What is the best floor jack? Many professional spheres, like automotive, construction and agricultural industries along with various household tasks, require lifting of different loads at a particular height. Frequently the weight of such loads exceeds the physical capabilities of a human being. Thus, various types of modern jacks are used to cope with such tasks. The popularity of the advanced jacks can be explained by a big number of the advantages they offer in terms of their design reliability and a relative simplicity of operation. Besides, they demonstrate a wide range of lifting capacity, high performance rate, adequate flexibility, accuracy and improved compactness in comparison with the outdated counterparts. The Arcan ALJ3T features enough functional power to cater to the needs of its users in various fields of application.
Why have I chosen this model? The Arcan ALJ3T is a hydraulic trolley-type jack which features an impressive lifting capacity of up to 6,000 lbs. Thus, this model is more than suitable for both lighter cars and heavier vehicles or other objects to be raised. For this purpose this jack comes with a reinforced lifting arm which is capable to withstand really challenging loads. Its dual pump piston enhances the efficiency of the lifting process considerably, thus saving a lot of efforts and much time of an operator.
The maneuverability of the ALJ3T is provided by the pair of rear wide castors and a lightweight aluminum made design. In addition, it has a rubberized saddle which protects the vehicle or other lifted object from any surface damages.
Table of Content
- 1 Why do you need a floor jack? | Introduction
- 2 Types of floor jacks
- 3 What are the main features to look for when selecting a floor jack? | Buyer's Guide
- 4 H2: Trusted Brands of Jacks
- 5 Top-9 floor jacks
- 6 10 Best Floor Jack Comparison Table
- 7 FAQ?
Why do you need a floor jack? | Introduction
Arguing the necessity of a lifting jack is denying the obvious. The floor jack is an obligatory tool which should be stored in your car's trunk, just in case. You will not be able to change a flat tire or to perform some minor service by yourself without a reliable lifter. Various types of modern jacks can be used in order to help in servicing of any vehicle.
This review of the modern floor jacks consists of the description of their different types in terms of design and driving mechanisms and of the top products on the market. This would be highly useful as there is a wide range of various options available, that may totally confuse some motorist amateurs, especially newcomers in this field. Thus, let’s put the things right and find out which of the existing options will be the best one to meet your needs.
Types of floor jacks
The principle of operation of all floor jacks is the same which consists of lifting of a movable platform with a steady housing, thus the load is pressed up. Nevertheless, the basic physics of these devices can be different. In particular, there are mechanical, hydraulic and electrical floor jacks available on the current market.
Hydraulic jacks
The hydraulic jacks are simple but reliable devices. And if you observe the appropriate operational and maintenance procedures, it will serve you good for a long period of time. The principle of operation of the hydraulic units allows car lifting which weight 7,000 lbs or even more. Their design is very simple including two connected vessels of different diameters, which are filled with a working liquid, and several valves. Thus, an operator doesn’t put a lot of efforts to lift a vehicle or other object due to circulation of the working liquid which creates pressure inside the system and activates a full stroke of the cylinders and the entire mechanism, accordingly.
Bottle and trolley hydraulic jacks
For the purpose of vehicle lifting two types of hydraulic jacks are most common nowadays. These are bottle and trolley hydraulic jacks. The bottle unit is made of a vertical big diameter vessel on a bearing platform, and a smaller cylinder adjacent to it. The rod of the latter contains a removable lifting lever. As a rule, the bottle-type models are compact, thus there won’t be any issues with their handling at tight spaces or with their storage. Bottle jacks are distinguished with a better lifting capacity. However, their height might not fit the bottom of a standard car, but it will perfectly do for SUV, trucks or farming machinery. The flipside is the complexity of its pre-adjustments. Thus, you will always have to exercise a bit with bending over, getting on your hands, then on your knees until finding an adequate working position.
Another type of the hydraulic jacks is a trolley device. It differs by the arrangement of the cylinders and a bigger platform on wheels. Load lifting is performed by a removable handle. The trolley design is more stable in comparison with the bottle-type counterpart, and the risk of car displacement and falling is considerably lower. However, such castor jacks are more suitable for the indoor usage, like garages or car service centers, as the ground surface should be even enough to prevent them from accident rolling. Besides, their size is usually too large to refer them to the class of portable tools to be easily stored and transferred in your car for a case of emergency. However, ARCAN ALJ3T jack will cover plenty of mechanical activities in your service center or garage due to an increased capacity and enlarged number of functional options.
Electrical jacks
The electrical jacks are driven by means of a motor. These units run on the 12V cigarette lighter in a car or by means of a direct connection to the battery with clamps. However, in case of emergency they would not always come to help due to their dependence on the power supply source. In all other situations the electrical jacks are more than reliable options. The motor allows substitution to the physical efforts like manual handling of a mechanical jack or preparing of a hydraulic unit for operation, thus shortening the overall maintenance or repair time significantly.
The modern electric jacks are offered in scissor and tongue-style designs. The latter are developed for heavy lifting of SUVs, RVs or even trucks. This type of jacks comes in two configurations: a straight tongue and A-frame. The exact shape needed can be determined by your trailer's front side. Besides, the majority of electrical jacks can be switched to a manual mode, and the practice shows, this option could be highly useful, especially when some electric failure occurs, etc. E-HEELP Electric Car Floor Jack is an awesome jack kit which will facilitate the life of every driver.
Mechanical floor jacks
The mechanical units come with a platform which is driven manually by means of a screw or a ratchet gear. These jacks can be suitable for many applications that include motor vehicle servicing and performing adjustment or maintenance on various types of industrial-grade machinery. These mechanisms are more reliable and safe in operation in comparison with the hydraulic counterparts. Thus, the mechanical units are commonly self-locking. That is, the screw stays in place after the force is not applied anymore. Besides, mechanical jacks consume no power except the manual efforts of an operator, thus they are considerably cheaper and simpler in the design. The downside of such tools is their lower lifting capacity. From this point of view, they are less hefty than the hydraulic or electric counterparts. Farm and scissor jacks are the most popular types among mechanical units.
According to its name, a scissor jack opens and closes similarly to a pair of scissors. Such models have smaller size and simple in design. However, they have certain restrictions related to a maximum lifting weight. Besides, their final position should be always levered and tuned, otherwise the scissor units tend to tumbling. TORIN BIG RED T10152 would become a perfect choice among other scissor-type counterparts.
The farm jacks are also very simple in design. They consist of a strip of metal with numerous holes in it. These holes are designed for fixing a clamp and a lifting lever. Besides, the weight of these models is reduced due to their design peculiarities. The lifting capacity is up to 3,000 lbs at a height of 60 inches. These models can be used during the off-road trips, in particular they would be suitable for taking out the bogged down wheels of SUVs and trucks. The downside is a risk of dropping down of a running gear in case of an underweight of the load. Thus, you should be especially careful while dealing with such units and learn the manufacturers' manuals in-advance.
What are the main features to look for when selecting a floor jack? | Buyer's Guide
- Lifting capacity. This parameter shows the maximum weight of a load during its lifting. Each floor jack is designed for lifting a particular weight which is the maximum allowed. Excess of this value can cause a breakdown of a lifter or damage of a vehicle, as the jack will not withstand an overload. Thus, before purchasing any model you should consider the weight of your vehicle or any other object you are going to lift. For instance, if you are looking for a jack for an occasional use in case of an accident 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 pricier option and commonly half-loaded. For the professional-grade applications, like service centers, etc., when different cars have to be serviced and repaired, the trolley jacks would be most preferable. These hydraulic jacks are suitable for a variety of vehicles, from compact cars to heavy-weight SUVs. As a rule, these units are offered with 6,000 lb up to 16,000 lb lifting capacity. Trucks and other heavy-weight vehicles require those lifting mechanism withstanding 30,000-60,000 lb.
