Best 3-Ton Floor Jacks in the UK | Buyers’ Guide: сapacity, height range and required ground clearance 

What is the best 3-ton floor jack? The modern trolley jacks are the most common types among DIY and professional-grade auto mechanics as they offer the widest variety of lifting applications. They have a lot of benefits in comparison with other classes of floor jacks. In particular, they boast a high efficiency of the lifting process, thus you spend less effort and save your time.

The lowering of a load is also more smooth, especially that of the hydraulic units, which can be performed by a simple opening of a valve. Besides, the 3-ton units are usually provided with great maneuverability to move them easily around job locations. However, it should be stipulated that the even ground surface is a must in order to provide the required stability and safety. Apart from that, the 3-ton floor jacks deserve a closer look when considering floor jacks for multiple lifting applications.

3-ton floor jack at a glance

It is pretty hard to imagine a modern society without cars. Nowadays, they are deemed as a prime necessity, not a luxury item, like it was before. However, it is a simple truth that any car will eventually need some repair or regular maintenance even being in the most capable hands. And then, you will have to deal with it “tete-a-tete” or to address to an auto service center.

No matter which way you prefer, a floor jack will be an indispensable tool for servicing your car. It can be explained by the fact that any minor repair or just inspection of a car would be impossible until it's lifting to a particular height to provide an adequate access area. There is an enormous number of floor jacks of different types and designations on the current market. However, the 3-ton capacity devices deserve a closer look for the most conventional lifting applications in a garage or being on the way. Such tools will provide you with more mobility and convenience of use.

Types

Depending on a driving mechanism the floor jacks are distinguished by the driving mechanism. In this regard, the floor jacks can be classified as mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical tools. Let’s learn about each type in more detail.

• Mechanical. They are activated due to the physical efforts of an operator. Thus, using such a type of jack would be extremely hard for some heavy vehicles. That is why mechanical devices are mostly used to lift light cars of 1,2 – 1,5 tons. Besides, such units are becoming less popular and considered outdated options in comparison with the modern advanced units. The scissor floor jack is the most common type among the mechanical models. A screw is the main element in its structure. During its rotation the floor jack opens or closes similarly to scissors, thus lifting or lowering a car. These units are convenient in use, almost maintenance-free, and compact in design.

• Hydraulic. As the name implies, these devices are based on a hydraulic system, interconnected vessels, and power fluid. These floor jacks are very efficient, simple, and convenient in use. However, they have stricter requirements for their handling and transportation as they should not be sloped, otherwise, the pump will not work.

Bottle and trolley jacks are the most popular options among car enthusiasts. Bottle-type units are suitable for compact cars, SUVs, and even heavy-duty trucks. The downside may be connected with an inability to fit this type of hydraulic floor jacks under vehicles with smaller ground clearance.

Trolley-type jacks are also driven by hydraulics. They are most common for working with cars indoors, in a garage, or in a service center. Due to the size and wheeled design, it won’t be the best idea to store them in a car’s trunk or use them as an emergency unit, especially on uneven ground. However, as for the rest, they are considered to be the most demanded options among car enthusiasts and auto mechanics.

• Electrical. Usually, such devices run on a 12V cigarette lighter of a vehicle. They may falter in emergency situations due to the dependence on the power supply which can be unavailable for some reason. Besides, in most cases, they are quite pricy. However, they put up a good performance for regular maintenance or repair in a garage. Nowadays, the electric jacks can be found in scissor and tongue-style designs which are more suitable for lifting heavier vehicles and other objects with bigger ground clearance.

What other issues should be obligatorily considered when selecting a 3-ton floor jack? | Buyers’ Guide

• Lifting capacity. For instance, if you are looking for a jack for occasional use or in accident cases when a tire of your car has to be changed or similar, choose a light-duty option of a smaller lifting capacity. A car of 2,400 lb will require a model with 3,300-4,400 lb lifting capacity. An extra powerful device is not obligatory in this case, as it will be a pricier option and commonly half-loaded. This range can be different as everything depends on the type of floor jack. You have to check in advance that the vehicle weight is within the rated lifting capacity of your jack. In particular, 3-ton devices will be suitable for lifting cars and SUVs and some light-duty trucks for both occasional and professional purposes.

