Moving heavy loads in confined spaces is a common challenge in manufacturing plants, power stations, refineries, and underground facilities.
For example, in many projects we’ve been a part of, a machine or equipment that has been in place for decades needs to be replaced, serviced, upgraded, or removed.
Sometimes, the building it sits in was literally built around the machinery. Some are surrounded by walls on three sides. Often, there are pipes overhead and no clear path to a door.
When working in tight spaces, you may find yourself asking: “Can this equipment be moved at all?”
In this article, we’ll cover your options for moving heavy loads in confined spaces, including:
- Hydraulic skidding
- Forklifts
- Cranes and overhead lifts
- Rollers and skates
- Disassembly
Why Moving Heavy Loads in Confined Spaces is So Difficult
Moving equipment within confined spaces comes with a host of challenges, among them:
- Overhead clearance may be limited by ceilings, structural beams, or piping.
- Side clearance may only be a few inches.
- The floor may not support heavy equipment. Access corridors may be narrow, winding, or obstructed. And the load itself may be fragile or sensitive to tilt, vibration, or impact.
We often work with operators who need to move equipment that was installed before the surrounding infrastructure was built.
Over time, walls, pipes, platforms, and other systems grew up around them. Nobody really thought about how to get it out because no one expected to.
When that day comes, your options can feel very limited.
5 Options for Moving Heavy Loads in Confined Spaces
1. Hydraulic Skidding
Hydraulic skidding systems are a strong option when you need to move heavy items in a confined space.
Hydraulic skidding works by lifting the load slightly using heavy-duty hydraulic jacks. The load is then placed on skid shoes, which can move along skid tracks.
Unlike rollers and skates, skidding systems use short, controlled cycles of force applied by hydraulic cylinders. Movement is short and deliberate. Each hydraulic stroke advances the load a short distance, then the system resets for the next push. Friction between the skid shoes and the skid tracks is maintained throughout.
The moment force is removed from the system, the load stops in place. The load never swings, sways, or rolls freely, and operators control the system from a distance through hydraulic lines, staying well clear of the load.
All components of the system can be hand-carried, making it especially effective for use in confined spaces.
2. Forklifts
Forklifts work well for loads they can reach that are within their weight capacity. When a load exceeds capacity or when the path is too narrow for the machine to operate safely, forklifts are no longer an option.
Two forklifts working together on a single load is a common workaround, but it introduces serious safety risks.
3. Cranes and Overhead Lifts
Overhead lifts are common in factories and warehouses. These are typically lighter-capacity than a standard outdoor crane and are a fixed part of the facility. For both these reasons, indoor lifts are typically not an option for moving heavy loads in confined indoor spaces.
That leaves the option to bring in a full-sized outdoor crane and remove the roof and structure surrounding the item.
Doing so adds costs and downtime, and it may not even be possible in the case of multi-story buildings or underground facilities.
Even when a crane can reach a heavy load, the swing radius of a suspended load requires clearance that confined environments rarely offer.
4. Rollers and Skates
Rollers and machinery skates can move loads horizontally, which makes them useful in low-clearance environments.
The problem with rollers and skates for heavy loads is that they offer very little control. Rollers work by reducing friction to allow movement. Once a load is moving on rollers, it gains stored momentum and becomes very difficult to stop or steer precisely.
If your clearance is measured in inches, that lack of control becomes a major safety concern for operators, the load, and the surrounding equipment and facilities.
5. Disassembly
When none of the above methods will work, some teams resort to cutting the equipment apart and removing it in pieces. This is expensive, time-consuming, and risks destroying equipment that could otherwise be refurbished or reused. It is often treated as a last resort.
Real-World Example: A Tissue Manufacturing Plant
A tissue paper manufacturing plant in Canada needed to move a roughly 50-ton roller that sat deep inside its facility. The path of the move had no more than about six inches of clearance.
A variety of equipment and facilities had been built up around the machine over years of operation. There was no practical way to create more room without incurring major expenses.
The team selected hydraulic skidding to move the roller. They set up the system and moved the load in a day, all with minimal risk to operators or the surrounding environment.
Choosing the Right Approach When Moving Heavy Loads in a Confined Space
The right method for moving a heavy load depends on the specifics of your situation:
- Weight of the load
- Available clearance
- Whether the facility is live or offline
- Structural modification options
When space is truly tight, when the load is too heavy for the equipment you have on hand, or when the alternative is cutting the equipment apart or tearing down part of the building, hydraulic skidding is often the most practical solution.
If you need to move a heavy load in a confined space, the Hydra-Slide team can help. We can help you evaluate your options, explain if hydraulic skidding is a good match for your needs, and recommend a system to meet your unique situation.
