Classification of hydraulic jacks and their selection, review, comparison

Design and principle of operation

The working fluid used is hydraulic oil, and the operation of the mechanism is based on the principle of communicating vessels. The liquid does not compress, which allows for a smooth rise and precise fixation of the vehicle’s position at the required height.

Structurally, the mechanism consists of three main parts - a cylinder, a discharge valve and a discharge valve. When the car is raised, oil is supplied to the cylinder under pressure through the discharge valve, and when lowered, the liquid is released through the drain valve.

Changing the degree of opening of the release valve allows you to adjust the rate of lowering of the vehicle.

Purpose and functions

The jack allows you to raise a car, minibus or light truck from one side to the required height, hold the vehicle at this height during repair work, and smoothly lower the car after the repair is completed.

• The mechanisms are used at service stations and in auto repair shops offering the following services:
• Suspension repair.
• Tire service
• Pressing out silent blocks of trucks.

How to use an inflatable jack

This type of lift is a pneumatic device. In this case, a special pillow is installed under the bottom of the machine, which is subsequently inflated with a special device. To work with such a device you need:

• Place the cushion under the car and spread it evenly.
• Place special mats on top and bottom that are included in the kit. They are designed to avoid pillow punctures.
• Close the lock connecting the valve and hose tightly. This is necessary to avoid air leakage from the pillow.
• Connect the end of the hose to a source of air or gas supply. Special compressors are used.
• The pillow is inflated with air or vehicle exhaust gases.

It is important to monitor the process of inflating the pillow. It should pass evenly in all directions. If any side lags, then it is necessary to check and correct the position of the pillow or lower it and start the process again.

How to choose

If the mechanism is purchased for a car service or tire service with a large flow of clients, then to automate the work, you can give preference to models with an electric pump. You should also pay attention to the type of handle (rubberized, regular), the presence of an idle pedal (the speed of lifting under the base), and the size of the contact seat.

Important When choosing a hydraulic jack, be sure to take into account the following parameters:

• Load capacity.
  The maximum weight of the load that the mechanism can lift. If a car service repairs and maintains only passenger cars, then a carrying capacity of 2-3 tons will be sufficient. Otherwise, it is better to give preference to models that are designed to lift up to 5 tons.
• Lifting height. The maximum height to which the mechanism's support point extends. Determines the distance to which the vehicle can be raised, taking into account ground clearance.
• Grip height. In general, this is the height from the floor to the car body at which a jack can be used. For vehicles with low ground clearance, a minimum grip height is required, while SUVs and light trucks require a device with a higher parameter value.
• Gear ratio. The parameter shows how much effort is required to bring the pump into working condition.

Doesn't matter

You can ignore the following parameters when purchasing mechanisms for working in a service station:

• Dimensions.
  Hydraulic jacks are produced for both professional and domestic use. For car owners, manufacturers offer compact models that easily fit into the trunk of a car. Owners of service stations and auto repair shops do not need to purchase such mechanisms, since rolling models do not take up much space in the service.
• Working progress. The distance by which the working cylinder rises with one press of the handle (for mechanical models). It only determines the lifting speed of the car and in most cases is not so important for a car service.
• Availability of a storage case. Models for home use are supplied in special covers or cases. There is no need for such cases for service stations and auto repair shops.

Design Features

On sale you can find two types of jacks, which will differ in the principle of lifting the working rod:

Types of bottle jack

• Screw bottle jack. Consists of a body with coarse threads and a nut with a ratchet. The advantages of this design are its simplicity and ability to work in any position. Maximum force is limited by the applied muscular force.
• Hydraulic bottle jack. It works on the principle of connecting vessels and develops a force of several tons. The physical costs of lifting remain constant. There are two-rod (telescopic) and single-rod jacks.

In a hydraulic jack, the working fluid is a special oil, which is poured into the body through a hole intended for this purpose.
The principle of lifting the working rod is based on the use of Pascal's law for communicating vessels. The pressure in them is the same, and the gain in power is achieved by the difference in the areas of the working piston and the plunger, which works in a small vessel and serves to pump oil. In this way, a force of 2, 3, 5 tons or more is achieved.

The plunger pump can be driven manually using a special lever or an oil pump station connected through a special adapter. The lowering of the rod occurs when the oil is released into the upper part of the hydraulic cylinder, for which the bypass valve is opened (used for heavy-duty jacks).

Hydraulic jack device

The best rolling hydraulic jacks

Mechanisms that look like a cart on wheels that can be moved on a flat surface. When the lever is lifted, the device moves under the vehicle. The vehicle is raised by swinging the lever, and lowered by turning the valve screw.