• Ground clearance. This parameter should be determined in order to provide appropriate stability of a floor jack and its firm contact with the bottom of a vehicle. It is proved that the lower this value is, the higher efficiency and scope of applications of a jack itself will be. The minimum ground clearance of a floor jack equals 2 inches. The maximum value can reach up to 10 inches and will be suitable for large clearance vehicles.

• Working stroke.  You could also hear about another parameter called a working stroke of a floor jack. It is actually the vertical movement of a jack saddle from the minimum to the maximum pick-up positions. If this value is too low, the floor jack might fail to lift a car’s wheel from the ground.

• Lifting height. The height range may vary from 11 inches to 20 inches. That is why you should know the specific height to which your vehicle will be lifted for performing certain work. In particular, it should be determined as the distance from the base to the maximum height level.

Best 3-Ton Floor Jacks in the UK | Comparison Table

3-ton floor jacks | Reviews

This list is made of the most reliable models from the recognizable manufacturers in the automotive industry. These jacks have similar lifting capacity, but each of them introduces some unique and innovative features, like ultra-speedy Magic Lift function by Omega, or the Arcan dual-pump piston design, etc., which will definitely catch your interest.

1. OMEGA LIFT 27035

Omega is rightfully considered to be the manufacturer of high-class lifting equipment. And their Magic Lift Service Jack is a bright example of their innovative technologies. This device gives you an opportunity of a quick lift to the pick-up point with further lifting of the load to the desired height even faster.

With the minimum lift height being 4 inches, you can use this as a low profile jack as you can easily access the jack points on low profile vehicles. The maximum height is 21 5/8 inches, which would be sufficient to work on any type of vehicle. There is a breather plug, which is exclusively designed for this Omega service jack. This plug will remove the air that is in the hydraulic system conveniently. This model comes in a low-profile design allows servicing cars with the lower clearance. The height range can be adjusted from 4 inches to 21 5/8 inches, thus ensuring its versatility in use for many types of vehicles.

The breather plug is another distinctive feature of this floor jack which extends the useful life of the tool and delays its maintenance by eliminating excessive air from the system. Besides, this model features a heavy-duty solid design which enhances stability and convenience during its operation.

Features

• Type: Hydraulic
• Weight (lbs): 109
• Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 16,5 x 32,5 x 8

The combination of the unique features makes this Magic Lift to become the superior and extremely fast device in its class.

2. ARCAN ALJ3T

The reliability of Arcan jacks is on little doubt, taking into account their quality policy within which all their products undergo an obligatory certification under the appropriate standards in this field.

The 3-ton Arcan ALJ3T is capable of handling various loads due to its robust but lightweight aluminum design with a reinforced lift arm. The latter serves for higher stability and better control over the entire process.

Besides, its fast speed lifting is ensured by a dual pump piston.  More than that, this model is equipped with the bypass and overload valves which prevent the unit from overpumping and overloading. The ergonomics of this floor jack is additionally ensured by a side-mount removable handle for easy positioning and storage.

Features

• Type: Hydraulic
• Weight (lbs): 58
• Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 30 x 13.5 x 8

This lightweight Arcan ALJ3T has plenty of strength to withstand lifting of any load of up to 3 tons with no hassle.

3. PRO-LIFT G-737

This is a high-quality floor jack, similarly to other products from PRO-Lift, designed to lift up to 3,5-ton loads very efficiently. It features the so called Speedy Lift function allowing raising the load to the desired height just in 1 or 2 strokes depending on a distance. The height range can be varied from 5.5 inches to 22 inches, thus make it suitable for different vehicles with a large ground clearance. The full control over the lifting process is ensured by the joint release mechanism for better accuracy in any handle position.

In general, its design is built in a friendly-user manner. Thus, a foamed handle provide additional comfort during pumping and a magnetic tool tray can be used for keeping small parts within the reach while working. More than that, the G-737 meets all the running requirements of ANSI/PALS standards.

Features

• Type: Hydraulic
• Weight (lbs): 89
• Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 30,1 x 15,9 x 6,9

This Pro-Lift G737 has the improved lifting capacity and height range which make it a highly valuable tool for an easy and fast lifting of any vehicle at your garage.

