Heavy-duty floor jacks raise a vehicle from the shop floor, without a lift or pit. Axle-lifting designs pick up both wheels of an axle at once, which saves time over lifting one corner at a time. The right jack depends on vehicle weight, ground clearance and how often you move between bays.
Start with what you lift. Car and light truck work needs far less capacity than commercial trucks, buses or agricultural equipment. Rate the jack for at least the heaviest axle you service.
Check the clearance. Low-profile saddles let you get under lowered cars, while taller trucks need more lifting height. Compare the jack's minimum and maximum heights with the vehicles you see most.
Think about the workflow. Axle-lifting floor jacks can raise both wheels at once and often hold the load with a mechanical lock, so you can skip extra jack stands. Air/hydraulic power speeds up repeated lifts in busy shops.
An axle-lifting floor jack has a wide crossbar that lifts both wheels of an axle at once, instead of one corner at a time. It speeds up tire and brake work and reduces the need for jack stands.
Choose a capacity at or above the heaviest axle you lift. Passenger cars and SUVs need a few thousand pounds; heavy trucks, buses and equipment need much higher ratings.
Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions. Some heavy-duty axle jacks include mechanical safety locks rated to hold the load; standard hydraulic jacks should always be used with properly rated stands.