Lifting Equipment

Lifting Equipment

When you're working under a vehicle, having the right lifting equipment is important for safety, comfort, and easy access. Lifting equipment includes jacks, jack stands, ramps, and lifts¿but the kind you'll need depends on your vehicle's weight and the type of work you want to do.

Here's a comprehensive guide to the different types and uses of lifting equipment.

Types of Automotive Jacks

Floor Jacks

Floor jacks use hydraulic operation, with some models featuring dual pump pistons for faster lifting. They have a rolling base for easy positioning under any vehicle. You can find them in 2-ton (for cars and small SUVs) and 3.5-ton (for large SUVs and trucks) capacities. Other sizes are also available.

Depending on the vehicle you're working on, you may want to invest in specific features. For example, low-profile options allow you to use the jack under vehicles with limited ground clearance. Quick-lift functions rapidly raise the jack, requiring fewer pumps than standard jacks. Long reach features extend deep under SUVs to reach the central lifting point.

Bottle Jacks

Bottle jacks feature an incredibly compact and portable design, allowing for easy trunk storage. Despite their smaller size, their hydraulic piston mechanism lifts with minimal effort and provides good lifting capacity ranging from 2 to 12 tons for automotive use.

The bottle jack's vertical design makes it ideal for lifting vehicles with high ground clearance, like trucks and SUVs, when you need extra height but have limited space to position the jack. However, their narrow base makes them less stable than floor jacks, so they require careful positioning on the vehicle's frame or axle.

Ultimately, this jack is ideal for emergency roadside use, tight garages, or situations where you need significant lift height in a confined space.

Scissor Jacks

Vehicle manufacturers typically include scissor jacks under the floor of a vehicle's trunk. This type of jack includes mechanical screw operation and should only be used for emergency tire changes due to their higher tipping risk and slow operation. While they're not a heavy-duty option, they are an essential piece of roadside emergency equipment.

Trolley Jacks

Trolley jacks offer good lifting capability (usually 2¿3 tons) but are compact enough for easy storage and transport. Their smaller size makes them most suitable for occasional use.

Jack Stands: Essential Safety Equipment

To ensure your safety while working under a vehicle, remember that jacks can't safely hold the weight of your vehicle for an extended period. Their main function is to lift the car. But jack stands, which include 2-ton to 6-ton capacities, can bear the weight of a vehicle for projects such as replacing your brake pads or changing or rotating your tires.

To ensure your safety, line up jack stands under the vehicle's suspension anchors, frame rails, or pinch points as recommended in your owner's manual. Always lift with a jack first, then lower the vehicle slowly onto stands before working.

If you're lifting one side of your vehicle, two jack stands are sufficient, but four stands are necessary if you want to lift the entire car.

Automotive Ramps: For Underbody Work

Automotive ramps can be a handy alternative to jacks for certain kinds of jobs. They are wider and provide more stable contact points but aren't ideal for tire change projects. They offer an ideal solution for any sort of underbody work, including oil changes, exhaust repairs, or undercarriage inspection. Just make sure you have a spotter guide you as you drive onto the ramps.

Wheel Chocks: Avoid Accidental Shifting

Wheel chocks are wedge-shaped blocks that prevent your vehicle from rolling while you work. Even on a level surface, your vehicle can shift unexpectedly, making wheel chocks essential for any safe DIY project.

Place wheel chocks on both sides of any wheels that are on the ground, opposite to the end you're lifting. For example, if you're lifting the front of your vehicle, place your wheel chocks around your rear wheels.

Use rubber or polyurethane chocks for small passenger vehicles and heavier-duty metal chocks for trucks and SUVs.

Choosing the Right Lifting Equipment

Weight Capacity Considerations

Standard safety guidelines recommend a jack capacity of at least.75 times the total weight of the vehicle you're lifting. When lifting one end of your vehicle, you're typically lifting about half the vehicle's weight. For example, if your vehicle weighs 2,000 kg, your jack should have a capacity of at least 1,500 kg (1.5 tons).

Clearance Requirements

Low-profile jacks (2-3 inches) are best for lowered vehicles. However, standard 5+ inch jacks are suitable for vehicles with normal clearance. Always consider side skirts or body kits, as these can also affect how much clearance you'll need from your jack.

Lifting Height (Reach)

The amount of lift height you'll need will depend on whether your vehicle is lowered or lifted. You should also consider whether you'll need to lift just one wheel or an entire side of the car. If you need extra height for a specific job, keep an eye out for jack models that include extension adapters.

Safety Guidelines

Before you begin a job with your jack, make sure you follow these important safety guidelines.

• Check the weight ratings of your jack before use.
• Always keep an eye out for cracks, rust, or damage on your lift equipment before you begin working.
• Locate the proper jack points, as outlined in your owner's manual, and avoid unstable points, like the oil pan, transmission, or body panels.
• Engage the parking brake and put your transmission in Park/gear before lifting with the jack.
• Always use jack stands to support your vehicle once it's lifted.
• Never get under a vehicle only supported by the jack.
• Never work on an incline or sloped surface, even with wheel chocks in place.
• Make sure you're working on a flat, level surface made of concrete or asphalt.

Before beginning any work on your vehicle, make sure you have the right high-quality lifting equipment on hand to help ensure every DIY project is a safe one.

For extra support about which car jack is best for you or other vehicle maintenance support, visit your local NAPA Auto Parts store to speak with one of our automotive experts. You can also browse our wide selection of lifting equipment and accessories online at NAPA Canada.