Scissor jacks, also called bracket jacks, are lightweight and fast. They are on-board products of major domestic automobile factories, with different principles. It consists of an upper support rod and a lower support rod made of sheet metal. The cross section of the upper support rod and the cross section of the lower support rod at the tooth portion and its vicinity are rectangular with one side open, and the metal plates on both sides of the opening are bent inward. The teeth on the upper support rod and the lower support rod are made of metal plates bent on both sides of the opening, and the tooth width is greater than the thickness of the metal plate.

What is a scissor jack?

The scissor jack is an important lifting device that is widely used on load-carrying vehicles or mobile equipment to support the dead weight of the equipment and adjust the level of the equipment. It is mainly used in factories, mines, transportation and other departments for vehicle repair and other lifting and supporting work. It uses a rigid lifting piece as a working device and is a light and small lifting device that lifts heavy objects in a small stroke through the top or bottom. In traditional scissor jacks, the threads that match the screw are designed on the fixed sleeve, so the length of the screw must be very long (as shown in Figure 1), making it difficult to ensure the coaxiality of the screw. It is easy to cause the screw rod to bend. Moreover, when the scissor jack is folded, because the screw rod is very long, it must occupy a large space for storage, which is very inconvenient.

Main types of scissor jacks

Standard manual scissor jack

Features:

Portability: The standard manual scissor jack is lightweight and compact, making it easy to store in the trunk of your vehicle or garage.

Affordable: The price is relatively low and ordinary car owners can afford it.

Easy to operate: It can be operated by manually rotating the screw through the handle, and the method of use is simple and easy to learn.

Scope of application:

Emergency use: Suitable for use in roadside emergencies, such as tire replacement.

Light to medium-duty vehicles: Suitable for small vehicles such as sedans, hatchbacks and compact SUVs.

limit:

Limited lifting capacity: Usually the lifting capacity is around 1-1.5 tons, which is not suitable for larger vehicles.

Effortless operation: manual operation is required, and long-term use will be more laborious.

Electric scissor jack

Features:

Electric scissor jacks are easier to use than ordinary scissor jacks, because when people use scissor jacks to lift cars, they need to constantly rotate the rocker, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. At the same time, it is very close to the tires, and there is a lot of trouble risk. With the electric scissor jack, it is completely different. The motor drives the entire screw through electric drive. The whole process does not require manual intervention. Another advantage is that it can increase the distance between the operator and the car to maximize the distance between the operator and the car. 

Scope of application:

Home Garage: Suitable for use at home, especially for car owners who need frequent vehicle maintenance.

Medium-sized vehicles: usually provide greater lifting capacity and are suitable for more types of vehicles.

limit:

Depends on power supply: It requires power supply, which may be inconvenient if used in the wild or in a power-free environment.

Higher cost: Compared with manual scissor jacks, the price is higher.

Hydraulic scissor jack

A hydraulic scissor jack includes lifting and hydraulic parts. The characteristic is that the lifting part includes a lifting bracket. The lifting bracket is connected to a connecting rod assembly. The connecting rod assembly is roughly diamond-shaped, with the rod ends hinged to each other. The hydraulic assembly includes an operating The handle is connected to the pump rod of the pump cylinder. The pump cylinder is connected to the oil storage chamber. The oil storage chamber of the pump cylinder is also connected to the oil cylinder. The piston rod in the oil pump is connected to the middle part of the connecting rod assembly.

Compared with traditional mechanical jacks, the new hydraulic jack has the following advantages:

It is easy to operate. Due to the use of hydraulic drive, the hand-cranked rotation operation is changed to hydraulic up and down pressing. Compared with the mechanical screw drive, the operating force is reduced by half, the operating space is reduced, and the operating time is saved.

The operation is flexible. Because it has four wheels, it is easy to move and position without laborious manual moving. Especially when the operating space is small, the movement and positioning are particularly convenient.

Hydraulic scissor jack has many advantages such as novel structure, flexible operation, portability, labor saving and time saving. Suitable as the main vehicle maintenance tool. It is especially suitable for use by middle-aged, elderly and women with weak physical strength.

limit:

Complex maintenance: The hydraulic system requires regular maintenance to ensure the cleanliness of the hydraulic oil and the sealing of the system.

Heavy weight: Usually heavier than manual and electric scissor jacks, it is not easy to carry with the vehicle.

Adjustable height scissor jack

Features:

Height adjustable: The lifting height can be adjusted according to the height of the vehicle chassis to adapt to different models.

Versatility: Some models come with additional support arms or wheels for added flexibility of use.

Scope of application:

Applicable to multiple models: Suitable for vehicles with different chassis heights, including low chassis sports cars and high chassis SUVs.

Garages and repair shops: Suitable for environments where vehicles need to be replaced frequently, such as home garages and professional repair shops.

limit:

Complex structure: Due to the increase in functions, the structure is relatively complex, and operation requires higher proficiency.

Higher Price: Typically more expensive than a single-function scissor jack.

Folding scissor jack

Features:

High portability: The design is more compact and can be folded for easy storage and portability.

Lightweight: Made of lightweight materials, it reduces weight and is suitable for carrying in the car.

Scope of application:

Emergency Rescue: Ideal for quick use in emergencies, such as changing a tire on the roadside.

Individual car owners: Especially suitable for daily vehicle maintenance and personal use.

limit:

Limited Lifting Capacity: Typically due to construction and weight limitations, the lifting capacity is not as good as other types of scissor jacks.

Durability: Due to the lightweight material, high frequency of use may affect its durability.

Things to consider when choosing a scissor jack

When choosing the right scissor jack, vehicle owners need to consider the following factors:

Lifting Capacity: Make sure the lifting capacity of the jack you choose is adequate for the weight of the vehicle.

Frequency of use: Choose different types of jacks based on frequency of use. For frequent use, it is recommended to choose a model with better durability.

Portability: If you need to carry it with you in your car, choose a model that is highly portable and lightweight.

Operation convenience: Consider your own operating capabilities and needs and choose a manual, electric or hydraulic scissor jack.

Price: Choose the right model according to your budget, while considering the cost-effectiveness for long-term use.

In short, the scissor jack is an important vehicle maintenance tool, and its diversity meets the needs of different car owners. When selecting and using a scissor jack, fully understanding the characteristics and scope of application of various models can better ensure the safety and efficiency of vehicle maintenance.