Tag Archives: heavy equipment moving

7 Situations When You Have To Move Heavy Equipment

If you use heavy equipment in your projects, there are plenty of reasons you might consider moving the equipment from one point to the other. Some of these reasons as given by heavy machinery moving experts include:

You need to replace the machine

Machines, like other systems, have an expected lifespan. After reaching that threshold, machines require part replacements or, in certain circumstances, full removal.

Replacements are also necessary when the equipment becomes obsolete or is broken beyond repair. Running broken or obsolete machinery will cause more harm than good.

It will not only slow down production and increase costs, but it will also pose a risk to everyone involved. When you are looking to replace your old or malfunctioning machinery, you need experienced machine movers to remove the machinery and install new equipment.

You need to relocate the machine

Is your business outgrowing its current space? Are you seeking a facility with cheaper rent and overhead? Moving or replacing your equipment may be necessary if you want to relocate your operation.

Rather than investing money in new machinery, you should consider hiring a professional rigging company to move your heavy equipment.

If you are relocating the machinery from one section of the business to the other, you can use your own forklifts, air bearings, and other equipment to move the equipment. However, if you are moving the equipment from one state or town to the other, you will need to hire a company to help with the relocation.

You are redesigning the site

Finding the ideal arrangement for your work site can be challenging. As you work, you might find a better and more efficient arrangement and you have no other way out other than to move the equipment around to fit the new arrangement.

You are discarding old equipment

You need to decommission and discard machines as soon as they reach a certain performance level and begin to lose efficiency. However, the size of rejected pieces can vary, and they must be removed from the facility before scrapping.

Such a large-scale movement necessitates the use of expert movers to transport it to the appropriate disposal location.

You are upgrading to better machines

Machines and their components require constant upgrades for optimal functioning. Upgrade parts can be of various sizes, ranging from small screws to massive dynamos and generators.

To avoid damage, you need to ensure that all improvements are transported and unloaded with extreme caution. Depending on the size of the part, movers load and unload the machine using equipment such as air bearings or crane systems.

You are selling the equipment

You can downsize, relocate, or make changes regularly, and often dispose of or sell your old equipment. Discarding occurs when a machine has completed its life cycle and has outlived its usefulness.

If the machine is still functional or requires minor repairs, the best way to handle it is to sell it. When you sell the machinery, you will need expert movers to transport it to the new owner’s location.

Why do you need a professional mover when moving heavy machinery?

Regardless of the reason you are looking to move heavy machinery, you should always hire a professional company to help you out.

If you have your team that can do the moving you must be wondering why you should hire a professional to help you out, right? Well, there are plenty of reasons you should do it. These reasons include:

You reduce the risk of injury

You are familiar with your machine and are aware of its weight and size. Regardless of your motive for moving, it will be extremely unsafe for your employees to try to move it. In some cases, one of your employees may get injuries, and you may incur financial costs.

Hiring a rigging company ensures that your machinery is moved securely by skilled specialists who adhere to their guidelines.

When you are hiring moving professionals, always hire experienced ones with an insurance policy. This way you are sure that even if an accident happens, you won’t be responsible for compensating them.

You don’t strain your moving equipment

Moving big machinery necessitates the use of specialist equipment capable of safely handling the weight of the object being moved. If your equipment fails when transferring your machinery, it may cause harm to critical components of your machine.

Professional rigging companies provide skilled machinery moving contractors with the necessary rigging equipment to properly transport and preserve your machinery throughout the relocation.

You save time

Moving large machinery while trying to do your daily tasks is not only a physical drain on your employees and equipment, but it also wastes time.

Instead of having your employees complete jobs that they excel at for your firm, moving equipment diverts their attention away from the skills they provide to your team.

With a trained rigging business, the jobs are accomplished swiftly and efficiently, allowing your personnel to focus on what will help your business flourish.

Also, if you attempted to move the machine, you would have spent too much time doing it because you don’t have the right machine or skills for the task. With professional movers, they have the right equipment for the task. At the same time, they have been doing the moving tasks for too long which means that they complete the tasks fast.

You exonerate yourself from responsibility

As mentioned, moving heavy equipment comes with plenty of risks. The heavy equipment can fall, and people can get hurt, among many other risks.

When there are too many risks involved, the last thing you want is to be responsible for the outcome.

