4 Steps to Safely Using Machine Moving Rollers

Machine moving rollers transport heavy machinery, equipment, and other materials safely and easily.

They operate in spaces where forklifts and pallet trucks simply can’t, such as office spaces and multi-story buildings. What’s more, their versatility remains unmatched, with some moving rollers capable of hauling more than 100 tons.

As with any heavy machinery, operating machine moving rollers requires attention to workplace safety. Read on for four ways to ensure your safety on the job.

1. Know What You’re Moving

One of the biggest dangers workers face when using moving rollers happens when they underestimate the weight of the cargo for transport. To avoid this, start by getting specs on the types of load you’ll be hauling. Then, choose appropriate moving rollers based on weight.

Also, always opt for moving rollers with at least 25 percent more capacity than your load. Why? Because uneven moving surfaces happen. A lot. When they do, loads balance on three points. A larger capacity means that the machine moving rollers you use will handle the job despite surface variations.

2. Inspect Your Equipment Regularly

Before each use, carefully inspect moving rollers. Some things to remember:

Pay attention to the chain and chain rollers. These should move easily, demonstrating full functionality before any heavy lifting starts.
You’ll also want to check the position of the chain roll in the track. In the roller frame, it should fall dead center, with no visible shifts from side to side.
As you position the load on the moving rollers, you’ll want to check in visually. For example, the load should rest completely on the roller. In the case of swivel or swivel lock models, it should cover the swivel top plate.

3. Take It Slowly

Using moving rollers means you’re moving weighty objects. This takes time and a practiced hand. So, don’t rush the process. Always:

Take time to inspect your work area, ensuring it’s clear of debris and trip hazards.
Have someone nearby in case you need a hand.

And remember: One of the most dangerous parts of using moving rollers involves positioning the object to be transported. You can use toe jacks to streamline this process, but always lower them slowly.

4. Stability Matters

A variety of factors lead to unstable loads: uneven or cluttered floors, top heavy loads, and improper roller alignments. To help stabilize your loads:

Before using machine moving rollers, inspect your designated pathway for uneven or cluttered areas. Clear all potential trip hazards, and use pads to prevent load shift.
Besides ensuring a clear walking path and adding pads, monitor for signs of load shift. Loads with a high center of gravity require extra care.
Consider temporarily attaching the load to the roller for added stability.

Workplace Safety Starts with You

Like other heavy equipment, moving rollers present a significant workplace safety risk when OSHA guidelines get overlooked. These risks can result in catastrophic injury or even death. But by following the basic principles outlined above, you’ll ensure a safer working environment for everyone.

The 3 Types of Machine Moving Skates You Need to Know

Need to move a heavy object weighing over a ton? Our machine moving skates are just the tool you need to do the job. Check out the three skate varieties we offer.

Utility Skates

Our utility skates are the most versatile machinery moving dollies we offer. They are ideal for turning as well as maneuvering large objects in a straight line. Weight capacity for these machine moving skates ranges from 1.5 tons to 37.5 tons per skate.

You have the option to change out the rolling wheels with either steel or polyurethane coated rollers. Go with steel as an all-purpose choice suitable for most floors. Polyurethane coated rollers are great for flooring that needs extra protection, like epoxy coated surfaces. The wide stance of these skates provides increased stability and equal weight distribution under the load. And the fully welded steel frames guarantee a quality product fit for all your machine moving needs.

We offer utility skates in tilting and non-tilting varieties, with the option for rigid stability or swivel support for both.

Straight Line Skates

Straight line skates are ideal for moving machines in a straight line in a narrow, limited space. Weight capacity for these heavy-duty moving skates is 2.5 tons to 100 tons per skate. Like our utility skates, these skates also have the option of steel or polyurethane coated rolling wheels.

These skates are designed with a low profile in mind. They are close to the ground, so you don’t have to jack the heavy object up as high to load it onto the skate. The straight line skates are also constructed with fully welded steel frames to ensure their ruggedness for heavy loads. Also, their wide stances offer more stability and even weight distribution under any load.

