Explore our range of lift equipment reviews and buying guides to help you find the best system for lifting people, heavy items, vehicles, or equipment for various purposes, such as maintenance, service, or storage.
Whether you’re a mechanic looking for a powerful car lift or a woodworker needing help with lifting timber, we’ve got you covered.
Car Lifts vs Jack Stands
When it comes to car repair, most mechanics will have a mix of hydraulic lifts and car jacks to help them with their work. Each is used for slightly different circumstances, but both have their uses and drawbacks.
Car lifts are the far more powerful option. They are designed to lift the vehicle high, enabling mechanics to stand underneath the vehicle for an extended period. In our car lift reviews, we take a look at 2-, 4-, and 8-post versions, with each having advantages over the others.
The main benefits of a car lift are the stability and power. Hydraulic lifts allow for a firm level surface under which to work, with each model capable of lifting vehicles regardless of weight. But the biggest drawback of a full-scale car lift is the cost. This is true even for the 2-post models. It’s not surprising that they are a lot more expensive given their capabilities.
A floor jack is not as powerful or stable, but it is the cheaper and more portable option. In our car jack buying guide, we explore some of the leading options on the market.
How to Stay Safe When Using Car Jack Stands
Car jack stands don’t have the same level of performance power as full-scale hydraulic car lifts. However, as long as you follow the safety recommendations, they’ll still do a fine job for most repair situations.
First of all, you’ll need to make sure that the car is on a level surface. You don’t want an uneven gradient to put more strain on the jacks than necessary. All vehicles come with designated jacking points – these are the spots on the underside of the vehicle where jacks place the least risk on the car. Make sure they are placed on these spots.
If you have them available, you should also use wheel chocks to stop the vehicle from rolling backwards before lifting. And always make sure that your jack locks are in place and secure before attempting to lift.
FAQ
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What is the maximum lift height of a car lift?
The overall maximum lift height varies depending on the make and model of your chosen lift. The maximum height increases with the number of posts. For example, a two-post version could be expected to reach a height of around 1.9m. Whereas a four-post option can lift up to 3.5m - this is usually because they are also used to showcase or store vehicles.
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Scissor lifts are common sights in most warehouses or workshops. They are platform lifts that help to raise workers and equipment onto higher levels. They get their name from the criss-crossed pattern mechanisms that extend and retract below the platform. We cover many of the best makes and models in our
scissor lift guide.
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What are the benefits of using a hoist?
Hoists are seen as a cost-effective, versatile alternative to larger-scale lifts. Their simple designs allow for a high level of stability and loading capacity relative to their usual size.
Hoists are also easy to operate and don't require in-depth expertise or experience. And although they require electricity, their output is considered to be more economical than many other types of lifts.
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Why is a scissor lift superior to scaffolding?
Scaffolding is great in terms of its scale and stability. However, it takes a great deal of effort to correct or move it around once it's been fixed in place. Whereas scissor lifts can move freely, getting equipment and resources directly to where they need to go with far less manpower involved. Productivity is greatly increased when using scissor lifts as a result.
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What are the different types of car jacks?
There are several forms of car jack stands available. The most common types include the bottle jack, the scissor jack, and the floor jack. Bottle jacks are simple to use and easy to store, but don't have a lot of power and stability. Scissor jacks are very stable and portable, but they do require more manual labour than other types. And the wheels of a floor jack make them easy to move into place, with the long lever excellent for comfort when in use.
