Learn How Hydraulic Jacks Work & A Buying Guide
In a?hydraulic jack, fluid pressure multiplies force in a cylinder in order to lift a heavy load. They use Pascal’s law to lift the heavy load, which requires a smaller input force to lift heavy objects. They have a broad range of applications: machine shops, automobile industry, material handling equipment, lifting platforms, railway, hydropower plants, etc. Hydraulic jacks can be automatic or manual. Unlike manual hydraulic jacks using hand power, automatic hydraulic jacks utilize air or electric power. However, the operating principle is the same.
Hydraulic jack operating principle
Hydraulic jacks are based on Pascal’s law. The law states that a pressure change at any point in an enclosed incompressible fluid transmits?throughout the fluid such that the same change occurs everywhere. This law also governs the hydraulic press and the braking system for most vehicles.
Bottle jacks:?
These?bottle jacks?are designed for lower clearance applications. They can operate in both vertical positions in lifting loads and horizontal positions in splitters and bearing/shaft removal with a large base area for strength and stability.
Hydraulic floor jack:
The?hydraulic floor jack, or trolley jack consists of a horizontal piston pushing the short end of a bell crank. The bell crank’s long arm connects to the lift pad providing vertical motion of the load. The long arm is connects to the castor and wheel to compensate for the arc motion. The horizontal cylinder and piston allow the floor jack to operate with a low profile and easy to maneuver under load, such as a vehicle.
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Hydraulic bottle jack?vs floor jack
Hydraulic bottle jackHydraulic floor jackVertically positioned cylinder for higher liftHorizontally positioned cylinderPortability by being carriedPortable with casters for easy rollingSmall and be fitted into tight cornersBulky and requires more spaceProfile not as low as floor jackLower profileTypically shorter handlesLonger handles for easier operationNot as stable as floor jackHigh stability
Selection criteria
There are several specifications of a hydraulic jack to consider when deciding which is best for you and your application. Here are some guidelines that you may find useful:
Things to be cautious of
The correct use of equipment such as hydraulic jacks is important. Consider the following in addition to the selection criteria:
A leakage in the cylinder during operation can lead to a fatal accident. Check the manufacturer’s instruction on preventive maintenance.