When you hire heavy equipment movers VA, you lift all of the responsibilities off your shoulders and place them on the shoulders of the equipment movers. They will be responsible for anything that happens to the equipment and the people handling the equipment.

To be safe, ensure that you hire an insured company. As mentioned, when you hire an insured company you are sure that the insurance company will handle the responsibility should anything happen.

Dangers That Come with Working with Heavy Machinery and How to Avoid Them

heavy equipment movers

If you work with heavy machinery or supervise personnel who do, know the inherent risks involved with the tasks.
Understanding the hazards involved and taking the necessary actions to mitigate them is paramount as it helps keep individuals safe.

To help you out, here are five of the most severe threats, as well as the necessary precautions you should take to protect yourself:

Heavy equipment transport accidents

Heavy equipment must frequently be moved between places. For example, you might need to move the equipment from one site to another. While this is good, the unfortunate thing is that accidents can occur for those in transit or those close if you do not take the necessary precautions.

Heavy equipment accidents usually happen due to carelessness or using the wrong moving equipment.
To stay safe when undertaking heavy machinery moving, it is critical to have a well-balanced load. To avoid tipping, ensure the load is appropriately centered and sits between the trailer’s wheels.

Before leaving, you should plan your route. Narrow bridges, underpasses, and unfinished surfaces on the road can all pose unwelcome but avoidable obstacles.

The same may be said about current roadwork. Knowing what a route includes beforehand allows you to plan accordingly to stay safe.

Planning also makes it possible for you to move the heavy equipment with ease and without causing a lot of commotion.

Getting crushed or run over

Heavy equipment’s weight, size, and power endangers persons who could be crushed between moving parts or run over by a machine.

Both awareness and visibility lessen the likelihood of both types of accidents. For example, training a worker to behave safely around a machine and ensuring the crew has appropriate high-visibility gear can go a long way.

Different organizations are trying to keep humans safe by using robotics and automation.

Experts in the industry have begun formulating related ideas and rules, such as the requirement that robots be safe and secure before working with people.

Some robots are also specifically intended to perform dangerous tasks that put people at an increased risk.
Heavy machinery that can be moved via remote controls is emerging and keeps people away from the danger zone.

Before you start working, you should ensure that you are visible and there are no blind spots in the areas you are working. If there are kids in the site you are working, keep them away from the danger zone.

Working without guards in place

Machine guards protect workers from potentially hazardous elements of a machine by shielding them from components that offer a high risk to them.

Some people, however, believe that the guarding interferes with the machine’s performance and removes it. This is wrong as it often leads to accidents that can quickly turn catastrophic.

Others know the importance of guards but don’t understand how to ensure they are present on the device before using it.

Always ensure the guards are in place before using the machine to be safe. Check the user manual if you aren’t sure whether your machine has a guard.

Operating equipment without proper training

Before operating heavy equipment, you must receive the appropriate training from a recognized provider. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Some people will receive basic training and then rush to operate the machine. This is wrong.

If the machine misbehaves, the poorly trained individuals don’t know what to do. The minimally trained individuals also don’t know what to do in an emergency.

To keep yourself and others safe, you should have the proper training. As a rule, you should only handle the heavy machinery after meeting multiple state-specific educational standards.

In most states, all construction workers must complete 10 hours of OSHA training. Superintendents, forepersons, and supervisors, on the other hand, require 30 hours.

You should practice as much as possible before working with the machine. This way, you not only do a good job but also prevent accidents from coming about.

Failing to learn the risks that come with heavy machinery

Coverage of the most prevalent OSHA standard violations emphasized the importance of avoiding employee exposure to hazards that are most likely to cause significant injury or death.

One of the most frequently reported general industry violations was a lack of a written hazard communication scheme.

Implementing precise protocols and procedures to inform individuals about the dangers contained in a task before they engage in it is what effective hazard communication entails.

Unfortunately, many people don’t engage in it, which, as you can tell, leads to an increased risk of injury or even death.

To minimize the risks, make it a habit of educating the people handling the machinery. It will even be better to remind them every morning about the risks involved and how to prevent them.

When operating a new machinery, educate the people using it and ensure they are conversant with it.
On the other hand, safety managers can help keep people safe by making them aware of the hazards through clear language and real-world examples.

