Today it is quite common for us to do relatively simple repairs or maintenance on our cars. Although major repairs should always be entrusted to experienced professionals, with the help of a hydraulic jack we can get out of various troubles and save ourselves many trips to the workshop.
What are hydraulic jacks?
A hydraulic jack is a device used to lift heavy loads by applying force through a hydraulic cylinder. Hydraulic jacks lift loads using the force created by the pressure in the cylinder chamber. It uses a similar mechanism as a torque wrench, and can be repeated many times, allowing your load to rise higher and higher.
Surely many times you have wanted to see under your vehicle and because you did not have a device to lift it, you have had to go to the workshop and pay for a revision that perhaps you did not need. However, if you are already someone who is dedicated to this work, you will not be able to deny the importance of one of these machines in your home or workplace.
The best hydraulic jacks on the market:
Unitec 10008 2 T Hydraulic Jack
This hydraulic jack is made of steel with swivel casters for easy movement. It has a weight of 9.4 kg.
It supports a load of 2 tons and has a minimum elevation of 135 mm and a maximum of 342 mm. In addition, it features a lifting handle with a quick release function.
Deuba Hydraulic Jack for Cars 2T Lifting Height 85-330mm with Rubber Pad Swivel Wheels
This hydraulic jack consists of 2 fixed wheels and 2 swivel metal wheels at 360°. It is ideal for low cars due to its height and lifting weight from 85mm to 330mm and 2 tons.
It has a large rotating platen, which facilitates lifting and lowering. In addition, it includes a rubber pad that protects your vehicle when lifting it and minimizes the risk of slipping.
SUMEX 2202003 Botella Hydraulic Cat, 4 TONS. TUV
This hydraulic jack features a lightweight design and small size for easy portability. It is made of steel, with a quick-adjust handle and a safety overload valve.
The sumex has a lifting capacity of 4 tons and weighs 3.05 kg. It can be used in temperature ranges between +55ºC and -20ºC and should not be used in places where it may come into contact with acid or corrosive gases, as they could damage it.
Shopping guide: everything you need to know about hydraulic jacks
What types of hydraulic jacks are there?
As we mentioned earlier, jacks can be mainly divided into mechanical and hydraulic jacks. In this guide we will focus only on the hydraulics. Also, this category can be divided into two types of jacks suitable for different circumstances: hydraulic floor jacks and hydraulic bottle jacks. Here we explain them:
floor jacks
Also called “floor”. They are often found in auto shops and professional garages. Their lifting capacity varies depending on their design and material, but they tend to be considerably stronger and sturdier than mechanical jacks. They have wheels to be handled and mobilized easily.
Floor jacks are not compact and are generally not suitable for transporting in your car. These jacks are relatively large and heavy like a typical tool case, and should only be used on flat, hard surfaces. This makes them an excellent choice for workshops and home garages of all sizes.
bottle cat
It bears the name because its shape and size resemble a bottle. But don’t let that fool you, these jacks are powerful and use a piston mechanism to lift a vehicle with just a few pumps. This makes them a popular choice when it comes to lifting tractors, forklifts and other heavy machinery parts.
Bottle jacks, also called piston jacks, have one major drawback: their retracted height is only half the full lift height. They are not suitable for lower vehicles and sports cars, so they are only used for trucks, SUVs and other vehicles with much higher clearances.
What is the difference between hydraulic floor jacks and hydraulic bottle jacks?
The type you should choose will depend on your need. For anyone deciding between the floor jack or the bottle jack, the answer changes depending on the person and the vehicle. While the debate between the two may seem complicated at first, it’s actually quite an easy decision once you discover the strengths and weaknesses of each. Here we point them out:
| Hydraulic floor jacks | Hydraulic Bottle Jacks | |
| load support | Minor (up to 3 tons) | Major (5+ tons) |
| Stability | Mayor | Smaller |
| Mobility | include wheels | stationary |
| Portability | No | Yes |
| Low profile | Yes | No |
| high profile | Not always | Yes |
| Dimensions | Big ones | compacts |
| Precio | moderate to high | Bass |
| ideals in | large spaces | Small spaces |
| best for | low profile cars | High Profile Cars |
If you still cannot decide on a type, we recommend that you take the difference in height or profile as the main aspect. In that sense, we suggest you buy a hydraulic bottle jack if your car is high profile (truck, SUV). Hydraulic floor jacks are for people who have cars with low ground clearance.
How can I benefit from having a hydraulic jack?
Whether you work in an auto shop, at home, or in general lifting heavy loads, having one of these tools comes in handy. Although professional mechanics use a variety of different tools that serve different purposes, hydraulic jacks are known as one of the workhorses of auto shops.
By lifting heavy loads, they can turn a relatively small area into a fully functional workspace. You can then carry out extensive repairs to your vehicle, with the help of jack stands, of course. Depending on the maximum height and load capacities, floor jacks can be used for a variety of car models.
What are the advantages of a hydraulic jack?
As we mentioned before, this machinery is widely used and beneficial in automotive workshops and in home workshops, especially. Without one of these tools it would be basically impossible for us to lift heavy objects or loads such as cars of all kinds. Therefore, here we mention some of its main advantages:
Advantage
- Security
- Stability
- Easy to use
- lifting speed
- Flexibility in its use (floor jacks)
Purchase and evaluation criteria
Lifting capacity
Choosing the correct lifting capacity will help ensure your safety and reduce the chances of accidents or malfunctions. You will need to look at the weight of your vehicle and make sure you purchase a jack that is strong enough to lift it. Most floor jacks are certified to lift between one and four tons.
If you occasionally lift small cars like sports cars or even the family lawn mower, you won’t need a very powerful jack. If instead you have numerous trucks that you work on frequently, a heavy jack is a better option for you.
Material
Think about the amount of use you will give your hydraulic jack to find the correct material to be made of. Similar to lifting capacity, knowing roughly how often you’ll be using your jack is a key factor in knowing which material to choose.
They are usually made of steel or aluminum.
For example, if you own a maintenance and repair shop, you’ll need a heavy-duty hydraulic jack, so you’re better off buying one that’s made of steel. On the other hand, if you want a jack with which to perform occasional repairs on a relatively light vehicle, you can opt for an aluminum one.
Design, profile and dimensions
Although most sedans are easy to lift, many cars have little clearance or available space to accommodate a jack. This makes it very difficult to lift them, to say the least, plus we can cause an accident. If your car has limited space, you’ll need a jack with the lowest profile possible.
Remember to check that the hydraulic jack’s design profile fits snugly under your vehicle and is easy to position on your vehicle’s jacking point. Some jacks are considerably larger than others, so consider the size and storage options you have before purchasing one.
