December 12, 2018

How does hydraulic jacks work?

How does Hydraulic Jacks Work? Depending on this basic principle to lift heavy loads: they can be described as the devices that use pump plungers to move oil through two cylinders.


If two cylinders both large and small one are connected, and force is applied to one-cylinder, equal pressure is generated in both cylinders. However, because one cylinder has a larger area, the force the larger cylinder produces will be higher, though the pressure in the two cylinders will remain the same.


The primary mechanism with which force is applied varies, depending on the specific type of jack, but is typically a screw thread or a hydraulic cylinder. Jacks can be categorized based on the type of force they employ mechanical or hydraulic.

Mechanical jacks, such as car jacks and house jacks lift heavy equipment and are rated based on the number of loads, they can lift. Hydraulic jacks tend to be stronger and can lift heavier loads higher and include bottle jacks and floor jacks.

How does hydraulic jacks work?

In a summary, when working with a hydraulic jack, you need to insert the metal pumping bar into the handle socket and pump it, which will push the ram up and raises the boom with a load attached to the end. To lower a load, you need to open the bleed valve located on the base of the jack.

Types of Hydraulic Jacks

Two common types of hydraulic jacks include bottle jacks and floor jacks.

How does hydraulic jack work: In Bottle Jacks

Bottle Jacks became popular in the early 1900s when the automobile industry began to take off. Also called hand jacks, bottle jacks provided an easy way for an individual to lift a vehicle for roadside inspection or service. Their similarity to milk bottles earned bottle jacks their name today, they range in size and weight to offer a lifting capability ranging from one hundred to several loads.

Although they are most commonly used in the automobile industry jacks are often used to lift cars, bottle jacks have other uses as well. In the medical industry they can be used in hydraulic stretchers and patient lifts. In industrial applications, they can be found as pipe benders used in plumbing, as cable slicers for electrical projects, and as material lifts within warehouses. Their ability to lift heavy loads plays a big role in enabling the repair of large agricultural machinery and in many construction operations. Bottle jacks can be secured within a frame, mounted on a beam, or simply used as they are for easier jack transportation.

How does hydraulic jacks work: Floor Jacks

Unlike bottle jack shafts, the shaft in a floor is horizontal the shaft pushes on an original that connects to a lifting pad, which is then lifted horizontally. Floor jacks typically provide a greater range of vertical lift than bottle jacks and are available in two sizes.

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