Small but Mighty: The Effectiveness of Load Skates

Transporting heavy loads often requires the work of heavy duty machinery. Whilst almost every warehouse in the world makes use of cranes, forklifts and other heavy load moving systems, they are not the only solution when it comes to moving heavy loads. No bigger than an A4 piece of paper, load moving skates and skids are as capable as an overhead crane but not nearly as bulky. The platform and wheels can sustain a lot of pressure and help move various types of loads.

Machinery Skates

Benefits

Machinery skates can carry loads up to 220 tonnes and they also got features which make them suit various different loads like an adjustable slider bar, polyurethane wheels and a steering bar to make maneuvering easier. Unlike some load moving dollies, you don't have to worry about worker safety with load skates as they are light and easy to position. Since they carry the load close to the floor it makes them more stable, due to the low centre of gravity.

Some models will be able to work with all the machines in your facility while others will only work in specific scenarios or environments. No matter the application you'll always be able to find a load skate for it.

Uses

Automotive plants, hospitals warehouses and large industrial sites are the most common places for a machinery skate. They are also used for raising, resetting and rolling equipment as well as moving distinct parts meant for the construction of houses, bridges, oil rigs and commercial buildings. Together with a hydraulic jack the lifting capacity gets greater which is very beneficial for manufacturers of larger vehicles and facilities that handle large components before shipping them.

Roller Skids

Benefits

With roller load moving dollies you get more flexibility than machinery skates but they usually work in pairs or in groups of three. They reduce friction and are able to navigate in tight areas such as corridors or around corners and along slopes. They can bear loads from 900kg to 54 tonnes depending on the construction and use.

Uses

Roller skids are being used in hospitals, oil rigs and the automotive industry too, but they are also used in aviation, aerospace, manufacturing and printing industry. Power plants, machinery moving, rigging, clean room and equipment sales also make use of roller skids due to their versatility. There are models designed to be used on smooth flooring whilst others are capable of moving loads on uneven and contaminated surfaces.

How to Safely Use Load Skates

The first rule of moving heavy loads with any type of load skates is to know what you're moving. Knowing the specs of the load(s) you'll be hauling will help you find more fitting rollers based on the weight. A good rule of thumb is to use load rollers and skates that have at least 25% greater load bearing capacity than your heaviest loads. Position big machinery with the help of low profile toe jacks to lift up the load and slide the machinery skate underneath.

When moving in a straight line the skates should always remain parallel to each other to allow for easy maneuvering in any direction. When steering loads try to go for gradual turns as they are easier, but if you have to take a sharp turn you may need to lift one end and pivot around the outer end. Position skate/ rollers evenly across the whole load to aid maneuvering and always use rigid skates when moving loads in a straight-line as swivel skates can be put out of alignment more easily.

Make sure you inspect your equipment on a regular basis especially if you have chain rollers – they should move with ease before every heavy lifting. Make sure you always check the position of the chain roll in the track and in the roller frame – it should fall dead centre with no shifting to the sides. Lubricate rollers only with molybdenum disulphide paste or an equivalent of it (avoid Graphite formulations). Rollers should be lubricated on a weekly basis if you use them frequently.

Make a visual inspection when positioning the load on the skates/ rollers regarding the position of the load – it should sit completely on the load but if you are using swivel models it should cover the top swivel plate. Swivel skates will make it harder to control loads on rough surfaces, which is why you need to clean your pathway and provide restraining devices to hold the load if you need to go up ramps or other inclines.

Take your time when moving the load, do it steadily and make sure there is no debris or any tripping hazards on your way. Stabilize your load by attaching it to the roller/ skate and make sure you check for any load shift especially with tall loads as they have a high centre of gravity. You can also use pads on your pathway to prevent load shift.