Shop

07 Oct 2021

MACHINE MOVING SKATES: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

In industries that deal with machine manufacturing and lifting equipment, employees are often required to move machines or make adjustments to the positioning of machinery. A machine moving skate is an ideal solution for businesses that need to do this on a regular basis which is why we wanted to give you a detailed overview of what they are, how they are used, the different types, and the advantages you can get from using this piece of equipment.

What we don't cover in this article is how these products can help your business specifically. At Lifting Equipment Store (LES), we always aim to ensure our customers can make the most informed and highest detail

If by the end of the article you're wondering if this is the correct heavy load transport solution for your business or not, please contact an experienced member of the LES team where we can discuss your bespoke requirements.

 

WHAT IS A MACHINE MOVING SKATE?
In an easy and quick summary, they are used to do all the necessary heavy lifting and are ideal for moving machinery and other heavy loads.

If you are considering moving a storage container, a large machine, an awkward piece of equipment, or furniture for example, then you will need a higher quality version. The higher quality, the more weight it can transport making the maneuvering process easier.

 

HOW YOU CAN USE ONE
During the positioning process, toe jacks (floor jacks) will be required. Toe jacks are a type of heavy piece of equipment that is designed to lift or lower large heavy objects onto load moving skates. To use this helpful piece of equipment, simply get four low profile toe jacks to lift the equipment or object that you wish to reposition. 

By using the toe jacks, the object will be high enough to slide the moving skate under all four corners. Once the object is positioned, correctly then slowly release the toe jacks when you are sure that the machine is in place. The weight of the object should be distributed equally, making it stable. Then attach the steering bars and move the machine to its new desired location. 

Due to the weight of the machinery or object being moved, it is vital to choose high-quality machine skates. Often machine moving skates can have polyurethane wheels that have a higher loading bear capacity than rubber wheels. Polyurethane wheels are also oil and solvent resistant.

Additionally, they are tear-resistant, weather-resistant, and resistant to extreme temperatures. On top of all these benefits, they also reduce the risk of damaging your workplace floor. Therefore, researching the right version of this product is imperative and will differ depending on your work environment. 

DIFFERENT TYPES YOU CAN GET
 Various companies produce this machine moving solution and we recommend you check what requirements you need as you will be able to see if you look at our product selection that different manufacturers have different requirements.

Here at LES, we are worldwide suppliers of high-quality machine skates and load moving skates from manufacturers such as Steerman and Raptor. Whether you're purchasing from us or not, we always recommend you do your research and ensure you're buying from a trusted brand.

You can use accompanying items that include toe jacks and roller pinch bars to accompany specific versions you might have or load moving skates to make moving objects and machinery easy and less strenuous for your team using it.

You can see from our product selection that one of the items we stock is the Steerman LX Machine Moving Skate Kits. This version is perfectly suited for moving any type of heavy load as it can move heavy loads and machinery up to 12,000kg or 12 tonnes in weight. The kits are also reliable and come with all the necessary parts to make the lifting and maneuvering process easier.  

Using the above version as an example of the different types available, this one features a front steerable skate with a pivoting load table while the two rear skates are fixed and held in line with two heavy-duty tie rods. This ensures smooth and accurate transportation and makes the kit easy to steer in all directions due to the pivot. You can also combine this with items such as the Steerman Toe Jacks and Roller Crow Bars for the ultimate machinery moving skate package.

The above example can be great for most of your project work as it overall has a capacity from 6000kg-12000kg. This makes this version the ideal solution for moving machinery and other heavy-duty loads or objects.

 

BENEFITS OF USING SKATES FOR MOVING HEAVY OBJECTS
This product has a platform with wheels at the bottom, onto which a load may be placed, allowing heavy objects to be moved easily and efficiently.

It's important that your equipment has high-quality platforms and wheels to be able to cope with the pressure when you or a member of your team is moving various loading weights. Different systems are available to hold a range of loads, depending on the requirements.

Now that we've gone into detail about how this solution works, how to use them, and looked at an example, we wanted to give you an overview of the advantages that you can expect to have by using this piece of equipment in your business.

The great thing about them is that you can use them in various business sectors and industries making them a versatile product which is what we're going to start with.

 

VERSATILITY
One of the main benefits of using skates for moving heavy loads is the range of different models available.

The Steerman LX version can carry around 12 tonnes which makes it a good product as it can of course carry weights under that amount. You can also get versions that can carry up to 220 tonnes if required to do so and you can contact us to see if we can meet your bespoke requirements.

Features on each skate vary and the wheels are the main feature to consider when you're purchasing this item. You can get them with wheels that can accommodate slipperier environments such as steel wheels. Also, swivel wheels can help skates to have added maneuverability on uneven surfaces.

For heavier loads or trickier moves, skates are combined to create a load moving system. There are nickel-plated models designed for clean rooms, and in the case that you have a specific task that is not already catered for, a bespoke model can be produced. This versatility gives this product a clear advantage over other load moving products available.

 

SAFETY
In any industry where moving machinery is required it is imperative for employees to learn the safety procedures. Injuries are most likely to happen when the equipment is used incorrectly. Therefore, we always recommend having the right tools for your job to reduce the risk of injuries for your team and anyone on site.

By using a one of these heavy load movers in combination with a toe jack, the jack can be used to lift the load onto the skate, and the skate thereafter used to transport it. This system allows the equipment to take on the weight so that workers do not need to strain themselves. Using the appropriate equipment for heavy lifting decreases the risk of damage to either the load, the floor, or the worker.

 

EASY TO USE
The best part about this moving solution is that they are simple for you and your team to use. You can expect the majority of people on your workplace site to use them to do so without any training. The safety checks are straightforward, and steering is easy to control by using the steering bar. 

Your employees or people on your worksite using this piece of equipment should still be wary of the surface they are moving machinery to avoid any potential hazards. Adding extra features to accommodate your environment should secure the load onto the skate. As skates are made from high-quality materials when bought from a reputable supplier as ourselves they only require basic maintenance.

 

DO YOU NEED MACHINE MOVING SKATES FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
You now have an idea of how this heavy equipment mover can be a handy piece of equipment to have in your workshop, warehouse, or factory due to being able to handle the heavyweights of items.

We've discovered that this product is reliable, easy to use, and makes maneuvering heavy-duty equipment less exhausting. It's common for them to last you a long time. Remember that we always recommend that you check your product(s) regularly to see if the skate may potentially need replacing. 

If you've got any questions on whether this piece of equipment is right for your business challenge or you're looking for a bespoke solution, you can contact a member of the LES team where we will be happy to discuss a solution unique to your business.

 

More From The Blog

View All Articles

Subscribe to get savings direct to your inbox

Be the first to know about new arrivals, events, and offers.

Your Trolley