Last Updated on April 12, 2023
When using a floor jack to lift a car, the jack tends to roll away, making it awkward. It not only makes the process of lifting the car more complex but can also be extremely unsafe. During this process, you wouldn’t want the jack to roll away and cause the car to fall.
Floor jacks have four wheels to make moving them easier. The jack will likely roll away unless these wheels are properly secured. So, how to keep a floor jack from rolling while using it for a vehicle or any other application?
Don’t worry. This article will give you some tips on keeping your floor jack from rolling away. With these tips, you can ensure your floor jack doesn’t roll away and is properly secured, making your job easier and safer.
How to Keep a Floor Jack from Rolling: Only Follow a Few Steps
A floor jack is an important tool that every car owner should have. It is used to lift the car so that you can change a tire or perform other maintenance tasks. Using floor jacks incorrectly can be dangerous.
One of the most common accidents is when the jack rolls away from the car and crushes someone’s legs. Several steps can be taken to prevent this from happening.
1. Park the Vehicle on Level Ground
Anytime you plan on jacking up your car, you must make sure you do it on level ground. Uneven surfaces can cause the floor jack to roll and lose stability, which is dangerous.
If you don’t have a level driveway or garage, try to find a flat spot on the street or in a parking lot. You can also use a spare tire or board to create a level surface if necessary. Once you’ve found a suitable spot, park your car and set the emergency brake to ensure it doesn’t roll while you’re working.
2. Place the Floor Jack on a Pad
While it is perfectly safe to use a floor jack on a flat, level surface, there is always the potential for the jack to roll over when you are working on an incline.
To help prevent this from happening, placing the jack on a pad before you start using it is a good idea. This will help to create a more stable base for the jack and keep it from slipping or rolling while you are working.
There are several different materials that can be used for this purpose, including cardboard, plywood, rubber pad, or even a recycled tire. Ensure that the pad is large enough to support the jack’s weight (with the car’s load) and that it is firmly under all wheels.
3. Use Wheel Chocks
With the floor jack point positioned on a pad and the car parked on level ground, you’re almost ready to begin jacking it up. Be sure to use wheel chocks on both sides of the wheels you’re lifting before you do that.
Using wheel chocks is one of the most effective ways to keep your floor jack from rolling when it is being used to lift a vehicle. The wheel chocks prevent the vehicle from shaking and the hydraulic jack from rolling.
There are many different types of wheel chocks, but the most significant thing is to choose a set that will fit snugly against your vehicle’s tires. You can usually find wheel chock at hardware stores or online. Once you have a set of wheel chocks, simply place them behind the vehicle’s wheels before you start jacking them up.
Make sure that the chocks are firmly in place before you start operating the jack. If you don’t have access to wheel chocks, you can also use rocks or other heavy objects to achieve the same effect. Make sure whatever you use is heavy enough to resist the force of the jack.
4. Use Jack Stands on Jack Pads
Then, after the vehicle’s wheel is choked, you will need to place jack stands on jack pads under the vehicle to support it. This helps keep the floor jack from rolling when using it and prevents the vehicle from falling off of the jack and injuring you.
Jack stands and pads are available at most hardware stores or online. Be sure to select a set rate for your vehicle’s weight, and that will fit snugly under it. It’s also essential to ensure that the jack stand is placed on a level surface to avoid tipping over.
5. Block Floor Jack’s Wheels
After the car jack stands are in place, you will need to block the floor jack’s wheels so they can’t roll away while you’re working. To do this, find something heavy and place it in front of the jack’s wheels.
This will help to keep the floor jack from rolling while you’re using it and will provide an extra layer of safety in case the jack slips or falls over.
Some things that you can use as blocks for the floor jack’s wheels include cinder blocks, rocks, or even another floor jack. Be sure that whatever you use is heavy enough to provide adequate resistance against the force of the jack.
Following these steps can help prevent your trolley jack from rolling while you use it. Always use caution and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when operating a floor jack. You can ensure that your floor jack is long-lasting with proper care and usage.
Why Do Floor Jacks Roll?
When floor jacks are in use, they roll for a variety of reasons.
- The most common reason is that the jack is not on level ground. If the ground is not level, then the weight of the vehicle will cause the jack to tip over.
- Another reason is that the user may not have positioned the jack correctly under the vehicle. If the jack is not placed correctly, it will not be able to support the vehicle’s weight and will roll over.
- As another precaution, if the user attempts to lift the vehicle too high off of the ground, then the floor jack will become unstable and could roll over.
These reasons are why it is essential to use caution when operating a floor jack. Always place the jack on level ground and position it correctly before attempting to lift the vehicle.
What’s A Safe Way to Store a Floor Jack to Ensure It Doesn’t Roll?
A floor jack is a necessity in any garage or workshop. They are suitable for lifting cars, trucks, and SUVs for repairs, oil changes, and tire rotations. While most floor jacks come with built-in safety features, it’s wise to take care when storing them to ensure they don’t roll and cause injury or damage.
There are several safe ways to store a floor jack. One option is to keep it on a shelf or in a specially designed-cabinet. If you don’t have a lot of space, you can also hang it on the wall using brackets or hooks.
Another option is to build a simple wooden crate to store your floor jack. This will provide extra protection and help to keep it from rolling around.
No matter how you choose to store your floor jack, be sure to keep it away from children and pets. And always make sure the jack is properly secured before attempting to use it.
Are Hydraulic Floor Jacks Failing Because of Rolling?
Rolling jacks have been one of the most commonly used hydraulic floor jacks. There have been many reports of them failing and causing serious injuries. The main reason is that the rolling mechanism can cause the jack to lose its stability.
If the jack is not level, it can tip over and crush whatever is underneath it. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if someone works on a car or other heavy machinery. Even if the jack is on level ground, the rolling mechanism can still cause it to lose its stability and fail.
The wheels on a rolling jack can also become jammed, making it difficult to move and position the jack correctly. For these reasons, it is crucial to be careful when using a rolling jack and ensure it is always safe and sound.
Can You Use Floor Jacks Safely without Rolling Wheels?
Yes, it is possible to use, but it is difficult. Floor jacks are designed to be used with rolling wheels. The wheels help distribute the jack’s weight and the load evenly. The jack would be more likely to tip over without wheels because the entire weight and load would be concentrated in a small area.
The wheels make it easier to move the jack around. Without wheels, the jack would have to be lifted and carried, which would be difficult and dangerous. For these reasons, using a floor jack with rolling wheels is a good idea. Removing the wheel from the floor jack is not a good idea to prevent accidental rolling.
You can use this essential tool safely by following all the tips and tricks we discussed above to prevent a vehicle floor jack from rolling. Always take precautions, such as keeping your jack level and correctly positioning it before attempting to lift a vehicle.