A separate type of rolling mechanism is a transmission jack, designed for mounting and dismantling a car’s gearbox.

Main characteristics of rolling models:

• Load capacity – 2-3 to 5 tons.
• Lifting height – 145-410 mm.
• Pickup height – from 135-140 mm.

Jack type

Before choosing a jack, you should decide on its type of device. They are like this:

• mechanical,
• hydraulic,
• pneumatic.

The first option is the simplest and cheapest; the average price of the version for a passenger car ranges from 500 to 1,500 rubles.

Mechanical jacks are often chosen to be carried with you all the time - however, most of these jacks only lift cars weighing up to 1.5 tons. In addition, you will have to put in a lot of physical effort to lift the car.

Hydraulic jacks are larger in size and cost more, about 1500-2500 rubles. But they can easily lift a heavy SUV without requiring much physical effort. But there are also several disadvantages - first of all, the need for a large initial height, which creates problems when trying to lift cars with low ground clearance. Secondly, for the hydraulic device to operate, a hard and level surface is needed. Therefore, they are often purchased for garages, workshops and car services.

Pneumatic models operate by using compressed air. This allows the driver or mechanic to make no effort at all, but increases both size and price. True, to work you need a compressor that pumps air. The average cost of pneumatic installations is about 10,000 rubles, the minimum is about 5,000 rubles. But such jacks can be used on any type of soil, including uneven and loose ones.

Best Hydraulic Bottle Jacks

Bottle-type devices (vertical) are used to lift vehicles with high ground clearance, since due to their design features they have a significant gripping height.

Main characteristics:

• Load capacity – from 6.5 to 12-13 tons.
• Lifting height – 210-450 mm (on average).
• Grip height – from 200 mm

Advantages

• High lifting capacity - on average 8-12 tons, which is more than enough to lift SUVs, minibuses, light and medium trucks.
• Possibility of lifting vehicles with high ground clearance – suitable for lifting vehicles with a ground clearance of 20 cm or more.
• Compactness - the jack does not take up much space compared to rolling mechanisms.

Flaws

• Cannot be used to lift vehicles with ground clearance less than 20 cm (for some models less than 23 cm).
• Inconvenient descent, typical for most models of mechanisms of this type.
• A lot of weight despite the fact that the jack is portable - 8-10 kg.

Rating

SPOTLIGHT 41463 23

• The cheapest is Autoprofi DG-04.
• The most convenient is Sparta 16 t 205-400 mm.
• The most reliable - Zubr 43060-12

The best rack and pinion car jacks

Rack and pinion jacks are simple and easy to use. A standard rack and pinion jack operates by rotating movements. We have collected the TOP best jacks of this type.

BISON Hi-jack 43045-3-070 (3 t)

BISON Hi-jack 43045-3-070 (3 t)

A reliable jack, just a godsend when off-road. The tool is also used as a hand winch. It is also used when moving heavy loads. The model is very comfortable, low weight and serrated jaws contribute to this.

Pros:

• Lasting.
• Small model, does not take up much space.
• Easy to use.
• Large operating range.

No deficiencies found.

Customers are happy with the tool and like that it is easy to work with.

Kraton HJ-2.7-1200 2 30 03 002

Kraton HJ-2.7-1200 2 30 03 002

An excellent and reliable jack with which you can lift various equipment. It is very convenient to use the tool when changing wheels. The steel rack structure lifts to a height of 1016 millimeters. Thanks to the steel rack structure, the product is capable of lifting loads weighing up to 2.7 tons.

Pros:

• Reliable.
• Does not require complex care.
• Lasting.
• Comfortable extended handle.

No deficiencies found.

Users are satisfied with the tool, they emphasize the consistency of price and quality.

Stels 50529 (3 t)

Stels 50529 (3 t)

A professional tool ensures quick lifting of the car to the required height. Stels 50529 is easy to use, and the presence of a perforated body reduces weight and allows the tool to operate as a winch. Suitable for use in harsh conditions.

Pros:

1. Easy to use.
2. Reliability.
3. Can be used in any conditions.
4. Powerful.

Minuses:

1. The rubber grip does not fit tightly onto the handle.

Customers are satisfied with the model and claim that the jack met all their expectations.

MATRIX 505155 (3 t)

MATRIX 505155 (3 t)

The model is designed for smooth ascent. MATRIX 505155 (3 t) is safe. Durability is ensured by a design made of high quality metal. Can be used as a hand winch.

Pros:

• Smooth ride.
• Lasting.
• Easy transportation.
• Comfortable.
• Corrosion protection.

