Hydraulic car jacks are an indispensable tool for every vehicle owner. They can be used to raise a car, allowing you to change tires or perform other maintenance tasks. They are also useful when it comes to lifting heavy objects that would otherwise require a team of people to move them.
But how do you know which hydraulic car lift jack is right for your needs? Read on to find out:
Type of Hydraulic Lift
There are two main types of hydraulic lifts: single stage and dual stage. A single stage hydraulic jack uses one piston (one cylinder) to provide all the force needed for lifting or lowering an object within its range of motion. A dual stage lift uses two pistons (two cylinders) to provide greater force at lower pressures than a single-stage lift can achieve. This allows the user to start their work with less risk of damaging the equipment by applying too much pressure too quickly on something that cannot support it without causing any damages.
Portability
Some models of hydraulic car Jack lifts can be moved around easily while others require more effort to move them from place to place. The portability of a model will depend on its weight and size as well as other features like wheels or handles if they are available on the model that you choose.
Clearance
It is the space between the car's suspension and the ground when it is raised. Clearance varies with different car jacks; for instance, some have low clearance while others have high clearance. Most car jacks have a minimum clearance of 1-3 inches above the tire height. This ensures that there is enough space for users to work comfortably without interference from other parts of their vehicle.
Lift Heights
This refers to how high your vehicle will go when using your hydraulic jack lift, which will depend on its design type and model. Most standard jacks can lift up vehicles up to 24 inches high; however, there are some models that allow users to lift vehicles up to 30 inches high. If you want to raise your vehicle higher than 24 inches, consider choosing an electric jack instead because they offer more lifting power than standard hydraulic jacks does.
Load Capacity
This is probably the most important factor to consider when buying a hydraulic car jack lift. The load capacity refers to how much weight the jack can handle at once and is calculated in pounds (lbs). If you’re planning on doing major work on your car such as changing out an engine or transmission then you’ll want to go with something that has at least 2 tons of capacity (2000 lbs). If all you need is something small like changing tires then a 1-1/2 ton model will suffice.
Orientation
There are two types of orientation – vertical and horizontal. The vertical orientation is the most common type of hydraulic vehicle jacks that are used in most garages. These types of jacks can be raised up to about 60 degrees. On the other hand, the horizontal jacks have been designed for lifting vehicles on their sides. They can be raised up to 90 degrees or more depending on their design.
Automatic or Manual
The automatic hydraulic jacks automatically adjust themselves as they come into contact with the ground while manual ones require manual adjustment by pressing a button or lever after placing it on the ground. Automatic hydraulic jacks are more expensive than manual ones but also offer more convenience when using them.
Conclusion
It is true that hydraulic car jack lifts are highly effective, convenient, and reliable when it comes to lifting your vehicle for maintenance purposes and proper storage. And the reason behind their popularity is that they make your job a lot easier, safer and faster than the traditional Jack Lifts. But you need to just keep in mind that choosing these devices you have to consider certain key factors before actually starting the process of buying them.