T-REX H13 590kg Vehicle Positioning Jack: Workshop & Safety Guide

T-REX H13 590kg Vehicle Positioning Jack

The T-REX H13 is a mechanical vehicle-positioning jack designed to raise a vehicle tyre just clear of the floor so the vehicle can be manually repositioned inside a garage, storage area or workshop.

Each H13 has a published 590kg capacity, uses a foot-operated mechanical ratchet and rolls on four 4-inch nylon castors with needle bearings. Two of the castors have locking devices.

Unlike a trolley jack, the H13 does not lift from the chassis or a vehicle jacking point. Two steel rollers close around the tyre as the pedal is operated, raising the wheel slightly while the tyre remains fitted to the vehicle.

That makes the tool useful for storing project cars, moving non-running vehicles or shifting a vehicle sideways where driving it into position is difficult.

There is an important limitation: this is positioning equipment, not vehicle-support equipment for servicing underneath a vehicle.

Testing statement: Firebusters has not personally tested the H13. Specifications and operating guidance are based on the current Edisons listing and the T-REX H13 instruction manual checked in September 2026.

T-REX H13 Product Overview

Verified Specifications

Important Tyre-Width Conflict: 275mm vs 10 Inches

The current Edisons listing and the specification table in the T-REX manual state a maximum tyre size of 275mm.

However, the safety and operating section of that same manual separately says:

Do not use with tyres wider than 10 inches.

Ten inches is approximately 254mm, which is narrower than 275mm.

This is a genuine documentation conflict rather than something Firebusters should silently resolve by guessing.

Our recommendation: until the supplier clarifies the difference, use the more conservative manual operating limit of approximately 254mm. If your tyre is between about 255mm and 275mm wide, obtain confirmation for the exact H13 before purchase.

590kg Capacity Is Per Jack — Not a Simple Vehicle-Weight Calculation

The H13 is rated at 590kg per unit.

Edisons therefore describes a pair as having a combined nominal capacity of 1180kg and four as having a combined nominal capacity of 2360kg.

However, vehicle weight is not necessarily divided equally across all four wheels.

Engine location, fuel, occupants, batteries, accessories, tools and modifications can all change individual axle and wheel loads.

For that reason, do not simply divide the vehicle’s total mass by four and assume each positioning jack carries exactly one quarter.

If a vehicle is close to the equipment’s capacity, use reliable axle-load or wheel-load information rather than an estimate.

The Manual Says Dollies Must Be Used in Pairs

Although the H13 is sold as an individual unit, the instruction manual specifically says vehicle dollies must be used in pairs.

For full free movement of a complete vehicle, the operating instructions then describe fitting dollies to all four tyres.

Using four allows the vehicle to be manoeuvred in several directions because each wheel is carried on swivelling castors.

Using a pair may suit some controlled repositioning tasks, but it does not provide the same free movement as four units.

Do not assume one H13 by itself is an approved method of carrying one corner of a vehicle while the remaining wheels are arranged differently. Follow the manual for the intended setup.

How the Mechanical Ratchet Works

The H13 does not use a hydraulic ram.

Its two roller assemblies are spread apart and positioned on either side of the tyre.

The manual then instructs the user to engage the latch and operate the foot pedal. Repeated pedal movement draws the rollers closer together until they contact the circumference of the tyre and lift it slightly from the ground.

This mechanical arrangement removes the need for hydraulic oil and seals associated with a hydraulic wheel dolly.

To release the tyre, the latch position is changed and the pedal operated until the roller assemblies move far enough apart for the jack to be removed.

Keep feet, fingers and clothing away from the moving roller and ratchet components.

How High Does It Lift?

The H13 is not intended to raise a vehicle to conventional servicing height.

The manual describes operating the pedal until the tyre is lifted only enough to clear the floor and any minor obstructions so the vehicle can be manoeuvred.

