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Moving loads is a practice that happens every so often. People move loads for various reasons such as changing homes, storage as is common in warehouses, rearranging offices, or moving from one city to another.
Unless lifting the loads being moved is done safely, it can cause strain or injury, particularly on your back. It can also cause damage to the items being moved. Before you lift anything, it’s good practice first to test its weight. Based on the weight, you can choose the best way to move it. You can move loads by lifting, asking for a hand, or by using lifting equipment. Lifting equipment is ideal if you are moving objects over a long distance.
Tips to help you move loads with ease
1. Think through the process
Before embarking on moving anything, it is always an excellent idea to first figure out the process. You can begin by establishing the object dimensions to ensure it fits the path to be used and the location it’s destined for. For instance, if you want to move your sofa from one room to the other, be sure it fits through the door before you start lifting. It will save not just your energy but also time.
2. Determine the nature of the load
Before lifting any load, it’s good to establish whether it’s solid and compact, in fragments or liquid. Solids are easy to move compared to liquids whose weight easily shifts depending on how you tilt the load. If you are not sure of the contents of a container, try jostling it to feel whether it contains a liquid. Some containers can also contain solids with loose or moving parts which can easily alter the distribution of the weight or fall off.
3. Remove detachable parts
You can easily move bulky loads such as furniture if you remove all detachable components and things that might be stuffed in them. Lifting office desks, for instance, becomes easy if you remove and empty drawers. Drawers that are not removable can be taped so that they don’t open as you move. As you detach, the parts remember to label them appropriately so that attaching them takes a short time.
4. Push, don’t pull
Pushing a load takes less energy compared to pulling. If you are moving a heavy load, try as much as possible to push it to the nearest point where you can lift it. Pushing can damage floors and carpets if not done well. You can place cardboard beneath the load before pushing if the load does not have sliders.
5. Use lifting equipment
Lifting appliances are common in places where many goods are moved, including factories, warehouses, hardware stores etc. Due to the volumes of good being lifted, machines are used to move even light goods. If you choose to use lifting equipment, ensure you understand how they work since mishandling the equipment can be dangerous.
Commonly used equipment
Dollies
They are used to transport loads on flat surfaces. The following steps will help you use dollies effectively.
• Place the dolly’s lip beneath the load to be lifted
• Use straps to fasten the load so that it does not fall off as you move
• Slant the dolly backwards to lift the load
• Roll the dolly to the load’s designated location
• Tilt the dolly to an upright position
• Pull off the load.
Forklifts
They are industrial machines used for lifting and moving loads over short distances. They are commonly found in manufacturing industries and warehouses. To effectively use the forklift
• Align the lever that lifts loads with the load to be moved
• To elevate the load, push the handle forward
• Steer the forklift to move the load to the appropriate site
• To lower the load, push the handle backwards
Stair Rollers
They are attached to heavy loads, especially furniture, so that they roll down the steps with ease. It is, however, important to mention that while using stair rollers, there must be someone to guide the furniture or the load safely down the steps. Next time you plan to move to a new apartment, organize to have a stair roller. You will be amazed at how easy it is to move furniture.
Slides/ Glides
These are heavy plastic disks usually fitted beneath heavy furniture so that it easily slides when pushed. Glides are ideal when you want to protect your floors from scratches.
You can rent most of this equipment for a particular time though some commercial establishments offer them for free if you rent their premises.
Now you know that moving loads from one place to another does not have to be labor intensive and time-consuming. You only need to plan properly, have the right gadgets, and do it the right way.