No deficiencies found.

Users are satisfied with the jack, emphasizing the simplicity of the design and ease of operation.

AvtoDelo 43330 (3 t)

AvtoDelo 43330 (3 t)

The model is used mainly for repair, installation and loading work. Also used as a traction winch. The jack is suitable for lifting a car at a service station or in a car repair shop. It is possible to pick up cargo from a low height. With its help, you can lift the vehicle without any extra effort.

Pros:

• There is a locking mechanism.
• Lasting.
• Step-by-step system for lifting and installing loads.

No deficiencies found.

Buyers are satisfied with the jack and its functionality.

The best hydraulic jacks

It is a stationary structure that operates on the principle of a hydraulic bottle jack. In contrast to the latter, the hitch can be used to lift vehicles with low ground clearance.

There are also mobile hooking mechanisms, but they are used less frequently than stationary ones.

There are two-stage models that can lift using both the toe and the top platform.

Characteristics

• Load capacity – from 2-3 to 7-8 tons.
• Lifting height – up to 600 mm.
• Grip height – from 50 mm.

Advantages

• Compact size - the device does not take up much space in the room.
• Low lifting height – can be used for lifting vehicles with ground clearance up to 15 cm.
• Step-by-step adjustment of vehicle lift height.

Flaws

• Heavy weight – structures weigh 20-25 kg or more.
• Stationary use – they are not mobile mechanisms.
• Storage and transportation only in a vertical position, which is typical for bottle-type mechanisms.

Rating

• The best for cars with minimal ground clearance is Sorokin 3.306.
• The most affordable among professional equipment is GARWIN GE-IJ05.
• The lightest is Sorokin 3.302.

Bottle jack device

Today, almost every car repair shop has a hydraulic lift, since using an old-style 5-ton jack, you can lift cars to a given height for repair work. Due to their large load capacity and ease of use, bottle-type lifts are popular.

Bottle Hydraulic Jack

Even 50 years ago, it was possible to lift a car or any other load only with the help of a mechanical device, but over time, experts established the fact that the capabilities of such a device were limited. Mechanical lifters were unable to generate high pressure even when the operator applied his best efforts. As a result of these tests, a modern lifting mechanism was invented, which required oil to operate. The working fluid helps create the necessary pressure, and the jack gradually raises the load to the desired height.

It is worth noting that hydraulic lifts are used not only by workers at service stations, but also in large oil refineries. These designs are indispensable at hydroelectric power plants, and over the past 10 years they have been preferred by the majority of motorists, both experienced and beginners. For optimal functioning of the device, both vertical and horizontal planes are suitable, which makes it popular even in the construction industry.

Best Hydraulic Hollow Rod Jacks

Jacks with a hollow rod (cylinder) have found application in car services and service stations when pressing out silent blocks on trucks. Loads can be lifted using pins. There are mechanisms with spring and gravitational piston return.

Due to the possibility of using threaded rods through the rod hole, it is possible to use mechanisms of this type for pressing in and out of various components and parts of cars.

Characteristics

• Load capacity (force) – up to 100 tons.
• Lifting height – up to 350 mm.

Advantages

• Compact dimensions - the mechanisms do not take up much space in the auto repair shop.
• Automation of the process of pressing out parts in models with hydraulic return of the rod.
• Large load capacity - from 30 to 100 tons.

Flaws

• Limited use - cannot be used for lifting passenger cars.
• High cost - if constant use is not required, it will pay for itself in the long term.

The hydraulic oil pump and additional devices are purchased separately for each jack model.

Rating

• The lightest one is KVALITET DPP-030-200.
• Universal model – Yale YCS-12/40.
• The most reliable is TEHRIM DP60P50.

The best telescopic hydraulic jacks

The devices have a design similar to bottle jacks. The main difference is that not one, but several rods are used. Thanks to this design, it is possible to lift the car to a great height, and also use the device to work with vehicles with high ground clearance.

Characteristics

• Loading capacity – 3-20 tons.
• Lifting height – over 500 mm.
• Grip height – 150-210 mm.

Advantages

• Low price compared to other types of lifting devices with the same lifting capacity.
• The ability to lift a vehicle to a significant height, as well as lift trucks and SUVs with high ground clearance.
• Large power reserve - with small dimensions, using telescopic jacks you can lift loads of 10-20 tons.

Disadvantages: When fully extended, a jack of 4-6 tons will not be stable when lifting a car weighing 2-3 tons.

To lift SUVs, devices of 8-10 tons are required.

