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To conduct most of the repairs or maintenance tasks on your car, you will need access from below. Of course, you could take your vehicle to a trusted garage where they have professional equipment to hoist it high up to get a closer look at the mechanics. If you want to take on the repairs on your car, finding the best floor jack should be at the top of your list.
Finding a reliable floor jack can be challenging when you are unfamiliar with the key considerations to make before the purchase. Think about the lifting capacity and height required, construction materials preferred and the desired saddle size. Please go through our recommendations and learn more about how to choose the best floor jack.
5 Best Floor Jacks
1. Powerbuilt Xtra Low Profile Floor Jack with Safety Bar 620479E
Powerbuilt Xtra Low Profile Floor Vehicle Jack with Safety Bar, Extra Low Car Jack - 2 Ton Load...
- SPECIALLY DESIGNED: Super low profile design fits jack under...
- VERSATILE: Wide lift range of 2-3/4 inches to 15-1/4 inches; no...
- SAFE: Locking safety bar supports lifted load at maximum height
- EASY TO USE: Ball bearing swivel casters for easy maneuvering
- DURABLE: Meets or exceeds ASME standards
It can be frustrating for people with classic, modified or exotic vehicles to find the best floor jack because they sit a few inches off the ground. The Powerbuilt Xtra Low Profile Floor Jack is well suited to lift your vehicle from an impressive height of 2.75 inches. Plus, its lifting range extends to 15.5 inches off the floor to give you excellent access to your truck's mechanics.
It can be tricky to lift a unibody truck because finding the right positions for the jack stands is challenging. This model includes a safety bar for better stability when the jack is raised and topped out. After all, one of the most crucial rules of lifting your car is ensuring it doesn't move when you're working underneath it, so get additional jack stands with your purchase.
The lifting capacity of the Powerbuilt Xtra Low Profile Jack is 4,000 pounds. The wide saddle on the device enhances stability while the ball-bearing swivel casters help you to steer it precisely.
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2. Pro-Lift F-767 Grey Low Profile Floor Jack
Sale
Pro-Lift F-767 Grey Low Profile Floor Jack - 2 Ton Capacity
- Extra low profile
- Lifting range of 3-3/8 inches to 15 inches. The solid steel...
- Patented bypass device protects against over pumping for safe...
- Built-in safety valve provides overload protection
- Heavy duty steel construction provides long term durability
For the best floor jack at an affordable price, look no further than the Pro-Lift F-767 Low Profile Floor Jack. The low-cost device does not cut corners when it comes to offering excellent lifting and quality safety features. The 2-ton capacity of this model gives you the ability to cover a lifting range of 3.5 to 14 inches.
The hydraulic floor jack uses a bypass mechanism to ensure you do not damage the device through over-pumping. This feature ensures you can use it safely. Also, the equipment protects you from overloading by using a built-in safety valve.
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3. BIG RED Torin Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack with Extra Saddle T83006
BIG RED T83006 Torin Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack with Extra Saddle (Fits: SUVs and Extended...
- Hydraulic trolley floor jack is constructed with heavy duty...
- Features a 3 ton (6,000 lb) capacity with a minimum lifting...
- Equipped with (2) large steel casters and (2) 360-degree swivel...
- Single piston quick lift pump allows you to easily raise the jack...
The Torin Hydraulic Floor Jack from BIG RED is made from heavy-duty steel to ensure this industrial-grade champ gives you years of service. If you have a large truck or an SUV, the product's single-piston pump lifts 3 tons as the maximum so that your vehicle is adequately covered. Plus, it can hoist SUVs quickly, thanks to its long saddle neck.
The quick lift pump in the Torin Floor Jack allows you to quickly get the saddle to the right vehicle chassis point. The minimum lifting height in this model is about 5 inches, and it gets to about 20 inches for the highest point the saddle can reach.
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4. STANDTALL Electric Car Floor Jack Set
STANDTALL Electric Car Floor Jack Set 3 Ton All-in-one Automatic 12v Scissor Lift Jack with Impact...
- Stable and Safe: This electric car jack must be used on a flat...
- Best choice for Sedan and SUV (under 3T): This electric jack...
- Get Done in Minutes: It takes ONLY about 2 minutes to reach its...
- Built-in Flashlight: The built-in flash LED light is super...
- Portable Case: This electric car jack kit comes in a portable...
If you want to take a more modern route with your purchase but still get awesome value for your money, the STANDTALL Electric Car Floor Jack Set should be at the top of your list. The steel device is designed for heavy-duty tasks as it can lift a 3-ton truck.
The electrical scissor jack mechanism runs on 12 V of power that you can get from the car's cigarette lighter socket. The large base and wide saddle ensure stability even when it gets to its maximum height of 17 inches.
Additionally, the product features a built-in flashlight for nighttime emergencies when you need to get underneath your truck. The simple and quick operation helps it to reach the highest point in about 2 minutes.
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5. Pittsburgh Automotive Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack
Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack with Rapid Pump Quick Lift
- Super-tough precision welded construction with an industrial...
- Industrial quality for professional mechanics and hardcore...
- Rapid Pump exclusive dual parallel pump system lifts with far...
- Universal joint release provides precise load control in any...
- Extra-wide steel casters for stability
The welded steel and 3-ton capacity of the Pittsburgh Automotive Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Jack is enough to make it anyone's top pick. Although it is the heaviest entry on our list, weighing in at about 75 pounds, its weight serves the integral purpose of supporting an SUV or a large truck.