Parting shot

These are some of the risks that come with using heavy machinery. While it’s impossible to eliminate the risks involved with big machinery, knowing the most severe hazards, enables all workers and safety personnel to adapt their behaviors and adjust training content as needed.

When transporting heavy machinery, don’t transport it by yourself or hire the first company you come across. Instead, ensure that the transportation is done by expert heavy equipment movers VA who know what they are doing.

These professionals will not only safely transport the machinery but also ensure that it reaches its destination quickly. The movers will also advise you on any permits you need during the transportation. a

How Do You Move A Heavy Machine?

Do you have a heavy machine and you are wondering how you can move it? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Some of these ways include:

Using a bulldozer

The bulldozer is an excellent machine to move your heavy machinery. The beauty of it is that it’s powerful, so it will easily push the heavy weight to your desired location.

If you are doing the moving yourself, you will need to hire a bulldozer from your local heavy machinery movers. When doing it, be cautious of the one you choose.

You have two options: track or wheeled dozer.

From the name, a track dozer has tracks instead of wheels, which makes it an excellent choice when looking to move your heavy machine in soft soil.

On the other hand, a wheeled bulldozer does everything a tracked bulldozer can but on nice solid ground. This means you should go for this when you want to move your heavy machine on decent ground.

There is no right or wrong bulldozer that you can use. It all depends on the equipment you are moving and the conditions of your location.

Utility machine skates

These are perfect for moving machines of medium load, and they make excellent alternatives for cranes or forklifts.

When using the skates, remember that they have a weight capacity of 37.5 tons. They also work best when moving your heavy machinery in straight lines or turns.

Roller dollies

These are best suited for heavy but not oversized equipment. There are a variety of dollies in the market, so take your time and find one that is right for you.

Their beauty is that they require less power as they have a central load-bearing plate. These dollies can move up to 15 tons and rotate to 360 degrees when properly maintained.

When moving your machinery using the dollies, always use a ratchet strap to help secure the equipment and prevent accidents.

Crane

A crane is an excellent choice if you are moving your machinery up or over a short distance. Like dollies, many types of cranes are in the market designed for different applications.

For example, if you are looking to move your heavy equipment upwards, a tower crane would be the ideal choice, but if looking to move it vertically over a short distance, a mobile crane would be the best choice.

If you aren’t sure about the right crane to get, seek the services of an expert.

A plan

No, this is not a machine you can use to move your heavy machinery, but you need an expert plan to move your unit.

You need to know the right unit to accomplish your work and the right route, among many other details. Remember that without a solid plan, you will lose time, money, and plenty of opportunities to be strategic in how you go about it.

Again, if this is your first time going about it, get the input of a professional.

To get your machinery to your desired venue on time and with as little disturbance as possible, plan to move it when there is little traffic. An ideal time would be on the weekends when most people are in their homes.

You also should always take the shortest distance possible.

To avoid complications, have all the necessary paperwork before you begin the big move. You don’t want to put your machine on the side of the road upon realizing that you don’t have some vital documents.

You will always have risks when moving heavy machinery, so you can’t avoid them. The best you can do is to prepare for it. A good rule of thumb is to have insurance for the machine.

This way, you are sure that in the event of an accident, your insurance company will step in and settle it. You don’t want to be in a situation where you leave everything to fate, as things sometimes don’t go as planned.

Parting shot

These are tricks on how to move your heavy machinery. You can move the machine yourself but work closely with expert heavy equipment movers VA for the best outcome.

The Secret To Moving Heavy Machinery

moving heavy machinery

When you are looking to move heavy machinery, you have to do all the right things for your project to be a success. Which are these things you should do? Here they are as given by heavy machinery moving experts:

Put your ducks in a row

For your moving to be a success, you have to ensure that you have a solid plan for doing the moving. This calls for you to ensure that you know everything there is to know about the move beforehand.

You should know the right machine you need for the move and the weight and height of the equipment you are hauling.

In most cases, when you are moving a dozer, backhoe, dump truck, or any other large equipment, you need a special permit. The permit will shed more light on how to move the equipment. For example, it will dictate whether you need additional escort vehicles to drive with the heavy hauler and alert other drivers about the load. Ensure that you get this permit as part of your planning.

If you need to use unique roads that are less trafficked, you should know this before starting the move.

Work with the right moving company.

