Choosing the best trolley jacks for passenger cars

How to make a rolling jack with your own hands

Some craftsmen and motorists make a rolling jack with their own hands. Oddly enough, this does not require sophisticated equipment. As a rule, the basis of a rolling jack is a conventional bottle jack, which works in a similar way - on a hydraulic drive. A diagram of one of these self-made devices is presented below.

A homemade jack is suitable for use in a garage and for lifting a car (the exact lifting capacity depends on the bottle jack used and its location in the welded structure).

Safety engineering

Any jack is not only an auxiliary tool when repairing a car, but also a potential source of threats to both the car and the people around it.

Remember that the jack is a lifting tool, not a vehicle support. Therefore, when performing long-term repairs, the car must be installed on some props, and the jack removed.

Car anchors at height

If you need to crawl under the bottom of the car, be sure to place wheel chocks, bricks or other objects under the wheels in order to reliably immobilize the wheels. If you are not sure whether the jack is working properly or even a small amount of oil leaks from it during the lifting process, then you cannot leave the car on weight on such a device for a long time. Be sure to replace the jack with a secure support, and remove the jack.

Outcomes

A sliding hydraulic jack is a very handy tool used both at service stations and private car owners. The choice of this or that model should be based on its technical characteristics, the authority of the manufacturer and the feedback from the real owners of these devices.

Pay attention to the lifting capacity first. This is especially true for service stations, as well as owners of large cars - SUVs, crossovers and minibuses

Also look at the minimum and maximum height the jack can operate at. To do this, find out in the technical documentation the value of the ground clearance of your machine.

As for the price, it is better not to buy very cheap jacks, however, you should not overpay either. Better to stay on a device from the middle price segment. For most ordinary car owners, it will be enough. If you need a jack for a service station, then you should take a closer look at more expensive professional devices.

Overview of popular hydraulic rolling jack models

We list several trolley jacks popular in our country. Both imported and domestic.

The choice must be made based on its technical characteristics. You should not buy a jack that is too cheap, but you should not overpay either. It is better to buy a mechanism from the middle price category. However, if you need it for professional work (for example, at a service station), then it is better to buy a professional rolling jack, the price of which will be slightly higher than that of conventional garage counterparts.

Why are the T-Max models interesting?

Among the T-Max models, which trolley jack 3 t is better to choose? Specifically, the 103A modification is capable of boasting a long handle. If necessary, the user can scroll through it. Also, this model stands out with a wide heel.According to the documentation for the device, the length of the beam is 34 cm. The piston system itself is designed for pressure at 3 bar. The wheels of this model are steel, and the pad is polyurethane.

The return spring is provided by the manufacturer in this case. The plug is used open type. However, the model still has shortcomings.

First of all, it is important to mention the lack of padding on the handle. Thus, the car can be damaged when using the jack.

This model is not suitable for workshops. It costs about 3400 rubles in stores.

Comparison with bottle jacks

When analyzing the key characteristics of bottle-type jacks and comparing them with the parameters of rolling devices, one should focus on the small area of ​​the support platform. During the lifting process, the bottle jack may move, and as a result, the load will no longer be directed strictly vertically.

In a situation with the described category of lifts, the likelihood of such a phenomenon is almost completely excluded.

During the lifting process, the bottle jack may move, and as a result, the load will no longer be directed strictly vertically. In a situation with the described category of lifts, the likelihood of such a phenomenon is almost completely excluded.

In a comparative analysis of the design and performance, it is necessary to highlight the following key advantages of rolling models.

1. Increased efficiency.
2. Sufficient lifting capacity with relatively small dimensions of the device. This performance ratio is due to the horizontal positioning of the cylinder and the presence of a removable lever.
3. Smooth ascent, high-quality fixation and gradual descent of the platform with a load, for which a special screw is responsible, and in some models - a pedal.
4. Maximum stability.
5. Simplicity and ease of use.

