![]() Pro-Lift Picking the right floor jack for you Of course, the stronger the better, if budget permits." "Anything larger - SUVs, full-size cars, vans and trucks - you want to go anywhere from 3 to 4 tons, at least. "For vehicles in the compact, subcompact and midsize categories, you'd be using the typical 2-ton weight jack," says Edward Cole of VehicleUnleashed, a website dedicated to car customization and repairs. That said, your jack won't need to hold up your vehicle's full weight, since one side of it will still be on the ground. There are many jacks that support 1.5, 2, 3 and even 4 tons. Jacks are rated based on how much weight they can support. It's also important to note that steel jacks aren't stronger than aluminum jacks - each jack has its own weight rating that determines its strength. In terms of cost, the two are usually fairly comparable. Steel jacks are heavier, but also more durable - you can't really damage a steel jack the way you can damage an aluminum jack. Aluminum jacks are much lighter than steel jacks, so they're easier to transport and maneuver. Electric jacks require less effort on the user's part, but they also need a power source, whether it's grounded or in the form of a battery.įloor jacks are typically made of either steel or aluminum (or sometimes mixtures of both). Scissor jacks are sturdy and safe, but their maximum weight capacities are lower than those of other jacks. If your car is low to the ground, you might need a standard jack. ![]() Bottle jacks are popular because they tend to be both cheaper and stronger than other types of jacks, but they also require higher floor clearances than standard jacks. ![]() The different kinds of jacks have their benefits and drawbacks. Finally, an electric jack uses electricity to raise a vehicle, so rather than turning a crank or pulling a lever, it can be operated by flipping a switch. Farm jacks (or hi-lift jacks) are designed for off-roading or driving on unstable surfaces. A scissor jack operates similarly, but its scissor shape extends and lifts a vehicle when you turn a crank. A bottle jack also draws hydraulic power from a lever, but it's shaped more like a bottle than a regular car jack. A standard floor jack grips your vehicle from beneath - then, when you pull an attached lever, it uses hydraulic pressure to raise your vehicle up. Home-use floor jacks come in a few different styles. Then you're able to do work on the underside of the vehicle. That's where a jack comes into play - it lifts a car, truck, SUV or van high enough off the ground that you can fit underneath it. If you ever need to work on your car beyond tinkering with what's under the hood, you'll need access to the bottom of your vehicle. Well, you made it this far, did you learn anything? Craig Cole/Roadshow What is a floor jack?įloor jacks are tools designed to lift vehicles off the ground so that the area underneath can be accessed.
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