There are moments working on a vehicle, or even other projects around the house, where you hit a critical point: you need to support something heavy precisely where you’re working. I remember struggling with this exact problem – trying to juggle a transmission during removal or needing to brace a subframe just right. Not having adequate support isn’t just inconvenient; it’s downright dangerous and can turn a straightforward task into a frustrating, complex ordeal with the potential for serious damage or injury.
Before diving into a specific product, it’s important to think about why you need an underhoist support stand in the first place and what kind of work you’ll be doing. These stands are primarily designed to safely bear the weight of vehicle components like transmissions, exhaust systems, or suspension parts when the vehicle is raised on a lift. They solve the problem of needing a temporary, adjustable, and stable point of support for these heavy or awkward items, freeing up your hands and preventing components from crashing down or putting excessive strain on connecting parts.
The ideal customer for an underhoist support stand is typically someone who works on vehicles regularly, either in a professional shop setting or a serious home garage. If you frequently perform tasks like swapping transmissions, replacing exhaust systems, or doing significant suspension work on a lift, a stand like this is invaluable for safety and efficiency. However, if you only do basic maintenance like oil changes or tire rotations, or if you only ever work on the ground with jacks and stands, this specific type of tall, adjustable stand designed for lifts might be overkill. Someone working solely on the ground might look at lower profile stands or bottle jacks with appropriate heads instead. Key things to consider before buying include the weight capacity you need, the required height range (underhoist stands come in short and tall versions), the stability of the base, the ease of adjustment under load, and the type of saddle or head that will interface with the components you’re supporting.
- Load Capacity: Supports up to 1,500 lb; ideal for stabilizing vehicle components during repair or maintenance
- Self-Locking Mechanism: Threaded Acme screw and spin handle offer secure support and prevent unintentional lowering
- Smooth Adjustments: Bearing-mounted spin handle allows for precise and effortless height adjustments under load
Introducing the ARCAN ALSS15S
Let me introduce the ARCAN TOOLS 1,500 lbs. Short Underhoist Support Stand (ALSS15S). This is a robust piece of equipment designed specifically to provide that crucial support for vehicle components when the vehicle is up on a two-post lift. It promises a reliable and stable way to hold up heavy parts, making tasks like transmission removal or installation much safer and easier. What you get when you purchase the ARCAN TOOLS 1,500 lbs. Short Underhoist Support Stand (ALSS15S) is the complete stand, ready for easy assembly. This particular model, the ALSS15S, is the “short” version, making it suitable for applications where components are typically waist to chest high when on the lift, which covers a huge range of common automotive jobs. While I can’t speak to direct comparisons with every market leader or previous version, I can say that the ARCAN ALSS15S feels like a solid, professional-grade tool at a price point that offers excellent value, a characteristic I’ve come to expect from Arcan products I’ve used. This stand is definitely for the DIY mechanic or professional technician who regularly utilizes a vehicle lift and needs reliable component support. It’s not for someone who rarely works on lifted vehicles or needs support close to the ground.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Robust 1,500 lbs. (3/4 Ton) capacity is ample for most vehicle components.
* Easy height adjustment, even under load, thanks to the bearing-mounted handle.
* Large 12″ diameter base provides very good stability.
* Contoured saddle securely supports various component shapes.
* Lightweight and slender design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Cons:
* The base can sometimes wander slightly on slick or uneven surfaces if the load isn’t perfectly vertical.
* The paint finish, while nice, seems prone to chipping with heavy shop use.
* Requires assembly out of the box (though it’s simple).
- 750LBS Engine Stand: With rigorous testing, it has been proven to securely hold up to a whopping 750 lb (3/8 Ton), allowing your engine is held in place safely and firmly. The upgraded H-shaped base...
- Engine leveler has a 3/4 ton (1,500 lb) load capacity and is made from rugged, top quality structural steel; It's ideal for garage, workshop, and agricultural jobs
- 1300LBS Engine Stand: With rigorous testing, it has been proven to securely hold up to a whopping 1300 lb (3/5 Ton), allowing your engine is held in place safely and firmly. The upgraded U-shaped base...
Diving into the Details: Features & Benefits
Having used the ARCAN TOOLS 1,500 lbs. Short Underhoist Support Stand (ALSS15S) for a significant period, I’ve gotten a real feel for its key features and how they translate into practical benefits in the garage. Let’s break down what makes this stand a valuable tool.
Design & Application: Purpose-Built Support
The core design of the ALSS15S support stand is centered around one specific job: supporting vehicle components when the vehicle is lifted. It’s not a jack for lifting the entire vehicle, but rather a brace for individual heavy parts like gearboxes, engine cradles, exhaust systems, or suspension assemblies. Arcan specifies it’s ideal for applications completed “waist and chest high” on a two-post lift, and I’ve found this to be spot on. The height range (roughly 36″ low to 57″ high according to user measurements) makes it perfect for getting under a lifted car or truck and providing support at a comfortable working height. The benefit here is precise positioning and stability right where you need it, preventing components from hanging by bolts or hoses, which can cause damage or make removal/installation much more difficult and hazardous. Using this dedicated underhoist support stand dramatically improves safety and control when working on heavy components off the vehicle’s structure.
