Stan Design

Categories
Jacks Pit Jacks Truck Jacks

Understanding Load Capacities: Choosing a Jack That Fits Your Vehicle

Jacks are tools for lifting vehicles like heavy-duty military-grade armored vehicles to regular-sized family vans. They are designed to load, lift, suspend and lower these vehicles for purposes of inspection and maintenance. 

The best jack for heavy vehicles comes in all shapes and sizes and can work out for you if you choose a jack that fits your vehicle, instead of a product that you have not researched. Modern technology allows you to choose from a range of modern features in jacks. 

Product features like one-touch button-operated lift systems with dead-man switches, low-profile floor space, height adjustability, portability, floating casters and rolling bearings, etc. are an indelible mark of technological superiority that must be checked for to fit your specific needs and address your concerns. 

Lifting jacks for trucks are essential devices for the maintenance of the long-term operational health of your vehicle, as well as your emergency aid for quick and cheap automotive fixes. Their proper maintenance aids their long-term returns. 

How to Choose a Jack?

  • Understand Vehicle Requirements – The first and foremost requirement for choosing the right floor jack for cars is understanding the type of jack you require for your vehicle. For instance, you might not require a floor jack at all, if say, you take your cars for regular servicing to a commercial garage that have service pits which use pit jacks of their own. 
  • Safety Precautions of Jacks – Since jacks are involved in risky tasks regularly like loading vehicles, they need to be marked safe for use and maintained accordingly. Choosing the right loading tool for the right vehicle size, storing and maintaining them for enhanced efficacy, and making sure that it is safe for the personnel involved in the process are all security precautions that must be taken into account for choosing the right vehicle jack. 
  • Jack Material – Steel bodies for jacks are the sturdiest options to go with when choosing a heavy-duty jack. This, along with zinc-plated components are shown to add to the durability and reliability of the jack and its ability to function properly in the long-term. Hydraulic and pneumatic jacks are prone to malfunction and their longevity is enhanced by choosing the right build material for the jack. 
  • Vehicle Load Capacity – Lastly, the load capacity of the jack determines the choice of jack to a large extent. Load capacity is usually measured in pounds or kilograms, with a typical jack type bearing a load capacity ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds (about 2267.96 kg). This basically means the amount of weight it is designed to carry and varies based on the mode of operation of a jack type- pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or hybrid, etc. 

Calculating Vehicle Load Capacity

Calculating the load capacity for jack types for different vehicles involves understanding the mechanics of the jack and the weight it needs to support. 

This is the part where it gets technical, and you can skip it as this is only in-depth technical information for the jack nerds. Here is a basic formula to calculate the force required for a jack without considering friction: F=2πRQp 

Where: 

  • ( F ) is the effort force at the end of the arm or handle (in lb or N) 
  • ( Q ) is the weight or load (in lb or N) 
  • ( p ) is the pitch – distance or lead of thread in one turn (in inches or m) 
  • ( R ) is the lever-arm radius (in inches or m)

If we unintentionally gave you jitters with the physics tidbit here, worry not as this is only something you for you if you are interested in understanding the technicality behind understanding how load capacities are calculated. 

The rest of the information will guide you to choose the right lifting jack for trucks. So, sit tight and read on! 

Understanding Load Capacities by Jack Types

Floor Jack – These are the most popular jack types used in lifting heavy weights, be it small cars or heavy-duty military-grade trucks. Their load capacities vary according to the type of car they are used to lift. For instance, the Scorpion floor jacks by Stan Design Inc. are built to lift anywhere from 24000 lbs.- 28000 lbs. 

Fast Lube Jack – These are manually operated machines that aid in tire servicing like tire rotation, lube servicing etc., transforming your commercial garage into a proper automobile station. For instance, the fast lube jacks by Stan Design Inc. are built to lift anywhere from 6000 lbs.- 9000 lbs. 

Rolling Bridge Jack – These jacks allow a special type of lifting, by aiding automobile lift systems found in big garages. These are very costly and are prone to malfunction. For instance, the rolling bridge jacks by Stan Design Inc. are built to lift anywhere from 6000 lbs.- 50000 lbs. 

Pit Jack – These tools are jacks specially designed for fitting into service pits of commercial garages or automotive shops. For instance, the pit jacks by Stan Design Inc. are built to lift anywhere from 12000 lbs.- 35000 lbs. Not only that, but they are also built with powerful air motors for lifting in a few seconds. 

Stan Design Inc. 

Stan Design Inc. is the most reputable and trusted name in the truck jacking industry in Canada and North America. You can go through the second section of this blog again to arm yourself with crucial information about the load capacities of their different jack types. 

With over 25+ years of experience in the field of designing and manufacturing jacks like floor jacks, pit jacks, rolling bridge jacks, fast lube jacks, etc., they are the masters of understanding your requirements- whether for personal or commercial use- and helping you accordingly. 

Not only do we provide jack types with a wide range of load capacity, but we also manufacture jacks in both pneumatic and hydraulic design variants. This empowers you to load and lift your vehicles effortlessly and safely without feeling a hole burning through your pockets! 

