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Why not a battery powered floor jack?

Wamsutta

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We got everything else battery powered; why not a floor jack? What if I'm tired of pumping the handle all the time? Too expensive you say? What if I got $5000 laying around and I want the world's first Electro-Hydraulic floor jack? Where's the company to take my money?
 
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darkzero

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Jack already won't go down without the assistance of electricity, this would be even worse cause the battery will surely be dead when needed!
 

Leaflessshadetree

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Don't ask.
If you googled cordless floor jack there are quite a few options. I didn't see any that I would expect to be high quality.
Seems like it wouldn't be hard to have a mechanism that could be adapted to many hydraulic jacks.
 

rust in the eye

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$5k to spend?
Two post lift can be done for that.
I've always been cautioned about using impact tools with acme threads like on scissor jacks.
 
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MOS3522

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zendriver

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I've always been cautionad about using impact tools with acme threads like on scissor jacks.
Probably a good idea, since the item was not designed for it.

I thought I'd speed things up by using an impact with strut spring compressors.

Things started to look act funny realizing I was actually stripping the threads. Could have been great fun if something let loose.
 

American Locomotive

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I'd rather use a drill in low gear on a scissor jack rather than an impact. An impact really isn't the tool to drive a jack. The impact is hard on the thread.

I too, have been wondering when someone would come out with a battery powered jack. I took a 12v ABS pump (single inlet/outlet line that went to a separate valve body) out of a Lexus with the intent of cobbling it up to a jack somehow. Never got around to it.
 

danielbuck

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Lots of people here seem to carry a full garage of tools including their 100# 4t floor jack in the back of their Honda, just I'm case.
I used to bring an aluminum floor jack in the back of my trucks and jeeps fairly often, now I bring a hydraulic jack stand instead.
 
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rust in the eye

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That's an interesting item. If it works as claimed would be a great addition for those that have trouble using those widow maker jacks in most cars. Plus the FUSES are UL approved so its got to be good.
The glass breaking hammer is an especially useful item to stow in trunk too;)
 

RAS61

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Not a very wide footprint, better have level ground and don't rock the car. Also looks cheap with a lot of plastic, I'd want my metal scissor jack as insurance against a fall so I don't see the benefit or point
 

RAS61

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I don't know why somebody hasn't commercialized this concept:
jack.jpg
Wow, a Rube Goldberg contraption if I ever saw one. Does anyone really have a problem pumping a bottle jack? Seems like we're searching for an answer to a problem that doesn't exist :unsure:
 

RAS61

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Scissor jack + socket + impact = :cool:

I highly recommend keeping a cordless impact in each car’s trunk for the same reason.
Not bad, unless the battery goes dead from sitting. In over 40 years of driving I've had a flat maybe 5-6 times, so once every 8 years or so? Using a scissor jack is a pain, but we're talking about infrequent emergency situations, so I can deal with it. If I wanted something easier in the trunk I'd go simple and reliable, a bottle jack! Maybe then use the scissor as a jack stand for extra safety.

In the garage a host of options exist, but again I like simplicity, and pumping a good floor jack is no big deal for me if just lifting one corner, and will always be my go to. I know a guy with a small tire shop who raises cars all day long, and a good floor jack is how he does it. For access to everything underneath - 4 post, 2 post, or a Quickjack...my 2 cents
 
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RAS61

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Yeah I'm sure they made the hydraulics from plastic. Where's the eye roll?
Here ya go :rolleyes2! And what are the odds this do it all Chinese road kit for $84 dies with your car in the air? Better hope you have that PITA scissor jack to get it down

I checked Amazon and 12% of purchasers give it 1 star, among the criticism is poor quality, cheaply made, unstable, and while being used CAUGHT FIRE! 🔥 :oops:
 
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cherrybomb

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rickhz

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I got tired of jacking off my floor jack so I went with air over hydraulic. It was a great investment.
 

whateg01

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Here ya go :rolleyes2! And what are the odds this do it all Chinese road kit for $84 dies with your car in the air? Better hope you have that PITA scissor jack to get it down

I checked Amazon and 12% of purchasers give it 1 star, among the criticism is poor quality, cheaply made, unstable, and under use CAUGHT FIRE! 🔥 :oops:
Easy to get it down. Just roll the car forward.

It is cheap, so I wouldn't expect great things from it. But having lots of plastic parts doesn't make it inept.

Edit: I notice it still gets 4.3 stars on Amazon, so it didn't fall apart at first glance for everybody.

The bigger issue I see with most battery operated stuff that sees a load is that to keep size and weight down, it usually uses a small battery and motor so it needs lots of reduction. That means it's slow. I like my m12 inflator but it's not fast. On the side of the road is not a place I want to spend anymore time than necessary. People don't slow down or move over. I bet a good portion of the time, they don't even notice you there a couple feet away changing a tire.
 
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5ubtle

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Spartanburg, SC
... Does anyone really have a problem pumping a bottle jack? Seems like we're searching for an answer to a problem that doesn't exist :unsure:
Yes. The problem does exist. That's why the OP poses the question. Do you happen to have a bottle jack shop press or a long ram on an engine lift. I get tired of pumping the handle. OP asked specifically about a floor jack. Us old people get tired of pumping a floor jack too. If you are young and strong, just wait 20-40 years; then you will understand better. It has already been solved by air/hydraulic, but why not battery powered?
 

whateg01

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Yes. The problem does exist. That's why the OP poses the question. Do you happen to have a bottle jack shop press or a long ram on an engine lift. I get tired of pumping the handle. OP asked specifically about a floor jack. Us old people get tired of pumping a floor jack too. If you are young and strong, just wait 20-40 years; then you will understand better. It has already been solved by air/hydraulic, but why not battery powered?
I think some people just get on here to complain that other people are trying to find a solution to a problem that they've never had
 

RAS61

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Yes. The problem does exist. That's why the OP poses the question. Do you happen to have a bottle jack shop press or a long ram on an engine lift. I get tired of pumping the handle. OP asked specifically about a floor jack. Us old people get tired of pumping a floor jack too. If you are young and strong, just wait 20-40 years; then you will understand better. It has already been solved by air/hydraulic, but why not battery powered?
Well, I'm 62, and I guess I'm either fortunate or maybe still young enough, because I haven't encountered a situation yet a good floor jack couldn't easily handle.

Concerning the issue of why there isn't a battery/hydraulic jack for easier lifting, maybe because it doesn't offer much of an advantage over air or corded electric that's already "solved" the problem? A floor jack is big and heavy, and usually only used in a garage where air and/or electric are available, so why the need for battery power? There's also the issue of what battery platform to use (a new proprietary one?), but also the problem of how batteries drain and stop working - would **** mid lift, and possibly a liability issue?

Sorry if some see me as a complaining negative Nellie, but I just don't get it. Ultimately, the market says it's not viable, practical, and/or profitable, but could be a great opportunity for enterprising entrepreneurs, so maybe someone should take a shot and patent a design?
 

reader2580

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Minneapolis, MN
The bigger issue I see with most battery operated stuff that sees a load is that to keep size and weight down, it usually uses a small battery and motor so it needs lots of reduction. That means it's slow. I like my m12 inflator but it's not fast. On the side of the road is not a place I want to spend anymore time than necessary. People don't slow down or move over. I bet a good portion of the time, they don't even notice you there a couple feet away changing a tire.
This connects to the vehicle’s battery. Me personally I have better things to spend $85 on.
 
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