Given that nothing is perfect, it is important to pay attention to the disadvantages of the type of lifting mechanisms under consideration, including:

• relatively low lifting speed, which in some situations is a significant disadvantage;
• the risk of a decrease in the pressure of the working fluid in the cylinder, leading to the lowering of the load;
• at negative temperatures, the performance of hydraulic systems deteriorates significantly, but most often rolling jacks are used in a garage or service station;
• quite costly repairs and a relatively short service life with inadequate care and maintenance;
• the need for the presence of the most solid and level surface, which allows the lift to be installed correctly;
• low working height, if you do not take into account the cargo models.

Jack specifications

The following technical qualities are characteristic of the jack:

1. Carrying capacity.
2. Pickup height.
3. Lifting height.

Let us briefly dwell on each of the listed characteristics. So, the first quality is the carrying capacity. Its range can fluctuate, because it all depends on the type of rolling equipment. It is worth remembering that the job of the jack is to lift the load, not hold it.

The pick-up height helps to correctly and stably abut against the bottom of the vehicle. It has been proven that the smaller it is, the better the functioning of the mechanism itself and the wider the scope of its application. You can often hear how the lifting height of the master is called the lifting heel. The maximum indicator can be equal to 500 millimeters. The minimum ratio is approximately 65 millimeters.

The lift ratio can range from one hundred and fifty to 700 mm. Therefore, it all depends on what height the jack is required for. It will be easy to pick up, knowing the lifting height.

Types and models

Currently, there are 3 types of rolling jacks with a lifting capacity of 5 tons.

Hydraulic

This type of lifting mechanism is most often used at service stations and tire service.

The principle of its operation is quite simple.Under the action of the handle, pressure begins to build up, the oil inside the device acts on the rod, it rises. When the rod is lifted, the car itself begins to rise.

Pneumatic

Compressed air is at the heart of the pneumatic lift. The device consists of the following elements:

• support frame;
• support for the bottom of the car;
• an airtight cushion, for the manufacture of which manufacturers use high-strength rubber;
• wheels;
• valve;
• plug.

The device lifts the car using air that enters the pillow. The mechanism is powered by electricity and is therefore less popular than a hydraulic jack. But it is worth noting that their performance is higher and the price is lower. Such a mechanism requires constant maintenance.

Pneumohydraulic

It is a versatile device based on an oil cylinder that builds up pressure. The mechanism is powered by electricity. Can lift very large loads.

Let's also take a look at the most popular models of the aforementioned types of rolling jacks.

The most popular and high-quality manufacturers of rolling jacks today are Intertool, Torin, Miol, Lavita.

If you want to purchase a professional, reliable and durable lifting mechanism for servicing a passenger car, experts recommend paying attention to the models of these manufacturers

Advantages and disadvantages of this type of jack

Like any technical device, a rolling jack has both advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the first ones. So, their advantages include:

• High coefficient of performance (COP). With its help, with minimal physical effort, you can lift a car of significant mass.
• High lifting capacity. This is made possible by the use of a horizontally positioned cylinder and a removable handle.
• Slow lifting provides a neat and safe working experience. And the shut-off valve provides fixation of the load at any selected height.
• The support platform provides good stability and safety.
• Convenience and ease of use of the jack.
• Accuracy and cleanliness when working with the jack. The operator does not need to lie down on the ground or garage floor in order to place the jack under a passenger car.

However, rolling jacks have several disadvantages. These include:

• Slow lifting speed can be attributed to conditional disadvantages, especially when working with machines with high ground clearance (ground clearance).
• In some cases, during prolonged operation of the jack under load, the pressure can be released, and, accordingly, the car will drop.
• When operating a hydraulic rolling jack in severe frost conditions, the liquid inside it may freeze.
• The need to perform periodic repairs and preventive maintenance. Without them, there is a risk of its failure and a reduction in its service life.
• Maintenance and repairs are more expensive than other jacks.
• Low lifting height. Suitable only for cars and small SUVs and minibuses.
• A level and hard surface (eg asphalt, concrete) is required to operate the rolling jack.

However, the balance of advantages and disadvantages of rolling jacks is still shifted towards the former.They are very convenient and reliable, therefore they have found wide popularity among car owners not only in our country, but also abroad. Next, let's move on to the question of what criteria should be used to choose a jack.