Complexity of the design - due to the telescopic design, with frequent use and lack of maintenance, the jack will fail prematurely.

Can be used on uneven surfaces, but installation on level ground is required for stability when lifting the vehicle.

Rating

• The most affordable for small car repair shops for passenger cars is Stels 51117.
• Universal model for service stations – Matrix 507455.
• The most compact is BOLK BK51005W.

Types, properties and characteristics of hydraulic jack

The modern market of components and spare parts for automobiles is distinguished by a variety of hydraulic lifts. Popular device types include the following:

• bottle and roll-on;
• hook;
• diamond-shaped;
• hybrid.

Bottle lifts have a simple design that allows them to be used in many applications.

With their help, they lift a load whose weight ranges from 2 to 100 tons, and most bottle models work in a vertical plane. To put the mechanism into action, it is necessary to prepare a support platform with a large plane, and using a two-rod design, the lifting height is adjusted.

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Bottle jack in action

Rack and pinion lifts, which operate in a horizontal plane, have a wheeled trolley that must be placed under the object that will be lifted. Using the translational movements of the lever, you need to pump up pressure to release the rod, as a result of which the toggle switch comes into action. In order to lower the load, you should unscrew the lever back, but it is strictly forbidden to rush while doing this, because the car may fall sharply.

If it is not possible to use a stationary model, you can use a hook jack, which allows you to hook and raise the machine to the required height. But the distance under the load must be at least 15 mm; some hook structures are equipped with step adjustment.

As for diamond-shaped lifts, they consist of four frame elements that are connected to each other using hinges. The process of lifting a vehicle is carried out due to the fact that the angles between the frame elements change.

Hybrid jacks are so named because their design combines the bottle and rolling type of lift. Lifts with two lifting platforms are used in car repair shops, where vehicles of various brands, classes and modifications are serviced.

Note!

One of the hybrid's lifting platforms must be raised to a height of no more than 375 mm above the floor level, and the second - by 700 mm. The drive is represented by a foot pedal or lever, and to facilitate the operation of hybrid models, it is recommended to use an electromechanical drive.

The best electric hydraulic jacks

Hydraulic jacks do not require significant effort to lift the car. If vehicles are lifted frequently (during car repairs, tire fitting), then manually driving the pump to pump hydraulic oil into the mechanism becomes impractical.

An electric jack is suitable for service stations and services whose technicians often have to lift the vehicle to perform repairs and maintenance.

In models with built-in electrical equipment, you need to pay attention to the length of the power cord - as a rule, it is 4-5 m, which is not always enough to carry out work in a workshop or in an open area. Electric pumps for jacks are also produced and sold.

Characteristics Among the main characteristics of electric drive mechanisms, it is necessary to note the network voltage (12 V, 220 V) from which the equipment is powered, power, and load capacity.

• Load capacity – from 2-3 to 10-15 tons.
• Lifting height – 190-460 mm (in some models up to 560 mm).
• Grip height – from 130 mm.
• Power supply – 12 or 220 V.

Advantages

• Automation of vehicle lifting - no manual operations required.
• High speed of the device.
• Combination of manual mode and electric drive in some models.

Flaws

• Lack of autonomous operation if, in addition to the electric drive, the device does not have a manual mode.
• The need to connect equipment for the electric drive of the mechanism.
• Limited power cord length.

Rating

• Universal model – NordCraft EJ-20.
• The most convenient is Enerpred DPV55E.
• For passenger cars with any ground clearance - Tor 1082253 (with a separate electric pump).

Device and design of a hydraulic jack

The capabilities of hydraulic jacks are strikingly different from those of both mechanical and pneumatic counterparts. Key Features:

• load capacity from 1.5 to 200 tons (in some cases - up to 1000 tons);
• high efficiency - close to 80%;
• low working effort;
• smooth ride;
• high structural rigidity.

The disadvantages of most hydraulic jacks include the initially large height of most devices and the need for maintenance during operation.

Recommendations

Various brands are represented on the domestic market - European, Russian, Chinese. Among the most common are Autoprofi, BOLK, SKYWAY, Matrix, Sparta, Stels, FIT, Airline, “ZUBR”. The cost of well-known European brands is usually higher than that of Chinese ones.

To lift a vehicle using a hydraulic bottle or telescopic mechanism, you must take into account that with the rod(s) fully extended, the device will withstand the declared load, but due to the extremely low stability, it will not be possible to perform any work. A vehicle weighing 2 tons requires a device with a lifting capacity of 4-6 tons, and a vehicle weighing 3 tons will require a jack with a capacity of 8 tons.