One of the most important tools in any mechanic’s or DIYer’s tool kit is a hydraulic jack. It is arguably one of the most versatile and essential pieces of equipment on hand for when you need to get your vehicle up off the ground so that it can be repaired. The best thing about these pieces of equipment is that they are not only tough, but more importantly, they are also fairly inexpensive.
The first thing to keep in mind is how often will you need to use your jack, or where will it be stored. If you’re just looking for something small enough to carry around with you then gas powered jacks may not be appropriate. However, if you are looking for something heavy duty that can handle any situation then nothing beats a traditional hydraulic jack.
Can hydraulic jacks be used to lift cars?
Hydraulic jacks are typically used to lift heavy objects off the ground, but can they also be used to lift cars? The answer is no. Hydraulic jacks are not powerful enough to lift a car. A car weighs over 3000 pounds and hydraulic jacks only have 5000 pound lifting capacity which is too small for this task. The best way to get your car off the ground would be with a jack hammer or using an air compressor that has an air jack attachment; however, if you do use these tools you must make sure that it’s on stable ground because otherwise it could cause damage to both the vehicle and the tool.