Let's Get to Know the Different Types of Jacks and Their Functions
Being one of the service tools that has an important role, a jack or car jack is often used to facilitate the work of technicians in workshops. The function of a jack itself is to lift the bottom part of the vehicle to a higher position.
While jacks are commonly used for four-wheeled vehicles, car jacks have now evolved for various other modes of transportation. Check out the review.
Function of the Jack
The main function of a car jack is to assist technicians by lifting the heavy part of a four-wheeled vehicle. Usually, jacks are used as a tool to help change tires.
When the wheels on your beloved vehicle suddenly experience damage, you must replace them with a spare tire.
The process of using a jack is known as jacking, which is an action to lift or raise a certain part of the car to a higher position than its original position.
This function of the jack certainly helps technicians to perform their work easily without much effort.
Read also: Understanding 3 Types of Jacks and How to Use Them
How the Jack Works
For this replacement, a capable tool called a jack is needed. Its working principle is to lift the car's position higher than the road surface.
Thus, the damaged tire can be easily replaced. However, if you cannot do it alone, the only way is to take it to a workshop.
The working mechanism of a mechanical jack is to transmit force and amplify it through gears to the screw rod. Meanwhile, hydraulic jacks utilize hydraulic pressure generated from liquids or fluids.
Besides their different working mechanisms, the shapes of these two jacks are also very different. Where the hydraulic jack has a characteristic resembling a crocodile's mouth.
Read also: Things to Understand About Determining Car Tire Pressure
Types of Jacks
1. Diamond / Bridge Jack
Some people refer to this car jack as a diamond jack or bridge jack. When you buy a new four-wheeled vehicle, you will be given a scissor jack.
This is because the scissor jack is a standard tool that must be present in every four-wheeled vehicle such as cars.
To use it, you need to turn the screw shaft clockwise to lift the heavy part of the vehicle. Meanwhile, to lower it, you turn the screw shaft counterclockwise.
Due to its smaller size, it is very easy to store. Not only that, but its maintenance is also quite easy compared to others.
2. Bottle Jack
The bottle jack has several lifting capacity sizes. Ranging from two tons, five tons, fifteen tons, twenty-seven tons, to one hundred tons.
These various capacity sizes make it easier for technicians to lift vehicles according to their weight. In its operation, it does not require much force.
This is because the bottle jack utilizes hydraulic power in its operation.
Read also: How to Choose Tires Correctly
3. Crocodile Jack
When operated, this jack has a shape resembling a crocodile's mouth wide open. Because of this, it is called a crocodile jack. Similar to the bottle jack.
However, unfortunately, the crocodile jack can only lift loads between 1.5 tons to 20 tons. Nevertheless, the crocodile jack can be used in various places.
For example, in places with sloping or uneven surfaces. This is because the crocodile jack has a long shape and four wheels.
4. Bottle Crocodile Jack
This is a combination of the crocodile jack and the bottle jack. This type of jack has a large lifting capacity just like the bottle jack.
Equipped with two wheels on each side, it makes it easier for technicians to move or transfer it to various places. Its very important role makes the jack a mandatory tool in every service or workshop.
Even for new four-wheeled vehicles, they are equipped with a jack to assist when problems occur in the future. These various types actually have the same function, which is to facilitate technicians.
Read also: 5 Types of Car Tires Available in the Market