensure that you have true plumb vertical load.
Hydraulic: If you need extra lifting assistance, we offer hydraulic bottle jacks for 12 or 20 tons of additional power. These can be used in conjunction with any of our screw jacks.
Maintenance: The Mini Jack doesn’t need any maintenance. But, if it’s been sitting for a while and you need to adjust it, some oil can help. Give us a call with any questions: (800) 654-8311.
With our top-of-the-line products, rest assured that the foundation of your home is safely supported. See our full lineup.
Customer Testimonials
The Mini Jack is a great jack for small, residential jobs that require a bit of lifting and supporting.
- Sarah L., Homeowner
This small jack is an affordable powerhouse. It really gets the job done in tight spaces.
- David R., Handyman
FAQs
Will this help me level my house?
Most likely, you’ll need a steel shore that is taller with a bigger range of adjustment. But, in small crawl spaces needing minimal adjustment and minor support, the Mini Jack is great and does exactly what it needs to do. We recommend calling us to talk through your needs and when in doubt, consult with a structural engineer.
Many screw jacks seem to be for temporary support only, but I need a permanent solution.
A huge benefit of using Ellis screw jacks is that they all come with a locking mechanism. It requires a 6mm allen wrench and is easily locked/unlocked for adjustments or removal.
Can you ship screw jack posts internationally?
We do ship internationally. Please contact us for rates.
Is this your smallest jack?
We also carry a narrow screw jack called the Stealth Lifting Shore. It has several sizes, three of which are technically shorter: 3.25" to 4.25", 4" to 6", or 5" to 8", and are meant to be sealed inside a standard 2x4-framed wall and range in support from 3,000 to 20,000 lbs. These are also made with our patented thrust bearing, which increases load capacity under load by up to 10 times.
Will the jack sink into the ground?
To support a shore under the house, you need an adequate footer. In many cases, you can dig a 2' x 2' x 2' hole either pour concrete or pack it with gravel. If using any of our Light Duty or Heavy Duty Steel Shores, you can also use a base plate extension with the shore sitting on top to extend the standard base. The Mini Jack has a base plate that is solidly welded to the main support pipe and does not spin.
Do you accept returns?
We accept returns within 30 days, and any damage claims must be made within 7 days. Notify us for authorization, and you are responsible for the cost of shipping back to us. There is also a 15% restocking fee. Orders including custom items may not be returned or refunded.
Lifting Solutions for All Projects
“The Ellis Shore has been a staple of the concrete framing industry since its inception.”
- Luke Holmboe, Vice President of Marketing
Since its inception in 1951, Ellis Manufacturing has remained a family business. We use on-site punch presses, ironworkers, and welding machines, which allows us to manufacture both standard and customized products quickly.
Our screw jacks have been trusted for decades because of their proven strength and unparalleled durability. At Ellis, we are committed to solving the toughest problems and providing solutions that you can count on. We also offer custom solutions for your projects; call us today: (800) 654-8311.
Disclaimer: The information provided in these articles is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional engineering advice. Every project has unique requirements and complexities. Therefore, it is essential to consult with a qualified professional engineer to guide you through the specific nuances of your individual project and ensure its safety and compliance. These articles do not offer engineering guidance.