by Joshua Thomas
As the name suggests, a 3-ton floor jack is a powerful type of floor jack that can lift a maximum of three tonnes or over 6000 lbs. This capacity makes it ideal for raising cars, trucks, SUVs, and other heavy vehicles.
The tool is traditionally associated with professionals due to its expensive price tag. However, it has become cheaper over time and, on top of this, easier to use. Even a new user can get around its workings in a matter of minutes.
Therefore, if you consider getting one of these, check out our review below of the best 3-ton floor jacks. We have handpicked the top-rated models that are sure to interest you.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Arcan ALJ3T (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. JEGS 80077 (Best Aluminum) |
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 | 3. Pittsburgh 61253 (Best Budget) |
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 | 4. Liftmaster Heavy Duty (Best Low-Profile) |
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 | 5. Sunex NOS NSJ0301 (Best Heavy-Duty) |
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 | 6. Sunex 6603ASJ (Easily Maneuverable) |
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 | 7. Pittsburg C3r0iu (Complete Set) |
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With its durable build-quality, versatile lift range, and safety features, the Arcan ALJ3T is our best overall 3-ton floor jack. The unit is built using aircraft-grade aluminum, which gives it a very sturdy but lightweight structure.
A lift-range of 3.75 - 18 inches makes the jack very versatile because it is suitable for raising most vehicles. This is achieved by the use of dual pump pistons, which lift the saddle quickly to the highest level.
These pistons are protected using dust shields, which prevent dust from reaching the hydraulic system. Thus, the unit's efficiency and performance do not degrade over time.
Moreover, you can expect many safety features like an overloading valve and bypass system. These keep the floor jack from overextending its hydraulic ram past the rated capacity.
You also get heavy-duty rollers for easy movement, a 2-piece handle for compact storage, and a rubber saddle plus a foam handle bumper to protect your vehicle from damages.
However, the jack cannot lift very low cars because it does not have a low profile design.
Pros
Cons
JEGS' 80077 is characterized by a lightweight aluminum construction that weighs only 58 lbs. This allows you to roll it around with ease while still maintaining a strong and durable frame.
Another benefit you get is a low-profile design that lifts from 3.5 - 19.25 inches, which is ideal for low ground-clearance vehicles. That said, the saddle rotates 360º at any height to allow for easy movement.
Overload and bypass valves are built-in to keep you from exceeding the weight capacity, while hydraulic seals prevent dust from getting into the pistons. This helps to prolong performance and efficiency.
You also get a rubber lift pad to prevent the marring of surfaces. However, the jack is very long (32 inches), and this could be a disadvantage if you have limited space in your garage.
Pros
Cons
For many automotive professionals, this Pittsburgh 3-ton floor jack is an excellent model to consider due to its excellent price to performance ratio.
Indeed, despite being much more affordable than other competing floor jacks, this model features heavy-duty steel construction with super-tough, precision-welded joints. This makes it very strong and durable.
In addition to that, this floor jack uses an efficient hydraulic system with dual parallel piston pumps. These create a rapid lifting system that raises the saddle from 5 to 18.25 inches using 3.5 pumps.
A universal joint release is built-in to provide precision load control at any handle position. The only issue is that the jack is very heavy because it weighs 75.1 lbs. However, it is fitted with four extra-wide steel casters that hold the weight with ease and keep the jack steady.
Pros
Cons
With a low entry point of 3 inches, Liftmasters's 3-ton jack has the lowest profile, which means it can fit under most road-legal cars, including sports cars. The unit is also ideal for raising big SUVs, trucks, or vehicles with elevated chassis because it can reach a high of 20 inches.
Dual-piston pumps are built in to ensure you raise the saddle and vehicle from 3 to 20 inches in no time.
The lifting handle has a 2-piece design for compact storage and a knurled steel grip for firm holding. It is also fitted with a foam bumper to prevent damages to your vehicle. On the other end, the saddle has a strengthened rubber pad that is gentle to your car while enhancing grip.
However, the tool lacks a rotating saddle for easy movement and it is quite long, which makes it hard to store in tight spaces.
Pros
Cons
NOS' NSJ0301 features a heavy-duty design that consists of an aluminum frame and thick side plates. It also has a reinforced lift-arm for chassis torsion control, strength, and durability. These components ensure all the internal mechanisms are held firmly in place as you raise your car.
Aside from that, a safety valve is built-in to prevent overloading, while a rubber pad on the handle keeps it gentle to your car. That said, this handle has a 2-piece design for compact storage. Overall, this whole piece weighs only 58 lbs., which is relatively lightweight.
The tool has a decent lift range of 3.75 inches to 18.125 inches, which is ideal for small and large vehicles. However, this is not exactly a low-profile design due to its relatively high entry point.
Pros
Cons
The 6603ASJ features wide-track front wheels and swivel, ball-bearing-mounted rear wheels that make it easily maneuverable around your workshop or under your car. These are complemented by side-mounted handles, which make it easy to position the jack below your car.
Other than that, the tool has rapid rise technology built-in, and this incorporates the use of two pistons to raise the saddle from 3.8 to 19.3 inches in 7.5 pumps.