There is no way you will have a successful move if you work with the wrong company. As a rule of thumb, the company you work with should have the right hauler. Before you go to the moving company, you should know the size of your machine both in height and weight.

Before you sign the moving contract, ensure that the trailer provided by the company is large enough to accommodate the height and weight of your machine. The hauler should also be low enough to meet the height requirements in the roads you will be using.

Besides the trailer having the capacity to haul your machine, it also should be in good shape. The last thing you want is the trailer breaking down in the middle of the road.

While you are at the rental company’s offices, pay close attention to the trailer and ensure there are no leaks points or signs of damage that can compromise the securement of your machinery.

Also, confirm that the trailer is free of debris, which can come loose when traveling and cause damage to other vehicles on the road, putting you into trouble.

Safely load and secure your heavy machinery.

After you have confirmed that the trailer is right for your machinery, the next thing to do is load the machine to the trailer. Regardless of who is doing the loading, ensure that you do it in accordance with DOT regulations.

To avoid accidents, use enough and appropriate securing devices. Some of the tips to consider for that perfect securing include:

Use chains where possible. If you can’t find chains, use steel strapping.

Tightly secure tie-downs. This requires you to attach the tie-downs using clamps, hooks, and ties that can’t get loose during transport. Ensure that the tie downs are tight and don’t damage weak sections that can break during transportation.

Secure the wheels with chocks or wedges to prevent rolling during transport.

If possible, use friction devices such as friction mats and other devices that provide better traction and prevent sliding.

As you secure the machine, be keen and choose the right attachment points. Be keen and only use the right points as using the wrong ones could spell doom. There is the risk of breaking or damaging a part of the heavy equipment or failing to keep the equipment properly secured while on the road.

For peace of mind, double-check the attachment points and confirm they are properly in place and can’t get damaged.

You don’t have to transport the heavy equipment as a whole

Transporting heavy equipment doesn’t come cheap. It’s even more expensive when your machine is oversize. If your machine is too heavy, talk to heavy equipment movers DC and find out whether you can remove the work tools and attachments and ship them separately to save on costs.

If your equipment is too tall, consider retracting booms, buckets, or attachments to reduce the equipment height hence reducing the transportation costs and safety risks.

5 Tips To Successful And Stress-Free Heavy Machinery Moving

heavy machinery moving

When you are looking to move heavy equipment, the sensible thing to do is to hire heavy machinery moving company. For the moving process to be safe and stress-free, you need to consider plenty of tips that include:

Plan plan plan

Everything begins with a plan. Before you even visit the rental company, you should know everything about the project from when you will pick the heavy machinery to when you will set it down.

One of the things you should know is the weight of the heavy machinery. This will help you rent the right moving truck. You also should know the best route to use to easily get to your destination with as minimal disruption as possible.

Once you reach your destination, how will you remove the heavy machinery? You also should know the right location to place the heavy machinery after removing it.

The planning stage is where you spend most of your time. To have an easy time, give all the details to the moving company, and they will help you in coming up with a detailed program of how to go about it.

Use the right transport vehicle.

The right vehicle comes in handy at ensuring that transportation is fast and safe. The right vehicle for the job depends on the size and weight of the machine you are looking to transport.

If moving long heavy loads such as columns, the average trailer will get the work done, but if looking to transport long heavy loads, you should get extendable trailers. From their name, these are trailers with the added functionality of being extended.

To have an easy time choosing the right vehicle, explain everything to the rental company, and they will guide you.

Get quotes from different companies.

Moving heavy equipment doesn’t come cheap, and no two companies are similar. For you to get the most from the moving process, work with the right company. Visit different companies and see what they have in store. While you are there, inspect the machines and ensure they are in perfect working condition.

To choose the company that suits your budget, request free shipping quotes from different companies. Compare the quotes and settle on the one that gives you the most.

Understand all the required permits and regulations

Depending on the size and weight of the equipment you are looking to transport, you might require getting certain permits. Work with companies that understand any permits and regulations you might need during the transportation of the machine as they will guide you towards getting the right ones.

Even if the company tells you that you don’t need any permits, do your research to confirm this. You should note that some companies might tell you that you need permits while you don’t need them. To avoid getting extorted, do your research and even visit the relevant authorities and find out whether you need the permits.

If you need them, ensure that you get them. You don’t want the transportation of your heavy equipment getting delayed, do you?

