Types of Lifting Jacks and Their Functions

 

Lifting jacks are a type of machinery used to lift and move heavy loads, such as vehicles or heavy objects. They are made up of components that make them capable of lifting heavyweights in different ways.

Here are some of the variety of lifting jacks and their functions:

 

1) Bottle Jacks

These are the most common type of lifting jacks and are used for general, light-duty lifting.

Bottle jacks feature a long cylinder with a screw thread and have an adjustable height range. They usually come with a handle which allows you to crank it up or down.

 

2) Floor Jacks

These jacks are designed to lift heavier loads, such as cars, and feature two steel frame arms that hold the load securely in place while being lifted.

They also come with a pump to manually control the height adjustment and lifting power.

 

3) Ratchet Jacks

Ratchet jacks rely on a mechanism involving a ratchet and pawl to move a rotary gear up or down a linear track. This prevents the gear from sliding back down under pressure and causing the jack to fail.

The bumper jack found in older American cars used the ratchet mechanism, but it was not as secure or lightweight as newer scissor jacks. As a result, scissor jacks have become standard in most vehicles, while ratchet jacks are still used in industries to lift lighter objects.

 

4) Scissor Jacks

Scissor jacks have four linked vertical arms with a female threaded piece between each pair where the operating screw goes through. They are commonly stored in car trunks for changing tires due to their compact size.

Car manufacturers’ scissor jacks have a shoe that matches a lifting point in the vehicle’s frame, while aftermarket versions have a generic saddle.

 

5) Toe Jacks

A toe jack is made from steel or cast iron, used to lift, lower and move heavy objects off the ground. The tool has a long toe-shaped portion at the bottom that is inserted under the load, and a handle connected above that is used for lifting.

Toe jacks are highly versatile and can lift heavy machinery, construction materials, or bulky objects. The tool itself is unique because it can lift items with very low or high clearances, even in cramped spaces.

 

6) Transmission Jacks

Transmission jacks are used for raising and lowering a car’s transmission from underneath the vehicle. They look like regular floor jacks but have a larger cradle with straps for securing the transmission.

The cradle can be angled to match the engine’s angle, making it easy for mechanics to lift the transmission and attach it to the engine.

 

7) Screw Jack

Screw jacks are commonly used for lifting and positioning tasks. They have a connected threaded rod and motor that can raise or lower the load at an adjustable speed and power.

Screw jacks are frequently utilized in construction and industrial sectors as they provide precision when lifting heavy objects such as building materials and beams.

 

Takeaway

Lifting jacks are an essential tool for any garage or workshop, as they allow you to safely and efficiently move and lift heavy objects.

Depending on the type of lifting jack, they can be used for a variety of tasks from basic light-duty work to more demanding industrial applications. With the right knowledge and understanding, these tools can help make any job that much easier.