Types of Car Jacks
The jack stands are very important when it comes to offering support to the weight of a car after it has been lifted by a car jack, especially in cases when one is working under the car. They are available in short, with a wheel clearance of 13 inches to tall with 25 inches clearance; they have varying load-bearing capacities ranging from 2 to 25 tons. While there are car lift kits that are purchased with jacks and jack stands, these are also available being sold separately. Car jacks, chiefly hydraulic, press a certain amount on the facility employed in lifting automobiles and are compulsory for flattening car tires. There is a dire need for cheap, yet, quality car jacks that stand for both mechanics and car owners who love to manage their vehicles on their own. Discover the best type of car jack available to suit your needs.
For More Details About the Types of Cars Jacks
Bottle Jacks
A bottle jack is a hydraulic jack with a cylindrical, bottle-like shape. It can hold more weight and lift higher than a floor jack, with capacities from three to fifty tons.
However, bottle jacks require a higher starting clearance, making them harder to use on low vehicles, and they offer less stability. They are affordable, compact, and popular for minor repairs. To use, close the relief valve, extend the jack to the correct length, position it under the jacking point, and pump the handle. Lowering the car is done by opening the relief valve slowly.
Features of Bottle Jacks:
– Operation: Hydraulic with hand pump
– Capacity: 3-50 tons
– Design: Cylindrical, bottle-like shape
– Advantages: Higher lift, more affordable, compact
– Disadvantages: Less stability, higher starting clearance
– Usage: Suitable for minor repairs, secondary tool for professionals
Floor or Trolley Jacks
Floor jacks, or trolley jacks, are hydraulic jacks that use horizontal cylinders and a long lever. They are popular with mechanics and home garage users due to their speed and safety.
Floor jacks can lift vehicles from two to four tons and sit low to the ground on wheels, making them easy to position but cumbersome to carry or store. They are simpler to use on dirt or gravel and may have automatic or manual locking brakes. Rated for at least three-fourths of your vehicle’s weight, they are strong and require minimal mechanical experience.
Features of Floor Jacks:
– Operation: Hydraulic with hand lever
– Capacity: 2-4 tons
– Design: Low-profile on wheels
– Advantages: Quick, safe, and stable
– Usage: Best for garages, not ideal for on-road use
– Brakes: Automatic or manual locking
– Lift: Only a portion of the vehicle, not the entire weight
Scissor Jacks
The most budget-friendly and light types of hydraulic lifters are scissor jacks which are sometimes supplied with the car by the manufacturers. They utilize a hand crank to lift vehicles from 15-30 inches and are very affordable and reliable. For its usage, place the scissor jack under the jack point and rotate the crank in a clockwise direction to lift the car and an anticlockwise direction to lower it again.
Scissor jacks are relatively more compact than the high lift or the farm jacks and are appropriate for the limited height car lifts that are designed to manage up to one or two tons only. They are safe, portable, and cost-effective, ideal for minor repairs. Always check the specifications, as the size and load capacity can vary.
Features of Scissor Jacks:
– Operation: Hand crank mechanism
– Lift Range: 15-30 inches
– Capacity: 1-2 tons
– Advantages: Lightweight, affordable, and portable
– Usage: Best for lower-weight cars and minor repairs
High-Lift or Farm Jacks
Farm jack, high lift jack – is constructed and designed to be mainly used in off-road cars and high-height trucks. They are portable and can be carried in large vehicles or for activities such as changing tires, pulling out vehicles stuck in mud, or being a winch or clamp.
In contrast to hydraulic jacks which operate using hydraulic fluid, farm jacks work using a lever system and can lift objects of up to 7,000 pounds, reaching a height of up to five feet. They are suitable for vehicles of very high ground clearance, but otherwise cannot be used in normal cars or for regular day-to-day driving because of their great physical dimensions and weight.
Features of Farm Jacks:
– Operation: Lever mechanism
– Capacity: Up to 7,000 pounds
– Lift Height: Up to five feet
– Design: Non-hydraulic, lever-based
– Advantages: Versatile, good for off-roading
– Usage: High-clearance vehicles, recovery, winching, clamping
– Storage: Easy to store in large vehicles, often mounted externally
Exhaust Air Jacks
Exhaust air jacks use vehicle exhaust to inflate an inflatable sack, lifting the car without needing specific jack points. Ideal for off-roaders, they work well on soft terrain like mud, sand, or snow due to their large surface area.
Lightweight and compact, these jacks can lift a vehicle up to 30 inches. The air is kept inside by a one-way valve, which also helps to deflate the sack. They are easier to use than traditional jacks and are perfect for getting vehicles out of ruts or holes.
Features of Exhaust Air Jacks:
– Operation: Inflates using vehicle exhaust
– Lift Height: Up to 30 inches
– Design: Inflatable sack with a long hose
– Advantages: Lightweight, compact, versatile on soft terrain
– Usage: Suitable for off-road vehicles, soft ground, recovery
– Storage: Takes up little space
Conclusion
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, opting for some essential tools, such as a proper car jack and strong jack stands is critical. In the car repair industry, car jacks are vital when it comes to the lifting of vehicles for tasks like the replacement of tires. However, for safety concerns, ensure that the car has been secured at an appropriate height using the jack stands before engaging in any activity beneath the car. Jack stands are available with height and weight control options that are suitable for a particular kind of car or any other situation. If you are using it as a mechanic or you are just fixing your car at home, having professional jacks and stands gives a guarantee that your car is well-regulated and immobilized. Understanding the different types of car jacks available can help you choose the right one for your needs.
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