This saddle is made using rubber to cushion your car from the metal, while the handle has a foam bumper pad that does the same job when pumping the pistons.
All these mechanisms are held in place by a sturdy aluminum frame, which is strengthened using thick side plates. You also get a reinforced lift-arm for chassis torsion control and additional strength & durability.
However, the tool is quite expensive and it is quite long, which means you require a big storage space.
Pros
Cons
This 3-ton floor jack does not come on its own. It is accompanied by two jack stands, which are alternative tools to use to lift heavy vehicles.
That said, the floor jack has a versatile 3.125 - 19.875-inch lift range, which gives it a low profile design. As such, it can fit under cars with a low ground-clearance, as well as lift large vehicles.
Lifting is done using an exclusive dual parallel pump system, which raises the saddle rapidly from the lowest to the highest point.
The jack features a precision-welded heavy-duty steel frame and though it is very heavy (78 lbs.), it is carried by smooth-rolling & extra-wide casters for easy maneuverability.
Pros
Cons
This is a very important factor to consider because a 3-ton floor jack should be strong enough to handle the weight placed above it. That said, the quality is usually determined by the material used to build it.
Aluminum and steel are the most commonly used materials. Aluminum has the benefit of being lightweight, which makes the jack easy to carry. On the other hand, steel is heavier but forms a more heavy-duty frame.
However, some additions such as thick side plates and a reinforced lift-arm make aluminum jacks sturdier but still lightweight. This is why we recommend the NOS NSJ0301 as the most heavy-duty piece. It strikes the perfect balance between sturdiness and lightweight-ness.
Measured in inches, height-range is the difference between the lowest entry point that the saddle can be set, to its highest point.
It is important to note that low entry points of about 3 inches are ideal for lifting cars with a low ground-clearance, like sports cars. On the other hand, for high vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans, you need at least 18 inches of elevation.
As such, the best 3-ton floor jack that can fit on all kinds of cars should have a wide range, starting from as low as 3 inches. With that in mind, Liftmasters's unit stands out because it can extend from 3 to 20 inches.
Ground clearance is the distance between the jack point of your vehicle and the ground. Knowing your vehicle's ground clearance will allow you to get a compatible floor jack.
Remember, not all vehicles have the same ground clearance. For example, sports cars usually have a smaller ground clearance for stability at high speeds. On the other hand, SUVs, trucks, and vans have long ground clearances.
Get this specific figure, then buy a jack with a height range that encompasses this figure.
As the term suggests, this is the speed at which the floor jack can lift your vehicle so that you can start working under it. For most people, the lifting speed does not matter as most of us can wait a few extra seconds, no problem.
However, in a commercial setting, those few seconds count and add up to cause delays. Therefore, you should check the number of pumps required to raise the jack from low to high. Pittsburgh's 61253 stands out because it requires only 3.5 pumps, and we highly recommend it.
Safety features are for protecting your jack from damages in case you overload it. For this, you should look for a safety bypass and an overloading valve.
Pro-LifT SG-5625 2.5 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack - Car Hydraulic Trolley Jack Lift for - Walmart Link
BIG RED T83006 Torin Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack with Extra Saddle (Fits: SUVs - Walmart Link
Aain Heavy duty 3 Ton Floor Jack, Steel Hydraulic Service Jack Quick Rise With Double - Walmart Link
Torin T83505W Blackjack Hydraulic Low Profile Steel Racing Floor Jack with Single Piston - Walmart Link
Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack with Rapid Pump - Walmart Link
CAT 3 Ton Low Profile Fast Lift Floor Jack 3 inch - Walmart Link
3 ton Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump - Lime - Walmart Link
this Pittsburgh 3-ton floor jack - Walmart Link
Pro-LifT SG-5625 2.5 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack - Car Hydraulic Trolley Jack Lift for - eBay Link
BIG RED T83006 Torin Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack with Extra Saddle (Fits: SUVs - eBay Link
Aain Heavy duty 3 Ton Floor Jack, Steel Hydraulic Service Jack Quick Rise With Double - eBay Link
Torin T83505W Blackjack Hydraulic Low Profile Steel Racing Floor Jack with Single Piston - eBay Link
Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack with Rapid Pump - eBay Link
CAT 3 Ton Low Profile Fast Lift Floor Jack 3 inch - eBay Link
3 ton Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump - Lime - eBay Link
this Pittsburgh 3-ton floor jack - eBay Link
In summary, Arcan's ALJ3T is the best of the best because it has a durable build-quality, versatile lift range, and multiple safety features. It also has efficient dual-piston pumps and a compact 2-piece handle.
However, if you want a low-profile floor jack, be sure to check out Liftmasters's piece. With its 3-inch minimum height, it has a low entry point that can fit under sports cars and other low ground-clearance vehicles.
We also recommend the Pittsburgh 61253 as the best 3-ton floor jack if you are on a tight budget. It is reasonably-priced but still maintains a heavy-duty frame and efficient dual-piston pumps.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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