You have the option to choose from long, short, or slim skates. The longer skates can carry a heavier load up to 100 tons, while the smaller skates are better for moving smaller loads in even tighter spaces.

Compact Swivel Skates

If you need a compact skate with full directional control, our compact swivel skates are just for you. Weight capacity for these machine moving skates ranges from 1.5 tons to 12.5 tons per skate. Like our other skates, you have the option to choose between steel rollers or polyurethane coated rollers. Choose the roller that’s best for the floor on which you’ll be moving your heavy equipment.

What makes these skates so special is the friction plate between the top frame of the dolly and the bottom surface of the swivel plate. This reduces the jostling of the object while moving, ensuring full stability with optimal movement. No locking mechanism required. Should you need purely straight-line movement, you can remove these friction plates with a hex key wrench.

With our compact swivel skates, we offer a variety of packages for your needs. If you need a steel job box or placement handles, we’ve got you covered.

Buy Your Machine Moving Skates Now

We offer quality products at the best prices.

Hevi-Haul Skates has been a trusted company by professional rigging companies and machinery movers for over 80 years now. We are the premier, family-owned American brand of machinery dollies and moving skates.

The Complete Guide to Machinery Movers Insurance

Based on recent studies, we know there are about 28 million Americans without any health insurance coverage right now. And even though car insurance is MANDATORY in every state (aside from New Hampshire), it’s estimated that a little over 14% of motorists are driving completely uninsured.

What does this mean? These stats mean there are millions of people who believe they either can’t afford basic, mandatory insurance or assume they won’t ever truly need it!

There is a huge amount of risk involved with moving heavy machinery and equipment. Make sure your machinery movers (or the moving company you work for) aren’t the same citizens who think they’re immune to disaster.

Here’s a complete guide to machinery movers insurance, to help you ask the right questions before committing to anything.

All Insurance Required for Machinery Movers

General Liability covers bodily injury and property damage caused by negligence on the part of the movers. This excludes damage to customer cargo and damages caused by acts of God (natural disasters, unforeseeable circumstances, etc.). Standard coverage is $1 million.
Umbrella covers even more liability costs, should the moving company reach their limit for General Liability coverage (since general liability only covers a set amount of damage costs per year). Standard coverage on this is $1 million to $2 million.
Automotive in this case refers to auto insurance policies for all the industrial-sized moving vehicles being used to move equipment and machinery. Standard coverage is $1 million per vehicle.
Workers Compensation protects the hard-working people moving all cargo in the event of injury due to employer negligence. Standard limits vary, but some form of worker’s comp is a mandatory part of running an ethical business.
Riggers (or Cargo) is the policy that protects the machinery or equipment being moved. Make sure maximum coverage here exceeds the cost of the cargo.

Factors That Impact Insurance Rates

Although every insurance company is different, here’s a brief list of things that will almost always affect a moving company’s insurance policies and premiums:

Credit score
Status of commercial driver’s license, driving experience, and motor vehicle registration
Having all appropriate signage, lighting, and deer guards on vehicles
SAFER scores
Logbook violations
Number of employees
Average distance of most moves
State regulations

Unless reading pages of technical fine print has you trembling with anticipation, it’s in your best interest to find a good insurance agent. Any insurance agent worth their salt will get to know you and your situation thoroughly. This way, they can get you all the possible savings you qualify for without shorting you on coverage.

Don’t Forget Moving To and From the Truck!

Avoid accidents and injury by making sure you have the right tools to get large cargo off the ground and over to the moving truck in the first place.

When you’re moving up to 100 tons, using the right machinery skates is just as essential as having the right insurance policies. Quality skates will keep your load in place as it moves and protect your floors from unnecessary wear and tear.

Have more questions? Don’t be shy! Hevi-Haul Skates is a family-owned small business dedicated to helping you complete large moves as smoothly as possible. Contact us with any and all of your concerns.

4 Steps to Safely Using Machine Moving Rollers