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Understanding Floor Jack Types & Applications
Floor jacks serve critical lifting functions across automotive repair facilities, commercial truck maintenance shops, and industrial equipment service centers. Professional-grade floor jacks typically fall into two main categories: hydraulic and air/hydraulic systems. While standard hydraulic floor jacks rely on manual pumping action, air/hydraulic models connect to shop air supply systems, significantly reducing operator effort when lifting heavy loads repeatedly throughout the workday.
Air/hydraulic floor jacks are particularly valued in commercial truck service environments where vehicles may require multiple lifting cycles per day. These systems generally offer faster lifting speeds and reduced physical strain compared to manual hydraulic models. Some air/hydraulic jacks feature multi-stage designs with capacities ranging from 22 tons to 88 tons, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications including buses, tractor-trailers, and agricultural equipment.
Safety Standards & Certifications
Professional floor jacks should comply with ASME PASE safety standards, which establish requirements for construction, testing, and safe operation. Models meeting these standards typically include safety valves to prevent overloading, bypass valves to protect against ram over-extension, and chrome-plated rams for enhanced corrosion resistance. When selecting a floor jack for your facility, verification of compliance with current safety standards helps ensure reliable performance and workplace safety.
Important: Floor jacks are designed to lift vehicles and equipment, but should always be used in conjunction with properly rated jack stands before working beneath any lifted load. Never rely solely on a floor jack to support a vehicle during maintenance or repair work.
Key Features to Consider
Chassis Length & Reach: Long chassis floor jacks provide extended reach, which is essential when accessing lift points on vehicles with long wheelbases or when working in tight service bay configurations. Models with extended chassis designs may offer reach measurements exceeding 100 inches.
Minimum Height (Low Profile): The minimum height specification determines whether a jack can fit beneath low-clearance vehicles. Low-profile models typically range from 2.75 inches to approximately 5.5 inches at their lowest point, while heavy-duty air/hydraulic models for commercial trucks generally have higher minimum heights due to their robust construction.
Saddle Design & Extensions: Professional floor jacks often include multiple saddle extensions to accommodate different lifting point configurations and vehicle ground clearances. Extension sets may include multiple height options, allowing technicians to adapt the jack to specific vehicle requirements.
Caster Configuration: Quality floor jacks feature bearing-mounted casters and wheels that facilitate smooth positioning and maneuverability. Some models incorporate swivel casters at specific points to enhance mobility in confined workspace areas.
Matching Jack Capacity to Application
Selecting appropriate lifting capacity requires consideration of both the vehicle weight and the distribution of that weight across lifting points. As a general guideline, the jack's rated capacity should exceed the actual load at the lifting point with adequate safety margin. Light passenger vehicles may be adequately served by 2-ton to 3-ton capacity models, while SUVs, light trucks, and commercial vans often require 3.5-ton to 5-ton capacity jacks. Heavy commercial applications—including delivery trucks, buses, and agricultural equipment—typically demand specialized air/hydraulic models with capacities from 10 tons up to 88 tons or more, depending on the specific equipment being serviced.
Material Construction Considerations
Floor jack construction materials significantly impact weight, durability, and portability. Steel-frame models offer maximum strength and durability for high-volume professional environments, though they typically weigh more than alternative designs. Aluminum-frame floor jacks provide substantial weight reduction—sometimes exceeding 40% lighter than comparable steel models—making them easier to maneuver and transport. This weight advantage is particularly valued in mobile service applications or shops where technicians frequently reposition equipment. However, aluminum models generally carry higher initial costs compared to steel construction.
Note: Specifications vary by model. Always check individual product listings and manufacturer documentation for exact details regarding capacity, dimensions, lifting range, and compliance certifications before making your purchase decision.
High-Quality Floor Jacks
Floor jacks are essential tools for those who need to lift heavy machinery or vehicles, as they’re designed to make the process safer and more efficient. There are many different options for you to choose from, which can seem overwhelming at first. Luckily, our auto experts are here to help! Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about these machines, so you can make an informed decision when making your purchase. Whether you’re looking at 2-ton jacks, 4-ton jacks, or anything in between (we have some great 3 ton floor jacks!), you’ll find the highest-quality options here at Best Buy Auto Equipment.