- Ground clearance. This parameter determines the distance from the ground to the bottom of a car. Various jacks feature different ground clearance which in average makes 2-10 inches. Thus, you have to pick a jack basing on a clearance of your vehicle. Owners of SUVs and cars with larger clearance are luckier in this case, as they can choose almost any type of the floor jacks. On the contrary, it would be much harder to pick the appropriate jack for a car with a clearance less than 6 inches. In such cases, the trolley or screw models would be most suitable for a minimum clearance of 2-3 inches.
- Lifting height. This characteristic shows the maximum height to which load can be lifted with a jack from the ground level. The majority of jacks feature 11-20 inches. This height should be enough for removing a tire or getting access for minor underneath servicing. For instance, the farm jacks or so called high-jacks are capable of car lifting up to 39 inches from the ground level and would be suitable for some specific heavy-duty applications.
- Working stroke. There is another parameter which determines the distance from the pick-up point to the maximum lifting height. In other words, it is a range of heights within which you will be able to perform necessary work. The bigger this distance is, the more efficient a tool will be. And consequently, could be applied for various types of vehicles.
- Weight. Before making the final decision regarding a certain model of a floor jack, think twice about your plans for its usage. Will it be a kind of stationary garage-based equipment or a compact portable device for emergency situations? The portable jack can be distinguished with their lightweight. In average, they are made of aluminum which contributes to the lightweight, in comparison with the steel counterparts. However, don’t forget that the weight impacts directly on the lifting capacity, that is, hefty and robust devices for the heavy-duty lifting will always weigh more.
H2: Trusted Brands of Jacks
Craftsman - this company has been manufacturing the reliable high-quality power tools and garden equipment since 1927. Previously this brand has belonged to Sears Group, nowadays they are owned by Stanley Black & Decker. Inc., the U.S giant in engineering and production of power equipment. Craftsman offers a wide range of car jacks to deal with small cars to heavy-duty vehicles.
Arcan - this company designs, develop and manufactures its products in the U.S. They mainly focus on production of automotive equipment like floor jacks, stands, and a range of other accessories to them. The company belongs to the PowerStation brand, which includes other well-known brands to automotive and hardware products like Nos and AmerEquip.
Pro-Lift - company which is owned by the Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc. The Group has more than 40-year experience in the industry and distributes its products throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Pro-Lift is focusing on manufacturing a vast variety of lifting products and other tools and accessories which are indispensable for servicing and repair needs at the home-based garages or workshops.
Torin Jacks, Inc. - a small U.S. manufacturer of automotive equipment. Mainly, they are focusing on lifting jacks designing and manufacturing. Their products can cover the needs of multiple fields, from DIY mechanical jobs to the large-scale automotive industry.
Top-9 floor jacks
In this TOP list we have gathered the most advanced models differing from each other by many aspects; in particular, an extra trusted and multifunctional 6,000 lbs Arcan jack, a low-profile, trolley-type Pro-Lift jack with lifting range from 3-½ inches to 14 inches, and a heavy-duty electric-hydraulic jack to lift up to 11,000 lbs load to 17.7 in. height in less than 2 minutes.
1. ARCAN ALJ3T
There are no doubts that Arcan produces one of the best and the most reliable jacks on the market. They put a lot of efforts and investments on the quality control of their products to comply with the corresponding standards like ASME PALD 2009 in the industry.
The Arcan ALJ3T comes in a sturdy but lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum design to withstand lifting and holding the machinery of up to 6,000 lbs. Besides, this model is equipped with a reinforced lift arm which enhances the overall durability and prevents the unit from skidding. This hydraulic trolley jack also features dual pump piston which contributes to faster raising of the saddle to load. More than that, for safety reasons this unit is equipped with the bypass and overload valves which keep the mechanisms within the rated capacity excluding any failures related to arm over-extension or deck overloading, etc.
Besides the great maneuverability of this tool ensured by its castors, this floor jack also features a side-mount handle which facilitate the process of its positioning under the load. More than that, this jack has a rubberized saddle and a foam handle bumper which serve as vehicle protection from any damage like dents or scratches.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 6,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 56
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 30 x 13.5 x 8
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This reliable and durable Arcan ALJ3T hydraulic jack features enough capacity to deal with heavy vehicles, enhancing the efficiency and simplicity of any appropriate processes like lifting and supporting procedures.
Arcan ALJ3T: Check the current price
2. JEGS 80077
This JEGS 80077 is a low-profile model which is designed for servicing of vehicles with a low clearance with no hassle. The lifting capacity of this unit amounts to 6,000 lbs to the height up to 15 ¾ inches. The system of this hydraulic jack is sealed to prevent it from penetration of the ambient pollutants and contaminants. The overload and bypass valves safely maintain the jack operation within its rated capacity.
This unit comes with a 360 ° rotating saddle for an easy, quick and accurate placement of the jack under the load. Its rubber lift pad reduces risk of slippage and marring of the vehicle surface.
This jack is made of long-lasting aluminum which enhances its durability and considerably reduces its weight. Also, it is equipped with wide track wheels and side handles for an easy maneuvering and positioning on concrete and gravel.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 6,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 58
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 26.5 x 12 x 19
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This JEGS 80077 is declared as a professional-grade low profile jack. Besides, it has enough lifting capacity and the height to support and maintain heavy-duty vehicles and other equipment safely.
JEGS: Check the current price
3. POWERBUILT 620422E
This model introduces an innovative technology which allows lifting any types of vehicles up to 4,000 lbs. In particular this trolley jack comes in a triple-lift design which ensures a lifting range from 5-¼ in. to 17-¾ in. Each lifting stage is secured by the precision locking design of the unit which fixates the jack from lowering after its raising.
This jack has a wide flat base and strong ultra-wide chassis for an increased stability while maneuvering around the job location. The reliability of this model is proven by compliance with the requirements of ASME and ANSI standards.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 4,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 85
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 16.4 x 26.1 x 8.1
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The Powerbuilt 620422E gives you more opportunities in your garage or service to work with various motor vehicles due to its unique and flexible design. Besides, it is one of the most stable floor jacks, thus there is no reason to worry about damaging the carrying load and the jack itself.
Powerbuilt: Check the current price
4. BLACKHAWK B6350
The Blackhawk B6350 jack is built with durable steel and demonstrates an increased lifting capacity up to 7,000 lbs in comparison with the review models above. This trolley-type jack features a fast lifting technology to raise the vehicle on a desired height quickly with minimum efforts. It is equipped with the overload and bypass valves to prevent pumping beyond the rated lifting and height capacity of the jack. Besides, its swivel saddle enhances the accuracy and easiness of getting the jack into the working position. This model comes with supporting stands to put in place for holding the load and thus minimizing the slippage or any other accidents.
The removable handles of this model allows adopting the jack for any circumstances and tight spaces. And its maneuverability is ensured by wide rear castors.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 7,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 85
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 30.1 x 15.8 x 6.9
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The Blackhawk B6350 is a robust jack for the driveway mechanics. This model is comparatively powerful, quick, durable, and easy-to-store option.
BLACKHAWK: Check the current price
5. ARCAN XL20
The Arcan XL20 is another worthy model from this reliable brand. In spite of its lower lifting capacity of up to 4,000 lbs, it grants the versatility of its usage due to the low profile design suitable for work with small clearance vehicles. Its dual pump piston contributes to the higher efficiency of raising the saddle to the desired jack point. Besides, the saddle is rubberized to ensure better protection of any object to be lifted. Also this unit comes with two bypass and overload valves to prevent the jack from over-pumping and thus maintaining it within the rated capacity range.
This jack is made of steel thus contributing to the durability and protecting all the components from early wear or damage. The tool can be easily placed or stored even at the tightest spaces due to its removable handle.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 4,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 67.2
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 26 x 6.3 x 13.2
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This model is a reliable tool providing an optimal blend of performance and versatility. Its low-profile design will fit underneath of any car granting enough capacity for any user.
