Different Types of Floor Jacks

Before you go and buy a best floor jack, you need to know that there are different types of jacks out there. It would be easy to walk into an auto body shop or a retailer to buy a jack and rely on the help of an assistant. However, having prior knowledge and conducting research might take some time but it will improve your chances of getting a high quality jack suited for your vehicle and needs. There are three types of jacks that you can buy. These include: scissor, hydraulic and bottle jacks. Each of these jacks is distinguished by its operating mechanism as well as its build. In order to ascertain what you need, you must consider two things: what can raise your vehicle and what each type of jack is best suited for.

● Scissor Jacks

Scissor jacks have a unique mechanism. The jack has a lead screw which compresses the scissor mechanism leading to lifting. In order to use this jack, you need to apply a substantial amount of effort to raise your car. However, these jacks are the most convenient when it comes to portability. They can easily fit in the trunk of your car without adding a lot of weight to the car. In addition to this, they fit snugly under the car thus do not take up a lot of space which provides for safety in case you have to change your tire on the road. These jacks are also popular with manufacturers as they are included with the purchase of the car. Unfortunately, scissor jacks are limited in their height capacity which makes them unsuitable for use in tasks that are more complex than changing tires.

● Hydraulic Jacks

Hydraulic jacks have the highest capacity when it comes to lifting vehicles. The jack comprises of a cylinder mechanism that sits on four wheels. The jack also has a detachable lever which is used to pump fluid from one cylinder to another to provide pressure and lift the vehicle. The wheels on the jack come in handy because they help to position it, avoiding slanting and tilting and thus ensuring our safety. Additionally, these jacks can support a lot of weight which comes in handy when you want to lift trucks and other heavy vehicles. The only problem with these jacks is that they are not easily portable due to their weight. They are therefore best used in garages or at home.

● Bottle or Piston Jacks

Bottle jacks are also known as piston jacks. They work similar to the hydraulic jack in that they also employ a hydraulic mechanism. However, these jacks look different as they have concentric cylinders and are high. This means that they cannot be used for sports cars or other low cars. They support a lot of weight and can lift to significant height which makes them perfect for lifting trucks and heavy duty vehicles. They are also preferred because of their small footprint. They can easily be used at the side of the road or in a garage, depending on what you need for your truck or higher car.