How Does a Mechanical Car Jack Work?

A mechanical car jack could save the day.

If your vehicle ever breaks down, you could be in bad shape if you don't know how to use a mechanical car jack. This is a tool used to help an individual lift a vehicle for maintenance purposes. Information on this tool is vital to any car owner.

Function

Mechanical jacks, sometimes called jackscrews, use a group of levers and screws to lift up vehicles without much effort. Some jacks use a lever in combination with a ratchet. The lever raises the car, while the ratchet functions to stop the vehicle from coming down. This is done until a specified height is reached.

Types

There are a variety of types mechanical jacks available for use. The Simplex brand has ratchet, screw and reel jacks on its product line. Each jack has it's own individual weight capacity, which ranges from about five to over 150 tons.

Benefits

For a car owner, a mechanical jack may very well be the most essential tool in the collection. If you need to lift a vehicle, a jack makes it easy while allowing you to accomplish the necessary task at hand. A jack is very useful assistance for things such as changing tires, brake jobs, and oil changes.

References

• Questia: Jack, Mechanical Device
• Ohio Power Tool: Simplex
• Automotive Floor Jacks