Arcan XL20: Check the current price
6. E-HEELP Electric Car Floor Jack
Instead of just a floor jack the E-HEELP offers you a multifunctional electric-hydraulic jack kit which consists of an integrated inflator pump with a LED light, a safety hammer, a battery clamp and an impact wrench. This tool set would highly useful both when being off-road or in the garage.
This electric jack has enough power and efficiency to lift up to 11,000 lbs load in less than 2 minutes. It features a range of different lifting heights from 6.1 in. to 17.7 in., thus suitable for various applications. Besides this unit features an auto locking system which stops the jack as soon as it reaches the height limitation point.
The jack is offered in a totally water-proof design, so it can be used even at the highest humidity level with no risk to its damage or complete breakdown.
All tools from this set are powered by 12V DC power supply, from a cigarette lighter in your car, for instance. Also, the kit is coming in a sturdy suitcase which can be transformed in an emergency road sign, if necessary.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 11,000
- Type: Electric
- Weight (lbs): 21.1
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 14.5 x 13.6 x 7
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The E-Heelp electric jack set is the most state-of-the-art option among other conventional mechanical and hydraulic counterparts. It offers an almost effortless and extremely convenient operation, convincing you in reasonability of your costs.
E-HEELP: Check the current price
7. TORIN T83006
Torin offers a huge variety of jacks from professional-grade to compact low-profile models and jack stands. Thus, they are quite experienced in provision of automotive equipment, the reliability of which wouldn’t become a concern for any, even the most demanding customers.
The Torin T83006 hydraulic trolley-type jack is designed with 6,000 lbs lifting capacity. Its lifting range can be chosen from 5-7 / 8 inches to 17-¼ inches. Overloading is prevented with the help of an integrated bypass valve. Besides, this model features a lifting neck which can be considerably extended for the purpose of more efficient and faster rising to heavy-duty vehicles with larger clearance like SUVs, trucks, etc.
The increased maneuverability of this jack is ensured by its relatively light 44-pound weight. Additionally, the wheels have 360-degree-swivel castors enhances the freedom of movements with this tool around the garage or workshop.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 6,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 44
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 26 x 11 x 8
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The Torin T83006 is offered at a reasonable price considering its versatility of use. Thus, if you need a jack for light-duty work, this will be a valuable option which can be also suitable for an occasional emergency lifting of a heavier vehicle.
Big Red T83006: Check the current price
8. Pro-Lift F-767
This is another low-profile jack offered by Pro-Lift, the brand which undergoes quality certification on a constant basis to comply with the safety standards. Thus, you can be sure in reliability of their products. The F-767 is a bright example of performance and durability. It is made of heavy-duty rust-resistant steel which ensures its long-lasting operation. Its extra low profile makes it suitable for dealing with low clearance cars with the 4,000 lbs lifting capacity, which is more than enough in its class. The level of saddle rising can be adjusted within 3-½ inches to 14 inches. This model is equipped with over-pumping and overload protection.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 4,000
- Type: Hydraulic
- Weight (lbs): 30
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 17.9 x 5.3 x 8.5
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If you’re looking for an affordable jack in a low profile design, this model would be a perfect option. This jack has everything to be a long-lasting and reliable tool in your garage.
Pro-LifT: Check the current price
9. TORIN BIG RED T10152
This portable scissor-type jack from Torin can become a perfect option to be stored in a trunk of your car. As they say, just to be on the safe side, in case of an urgent need in tire replacement or any other minor repair underneath of your car. The T10152 demonstrates a decent lifting capacity of 3,000lbs at the height within 4-1 / 8 "to 15-1 / 8".
The tool comes in a robust forged steel design which boasts its lightweight of just 7 lbs, thus making it a highly portable jack which can be brought easily whenever needed. The stability is ensured by its extra-wide base. The handle contributes to an efficiency of the lifting process. This unit complies with ANSI / ASME PASE safety standards which guarantee its reliability.
