
A hydraulic jack is a mechanical device that lifts heavy loads by using a small force applied to hydraulic fluid to generate a much larger lifting force. They work by pumping fluid from a reservoir into a cylinder, this builds pressure that pushes the piston up, in turn raising the heavy object.
There is a wide range of different types of hydraulic jack out there and in this blog we will go through the nine most common we sell here at SafetyLiftinGear.

Standard Cylinder Jack
A standard cylinder hydraulic jack is a versatile, powerful tool that uses pressurised fluid in a cylinder to lift, pull, push or hold heavy loads. These jacks can come with capacities ranging from a couple of tonnes all the way up to two or three hundred tonnes. Standard cylinder jacks also come with a stroke measurement i.e. the total vertical lifting distance that the jack can provide – it is important you consider this when choosing which jack you need.
At SafetyLiftinGear, we stock a huge range of standard hydraulic cylinder jacks that are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of modern workplaces and construction sites.
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Pad Jacks
Hydraulic pad jacks are the smallest jacks that we currently stock at SafetyLiftinGear. Their small stature and low-profile makes them ideal for lifting heavy loads in very tight, confined spaces where standard jacks can’t fit. However, the small size of pad jacks doesn’t mean they aren’t powerful, in fact, hydraulic pad jacks are designed to life extremely heavy loads (often 10-200 tonnes).
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Low Profile Jacks
Low profile jacks are not quite as small as a pad jack but are still used to lift and position loads in places where there is not a lot of clearance space, like when working under a low vehicle. These jacks are versatile and can be used in a vertical position to lift the heavy load, or in a horizontal position to help either secure or push the load.
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Central Hole Jacks
Central hole jacks, also known as hollow cylinder jacks, are heavy-duty hydraulic jacks with a hole through the centre of its piston that allows it to both lift and pull heavy loads, unlike standard jacks that only lift. This unique design allows users to thread pulling attachments through the hole, making this type of hydraulic jack ideal for tasks like tensioning wire ropes on bridges and pulling heavy machinery components.
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Bottle Jacks
Bottle jacks are compact, powerful lifting tools that are shaped like a bottle. They are commonly used in the automotive industry for lifting heavy vehicles for inspections or services, however they have also proven themselves useful in other industries like plumbing, where they are often used for pipe bending.
At SafetyLiftinGear, our smallest bottle jacks come with a maximum capacity of 2 tonnes, while our more heavy-duty jacks can withstand loads of up to 50 tonnes.
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Pancake Jacks
Pancake jacks, also known as flat jacks, are ultra-low-profile hydraulic cylinders that are designed for use in extremely confined spaces where other jacks will not fit. Despite their low height, these jacks have significant lifting capacities, making them ideal for tasks like lifting concrete slabs/beams in tight areas, precision lifting of turbines and industrial equipment and even bridge building and steel erection!
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Telescopic Cylinder Jacks
Telescopic cylinder jacks are powerful hydraulic lifting devices with nested, progressively smaller tubes that extend sequentially. The extension of these tubes is what gives telescopic cylinder jacks their massive extension despite only having a short collapsed length. So not only are telescopic jacks great for significant lifting and reaching in confined spaces, but they also save storage space!
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Floor Jacks
Floor jacks, also known as trolley jacks, are a type of hydraulic jack that uses wheels and a long handle to lift heavy vehicles and equipment for maintenance. Floor jacks often have low profiles, making them ideal for fitting under cars and casters (wheels) that make them easy to position and maneuverer. Plus, the long handle provides leverage for pumping and allows operation without getting too close to the vehicle.
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Toe Jacks
Toe jacks are another low-profile hydraulic jack that features a lifting fork-like “toe” that can slide under heavy machinery or objects with almost no clearance, allowing for heavy loads to be lifted from near ground level. This makes toe jacks useful for industries like engineering and shipbuilding where heavy materials and equipment need to be lifted and moved with low clearance on a regular basis.
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These are the nine most common types of hydraulic jack that we sell at SafetyLiftinGear, however, we also stock mechanical steel jacks, hydraulic pullers, hydraulic wedge spreaders, manual hand pumps, lock nut cylinders and more! To find out more about these types of jack, click on the links and check them out!
Do you have any questions about the different types of hydraulic jacks we stock here at SafetyLiftinGear? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help!