A formal minimum-to-maximum lifting-height specification is not published in the current Edisons specification table.

That is appropriate to its purpose: the rollers lift the tyre sufficiently for positioning, rather than lifting the chassis to create working space underneath.

If you need under-vehicle access, use suitable vehicle-lifting and support equipment instead.

Never Work Under a Vehicle Supported by Positioning Dollies

The T-REX manual gives a very clear warning:

Never work on, around or under a vehicle supported by car dollies.

The H13 is designed for transporting and positioning a vehicle only.

The castor locks are used after the vehicle has been moved into position. They do not convert the dollies into axle stands, hoists or approved under-vehicle support equipment.

Do not crawl underneath the vehicle, place your body between the tyre and equipment, or rely on the H13 while completing mechanical work that could expose you to a falling or rolling vehicle.

Where under-vehicle access is required, use appropriately rated equipment designed specifically for lifting and supporting the vehicle.

The Floor Requirement Is Very Specific

The manual goes further than simply saying the H13 works best on a smooth floor.

It says the positioning jacks should be used only on a:

• hard;
• level;
• dry concrete surface;
• free of expansion joints; and
• free of other obstructions.

That is considerably narrower than saying they can be used on any hard surface.

Small 4-inch castors can stop abruptly when they contact deep joints, stones, damaged concrete or other obstructions. A sudden stop while a heavy vehicle is moving creates additional force at the jack and vehicle.

They should therefore not be treated as suitable for gravel, asphalt with significant damage, pavers, grass, sloping driveways or rough outdoor surfaces merely because the castors can physically roll across them when unloaded.

Four 4-Inch Nylon Castors

Each H13 uses four 4-inch nylon castors fitted with needle bearings.

The swivelling castors are what allow a vehicle to change direction without steering its road wheels.

Two castors have locking devices. The manual says these locks should be activated after the vehicle has been moved into position.

Before use:

• make sure every castor swivels freely;
• check the wheel surfaces for damage;
• remove stones and workshop debris;
• inspect mounting nuts and hardware;
• check the locking devices operate correctly; and
• clean the floor before attempting to move the vehicle.

A seized castor or floor obstruction can dramatically increase the force required to move the vehicle.

Vehicle Setup Before Positioning

The operating manual says the vehicle should be on a hard, flat and dry surface before the dollies are fitted.

It also says the transmission should be placed in Park, or engaged in gear for a manual transmission, while the dollies are being positioned.

Each tyre must be centred correctly between the two rollers.

Once the required dollies have been installed, move the vehicle slowly and carefully to its destination.

The manual specifically says:

• do not start the vehicle engine while it is mounted on the dollies;
• do not attempt to drive the vehicle while on them; and
• move the vehicle manually.

After positioning, activate the castor locks as instructed.

Where Vehicle Positioning Jacks Are Useful

A wheel dolly does not make a vehicle lighter, but it changes how that weight is moved.

Practical uses can include:

• turning a project vehicle within a narrow garage;
• moving a non-running car into storage;
• shifting a vehicle sideways to improve workshop space;
• repositioning restoration vehicles;
• arranging cars in showroom or storage areas;
• moving suitable trailers where tyre and load requirements are met; and
• creating more efficient parking arrangements in a workshop.

The biggest advantage comes when four units are used and all four road wheels can move independently on castors.

That can allow movements that would otherwise require repeated steering and driving adjustments.

16kg Per Jack Is Worth Considering

Each H13 weighs approximately 16kg.

That is useful for stability and steel construction, but four units represent approximately 64kg of workshop equipment that may need to be moved and stored when not in use.

The unit has a carry handle, and Edisons mentions an optional storage rack sold separately.

For a home garage where floor space is already limited, consider where a pair or set of four will be stored before purchasing.

The assembled dimensions are approximately 61 × 61 × 21cm per jack.

Commercial Claims vs the Manual

Edisons markets the H13 for locations such as mechanics’ workshops, panel beaters and car dealerships as well as home garages.

