Bottle Jacks Vs. Trolley Jacks – A Detailed Comparison

Regardless of the task, it is crucial to pick the correct jack to work with appropriately to ensure a smooth, secure, and efficient operation. That also rings true when working within an automotive corporation. A jack is usually a helpful tool in these situations.

Both professional and amateur mechanics struggle with determining whether to use a trolley jack vs. bottle jack for vehicle repairs and maintenance. The one presents stability, convenience, and fast performance, while the other delivers optimal power and compactness.

You will eventually need to lift your vehicle as long as you decide not to outsource your car repairs and servicing. A jack is a mechanical device that you will use for lifting a vehicle to access the underneath parts.

It is imperative to figure out the diverse kinds of jacks available. Here we will talk about the bottle jacks vs. trolley jacks, which are popular. However, both trolley jacks and bottle jacks serve similar purposes. It is paramount to know the differences.

In this comparison guide, we will examine bottle jacks vs. trolley jacks.

Bottle Jacks Vs. Trolley Jacks: General Overview

The main difference between bottle jacks and trolley jacks is their weight lifting capacities (load capacity). Bottle jacks have a greater load capacity than trolley jacks and can be used for heavy vehicles. However, you can use trolley jacks for lightweight or 4-wheel vehicles.

Both bottle jacks and trolley jacks offer unique features and perks suited to various automotive uses. It is sometimes even possible to combine these two types of jacks.

For instance, if you are replacing suspension parts, you might use a trolley jack to lift automobiles, and a bottle jack can also be used for separating the suspension parts.

Bottle Jacks

As the name implies, this jack has a bottle-like appearance and shape. The bottle jack exactly looks like a milk bottle. Similarly, the name of this jack comes from the vertical position of the piston in bottle jacks.

This hydraulic jack has a vertical cylinder mounted on it. Bottle jacks feature a side handle and a pump. You can pump the lubricant into the bottle employing a hand plunger, which results in pressure exchange, causing the bearing pad’s vertical movement.

The lifting capacity of bottle jacks varies from 3 to 20-tons. It’s also important to know that some bottle jacks come with stands while others don’t. Because of the vertically mounted and straightforward design, bottle jacks can lift oversized vehicles to higher elevations.

Features of Bottle Jacks

Budget-Friendly

Bottle jacks are very economical, which makes them very popular. Bottle jacks are relatively inexpensive when compared to trolley types.

Despite being cheaper, they have a similar efficiency level as the more expensive ones. Therefore, purchasing a bottle jack is an excellent option if you are on a budget.

Compact and Light-weight

Also, the bottle jacks are portable, so this portability makes them handy in case of an emergency, and you can efficiently carry them to the scene. Bottle jacks are ideal for truck owners because of their easy storage in a cab compartment, and clearance is not an issue.

Thus, bottle jacks are lightweight; they are easy to transport compared to trolley jacks. DIY mechanics prefer them because they do not have to ask for help.

Highly Efficient

A good bottle jack is not only budget-friendly, but it is also very effective at lifting heavy objects. Because of its design, it can easily lift heavyweights. Various bottle jack units raising ranges differ from jack to jack, but you only opt for the suitable one that can intend your load.

User-friendly

Bottle jacks are easy to use and intuitive. They use long-lasting hydraulic fluid that makes them very reliable.

Trolley Jacks

Professional garages and auto workshop mechanics often use trolley jacks to maintain vehicles. The shaft of a trolley jack is horizontal, and the company attaches four wheels to its platform.

Because of the wheels, it is easier to roll the trolley jack to a new location. On the back of the 4-wheel platform, a long handle is used to pump up the jack to the height preferred. The long pump handle is essential for allowing speedy lowering or lifting vehicles.

The longer bodies of trolley jacks make them more stable. If your vehicle does not have excellent ground clearance, a trolley jack is more suitable since it can easily roll it under low-slung cars. You can lift even vehicles with low clearance with trolley jacks.

Therefore, the trolley jack is set to lift heavy vehicles with minimal effort, and lifting will do within moments. Also, trolley jacks have an elongated body, so they require a lot of room for setting up. So allowing the handle to function correctly requires more space for movement.

The cost of trolley jacks may be higher than bottle jacks, but with proper care, they can last longer. These jacks lift light loads between 1.5 and 3-tons of weight compared to the bottle jack.

Features of Trolley Jacks

Highly Stable

Trolley jacks have an extensive base, allowing the lifted vehicle’s weight to evenly distribute. Because of this feature, the jack’s stability improves, and the chance of the car falling off decreases.

Durability

With minimal maintenance, trolley jacks can deliver service for a long time. Almost everyone who owns this jack can certify that the company has engineered its construction to last for a lifetime.

Mobility Is Easy

Trolley jacks are pretty heavy, so they usually have wheels, which ease their movement from place to place. They made some with lightweight but high-quality steel, which guarantees a light body and durability.

Low Profile

Trolley jacks sit low to the ground with a minimum of 5.2-inches. Therefore, they are fantastic options for vehicles that have low clearances.

Simple To Use

Trolley jacks also feature a long handle, and others have a dual pump mechanism. Thus, it allows for speedier lifting or lowering vehicles, even in just three or four strokes. A floor jack is always reliable for swift services.

An Overview Comparison Chart of the Bottle Jacks vs. Trolley Jacks

Specifications	Bottle Jacks	Trolley Jacks
Load Capacity	2 to 50 ton	1.5 to 3 ton
Minimum. Lift Range	8.5 to 11-inches	5.2 to 5.9-inches
Maximum. Lift Range	17 to 21-inches	12 to 21-inches
Weight	4 – 100 pounds	20 to 50 pounds
Cost	Little bit Costly	Budget-Friendly
Hydraulic Pump Mechanism	Single Pump Mechanism	Single piston System
Saddle Diameter	1 – 2 inch	2-inches
Volume	Small	Medium
Best For Low-Profile Vehicles	No	Best for Low Profile
Best for High-Profile Vehicles	Yes	Yes
Featuring Steel Casters	No	Yes
Material	Steel	Made of high quality-steel
Stability	Better	High stable
Handle	Crank Handle	Small

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bottle jacks safe?

Indeed, there is no danger in using bottle jacks, and they are pretty safe. To lift a car, they use hydraulic fluid or oil. When used with jack stands, they are more reliable, so jack stands will help increase vehicle stability. Therefore, use them with care; bottle jacks are lifting tools, not supporting machines.

Why is it called a trolley jack?

As their name implies, trolling jacks come with a set of casters or trolley wheels. Because of this, they can quickly move from one place to another and are much easier to position beneath a jacking point.

What is the difference between a trolley jack and a floor jack?

Most people confuse between bottle jacks vs. trolley jacks. A trolley jack includes a sprung and a long handle attached to it. They are pretty lightweight and sturdy, and they also have wheels for ease of movement.
On the contrary, bottle jacks also work similarly to trolley jacks, relying on hydraulic power to lift the vehicle. It enjoys the edge of being more compact and having better accessibility to the store than a trolley jack. However, its stability isn’t as good as a trolley jack.

Last Words – Bottle Jacks Vs. Trolley Jacks

We hope that by looking at the features of both the bottle jack and trolley jack, it will be apparent where the two differ from one another. Trolley jacks and bottle jacks are very similar in features and functions, but their construction differs.

So the comparison mentioned above has added much more for using one. After narrowing down the comparison, decide which one to purchase for your vehicle. Ensure you have the right product when lifting hefty bodies with either of these jacks. So never compromise on safety!