Hydraulic lift is a machine used to multiply the force and it is based on Pascal law.
Hydraulic lift consists of two cylinders of different cross-sectional areas connected with a pipe. The cylinders are filled with incompressible liquid and frictionless pistons are fitted in both the cylinders as shown in figure.
Let a and A be the area of cross-section of smaller piston and bigger piston respectively. The load to be lifted is placed on bigger cross-section and effort is applied on smaller piston. Let a force f be applied on the smaller piston. The pressure exerted by f on piston is,
According to Pascal law, the pressure transmitted to bigger piston is also P. Thus force on bigger piston is,
i.e. The transmitted force gets multiplied by factor η of applied force.