Jacks

By: Kelly Slater

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GET JACKED ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GARAGE JACKS AND TRESTLES

If you own a car, then it is likely that you also own a jack. However, there are much more to jacks and trestles than meets the eye. A jack is a mechanical lifting device that is employed to raise or lift heavy loads. Although the most popular jack is a car jack, used for changing a wheel for instance, there are many other kinds of jacks available with more specialised designs and uses. In this article, we will provide you with a brief overview of some of the kinds of jacks on offer in the market and at Adendorff, give a succinct note on safely using a jack, and explain why jacks and trestles might be bought together.

Different varieties of jacks 

Scissor jack:

Often found in smaller vehicles, this simple jack utilises a screw mechanism to lift the load. It is generally small and easy to fit in a confined space, thus, there is usually a marked area where this will fit under the vehicle. 
Because of its simplistic and compact design, they are used to change tyres or do minor vehicle repairs.

Toe/ floor jack:

With a low-profile design, toe/floor jacks are also commonly found in vehicles. 
Heavy wheels allow it to be rolled under the car, and the long pump handle uses hydraulics to raise the jack and lift the vehicle. 
Although it is mostly used for vehicle repairs and tyre changes, it could also be used for light construction, such as installing a staircase. 

Bottle jack:

A bottle jack is a hydraulic jack that is also used in the automotive industry that uses either a pump handle and/or features an air compressor attachment.
They can lift tens of tons and are therefore suitable for medium-duty construction, automotive work on high clearance vehicles and sometimes equipment maintenance.

Telescopic/Pneumatic jack:

These jacks make use of a pneumatic system to lift extremely heavy loads.
As a result, they are used to lift heavy machinery, buses, trucks, and do some heavy-duty construction work.

Farm jack/ hi-lift jack:

As the name may give away, these jacks can be used to conduct maintenance on farm equipment. 
They are suitable for heavy-duty work, such as lifting a vehicle out of mud, winching, and lifting off-road vehicles. 

Trolley jack:

Considered to be a safe and easy choice, this jack can lift a few tons, can be rolled over dirt or gravel, and often features a braking system.
Thus, they can be used for automotive repairs, medium-duty construction, and high-clearance equipment maintenance.

Hydraulic/mechanical jack:

Using a crank handle, this type of jack operates on a hydraulic system that has a variety of uses.
It could be the landing gear of trailers, both for boating and hauling, and work on recreational vehicles. 

Transmission jack:

Most jacks raise a vehicle using either the chassis or axles, however, a transmission jack is positioned centrally and directly under the vehicle.
It lifts the transmission using a lifting platform that is connected to the jack frame.

Exhaust jack:

This is a form of inflatable jack that lifts the vehicle using the car’s exhaust or an air compressor
Used on lower-weight vehicles, the jack can lift the vehicle out of ditches quickly.

Forklift/Pallet jack:

It might not come as a surprise that this jack could be used to lift pallets. 
With an elevated design, handle, and push rod, this jack is a favourite for lifting goods in warehouses or in a shipping context.

As can be seen, there are several kinds of jacks available. When choosing the right one for you, some important considerations are the style and source of power (e.g. screw mechanism, pneumatic, hydraulic and so on). Arguably most important, however, is the lifting capacity of the jack – this needs to be compatible with the weight you need to lift. There may be no need to crack a nut with a sledgehammer, however, trying to lift heavy loads with an unsuitable jack is a glaring safety issue. 

Safety and use 

Although the safety of jacks is heavily regulated by national and international standards, a large part of the risk to safety is user error. Thus, here are a few tips on how to safely use a jack. Please note that this is with regards to using a jack on a vehicle by a layperson.

You get a flat tire while driving, and with no roadside assistance, you will be getting out the jack and spare and changing it yourself.