Lower Floor Jack completely by turning the Release Valve Screw counterclockwise two full turns.
Remove the Oil Plug, located on top of the Oil Chamber. Place an appropriate tray to catch the oil. Tip the Floor Jack on it’s side to allow the oil to completely drain. NOTE: Dispose of the old hydraulic oil in accordance with local area regulations.
With the Floor Jack back in the upright position, completely fill the Oil Chamber with new, clean hydraulic oil (not supplied). Replace the Filler Plug.
NOTE: Only purchase Hydraulic Jack Oil. Never use transmission fluid or regular motor oils as they can damage your Floor Jack.
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:
Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear.
Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks.
Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs.
Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream.
Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators.
If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check:
Make sure the jack and stands you are using are suitable for the job.
Never lift a vehicle that is heavier than the jack’s rated capacity.
Always use matched pairs of jack stands.
Never support a vehicle on anything other than jack stands.
Do not use wood or steel blocks to support the vehicle. They may slide or split under the weight of the vehicle.
Do not use bricks to support the vehicle. They will shatter under the weight of the vehicle.
Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.
Points to note:
There are three types of workshop jacks: hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical.
Hydraulic and pneumatic jacks are the most common. They can be mounted on slides or on a wheeled trolley.
The size of jack you use will be determined by the weight of the vehicle you want to lift. Most workshops will have a jack that has a lifting capacity of about 21⁄2 tons/tonnes. If the vehicle is heavier than that, or if the vehicle is loaded, you will need to use a jack with a larger lifting capacity.
Always check the vehicle service manual or owner’s manual to determine the best position to support a vehicle.
Some vehicles require special attachments to be fitted before they can be lifted.
Do not jack or support a vehicle under any independent suspension components. They are not strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is positioned on a firm level surface.
Make sure the jack stands are in good condition before you use them to support the vehicle. If they are cracked or bent, they will not support the vehicle safely.
10 Tips Using A Floor Jack
1. Position the vehicle
Position the vehicle on a flat, solid surface. Put the vehicle into first gear or park and set the emergency brake.
Then place blocks in front of and behind the wheels that aren’t going to be raised off the ground.
2. Inspect the floor jack
Before you try to use the jack,check for leaks in the hydraulic system.
Check the pad, or saddle, and the wheels of the jack. They should rotate freely and show no signs of damage.
Check the manufacturers’ label on the jack. The specifications will tell you the maximum load weight it will bear, so it must suit the vehicle you want to raise.
3. Check the vehicle handbook
Refer to the owner’s manual to find out where you can safely place the jack.
This is usually a major point on the chassis, a cross member or axle unit.
4. Select the jack safety stands
Before operating the jack, select two safety stands of the same type, suitable for the weight of the vehicle.
Check the stands for any cracks, and if necessary lubricate the threaded adjusting post with a few drops of engine oil.
Place one stand on each side of the vehicle at the same point. Adjust them so that they are both the same height, and high enough to slip under the vehicle once you’ve raised it.
5. Position the jack
Roll the jack under the vehicle, and make sure the pad, or saddle, is positioned correctly under the frame or cross member.
Turn the valve on the top of the jack handle clockwise, and begin pumping the handle up and down until the jack pad touches and begins to lift the vehicle.
6. Check position of the jack
Once the wheels lift off the floor, stop and check the placement of the jack pad under the vehicle to make sure there’s no danger of slipping.
Double check the position of the wheel blocks to make sure they haven’t moved.
If the vehicle is stable, continue lifting it until it’s at the height where you can safely work under it.
7. Position the safety stands
Slide the two jack safety stands underneath the vehicle. Make sure they’re positioned at a point that can support the weight.
Both stands should be adjusted to the same height and placed as far apart as practical.
8. Lower the vehicle onto the stands
Turn the valve on the jack handle counter-clockwise and gently lower the vehicle onto the stands.
When the vehicle has settled onto the stands, lower the jack completely and remove it from under the vehicle.
Repeat this process to lift the other end of the vehicle. Be aware that the vehicle is now supported on jack stands and will not be as stable as it would if the wheels were on the ground.
When you’ve finished working under the vehicle, make sure you’ve removed all tools and equipment before you attempt to lower it.
9. Raise the vehicle off the stands
Use the jack to raise the vehicle off the safety stands. Slide out the safety stands from under the vehicle.
10. Lower the vehicle
Turn the valve on the jack handle counter-clockwise very gently to lower the vehicle to the ground. Do not allow the vehicle to drop quickly or you may cause serious damage.
Return the floor jack, the safety stands and the wheel wedges to their storage area before you continue working on the vehicle.
