The Best Jack Post Available to Ensure Structural Support

Above crawl spaces and basements, jack posts are used to offer positive support to drooping, sloping flooring. They can also get rid of bouncing or squeaky floors that don’t have enough support. They offer additional support that is variable and has a 60,000-pound capacity.

They are easy to install and elicit a positive reaction. Moreover, they are a low-cost alternative to sagging floors. If you’re also enclosing your crawl space, installing a jack post works nicely. You might get confused with the different types and products available in the market. That’s why we have penned this detailed guide to help you choose the best jack posts.

What Are the Factors To Consider Before Buying a Floor Jack?

Here are a few of the most important selling points to consider:

Lifting capacity

This is most likely the most important and first item you should pay attention to. Two ton and three ton floor jacks are the most prevalent, depending on a several factors. Make sure the maximum weight the jack can carry is more than the weight you must lift. Since you just elevate one corner, you don’t normally put the full weight of the car on the jack. That’s 50% or 60% of the vehicle’s weight if you want to elevate somewhere under the engine. You may use a transmission jack. You’ll need a vehicle lift for your home garage if you want to elevate the entire automobile body.

Material

The floor jack is constructed of steel, aluminum, or a combination of both. Metal is more a widespread option and, on average, less expensive than aluminum variants. Its main drawbacks are that it is heavier and less portable. Aluminum jacks are ideal for all car owners since they are durable and simple to use, while also being lighter and more portable. The disadvantage is that you usually have to pay a premium. Both are fine choices, but if you plan to use a monitor or drag bar, you’ll want to go with a lighter variant, preferably an aluminum jack.

Minimum clearance height

Floor jacks used to have a standard shape. Low-profile floor jacks are becoming increasingly popular as more automobiles have low clearance (whether stock or aftermarket specs). Currently, certain versions require less than 3 inches of floor clearance to work.

Maximum lifting height

This is the height at which your automobile is lifted to its highest position by the lift arm. Most high-quality jacks have a maximum height of 18-20 inches. A standard scissor jack, on the other hand, can elevate a car up to 15 inches. The difference in height of 3-5 inches might be significant.

Lifting power

The number of pumps necessary to reach the maximum lifting height determines the floor jack’s lifting speed. Some versions advertise a “rapid lifting technique,” which typically involves two cylinders and takes 5-6 strokes to finish. The people who need to handle the pumps the most usually require the biggest effort. The discrepancies, on the other hand, are typically insignificant.

If you’re interested in learning how to set up a jack post, check out this video from Know How Now for a visual tutorial:

What Are the Different Types of Jack Posts?

It is essential to become familiar with the many types of floor jacks in the market.

Scissors jack

For automobile owners, this is one of the most popular floor jacks. Its appeal comes from the fact that it may be employed in emergency situations on the road. As a result, a scissor jack is likely to be found in the trunk of every vehicle. The scissor jack is a mechanical jack that works by compressing the scissor mechanism with a screw in order to elevate the automobile. Because of its limited height limit, it is not recommended for more complicated activities.

Hydraulic jack

The hydraulic jack, unlike the scissor jack, is not appropriate for roadside emergencies and is more commonly found in repair shops. This is due to its weight, which makes it difficult to transport in the trunk. The hydraulic mechanism is used to elevate automobiles using a hydraulic jack. The fluid is pushed into a cylinder and upward pressure is created by pumping a lever linked to the jack up and down. When the release valve is closed, something happens. The hydraulic jack has the maximum lifting capacity and can carry heavy loads, making it ideal for larger and heavier cars. It’s no surprise that these jacks are also utilized for other purposes, such as raising elevators and replacing floorboards.

Piston jack

A bottle jack is another popular name for a piston jack. It is made out of concentric cylinders that give it the appearance of a bottle. Piston jacks can’t collapse to exceptionally low heights due to this design. This leaves them unsuitable for lower automobiles like sports cars since they can’t fit beneath them. The piston jack has a tiny footprint, which is one of its benefits. It’s a fantastic alternative if you’re working on uneven terrain because it’s simpler to balance on a tiny, level surface area. The jack also uses a hydraulic system and can hold a lot of weight, making it ideal for vehicles. It is also rather heavy, so it isn’t the ideal choice for a roadside emergency floor jack.