Features
- Lifting capacity (lbs): 3,000
- Type: Mechanical
- Weight (lbs): 7.7
- Dimensions (L x W x H) (in): 26.4 x 19.1 x 9.4
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You could hardly find a mechanical jack granting so much stability, control and durability similarly to this model at anything near to this price. I'm sure this is one of the best budget-friendly occasional or emergency jacks.
Big Red T10152: Check the current price
10 Best Floor Jack Comparison Table
Arcan ALJ3T 3-Ton Quick Rise Aluminum Floor Jack 
JEGS 80077 3 Ton Professional Low-Profile Aluminum Floor Jack 
Powerbuilt 620422E Heavy Duty 4000 lb Triple Lift Jack 
Blackhawk B6350 Black / Red Fast Lift Service Jack - 3.5 Ton Capacity 
Arcan 2 Ton Low Profile Quick Rise Steel Floor Jack XL20, Black 
E-HEELP Electric Car Floor Jack, 5 Ton Hydraulic Car Jack Set, Automatic Car Jack with Inflator Pump, Electric Impact Wrench - Built-in LED Light, 2-Way Power Supply - Emergency Tire Lift Kit 
Torin T83006 Big Red Hydraulic Trolley Floor Jack: SUV / Extended Height, 3 Ton Capacity 
Pro-Lift F-767 Gray Low Profile Floor Jack - 2 Ton Capacity 
Torin Big Red Steel Scissor Jack, 1.5 Ton (3,000 lb) Capacity 
Pro-LifT F-2315PE Gray Hydraulic Trolley Jack Car Lift with Blow Molded Case-3000 LBS Capacity FAQ?
How to use a floor jack?
Before operating any type of floor jacks you should learn the guiding instructions to prevent any mistakes, sometimes leading to severe consequences, which can be avoided. The overall rules include the following steps:
- The lifting mechanism should be placed on an even surface. Otherwise, this could lead to any undesirable situations or even accidents. For instance, due to a minor displacement of a jack, the car will crash down. Such violation may cause multiple injuries or even casualties.
- You must obligatory know the lifting capacity of your jack. If you breach the rated weight, the jack itself and the load or vehicle serviced could be damaged.
- The vehicle or any other load in a raised position must be locked securely. It is important to remember that lifting jacks should be used for lifting operations only, thus any service or other manipulations underneath are prohibited while load is carried by the jack. For this purpose, special supporting stands will do the job.
How to bleed a hydraulic floor jack?
It is recommended to bleed a hydraulic jack on a constant basis. If such unit is frequently used, then such procedure should be performed once in two or one month. Efficiency loss is the first reason showing the necessity to check the system. Firstly, you should release a pressure valve and then open a filler plug As soon as the filler plug has been removed, you should hear air hiss meaning its escape from the system. Wait until the hiss stops and then attach the plug back to the jack.
Thus, with the help of these simple and quick steps you will be able to maintain the efficiency of your tool at a high level.
How to put oil in a hydraulic floor jack?
Oil filling is performed in several stages:
- A filler plug should be removed in order to drain the waste oil. Usually the plug is placed at the bottom of the jack and comes as a screw.
- You should use a special solution to flush the system from the contaminants.
- Pour oil till it comes to the lower rim of the filler. Use only an appropriate type of oil suitable for hydraulic jack systems. At the moment of refilling, the piston must be in a bottom dead center position.
- Attach the plug back to the jack.
How to repair a floor jack that won't hold pressure?
Repair of hydraulics mainly includes drainage of the old oil, disassembling of a jack and replacement of seals. These are not complicated procedures, as the jack doesn’t require any sophisticated adjustments. What you need is to monitor its efficiency, maintain and replace the worn-out parts, if necessary. All sealing elements and sleeves must be periodically checked as they belong to wearing parts. They are widely offered on the current market, you can find them in any store selling various spare parts for automotive equipment or hydraulic systems. However, don’t forget to measure a worn-out element in advance, to know the exact size, or just take it with you to find the right substitution.