Powering tools, lifts and jacks, hydraulics are not only powerful but also compact. The combination of a pump, fluid, line and a piston in a cylinder can lift anything from a sub compact to an over-the-road tractor-trailer truck. Hydraulics are such an integral part of keeping the work flowing in a garage than any interruption from a malfunction can stop everything. Repairing a car jack quickly is essential to getting cars off the ground for access to engines, drive trains and suspensions.
Seals
Whether manually or power actuated, hydraulic car jacks have seals to contain the hydraulicfluid pressure. Seals are around the piston port on the cylinder, the fittings to the cylinder and between the hydraulic fluid supply and the cylinder. Manual hydraulic jacks are naturally simpler devices and require disassembly and a seal kit for replacing worn and failing seals. It's always best, however, whenever disassembling any hydraulic device to first drain the hydraulic fluid. Do not worry about storing or saving the fluid. When the repairs are complete add fresh fluid to the reservoir.
Torin T91203 12 Ton Hydraulic Bottle Jack
Pump
Large hydraulic car lifts for lifting entire vehicles are powered by electric pumps to generate fluid pressure. Pump repair involves seals, fittings and the electrical motor. If a pump malfunctions begin repairs by disconnecting the power supply. It's important the pump impeller be completed sealed. Check the seals around all shafts entering and exiting the pump. For checking electrical issues you will have to plug in the pump and use a voltmeter attached to the wire leads to check for proper power output.
Fittings and hoses
Fittings are high-pressure connections between the pump, hose and jack. With fittings and hoses the only possible repair is replacing the part. Also, if either the fitting or the hose fails and begins leaking, then both the hose and connected fittings must be replaced. Occasionally, you can cut a hose and attach a new fitting, but this usually shortens the hose to the point it loses its flexibility. Better to replace the hose than have it rupture quickly under unnecessary stress.
Powerbuilt 640912 All-In-One 3-Ton Bottle Jack with Jack Stand
Jack
If the cylinder or piston is damaged (hit by a vehicle or a large tool for example), the repair will probably involve replacing the unit. Trying to repair the metal components of a hydraulic cylinder and piston and have it still remain aligned and completely sealed is not cost efficient. Ordering a new mechanism and replacing the damaged unit will take less time and money.
Floor jacks are essential for everyday car maintenance and automotive projects. Whether you are changing a tire, checking components underneath your car, or changing your oil, you will benefit from a high quality floor jack. It is essential that your floor jack be of the highest quality and reliability for safety and job performance. At Northern Tool, we pride ourselves on supplying customer with safe, durable, and high-quality products.
We offer a variety of different floor jacks for various levels of task or project intensity. You will find floor jacks built for basic automotive jobs like oil changes or tire replacements. You can also find heavy-duty floor jacks that are built for larger tasks and heavier machinery.
22 Ton Air / Hydraulic Floor Jack
Black Bull SA20 3 Ton Hydraulic Floor Jack
You may also be interested in jack stands. Jack stands provide an extra level of stability when you are working underneath your car. We recommend highly recommend using jack stands to support your car once you have it lifted off the ground, especially if you are performing any underbody maintenance.
Types of Floor Jacks
Floor jack is a term used for a few different things. The jack you use to raise your car to make repairs under it or change a tire is called a floor jack. Another type of jack is used to raise a building to replace beams that may be rotted or sagging. A third type of floor jack is for telephone connections. It got its name because it is commonly installed at the floor and wall intersection. Each is a floor jack but has very different uses and purposes.
Automobile Floor Jack
When most people hear the term floor jack, they think of the automobile floor jack. It uses a pump arm, hydraulics or air compression to lift vehicles to gain access to the undercarriage. The jack makes easy work out of changing a tire or doing a brake job. This is not to be confused with a hydraulic lift used in auto repair shops. A floor jack needs solid ground or concrete to give it a good base that doesn't shift. There is a lip that can be attached to the automobile itself and is gently raised by pumping the arm, hydraulic system or air compressor. These jacks are rated by the amount of weight they can lift safely. They go anywhere from 2 tons to 20 tons. A 2 or 3-ton jack is what you would normally carry around in your car to change a tire. Heavier cars require stronger jacks, and farm equipment may require up to a 10-ton jack.
Building Floor Jack
A floor jack used to raise a building has to be able to handle much more weight than an automotive jack. There are two separate types of jacks used for buildings. The first one is like the automotive jack; when you are lifting a house, both sides should be lifted equally, requiring more than one jack. These jacks are either hydraulic or compressed air powered. The building is lifted and repairs to joists or foundation are made, and it is slowly lowered back into place. The other type of jack for buildings is basically a pole with flat ends. These posts are placed on a cement or wood block and pumped up to lend support to a sagging joist. They are locked into place and left in position.
