The case for the bottle jack for auto service

[JHZR2]

I know Ive posted about lifting cars, but this is about equipment for doing so. It kind of is a tool time issue, but also an automotive general topic.

Go into a parts store, wal mart, tractor supply, and youll see as many if not more bottle jacks than alligator type hydraulic lifting jacks. They are rated for more weight, 8, 12, 20 tons are common, but also have no angles or lever arms so I guess that is part of it.

They also make shorty ones, which are only 6" high. Interesting.

Obvious stability issues aside on some terrain, given their size, weight, able to be moved easily without rolling around, high lifting capacity, etc., is there a good case for owning and using a bottle jack to lift cars, if going say to a jackstand, etc?

Id think they could also be decent for doing tires, given their small size.

But nobody owns them. Measuring my cars, most would lift fine with a 6" shorty bottle jack (assuming the right jack point or way to spread the pressure of the pad). I dont know if the 10 5/8" max height would be a limitation for getting a wheel off the ground, but anyway... Does anyone use a bottle jack to lift their car? If so or not, why? Given shelf space Id think lots do, given pictures and recommendations I read, Id think nobody does.

Thanks!

 

[paulo57509]

I have yet to use a bottle jack to lift any car/truck. The only time I've ever used a bottle jack on a car is lifting the engine or transmission to replace the mounts.

The only vehicle I've lifted with a bottle jack is a paving machine. Way to heavy for a typical floor jack.

 

[fsskier]

My bottle jack worked ok...... until I tried to use it on a flat tire... that lowered the car enough more that it would not go under it.

I think the best small, light, strong - and flat when clearance is an issue... is a good scissors jack. Recently I searched for a new one to put in the boat.... no luck anywhere.

Anybody know who has them? I bought one new 40 years ago, have floor jacks, bottle jacks, heck even cracker jacks, but the old scissors is the best all around, including portability.

 

[Colt45ws]

The only time Ive ever used one was on my grandparents 33ft motorhoose. It was a giganto 20ton I think, though.
Most cars are too low for a bottle jack, especially if it has a flat.

 

[MNgopher]

Still have the one I used for years when garage space was an issue (as in either didn't have one or had a very little one). Did a decent enough job, though I will note all I ever used it on was Pickup trucks and SUV's.

Now I use my rolling floor jack all the time, the bottle jack is there as backup or for spot duty.

 

[Shannow]

Used to use them and love them...I stopped when I bought a floor jack (that ended up leaking, and dropping the car slowly).

Bottle jack design is pretty simple, and they tend to either be there for you or (very occasionally) not.

This is the sort of stuff that we use industrially. I've got a 15 tonne hollow piston jack around 150mm stroke and hydraulic pump under my desk (for setting up the Governor).

http://www.specialisedforce.com.au/jacking.php

To get the HP Turbine casings split took 2 off 50 tonne jacks and 4 off 25s. Casing weighs 30 tonnes, there was that much stick. We use 30Tonne locking cylinders and shaped lifting blocks to lift and position shafts for bearing work.

I'm always amazed at how much work jacks can get done...and airbags for that matter they get used a lot in the boiler, and you can get them for your 4WD (and other stuff).

http://alwaysdirect.com.au/catalogsearch...CFQTUbgod0m9NSg

Holden had a screw type bottle jack, that was good, reliable, and pretty remote operation (end of a long handle, away from

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

My Isuzu came with a bottle jack from the factory. Works great. I changed rear break pads last fall with it.

 

[defektes]

Only time I have ever used a bottle jack is to hold the engine on my focus when I replaced the clutch.

 

[rclint]

A quality bottle jack is great when working on heavy duty equipment such as tractors etc.. As your said the angles, rolling wheels etc etc on floor jacks... 20 ton bottle jack is not very big, and if made of good American quality is an outstanding jack.

Bottle verses floor jack is just different applications, ease of access etc. as far as safety by far bottle jacks are safer as they will not roll when load is applied. However bottle jacks have their down falls as well one being they need a support under them when on soft ground to spread the weight out.

 

[FowVay]

My 1997 Nissan pickup came from the factory with a bottle jack for use when changing a tire. It mounts in a cubby hole behind the seat along with the lug wrench.

For use it couples directly to the rear axle for rear-end lifting and for the front there is a pocket built into the frame that couples to the jack.

-Benefits are the compact size.
-Drawbacks are the speed of application. You insert a rod into the screw on the jack and then have to turn it about 3 bazillion times to get it up to usable height. But, it works great.

 

[Shannow]

Yep, that's the screw rather than hydraulic bottle jack.

Pretty well the most reliable thing ever made I reckon.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I bought one some years ago and have carried it in my cars ever since.

A couple of years back I tested it and the factory scissors jack to see which was easier to use on the Buick. With the bottle, you lift the car with an up-and-down motion of the lever, thus you can put your weight into it on the downstroke; whereas with the scissors you have to flip the lever back and around before pushing down. At the end of the job, the scissors jack has to be cranked down. With the bottle jack, you just release a valve and the car comes smoothly down. Winner: Bottle jack.

 

[sciphi]

I've never found one that lifts the car high enough. Then again, I haven't looked that hard.

 

[eljefino]

Funny, I just saw a scissor jack at walmart. I was wondering who on earth would buy one.

 

[GMBoy]

Bottle jacks are very versatile. I have a few of them. I keep one in my RV incase the power lift stops working. It's compact enough to store anywhere. I use them to jack up cars/trucks when I have my other floor jacks tied up - but I use jackstands to suport the vehicle..a bottle jack can tip over very easy and you don't want to be under a car supported only by a bottle jack. I also used a bottle jack once to pop out a fender and to level a porch that was being rebuilt.

I think everybody should have one on hand.

 

[rclint]

Also bottle jacks have a screw on top that gives you a start position when starting the lifting processes. As I said you need a quality made bottle jack to begin with, and 20 ton is a good starting point.

Another use is to prize or move parts apart. A bottle jack has many uses, and the quality of the jack is very important,

 

[calvin1]

I love the bottle jack I have for raising the Bronco. It has a much higher reach and weight rating (9 ton, IIRC) than any but the largest trolley jacks. I do almost all my work in my gravel driveway so a trolley jack is difficult. Unfortunately I have yet to find a car I can get under with one.

EDIT: BTW, ditto on using them for more than just lifting vehicles. Mine has pulled ram duty several times. It also broke loose a very stubborn radius arm bolt. If my figuring is right that bolt finally let go at somewhere around 3,000 foot pounds.

 

[calvin1]

Originally Posted By: fsskier
My bottle jack worked ok...... until I tried to use it on a flat tire... that lowered the car enough more that it would not go under it.

I think the best small, light, strong - and flat when clearance is an issue... is a good scissors jack. Recently I searched for a new one to put in the boat.... no luck anywhere.

Anybody know who has them? I bought one new 40 years ago, have floor jacks, bottle jacks, heck even cracker jacks, but the old scissors is the best all around, including portability.
I know I saw a scissor jack at Menards the other day.