However, the current T-REX manual also contains a general statement that equipment covered by the manual is designed for domestic use.

Because those two statements do not align cleanly, Firebusters would not describe the H13 as certified commercial-duty equipment based on the available documentation alone.

A business considering frequent workplace use should assess the unit against its own equipment-management, inspection and workplace-safety requirements rather than relying only on promotional wording.

Maintenance and Pre-Use Inspection

The mechanical design avoids routine hydraulic-fluid maintenance, but the positioning jack still requires inspection.

Before use, check:

• steel frame and rollers for distortion or cracks;
• ratchet and latch engagement;
• foot-pedal movement;
• castor rotation and swivel movement;
• castor locks;
• loose or missing fasteners;
• roller alignment; and
• any damage that could affect stability.

Keep the unit clean and dry in storage. The manual says damaged, modified or excessively worn equipment should not be used.

Do not weld, drill, modify or substitute structural components in an attempt to increase capacity or accommodate an unsuitable tyre.

Buyer Checklist

Firebusters Practical Recommendation

The T-REX H13 solves a fairly specific workshop problem: moving a vehicle in directions its normal tyres cannot easily take it.

The 590kg-per-unit capacity, mechanical ratchet and four swivelling castors make it potentially useful for project cars, stored vehicles and workshops where floor space is tight.

The lack of a hydraulic system also keeps the mechanism relatively simple.

The safety limits, however, are important. The manual specifies paired use, hard level dry concrete, manual vehicle movement and no work underneath a vehicle supported by the dollies.

The tyre-width conflict is the biggest buying issue. Although the specification table says 275mm, the operating-safety section says no tyres wider than 10 inches, or about 254mm.

Our recommendation: consider the H13 for vehicle positioning on a clean, flat concrete workshop floor where the wheel load and tyre width are comfortably within the documented limits. Until T-REX or Edisons clarifies the tyre-width discrepancy, Firebusters would use the more conservative 10-inch / approximately 254mm manual limit. Do not buy it as a substitute for a trolley jack, axle stands or a vehicle hoist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can one T-REX H13 carry?

The published rated capacity is 590kg per positioning jack.

Can I divide my vehicle’s weight by four to check capacity?

That is not always reliable because vehicles do not necessarily place equal weight on every wheel. Use appropriate axle or wheel-load information where capacity is close.

What tyre width fits?

The specification table says 275mm, but the manual’s operating-safety section says not to use tyres wider than 10 inches, approximately 254mm. Firebusters recommends following the more conservative manual limit until the supplier clarifies the discrepancy.

Can I use one positioning jack?

The T-REX manual states that dollies must be used in pairs. Its full vehicle-positioning procedure describes fitting the remaining three tyres after the first jack is installed.

Do I need four?

Four provide the greatest manoeuvrability because all road wheels are carried on swivelling castors. The exact setup should follow the manual and the movement being performed.

Can I drive the car while it is sitting on the dollies?

No. The manual specifically says not to start or drive the vehicle while mounted on the dollies. The vehicle is intended to be moved manually.

Can I work under the vehicle while it is on the H13 jacks?

No. The manual explicitly says never to work on, around or underneath a vehicle supported by car dollies.

Can I use them on a driveway?

The manual specifies a hard, level, dry concrete surface that is free from expansion joints and obstructions. A sloping, cracked or rough driveway does not meet that requirement.

How heavy is each unit?

The current published product weight is 16kg.

Are they hydraulic?

No. The H13 uses a mechanical foot-operated ratcheting system.

Sources

• 
  Edisons – T-REX H13 Vehicle Positioning Jack
  
• 
  T-REX H13 Vehicle Positioning Jack Instruction Manual
  
• 
  WorkSafe Victoria – Working Under Raised Vehicles
  

Specifications, retailer descriptions and package information can change. Information checked September 2026.