4. BIG RED T83502

This Big Red 3.5-ton floor jack is capable of heavy-duty lifting.  It comes in a low-profile design featuring from 5,6 inches to 19,7 inches height range. Thus, this model will become a valuable tool in your garage too set. Besides, the lifting level can be easily reached with the help of a quick foot-pedal.

This model comes in a solid high-grade steel design which increases its strength and durability. The surface of this tool has an additional powder coating which creates a super protection against corrosion. The maneuverability is ensured by its wide steel casters which can be 360 degrees rotated. Its wide frame serves for greater stability being under load. For safety reasons, this floor jack is equipped with a valve which protects it from overloading.

Features

• Type: Hydraulic
• Weight (lbs): 87
• Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 13,6 x 13,6 x 7

This Big Red has lower performance in comparison with professional-grade counterparts. However, it has enough strength and capacity to become an indispensable tool for a regular home-based use. Overall, it is an awesome product for the price.

Trusted brands

Hein-Werner – the company is a part of the Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc., and declares its products as the made-in-the U.S. The manufacturer focuses on development and supply of different types of floor jacks including service jacks, long-chassis jacks, forklift, air, truck axle jacks and accessories to them. Their entire range of products is subject to the certification under the international quality and safety standards.

Omega Lift – is another brand of Shinn Fu Company which is known as a manufacturer of the premium lifting products and workshop equipment. Their wide range of products is offered in a rugged and durable design, reliability of which is continuously proven by ANSI certification. The floor jacks are presented in a really large variety from 2-ton models to 50-ton beasts.

ESCO – large U.S. manufacturer and provider of a wide range of products for the automotive, agricultural, and mining markets. Their product mix includes heavy duty bead breakers, tire servicing tools, etc. They produce also the reliable lifting equipment for professional-grade and DIY applications like 25-ton heavy-duty jacks and stands to them, and quite affordable 3-ton devices. Additionally to several production facilities, the company has a repair and service center at the main headquarters in Brooksville.

Arcan - is a reputable brand and has numerous floor jacks offered by its name. This company is a part of PowerStation group along with other manufacturers of the machinery and tools for the automotive industry.  Arcan jacks are made of high-grade aluminum thus contributing to reliability and lightweight of their tools.

Pro-Lift - nowadays is a global manufacturer of hydraulic equipment for the automotive industry. The company belongs to the Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc. Pro-Lift has a number of patented solutions and technologies. Also their products are certified by the professional grade equipment standards, like ANSI standards. Their large line of DIY products includes bottle, trolley and scissor jacks, other lifting equipment and accessories to them.

FAQ

How to fill 3-ton floor jack with oil?
Oil filling to a hydraulic floor jack will depend on a model; bottle and trolley jacks are refilled differently. However, there are general steps which are obligatory for any type of the hydraulic device.

Before refilling you should disassemble and clean a piston from dirt or rust. Then, you should inspect the gaskets as they usually tend to early wearing. In case of any surface damage, they have to be replaced.

You should bleed the whole system before oil filling, thus eliminating all air and draining old liquid. Then, you should proceed with oil filling through a special hole which is tightly plugged. The required oil level is marked on a body. After refilling, the plug should be reattached with further bleeding of the system. The piston should be placed in the top position. Then the plug should be detached again with additional refilling and further bleeding. This procedure must be repeated till the oil is coming out the hole which will mean an appropriate filling.

How can I increase the useful life of my floor jack?
The longer you use your floor jack, the more problems arise. For example, lifting speed becomes slower, thus you put more efforts for raising a load. So, it’s better not to delay the maintenance of your tool, and having spotted the first signs of any malfunction you should inspect it and repair, if necessary.

The maintenance of such devices is neither complicated nor time consuming. The first thing you should remember is to check the oil level and refill the necessary amount.  Periodically check the presence of air bubbles in the system. It is necessary to bleed it in order to eliminate any excessive air from the jack.

Also, you should pay additional attention to the wearing parts which are always exposed to friction during operation. You should provide proper lubrication.  Remember that such equipment has to be stored in dry areas with a minimum level of humidity. If you observe these rules the service life of you lifting friend will be durable and safe.