1. Safely loading your furniture skates
Properly loading your skates is crucial for a smooth and safe move. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Use the right skate for the job: Evo Supplies offers a range of skates, each designed for, or best suited to, different types of load – from our best-selling Heavy-Duty Wooden Furniture Skate, to Crate Skates, Piano Skates and larger-wheelbase skates for wider loads.
- Balance the load: Ensure that the load is centred on the skate, and evenly spread across all the castors to avoid tipping. A well-balanced load minimises the risk of accidents and protects both the skates and the items being moved.
- Move slowly and steadily: Sudden movements can cause loads to shift, potentially tipping the skates and endangering users. Move at a controlled pace, especially when navigating around corners, over door thresholds or over uneven surfaces.
- How should I load my skate? Always slide the load carefully and swiftly onto the skate to ensure that any individual castors aren’t bearing the whole load on their own at any point. Never use your skate as a ‘lever’ when loading it, particularly if it is a single-thickness 18mm wooden board, as this will seriously weaken, and may even snap, the wood. For sturdier platforms, check out for our Double Thickness range or Mighty Movers, whose double-thickness 36mm wooden boards assist their castors in bearing the load.
- Distribute weight evenly: Always ensure that loads are evenly spread across all the castors – it’s the castors that are the main load-bearing component of any skate.
- Can I use more than one skate for my load? If your load requires two or more skates to support it, make sure the skates have the same size and type of castors. And take great care in distributing the weight evenly across all the skates involved. This helps prevent any single skate from bearing more weight than it’s designed to carry, which can lead not only to damaged skates, but also presents risk to users of unstable loads.
- Follow manual handling best practice: As with all manual handling procedures, always follow best practice and advice in lifting, pushing and manoevering heavy loads.
2. Checking the maximum load capacity
Understanding and adhering to the maximum load capacity of your skates is vital to avoid accidents and ensure the longevity of the skates. Here’s how you can check:
- Refer to the product page on our website: Each skate on the Evo Supplies website lists its maximum load capacity.
- Avoid overloading: Even though our skates are designed to handle substantial weights, staying within the recommended limits ensures user safety and prolongs the life of the skates. Overloading can cause damage to the castors and their brackets and bearings, and structural failure of the plywood boards.
- Recommended maximum loading capacities: These are calculated based on the skates being used on a flat, even surface. If you will be moving your load across door thresholds, over bumpy ground, or on an incline, you should reduce the weight accordingly.
- Using skates on sloping ground? Then choose one of the many braked castor options on our website for safety and stability.
3. Storing your skates
Proper storage is key to maintaining the quality and functionality of your skates. Here’s how to store them correctly:
- Clean before storing: Dirt and debris can cause wear and tear over time. After each use, wipe down your skates, especially the wheels, using a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
- Store in a dry place: Moisture can lead to damage on metal parts – such as the bearings and brackets of the castors – over time.
4. Cleaning your skates
Regular cleaning ensures your skates continue to operate smoothly and look their best. Follow these steps:
- Wipe down after use: A simple wipe-down with a damp cloth after each use prevents dirt build-up and keeps your skates in good condition.
- Personalised skates: Dollies with printed vinyls can be wiped or washed from time to time to keep them looking pristine and professional.
5. Additional tips for safe and efficient use
- Inspect your skates regularly: As with any workplace manual handling equipment, your skates should be inspected before each use. Check for any signs of wear, such as damage to the wooden boards or loosening nuts on the castor bolts.
- Communicate with your team: Moving heavy loads is often a team effort. Make sure everyone involved understands the plan and their role in the moving process to prevent accidents and ensure smooth operations.
- Training: Whether you’re running a removals or fit-out team, or you’re using skates / dollies yourself around the home or office, ensure that appropriate guidance and training in Manual Handling is followed – there is a wealth of advice on the HSE website.
- Use appropriate protective gear: Make the safety of your team and yourself a priority – consider wearing gloves to protect your hands and steel-toed footwear to protect your feet from heavy loads.
Using and maintaining your removal skates properly is essential for safety and efficiency. By choosing the right skate for your needs, and following the guidelines above, you will get the very best out of your skates/dollies.
Check out our full range of skates on our online shop to find the perfect fit for your needs and keep your operations running smoothly. Call us on 01206 386683 or email esales@evosupplies.co.uk with any queries.
