A hydraulic jack has been very instrumental in the lifting of heavy loads because of its ability to use a relatively small force applied through a hydraulic cylinder to move or lift heavy loads.
This device works by creating pressure and moving fluid into the pump chamber. The force applied to the plunger pushes it down, thereby allowing the fluid to be carried and moved via an external discharge valve to reach the cylinder chamber. When the suction valve closes, pressure builds up in the chamber, forcing the piston to rise and move the heavy load. The process is then repeated several times until the load is lifted high enough.
This is ideally the concept used to lift vehicles when changing tires or performing any other operations that require lifting.
When using a hydraulic jack to lift your vehicle, you only apply a small amount of force to lift the vehicle. It applies a principle similar to a pulley, which is also a mechanical advantage. Without the external force that you apply to the jack, the device cannot exert force to lift the vehicle. A pump powers the device to amplify the force. This mechanical power makes hydraulic jacks relatively more powerful than typical or regular jacks.
Components of a Hydraulic Jack
This incredibly simple device comprises the following:
Cylinder. A cylinder holds the hydraulic fluid.
Pump. A pumping system is required to move the oil or fluid. A pump can be hand-powered or mechanically-powered, thereby helping to apply more pressure to the hydraulic fluid.
Fluid. A hydraulic fluid, often oil, is used to transmit pressure within the cylinder. It also lubricates the components of the device.
Valve. The system also comprises a one-way valve that controls the flow of the fluid within the jack cylinder while preventing the fluid from flowing backward.
Plate. This is ideally a form of footing lifted by the cylinder to raise the load when the jack is in action.
How a Hydraulic Jack Works
According to Pascals principle, a force exerted to a fluid enclosed in a cylinder or other device is transferred or carried equally throughout the whole fluid. The principle depends on the incompressible nature of the fluid. The activation of the pump helps to exert pressure on the fluid in the cylinder.
The pressure builds up in the cylinder and later escapes through the easiest route possible, thereby pushing the jacks plate and raising the load. The pump exerts a small amount of force on the hydraulic fluid repeatedly until it has enough pressure to raise the jack and consequently lift the load being lifted.
A hydraulic jack is capable of exerting massive force using a simple pump. However, this device should be well-engineered to avoid the release of the pressure within the cylinder because of structural failure.
Therefore, a hydraulic jack is a powerful device that has revolutionised how heavy loads are lifted. Whether you are in London, Heathrow, Kent, or Essex, you can ask hydraulic technicians from around your city about the best hydraulic jack for your vehicle.
