{"id":38049,"date":"2026-10-05T16:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pronal.com\/?p=38049"},"modified":"2026-10-05T16:35:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:35:08","slug":"alternative-hydraulic-jack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pronal.com\/en\/alternative-hydraulic-jack\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydraulic jack or air lifting bag, which solution should you choose ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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To lift a <\/em>machine<\/em><\/strong>, a <\/em>vehicle<\/em><\/strong> or a <\/em>heavy load<\/em><\/strong>, the hydraulic jack remains a widely used solution. However, when <\/em>the available space under the load is very limited<\/em><\/strong>, access is difficult, the ground is soft, or the equipment needs to be easily transported, an <\/em>air lifting bag<\/em><\/strong> can be a particularly interesting alternative.<\/em><\/p>\n

Both technologies serve the same purpose, but their design and operating conditions differ. So, when should an air lifting bag be preferred ?<\/em><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

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What are the differences between a hydraulic jack and an air lifting bag ?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A hydraulic jack<\/a><\/strong> uses pressurized fluid to actuate a rigid piston and lift the load. It provides guided movement and is available in a very wide range of capacities.<\/p>\n

An air lifting bag<\/strong>, on the other hand, operates using compressed air<\/strong>. It is positioned under the load while deflated, then inflation progressively generates the force required for lifting.<\/p>\n

Its main advantage lies in its low insertion height before inflation<\/strong>. The Pronal CLT high-pressure air lifting bags<\/a><\/strong> have, for example, an uninflated thickness of 25 mm<\/strong>, with lifting capacities ranging from 1 to 65 tonnes depending on the model.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_raw_html 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The choice therefore does not depend solely on lifting capacity<\/strong>. The available space, required lifting height and access conditions also play a decisive role.<\/p>\n

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Why use an air lifting bag instead of a jack ?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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A very low insertion height<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is one of the main advantages of an air lifting bag<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When a machine rests almost directly on the ground, it can be difficult to position rigid lifting equipment safely under its frame without the risk of slipping. An air lifting bag only a few centimetres thick can be inserted into this space before being inflated.<\/p>\n

For example, Pronal used four CLT air lifting bags to lift a 25-tonne machine tool<\/a><\/strong> in order to install transport rollers. The available space between the floor and the machine frame was 100 mm.<\/p>\n

The air lifting bag therefore becomes particularly useful when the challenge is not only to lift the load, but first of all to position the lifting equipment underneath it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When deflated, an air lifting bag<\/a><\/strong> takes up very little space. This characteristic makes it easier to transport<\/strong>, store and position on sites where access may be restricted.<\/p>\n

Depending on the application, different technologies can be used. Our high-pressure range with the CLT<\/a><\/strong> covers most lifting applications. The FRC<\/a><\/strong> range is mainly intended for fire and rescue services<\/a><\/strong>. The CPF<\/a><\/strong> provides load stability. Stacking the air lifting bags increases the lifting height to meet a wide range of applications.<\/p>\n

Two other low-pressure ranges complete our product offering. The CBP<\/a><\/strong> and CLC<\/a><\/strong> provide a constant load throughout the lifting height, which can reach up to 1 m.<\/p>\n

To compare these different technologies and their applications, see our complete guide to Pronal air lifting bags<\/a><\/strong>.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInRight” width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”7019″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_single_image image=”4338″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInRight” width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”37885″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_single_image image=”5971″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInRight” width=”1\/6″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”6001″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_single_image image=”4186″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=””]<\/p>\n

Remote operation is possible<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The air lifting bags are connected to an air supply<\/strong> and controlled using a control system. The operator can therefore progressively control inflation from a certain distance away from the load.<\/p>\n

In the case of the 25-tonne machine tool, for example, the four air lifting bags were remotely controlled using two control manifolds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css_animation=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

How to choose between a hydraulic jack and an air lifting bag ?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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An air lifting bag<\/strong> does not systematically replace a hydraulic jack. A hydraulic system may remain more suitable when highly precise guided movement or prolonged mechanical support of the load is required.<\/p>\n

An air lifting bag<\/strong>, however, becomes particularly useful when :<\/p>\n