Click on one of the logos below to sort the floor jacks by manufacturer:
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Choose from our huge selection of high quality floor jacks. We carry floor jacks at unbeatable prices from all of the major floor jack manufacturers: Ranger, OTC, Norco, Omega, Astro Pneumatic and more. Floor jacks come in a variety of lifting capacities and lifting heights. To help you in the decision process, we have listed the key specs for all of our floor jacks.
Questions? We want to make sure you get the right floor jack model for what you need. Call us at 1-800-647-7883 and we'll be glad to answer your questions or order online!
Before you start looking for a new floor jack, you’ll want to decide if you’d prefer a hydraulic floor jack or a mechanical one. Hydraulic jacks use hydraulic fluid to generate the lifting force. Alternatively, mechanical jacks use gears or various other mechanisms to lift the load. The type you choose is up to you, but hydraulic jacks are preferred by most people because they can lift heavier loads and require less effort overall. Mechanical jacks are usually cheaper, but they require more effort to operate.
You’ll also want to know what weight capacity and lift height capabilities you’re looking for in a jack. Our floor jacks come in a variety of capacities, so you can easily choose one that can meet your lifting needs. If you’re lifting a car or a light truck, one of our 2-ton jacks (such as the ATD 7304A 2-Ton Trolley Jack) can get the job done. For those needing to lift larger vehicles such as SUVs or heavier trucks, one of our 3 ton floor jacks (like the Ranger 3-Ton Professional Series Garage Floor Jack) is a great choice. The lift height is the maximum height a jack can lift a load, which is especially important if you’re working with low-profile vehicles. Jack lift heights range from 3 inches to 22 inches, so just keep that in mind while you’re considering your options.
Ready to start shopping? At Best Buy Auto Equipment, we carry floor jacks at unbeatable prices from all of the major manufacturers: Ranger, OTC, Norco, Omega, Astro Pneumatic, and more. Our jacks come in a variety of lifting capacities and lifting heights. To help you in the decision process, we have listed the key specs for all of our jack options. If you’re looking for additional selections, you can browse our collection of three and four-ton floor jacks as well.
Have questions? We can help! We always want to make sure you get the right floor jack model for your needs. Go ahead and give us a call at 855-275-5141, and we'll be glad to assist you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best floor jacks?
If you will be doing any work on vehicles, you are going to need a floor jack. The best floor jack for you depends on the types of vehicles you will be working on. We carry floor jacks that are capable of lifting vehicles ranging from 1 ton to over 3 tons. Our selection of low profile floor jacks are perfect for trucks with low ground clearance, while our traditional floor jacks will be perfect for standard vehicles.
Who makes the best quality floor jacks?
At Best Buy Auto Equipment, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality floor jacks from trusted names at unbeatable prices. We carry great floor jacks from names like OTC, Omega, Nos, Scorpion Jacks, ATD, and many more. No matter which jack you purchase, you are sure to get a high-quality jack that will suit your needs.
What are floor jacks used for?
A floor jack is a tool that every auto mechanic will need. These tools allow you to raise cars up from the floor to allow you to work on repairs underneath your vehicle, replace flat tires, and much more. There are a wide variety of floor jacks, including low profile jacks, a range of tonnage, and other options.
What is a floor jack?
A floor jack is a tool used to raise vehicles or heavy objects from the floor to allow for various maintenance or repairs underneath the vehicle, such as replacing flat tires. Floor jacks have long arms and horizontal pistons that provide vertical lifting motion.
How do I choose the right floor jack?
Consider the weight of the vehicles/machinery you usually work on and choose a jack that has a weight capacity that exceeds it. It’s also important to consider the height of the objects you work on and select a jack with a lift range that can accommodate them. Low-profile jacks are perfect for trucks with low ground clearance, while our traditional jacks are ideal for standard vehicles.
How do I use a floor jack?
Begin by positioning the jack in the correct location beneath the vehicle or machinery you’re working on. Next, pump the handle or foot pedal to lift the object off of the ground. Once the object reaches your desired height, make sure to secure it with jack stands before you begin your maintenance or repairs.
WARNING: These products can contain certain metals/chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov