Lifting heavy equipment doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With the right tools and techniques, you can move bulky items safely without risking injury or damaging your space. Whether you’re handling desktop computers, furniture, appliances, or machinery, learn how to lift heavy objects with simple tools and transport heavy loads with ease.
How to Lift Heavy Objects With Simple Tools at Home
To move heavy objects and large items, start by removing any detachable components and wrapping items tightly to avoid loose parts. With another person or two, you can safely lift items, or you can use creative solutions like a wooden ramp, pipes, or a blanket to push or pull items with greater ease, especially when going up and down the stairs.
Our Texas moving company comes across a lot of heavy items every day. These types of items pose a number of unique logistical problems when it’s time to move, and safety is a key concern. Working smarter means using the right equipment to make moving heavy equipment much easier.
1. Remove Detachable Parts as Much as Possible
Before attempting to move heavy objects, first, remove any bulky items and attached parts like furniture legs. This makes the object lighter and easier to carry through narrow spaces without damaging the floor, walls, and stairs.
- Pros: Makes lifting and carrying easier; protects objects and floors from damage
- Cons: Takes time and effort to disassemble and reassemble; parts can be lost easily
2. Protect and Wrap the Items
Use bubble wrap to protect items to help you move heavy objects and fragile possessions with care. Wrap fragile pieces individually and secure them tightly to prevent shifting, which is especially important when carrying them up or down the stairs.
- Pros: Protects items from damage; provides a better grip
- Cons: Can be wasteful and expensive; takes time to wrap
3. Pull or Push Items
To move heavy objects without lifting, place a blanket or sliders under the item to reduce friction. Then, one person can push or pull the object across the floor with their body and be careful when going up or down stairs.
- Pros: Lessens physical strain on your body; prevents floor scratches
- Cons: Not suitable for taller items; can be difficult to control
4. Call Friends to Help You Out
When dealing with heavy objects, have one person at each corner or strategic point underneath the item. Coordinate movements carefully when navigating stairs, with some people designated to push from below while others pull from above.
- Pros: Multiple people provide better balance; gives more control when lifting heavy objects up and down the stairs
- Cons: Coordinating multiple helpers can be challenging; requires clear communication to avoid accidents
5. Use a Ramp to Move Heavy Objects
Create a ramp by placing a large piece of wood at a gradual angle against stairs or elevated surfaces where you need to move heavy objects. Secure the ramp, then carefully push or pull items up the inclined surface to reach the desired position.
- Pros: Large piece of wood ramp eliminates the need to lift things directly up and down steep stairs; reduces lifting strain
- Cons: Requires finding suitable wood materials; needs careful positioning to prevent the ramp from slipping
6. Use DIY Rollers
Place cylindrical objects like logs or a pipe underneath heavy objects to create makeshift rollers for easier movement. As you pull the furniture forward, continually move the rear rollers to the front, helping you maneuver over obstacles while maintaining balance throughout the process.
- Pros: Makes moving large items effortless; prevents scratches on the floor
- Cons: Requires constant repositioning; not great for stairs
What Do Professional Movers Use for Lifting Heavy Items
Our professional movers utilize specialized equipment for moving heavy objects to make our jobs easier and safer. Square Cow Movers prioritizes quality equipment to move heavy objects, allowing our teams to pull items up and down the stairs. We also employ proper lifting techniques that protect both their backs and your belongings.
1. Use a Forklift
A forklift is a good tool for moving heavy objects. It was made for the express purpose of hauling around heavy objects for a short distance. While you won’t be able to move a piece of machinery to a new location with a forklift, it can be used to get the machinery loaded up on a truck or to relocate it within the same building.
2. Try Skates
Wheels usually make it much easier to move heavy objects, and this tool is exactly like it sounds. Machine skates have a square or rectangular platform with wheels at each corner. The skates are placed under appliances and heavy machinery so that they can glide and slide across the floor instead of having to be picked up and carried.
3. Roll with Roller Skids
Roller skids are specialty-built so that they can be bolted to heavy machinery. A forklift or a toe jack can be used to lift objects up so that the roller skids can be slid into place. Once the machine is lowered back down, the skids are affixed to the machinery so that it can be pushed around and moved where needed.
4. Use a Lift Buddy
When you need a little help to lift the corner of a piece of equipment or furniture, the Lift Buddy will do the trick. This simple tool acts like a jack to move heavy objects with one hand. While the equipment is lifted, you can get skates, sliders, or glides in place for an easier moving process.
5. Jack up with Toe Jacks
Toe jacks use a hydraulic lever to lift up the corners of heavy machinery so that skates or roller skids can be placed underneath. Some toe jacks also have a swivel feature that allows you to position the equipment more precisely. Toe jacks are ideal for heavy lifting because they can be used whether there is low clearance or high clearance.
6. Secura Items with Lifting Straps
Mattresses, furniture, appliances, and equipment up to 700 pounds can be moved by just two people when you use lifting straps, also known as a moving harness. The loops are worn over the shoulders or the forearms, and the strap is placed underneath the object being moved. Aside from taking pressure off the back, the straps can help even the weight distribution and provide better stability.
7. Try Air Bearings
An air compressor is used to inflate bearing elements that are connected to a platform, which is placed under the equipment. Thanks to the continuous airflow, equipment is lifted and floats across the floor. Air bearing systems are especially ideal for machinery and equipment with uneven weight distribution.
8. Move with Hand Truck Dollies
For equipment and machinery that isn’t oversized, yet is extremely heavy, a hand truck dolly is a great solution. The load capacity is a key feature, and some dollies are built for specific purposes. There are different types of moving dollies, including furniture dollies, machinery dollies, and appliance dollies that have a sufficient height for bracing tall items like refrigerators.
9. Get a Moving Truck or Flatbed
Large equipment, appliances, and furniture pieces will require more than a long-bed truck to be transported to a new location. Anytime you need to move larger items, like furniture, across a long distance, you’ll need a moving truck or a flatbed with tie-downs.
Related Questions
How to Lift Heavy Stuff Easily?
Creative ways to lift heavy objects involve using everyday items and some wit to your advantage, especially with large items. Even if you’re the only person around, a dolly, furniture sliders, or ropes can make a difficult task on the stairs much more manageable.
What Is the Simplest Method to Move a Heavy Object?
The simplest method to move a heavy object across a floor is to use a blanket or furniture sliders. Simply place the object on the surface and pull it along, reducing friction and making it easier to glide.
How to Move a 300-Pound Object?
When you need to move heavy objects like a 300-pound piece of furniture, you can try using a furniture dolly with straps or a general-purpose hand truck. Even a shoulder dolly can help you safely and efficiently move the item without straining your back.
Conclusion
Professional movers are equipped and trained to move heavy machinery, saving you from injuries and investing in costly equipment you’ll only use once or twice. At Square Cow Movers, we help individuals and businesses with their moving needs safely and with ease. Give us a call or use the online form to get an instant moving quote to move heavy objects with safe lifting equipment.