Archive for April, 2010

Many of the injuries that happen when people are working on cars and trucks can be avoided by using jack stands. Jacks are designed to lift and lower the automobile.

They are not designed to hold automobiles up for an extended period of time. The jack stand is specially designed to hold the automobile in place and is easy to use, inexpensive to purchase and safe.

A car jack stand is designed to hold the weight of a car in place for a long time. Each auto jack stand has an SWL label which means the safe working load and is the maximum weight the stand will safely support. This rating is given each design after extensive tests done by a licensing or regulating authority. Most cars will need a level above two; this information can be located in the owner’s manual, along with instructions on where to place them. A higher rated stand is safe to use; a smaller, lighter unit should not be used. Read the rest of this entry

For those of us that have been driving for more than a couple of years, flat tires are an unpleasant part of it and always will be. If the car you are currently driving is less than 10 years old then you most likely have an automotive scissor jack in your trunk.

Manufacturers these days include a scissors jack in your car that employees a worm gear drive to give all drivers (even small women) the ability to easily lift a vehicle that weighs several thousand pounds in order to change its tire.

A car jack is a good tool to have when presented with a car that has a flat tire and is parked right up against a curb or sidewalk. The 5″ x 9″ footprint this jack has allows it to be placed where larger conventional vertical post jacks would never work. Read the rest of this entry

An essential tool to be included in the tool kit of every responsible car owner is an automotive floor jack. One should be careful about the selection of the jack. as in case of any defect the automotive floor jack repair might prove to be cumbersome.


Automotive floor jacks raise a certain portion of the car. With a conventional car jack, only the required corner of the automobile is lifted. For raising the entire rear or frontal portion of the car specialized car jacks are necessary. When a person needs to replace a tire this gadget comes in very handy.

Car companies usually supply scissor jacks along with the cars they sell. A central screw technique is employed to raise the car up and down. A specialized handle or an ordinary tire-removal gadget smoothly initiates this mechanism.

In order to lift trucks or larger cars, different categories of automotive jacks are required. These have a large toothed shift, a flat base-plate, and a mechanism for ratcheting. Hydraulic jacks are also popular and are available in both the non-wheeled and wheeled versions. A motor mechanic places the big jack under a car to raise it with hydraulic pressure.

These car jacks can also lift the entire rear portion of a car. Safety features are present in every reliable and good automotive floor jacks. A broad base ensures that the jack does not sink or tilt. For providing safety to the car’s owner a specialized handle is also present. A stop-point exists to prevent over extension of the jack beyond its limit.

People should always have a car jack handy when going on long trips. Then any tire replacement can be performed quickly on the road without needing help from others. Jacks can also be used for changing brake pads or oil, if a person likes to do those tasks himself.

These jacks are frequently seen in various garages, car hoods, and other repairing centers. The jacks have made lives easier for vehicle owners or mechanics who like to do all the work themselves. Jacks should be kept on a firm and stable ground as much as possible to get the proper balance. Lips can be attached with the automobile to lift it up in a gentle manner. The air compressor, hydraulic system or arm has to be pumped to lift the car.

Ratings are assigned to the various car jacks that denote their capacity of lifting weight without compromising on security. The automotive floor jack parts are made very robust and resilient to impart power and stability to the gadget. These jacks are capable of lifting weights up to a limit of 20 tons. People who want to purchase jacks for their personal cars would need the 2 / 3 ton varieties.

The bigger the size of the vehicle the larger is its weight. Therefore for big automobiles stronger jacks are required. Farm equipments might require an automotive jack of 10-ton capacity. A person should consider all the factors before buying the appropriate jack. One should know the materials used to manufacture a jack. When alloys are used instead of pure metals, the weight of the jacks reduces.

Cars also have different suspensions, which is a factor influencing the kind of jack purchased. Accurate measurements of all the vertical dimensions should be taken to ensure the proper functioning of the jack. Purchasing a jack with a slightly higher capacity can give you an additional degree of safety.

Here are four reasons to love the new 3 ton trolley jack. This hydraulic trolley jack saves time because it is quicker to use. It saves energy and effort because it is easier to put in the exact position needed. This jack is highly maneuverable and reduces stress. Complete money-saving kits are available which include the jack, two stands and a floor pad or creeper. This adds up to more work being done safely and quickly with a lot less stress.


A car trolley jack lifts automobiles quickly with a few pumps of the handle. These handles allow the user to stand upright along side the automobile in a relaxed and comfortable position. Quick lift jacks are available for people in a hurry, like the pit crew for a racing car. Three or four pumps reach the maximum extension of the jack. A saddle is the lifting device and requires exact placement for maximum benefit. To make lifting quicker, this saddle can have multiple raised positions when there is extra room underneath the lift point and may have a padded top to protect the metal.

Regular trolleys require almost six inches of clearance which is not a problem under most automobiles. Low-profile jacks are available for low riders and other low clearance automobiles. These slip into areas as shallow as three inches. There is a jack available to fit every need. Maximum lift is around 22 inches on specialized units; the normal lift range is 15 to 19 inches.

The 2 ton trolley jack saves effort and time for the mechanic or the do-it-yourself mechanic who needs to place it precisely under the automobile. The handles are one or two piece of pipe up to 50 inches long and may come with a rubber hand grip for easier use. With a handle the jack slides under a car or truck, without the mechanic having to lay down on the concrete or dirt and push another kind of jack in place. Some handles swivel 360° allowing the user to work around obstacles without unnatural body contortions.

These were designed with mobility in mind; the bodies are long and narrow with four or five easy-rolling casters. Many contain roller bearings in the front casters and have ball bearings in the real wheels, which may swivel. A fifth wheel allows quicker adjustments and easier placement. Some units are manufactured with a wider wheel base for more stability. Materials include steel, aluminum and other alloys, specifically designed for these heavy duty chassis to provide maximum support and durability. They are covered with hard baked enamel or a fully anodized finished for easy cleaning and care.

For economy and convenience these come in sets with the trolley and floor jacks. Each set is different and there is one to fit the needs of every mechanic. Floor jacks are used to support the automobile while work is being done and will not allow the unit to fall, if properly placed. A work pad may be included for a softer surface to lie on when under the car. A floor creeper has six easy gliding casters to allow the user to move freely back and forth while underneath the car or truck and may be padded for added comfort.

The hydraulic trolley jack is convenience on wheels. These save time, energy and reduce frustration. The small investment in this will pay for itself quickly.