Ensure the load is properly secured.

You might be working with the right company, using the right vehicle for the work but you won’t get the most from the transportation if you don’t properly secure the heavy machinery.

As the transport company is loading the heavy machinery, be present and ensure that the load is secured with the right restraints. This gives you peace of mind that the machine won’t fall off along the way and get damaged, leading to wastage of money.

Think about the safety aspects of the move as plenty of things can go wrong as you are moving the heavy machinery:

People can get stuck and injured by the machinery.
Parts of the body can be drawn in or trapped between the belts, rollers, and pulley drives.
People can get crushed between the parts of the machine moving together or towards a fixed part of the machine.
Sometimes parts of the machine, materials or emissions can cause burns or scalds and electricity leading to electrical shocks.

In addition to planning, you also should work with experienced heavy equipment movers VA.

9 Heavy Machinery Moving Tools For Effective And Safe Heavy Machinery Moving

heavy machinery moving

When looking to move heavy equipment or machinery, you can use a wide range of tools. If you don’t have the tools, you have to rent them from heavy machinery moving companies. Some of the tools you can use include:

Forklift

A forklift comes in handy when mowing a piece of equipment over a short distance. For example, when relocating from one end of the site to another. You can also use the tool to load the machine up the truck.

Forklifts rely on the hydraulic lifting mechanism to lift the equipment. Most of them have a lifting power of one to five tons.

Air bearings

If you want to move equipment weighing several tons, you can’t use a forklift. Here an air bearing is the sensible machine to use. Moving companies use an air compressor to inflate elements connected to a platform connected under the heavy equipment.

Thanks to the continuous airflow, the air bearings lift the equipment making it float across the floor.

In addition to making it extremely easy to lift ultra heavy equipment, the air bearings also come in handy when lifting equipment with uneven weight distribution.

Machine skates

Featuring a square or rectangular platform with wheels on every corner, you place the skates under the appliances or heavy equipment and glide or slide them across the floor. Unlike with air bearings and forklifts, you don’t lift the equipment off the floor.

If renting the equipment from a rental company, go for steerable skates with a detachable handle and a 360-degree rotation. This is because such a skate gives you better control.

Roller skids

They are almost similar to skates, but with one big difference—the skids are specially designed to be bolted to heavy machinery. You use a forklift or toe jack to lift the equipment to a level where you can slide the roller skids into place.

Once you lower the machine, the skids are affixed to the machinery, making it easy to move the machinery around to where you need it.

Toe jacks

A toe jack is a valuable tool when you don’t have a forklift. As mentioned above, you use the toe jack to lift the corners of the heavy equipment so that you can place the roller skids or skates underneath.

The toe jack functions like a car jack, where it uses a hydraulic lever to do the lifting. Some toe jacks also have a swivel that makes it easier to position the heavy equipment precisely.

Regardless of whether there is high or low clearance, you can effectively use the toe Jack where you can use it to lift to 60 tons. If the machinery is too heavy, use multiple jacks.

Hydraulic trailer

The hydraulic trailer is designed for safer, easier, and more efficient heavy equipment delivery. The trailer raises and lowers the machinery to any level.

This eliminates the need for a slanted ramp that is often dangerous to use. The trailer also delivers the machine without double handling.

Moving truck or flatbed

You can’t transport heavy equipment across a long distance without a moving truck or flatbed with tie-downs. Talk to your moving company and agree on the right moving truck for your machine.

Hand truck dollies

These come in handy when moving equipment and machinery that isn’t too large but is extremely heavy. There are all types of moving dollies designed for different equipment and weight capacities.

Since you use them to move equipment over a short distance, rent those that are ideal for the equipment you are looking to lift. When moving a massive machine, rent machinery moving dollies.

The dollies rely on the central load-bearing plate, so they don’t require a lot of effort from your end. Most of them can move equipment that is up to 15 tons and can rotate up to 360 degrees.

Lifting straps

Also known as moving harness, lifting straps make it extremely easy to move the heavy equipment.

While there are many types of lifting straps, they all have one working mechanism: they are two straps with adjustable loops on both ends.

You wear the loops over your shoulders or forearms and place the strap under the object you are looking to move.

The straps take the pressure off your back and significantly contribute to even weight distribution and provide better stability. You can buy the straps from your local store or rent from heavy equipment movers DC.