A garage or vehicle servicing workshop is incomplete without a heavy-duty floor jack, and if you are into servicing trucks and other heavy vehicles, you sure do need a truck jack! With so many different types of truck jacks available on the market, it can be hard to decide on what’s best for you, not least if you are new to truck maintenance. But don’t worry. We got you covered!
In this blog, we’ll explore different types of truck jacks and their uses, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right one for the job. Read on!
1. Hydraulic Floor Jacks
No discussion on truck jacks can begin without the mention of this trusted workhorse. Heavy duty floor jacks are by far the most popular truck jacks on the market, used by everyone from DIY enthusiasts to full-time workshop owners. What’s so special about them?
- Robust: Floor jacks are robust and come in a variety of weight capacities. For instance, the Scorpion Floor Jacks from Stan Design can lift as heavy as 25,000 lbs.
- Stable: Heavy-duty floor jacks have a wide base enabling them to remain stable while lifting heavy trucks.
- Small footprint and user-friendly: Despite their generous base, hydraulic floor jacks have a low collapsed profile and small footprint to maximize workshop space. They are also extremely easy to operate – just a few pumps on the handle and your job is done! Innovative products like the Scorpion Floor Jacks use compressed air to boost the hydraulics for more lifting power. With them, you just need to push a button and watch your truck lift!
- Lift high: Heavy-duty truck jacks like the Scorpion MJ25 Floor Jack can lift behemoths like military trucks as high as 36”, giving you easy access to the undercarriage.
2. Bottle Jacks
Bottle jacks operate on the same principles as hydraulic floor jacks but are more compact. Heavy-duty bottle jacks can handle serious weight and offer precise control. The only downside with these versatile truck jacks is their limited lift height.
3. Scissor Jacks
Scissor jacks essentially convert rotational motion into vertical motion efficiently, enabling users to lift vehicles via cranking of the handle. However, they are not robust enough for large and heavy vehicles like loaded trucks or armored cars. Here are a few attributes of the scissor jack worth mentioning:
- Compact Design: Scissor jacks are known for their compact design, making them easy to store and transport. Your personal car probably came with a scissor jack as part of the standard toolkit.
- Emergency Repairs: While not as heavy-duty as some other options, scissor jacks are handy for emergency roadside repairs and routine maintenance tasks.
4. Pneumatic Jacks
Pneumatic jacks use compressed air for lifting, providing a quick and efficient solution for heavy-duty vehicles. These jacks are known for their rapid lifting capabilities, reducing downtime during maintenance tasks.
5. Telescoping Jacks
Telescoping jacks are a variation of the hydraulic jack and offer adjustable height settings. Their stable design ensures that the vehicle remains secure while lifted, providing a safe working environment.
6. Electric Truck Jacks
Electric truck jacks eliminate manual pumping, making them user-friendly and reducing physical effort. These jacks often come with additional features like built-in lighting for better visibility during night-time repairs.
7. Pit Jacks
There’s no competition for the pit jack when it comes to lifting big and bulky trucks and buses. At the heart of the rolling pit jack is a hydraulic system consisting of a hydraulic pump, hydraulic fluid, and a network of hoses and cylinders. The pump generates hydraulic pressure to ensure smooth and controlled lifting of heavy vehicles like trucks and military vehicles. Stan Jacks by Stan Design use pneumatic pressure or compressed air to aid with the lifting process.
Endnote
Choosing the right truck jack is essential to efficient and safe vehicle maintenance. Whether it’s a hydraulic floor jack for lifting big and bulky vehicles or a compact scissor jack for roadside emergencies, each type serves a specific purpose.
Investing in the right equipment ensures that users can perform their tasks with confidence, knowing that they have the support of reliable and purpose-built tools. So, whether you are a workshop owner or a DIY enthusiast, understanding different types of truck jacks and their uses is key to keeping your heavy-duty vehicles in top-notch condition.