It’s true that having a car lift is a tremendous advantage. In addition to facilitating the work of reviewing and repairing a car, they’re also versatile and you can use them for a variety of different purposes.
There are different car lift models available in the market. Unfortunately, some models are too big to take with you everywhere. Others must be permanently installed on the ground to be stable. In case of an emergency on the road, it seems like hydraulic jacks are the only alternative.
However, hydraulic jacks can’t separate the vehicle completely from the ground. That can complicate things, especially when you need to change more than one flat tire at the same time. Fortunately, portable car lifts can help you in situations like that.
Portable car lifts are lightweight, compact and you can carry them in your car case without problems. In addition, you don’t need to make any kind of efforts to drive them.
In contrast to hydraulic jacks, portable car lifts can withstand even more weight and have a higher lifting height. If you’ve never tried one, you may want to know why it’s convenient to buy portable car lifts.
In this article you’ll know all and each of the benefits you get using a portable car lift. At the end of the article, you’ll also know several points in favor of portable lifts that you’ll surely not find in other similar lifting tools.
What is Portable Car Lifts?
They’re tools used to lift a car and facilitate inspection and repair work. The fact that they’re portable, means that they occupy a small space and you can transport them wherever you want due to their low weight.
Usually, portable car lifts compose of several rigid frames attached to a common axis. Some deploy like an “X” and others in the form of a cube. Most models on the market work with pistons, driven by a small engine.
Hydraulic jacks require some effort from the user to function. For example, pulling and pushing a lever several times or turning a crank. On the other hand, the user only needs to press a button to deploy or collapse a portable car lift.
Portable car lifts use engines, so they need electric power to work. However, some work with rechargeable batteries, which are ideal for long trips.
Above all, portable car lifts are durable. In fact, they can last a lifetime. You just have to be careful not to lift loads above the allowable range. Doing so could damage the pistons and deform the frame.
Benefits of Portable Car Lifts
Using portable car lifts instead of hydraulic jacks brings many benefits. As said before, portable car lifts can withstand much more weight and can completely separate the vehicle from the floor.
Below there’s an explanation of the advantages of having portable car lifts:
Foldable
Most portable car lifts fold. This feature allows them to take up very little space when they’re completely collapsed.
The best way to illustrate the operation of a portable car lift is to compare it to a foldable beach chair. If you’ve ever seen one of these, you know how these tools work.
They’re also easy to locate and you can use them with low profile cars, which doesn’t fit well with larger lifting tools, such as two-post or four-post car lifts.
Lightweight
Maybe the most prominent feature of these tools. Some hydraulic jacks are too heavy, so they include wheels to move. Instead, you carry load a portable car lift between your arms as you would with a foldable chair.
High Resistance
Most portable car lifts are of steel. Steel is cheap, lightweight and very resistant. During lifting, shear stress, compression and flexion are present. Not many materials are strong enough to withstand the weight of a car without failing.
The resistance of steel to external agents provides greater durability to the tool. However, most models on the market have a special coating that makes them even more resistant to external agents.
The steel doesn’t deform in the presence of great efforts. The deformation of the frame would completely ruin the tool, preventing it from moving during the deployment and collapse cycles.
Higher Weight Capacity
Hydraulic jacks have a limited range of lifting capacity. They aren’t the most suitable for too heavy vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks. The larger and heavier the vehicle, the larger and heavier the hydraulic jacks.
However, portable car lifts can lift heavy cars without a considerable increase in size or weight.
Higher Lifting Height
Portable car lifts can lift the car up to 2 feet above the ground. The wheels don’t need to rest on the ground, as is the case with hydraulic car jacks. A greater lifting height means more free space for revision and repair work.
Automatic Operation
Hydraulic jacks require the application of physical force to function. The larger and heavier the vehicle, the greater the force required. Some people can’t apply enough force to lift a very heavy vehicle during an emergency.
For example, the elderly and disabled. The automatic operation of portable car lifts make them recommended for all kinds of people, regardless of their age or physical condition.
To operate the mechanism, the user only needs to press a button. Once the work ends, the user presses a button to collapse the frame.
Low Price
In contrast to larger models, such as two-post or four-post car lifts, portable car lifts are cheaper. Obviously they don’t have the same weight capacity of big tools, yet are sturdy enough to get you out of trouble during an emergency.
Cons of Portable Car Lifts
Certainly, hydraulic jacks are very useful tools. However, they’re also very limited and can leave you exhausted after using them. If your physical condition or your age is an impediment, it’s better to opt for tools that make your life easier.
As you could see, portable car lifts are lightweight, easy to transport, cheap and adaptable to small spaces. You can carry them in your suitcase without problems and manipulating them is really easy.
You don’t need to apply physical force because the entire mechanism activates with the press of a button. If there’s no outlet nearby, there are models that work with batteries. In conclusion, there’s no excuse for not taking one of these tools home.
It doesn’t matter if your car is too big and heavy, these tools can lift it easily. Portable car lifts are ideal for SUV and truck owners. It’s true that you can’t lift a bus with one of these, but at least you can change a flat tire without problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, opting for portable car lifts instead of hydraulic jacks is the wisest decision. In addition, the price difference between one product and another is almost imperceptible. However, the large amount of additional benefits you’ll receive with portable models is remarkable.
Hydraulic jacks put the car in an inclined and dangerous position. The slightest movement of the jack could collapse the car on you during work. The smaller the jack’s support surface, the more risk of accidents.
That will never happen with portable car lifts, because when they deploy completely, they occupy a larger support surface. This provides greater stability. In addition, they use several pistons at the same time that exert more force and avoid sudden collapses. Just make sure you do proper maintenance work for your car lifts.
So, next time you’re going to buy a new lifting tool, consider all the advantages you’ll get with portable car lifts before deciding.