Categories
Bridge Jacks Fast Lube Floor jacks Hydraulic Jacks Jacks Pit Jacks Truck Jacks

Top 5 Jack Manufacturers in Canada

Ask any vehicle owner and they will tell you why a jack is the most important tool to keep handy. A vehicle’s subframe is the part that takes the maximum beating during its lifespan and without jacks it would be impossible to reach the undercarriage of cars and trucks for repair jobs.

Options galore when it comes to choosing heavy duty jacks for cars and trucks. Here are a few important things to look out for when buying a jack:

  • Weight capacity: The weight capacity of a car or truck jack is the amount of weight it can lift safely. Always buy a jack with a higher weight capacity than the vehicle you are planning to lift. This will keep your tool in working order for a long time and you and your vehicle safe from unwanted situations.
  • Lift height: Choose a jack that can reach the lift points of your vehicle easily and lift it high enough to facilitate undercarriage repair. This is especially important for lifted trucks and offroad vehicles that have a high ground clearance.
  • Durable components: A jack is a tool that has to withstand extreme stress for prolonged periods. Hence, it’s paramount that its components are made from durable materials. Choose only time-tested products from reputable jack manufacturers.
  • Cheap isn’t always good: Investing in a high-quality tool proves to be a boon in the long run. It serves you for decades and returns more than its price in performance.

So, who are the best jack manufacturers in Canada? Our team of testers have gone ahead and tried out quite a few jacks, and here’s what they think.

1. Stan Design

Stan Design is one of the best jack manufacturers in Canada with a product line comprising some of the best lifting solutions on the market. They manufacture hydraulic floor jackspit jacks, and rolling bridge jacks using cutting-edge technology, heavy-duty components, and durable materials.

Pros:

  • Best-in-class weight capacity that suits everything from armored cars and trucks to EVs.
  • Generous lift height for all sorts of vehicles including lifted trucks and off-road vehicles.
  • Robust construction achieved using high-grade steel.
  • Corrosion-resistant coat prolongs the lifespan of jack components.
  • Unique safety features comprising best-in-class locking mechanisms make operations safe.
    Highlight product:

    1. The Scorpion MJ25 Floor Jack

Weight Capacity Maximum Lift Height Special Features
25,000 lbs. 36″ Extendable beam with stackable adapters suits any type of vehicle including armored trucks.
Three-stage locking mechanism makes lifting extra safe

2. Torin Automotive Equipment

Torin manufactures some of the best hydraulic floor jacks in Canada. Known for their precision engineering and attention to detail, Torin has been creating waves in the heavy-duty truck jack market with their Black Jack range.

Pros:

  • High precision engineering serves as a benchmark for other manufacturers.
  • Highly reliable products trusted by truck fleets and car owners nationwide.
  • Robust construction makes Torin equipment ultra-durable.
  • Great value for money.

Highlight product:

The 3T Low Profile Black Jack

Weight Capacity Maximum Lift Height Special Features
6,000 lbs. 18″ Unique safety bypass system protects hydraulic cylinders.
Removable two-piece handlebar has rubberized grips for extra grip.

3. Pro-Lift by Shinn Fu Company of America (SFA)

Shinn Fu Company of America has built quite a reputation for itself as a leading jack manufacturer in North America with a market extending up to Central and South America. The Pro-Lift sub-brand features a whole bunch of patented products with unique features that make them pretty desirable among heavy-duty truck jack users.

Pros:

  • Patented DIY solutions.
  • Large network with significant market presence across all the Americas.
  • Product range isn’t limited to lifting solutions and includes a host of products like toolsets and safety helmets.

Highlight product:

The Pro-Lift F 2533 Speedy Lift Jack

Weight Capacity Maximum Lift Height Special Features
2-1/2 tons 21″ High speed lifting makes operation quick and easy.

4. US Jack

With nearly four decades of experience under their belt and carrying the rich lineage of Auto Specialties Manufacturing (AUSCO) in their DNA, Us Jacks is a force to be reckoned with among jack manufacturers in North America. Authentic and homegrown, US Jacks manufactures quite a few class-leading products.

Pros

  • Homegrown with rich automotive lineage.
  • High-quality, time-tested products make life easy for garage owners.
  • Strong service network gives peace of mind to end-users.

Highlight product:

Hi-Range Hydraulic Bottle Jack (12-ton capacity)

Weight Capacity Maximum Lift Height Special Features
12 tons 33% more than standard bottle jacks Extra-wide base.
Nickel-plated steel ram and pump piston.
Wide operating range of -40 F to +200 F

5. Martins Industries

Martins Industries has been in the game for quite some time, making a name for itself as one of the top heavy-duty truck jack manufacturers in North America.

Pros:

  • High-quality products with unmatched load-bearing capabilities.
  • Impressive range of products to suit all kinds of users from truckers to car owners, and more.

Highlight Product:

The MFJ 30T 30-ton Professional Air/Hydraulic Floor Jack

Weight Capacity Maximum Lift Height Special Features
30 tons 41 cm Two-stage lifting: 30-ton cylinder up to 34 cm & 15-ton cylinder up to 41 cm
Two extensions provide 12 cm extra lift height.

One final word before you buy your truck jack: never go for cheap. Saving a few dollars upfront can hurt you in the long run by making your workshop environment unsafe. Trust the top jack manufacturers in Canada to deliver the best products on the market.