The industrial-grade jack features extra-wide casters to make it more stable. Additionally, the wheels make this hefty device easily maneuverable. Despite its size, the product functions quickly thanks to the rapid-pump system.
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Key Considerations to Make When Buying a Floor Jack
a) Types of Jacks
You have two choices when lifting your vehicle; you can use either mechanical or hydraulic power. Mechanical jacks are more compact so that you can carry them around easily, but they require more effort on your part for lifting while offering a lower maximum capacity. Hydraulic versions are bulkier, but they can handle more weight.
Aside from these distinctions, you have three options you can get to help lift your vehicle.
1. Floor Jack
Floor jacks are mostly found in a professional garage as they offer the highest maximum lifting capacity compared to other technologies in the market. However, their heavy-duty construction makes them much larger, which limits their portability. After all, they may noticeably reduce your mileage if you have one in the trunk for emergencies.
When at the garage floor, these jacks are easily maneuverable thanks to their wheels or casters in some cases. Also, these devices are often closer to the floor, making them suitable for lifting a vehicle with little clearance off the ground.
Floor jacks use levers for raising an arm to lift the vehicle. Afterward, use a jack stand to ensure the chassis is secure when off the ground.
2. Piston or Bottle Jack
A bottle jack offers much more portability and impressive lifting capacities when compared to a floor jack because of the hydraulic piston mechanics. As with the previous type, you will need a lever to work the piston jack to lift your car.
The bottle-like design is limiting when it comes to the kind of vehicle you can lift with this device. Thus, people with sports cars and modified ones should look for a low-profile model. Plus, the lift range of a bottle jack is typically only twice the height of the tool.
3. Scissor Jack
We can all recognize a scissor jack because it is the most widely used tool for lifting cars. Any vehicle owner knows that it is a must-have if you get a flat tire while on the road. The devices are lightweight and compact for easy storage in your trunk for emergencies.
Although the scissor jack is popular, it is not ideal for comprehensive work on your vehicle. Also, it takes plenty of elbow grease to lift your car off the ground using these mechanical tools.
b) Type of Construction
Finding the best floor jack for your car depends on the material used in constructing it.
1. Steel
Heavy-duty steel is used in constructing strong and durable floor jacks that can be a hassle to move around the garage. Also, this material is much cheaper than aluminum, ensuring the tools come at an affordable price.
Although you will not be buying a new floor jack every so often, you will not be able to use steel jacks during an emergency puncture on the road. However, if you plan to do plenty of DIY work on a vehicle at home, such devices offer the most value at a low price.
2. Aluminum
An aluminum floor jack seems like a bad purchasing decision because their manufacture comes at a high price. Moreover, you will need to replace the tool more often since it is not suited for heavy-duty work.
What it lacks in affordability and sturdiness, aluminum makes up for in portability. The lightweight construction ensures you can maintain your gas mileage if you decide to use it as your emergency vehicle jack.
3. Hybrid
Hybrid floor jacks combine both steel and aluminum to get the best of both construction materials. For starters, steel is responsible for increasing the maximum weight capacity of the device. On the other hand, the aluminum ensures the floor jack is lightweight to ease carrying it around.
Moreover, the price of these floor jacks will not be as high as devices made entirely from aluminum. The perks of hybrid models also make them sit awkwardly on the fence for most buyers.
If you require a heavy-duty floor jack, it is best to go for steel construction. Alternatively, if you want portability, aluminum is the ideal choice. Unless you are a mechanic with a mobile garage, hybrid models may not suit you.
c) Lifting Capacity
Safety is a critical part of working on your vehicle. As such, the best floor jack for your car should have the ton capacity rating for handling its weight. After all, it can be hazardous to get underneath your vehicle when it is not adequately lifted off the ground.
If you are unsure about your car's weight, look for the information online before buying a floor jack. Also, keep in mind that you may require an emergency tire change while your vehicle is loaded. Hence, it would be best to find a floor jack with a maximum weight capacity that is much higher than your car.
d) Lifting Range
The lifting range of a floor jack refers to the difference between the minimum and maximum height it can hoist your vehicle. The clearance of your car is the first factor to check. Afterward, you need to consider how much height is sufficient to ensure you can get most, if not all, of the repair done without a hassle.
It is important to note that people with SUVs or vehicles that require off-road tires will need floor jacks with more accommodating lifting ranges. After all, it would be challenging to install a tire 22 inches in diameter if you cannot get to fit underneath its compartment.
e) Saddle Size
The saddle is the point of the floor jack that will contact the vehicle when lifting. A larger-sized area means the car will be more stable when lifted.
However, ensure you place the saddle underneath a recommended point on the chassis. Not every part of the vehicle is designed to support the weight of the entire car. Plus, jack stands can help you distribute the weight once the truck is lifted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Floor Jacks
1. What is the best 3-ton floor jack?
The Torin Hydraulic Floor Jack from BIG RED is your best bet if you want a device that comfortably lifts 3 tons. Plus, the floor jack is durable, fast and fairly portable.
2. Are jack stands necessary when you already have a floor jack?
Jack stands are essential regardless of the type of floor jack you use. These accessories ensure your car remains stable when lifted so that you are safe while working underneath the car. It always helps to be extra careful.