Easy Turning & Height Adjustments: Smooth Operation Under Load
One of the standout features is how easy it is to adjust the height, even when the stand is supporting a substantial load. This is thanks to the bearing-mounted spin handle and the self-locking Acme threaded screw. In practice, this means you can fine-tune the support height with minimal effort. Need to lower a transmission just a fraction of an inch? No problem. Need to raise an exhaust section to align bolt holes? A few turns of the handle and you’re there. The bearing ensures smooth rotation of the handle, preventing binding, and the Acme threads are designed for load-bearing and smooth operation. The self-locking nature of the threads means it stays exactly where you put it, which is critical when supporting heavy, expensive components. The rubberized handle provides a comfortable grip, making adjustments less of a strain. This ease of adjustment under load is a massive benefit, saving time and frustration compared to stands with less refined mechanisms. It allows for precise control during complex tasks.
Stability: A Solid Foundation
Stability is non-negotiable when you’re working under a vehicle supporting hundreds of pounds. The ARCAN ALSS15S addresses this with a generous 12-inch diameter base. This wide footprint provides a solid foundation on the workshop floor, significantly reducing the risk of the stand tipping or sliding. When positioning the stand, you want confidence that it will stay put, and the large base delivers that. While it performs best on flat, level surfaces, the wide base still offers more stability than smaller bases might if your floor isn’t perfectly even. This stability is paramount for safety, ensuring that the component you’re supporting remains secure throughout the repair process. It gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about the support giving way.
Slender & Lightweight: Easy to Position
Despite its robust capacity and stable base, the Arcan underhoist stand is surprisingly slender and manageable. Weighing in at around 30 pounds, it’s not excessively heavy, making it easy to pick up, move around the garage, and position precisely under the vehicle. The slender profile means it doesn’t take up unnecessary space under the lift or in tight areas around components. This ease of handling is a practical benefit in a busy shop or a cluttered home garage where space and maneuverability are often limited. You can quickly slide it into position, make your adjustments, and then easily move it out of the way when you’re done. The included rubberized handles aren’t just for spinning; they also make it easy to carry the stand.
Contoured Saddle: Secure Component Interface
The top of the ARCAN ALSS15S features a contoured saddle. This design is specifically chosen to interface effectively with a variety of vehicle component shapes. It’s not a flat plate; it has a curve and sometimes ridges or angles that help cradle round pipes (like exhaust), flatter surfaces (like oil pans on a transmission), or structural members. This contoured shape helps prevent the component from slipping off the saddle, providing a more secure point of contact. The material feels durable, like a strong nylon or similar composite, which is sturdy yet might be less likely to scratch painted surfaces compared to bare metal (though caution is always advised). This secure interface is vital because components often don’t have flat, easy-to-support surfaces. The contoured saddle increases the versatility and safety of the stand by providing a better grip on awkward shapes.
Capacity and Durability: Built Tough
Rated at 1,500 lbs., or 3/4 ton, the ARCAN 1,500 lbs. Short Underhoist Support Stand (ALSS15S) has ample capacity for supporting most common vehicle components encountered during lift-based work. Transmissions, rear ends, exhaust systems – it handles them with ease. The overall build quality feels very solid, living up to the Arcan reputation for providing good value tools. The construction is primarily steel with a powder-coated finish, which looks good initially. While the paint can show chips with heavy use, the underlying structure is clearly built for durability in a demanding environment. I’ve used mine extensively, and the threaded mechanism remains smooth, the base stable, and the overall integrity intact. It feels like a tool that will last for many years of regular use.
Minor Considerations: Where It Could Improve
No tool is perfect, and the ALSS15S support stand has a couple of minor points worth mentioning. As noted earlier, if you’re working on a slightly uneven floor, or if the load isn’t perfectly centered and coming straight down, the base can sometimes feel like it wants to shift a little. This is easily mitigated by ensuring the floor is clean and level where you’re placing it and trying to load it as vertically as possible, but it’s something to be aware of. Also, while the powder coating looks nice, it does seem to chip relatively easily compared to some other shop equipment I own. This is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the function or structural integrity of the stand, but it means it will quickly gain a “well-used” look. These are minor points, however, considering the stand’s performance and price.
What Others Are Saying: Real User Experiences
I’ve looked around online to see how other users feel about the ARCAN ALSS15S, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Many users praise its robust construction and ease of assembly, noting that it takes just minutes to put together. The smooth operation of the height adjustment mechanism, even under load, is a frequently highlighted positive point, with people mentioning how well the bearing works. Several reviewers commented on the excellent stability provided by the 12-inch base, even using it successfully outside of typical automotive scenarios, like supporting structures during renovations. The overall sentiment is that the stand represents great quality for its price point, performing comparably to more expensive options and providing confidence in its load-bearing capacity. While a few users mentioned minor cosmetic issues like paint chipping or issues with shipping/packaging, these didn’t detract from their positive view of the tool’s performance and value.
Final Thoughts
If you regularly use a vehicle lift for maintenance or repairs, the problem of adequately and safely supporting heavy components is a significant one. Failing to do so risks damaging valuable parts or, worse, causing injury. The ARCAN TOOLS 1,500 lbs. Short Underhoist Support Stand (ALSS15S) offers an excellent solution. Its robust 1,500 lb capacity, combined with the smooth, load-bearing height adjustment and wide, stable base, makes it a reliable partner in the shop or garage. The thoughtful design, including the contoured saddle and slender form factor, adds practical benefits during use. For its build quality and performance at this price point, it’s genuinely hard to beat. If you’re in need of a solid, dependable underhoist support stand, I highly recommend checking out the ARCAN TOOLS 1,500 lbs. Short Underhoist Support Stand (ALSS15S). Click here to see the product page and learn more.
Last update on 2025-08-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API