Jack-and-slide hydraulic skidding systems are one of the most effective ways to move heavy machinery.
At Hydra-Slide, we often provide hydraulic skidding systems to help companies move machinery and heavy equipment in this weight range. These systems are hand-portable, easy-to-use, and effective for moving heavy loads in areas with little clearance or overhead obstructions.
In this article, we’ll describe the jack-and-slide method for moving machinery and why it is often the safest, simplest, and most cost-effective option for loads in this weight range.
What is Jack-and-Slide?
Jack-and-slide is a method for moving heavy loads horizontally using hydraulic jacks and a skidding system. To run a jack-and-slide process, operators:
- Lift the equipment, usually by a few inches, using heavy-duty hydraulic jacks
- Place skid tracks underneath the raised load
- Lower the load onto skid shoes sitting on the skid tracks
- Use hydraulic cylinders to push the load along the tracks in short, controlled strokes
After each stroke, the system resets, and the process repeats until the load reaches its final position.
Unlike crane systems or rollers, the load stays supported and grounded the entire time. It never swings, rolls freely, or gains stored momentum. There is very little risk of a rigging failure or a runaway load.
When pressure is removed, movement stops immediately; operators control everything from a safe distance through hydraulic lines.
How Jack-and-Slide Compares to Other Options for Moving Machinery
Here’s a look at the most common options for moving heavy machinery in a plant, warehouse, construction site, or anywhere you might be working:
1. Forklifts
Forklifts are a great option when the machinery you need to move is within your forklift’s rated capacity, and the path to the machinery is wide enough for safe operation.
When the load exceeds capacity, however, or when two forklifts are used together on a single load as a workaround, the risks increase significantly. Tall or uneven loads also introduce tipping risks that can be hard to manage in tight spaces.
2. Cranes and Overhead Lifts
Many facilities have overhead cranes or lifts that work well for loads within their rating and reach. For heavier loads that exceed overhead crane capacity, bringing in a mobile crane means worrying about overhead obstructions, clearance, rigging plans, and potentially removing part of the roof or ceiling.
Suspended loads are also prone to swinging, swaying, or rigging failure. In multi-story buildings or underground facilities, a crane may not be an option at all.
3. Rollers, Skates, and Improvised Methods
When forklifts and cranes are not an option, many teams try to use steel rollers, machinery skates, or other improvised rigging. These methods can work for lighter loads in simple conditions. The problem is control.
Rollers reduce friction, which means a heavy load can drift, pick up speed, or break free and run away if force is misjudged. Workers who push or pull the load are at risk during the process, and so is the surrounding equipment and infrastructure.
4. Jack-and-Slide (Hydraulic Skidding)
Jack-and-slide systems are designed to move heavy equipment safely and securely while minimizing risk to operators, the environment, and the machinery itself. Once your machinery is loaded onto a jack-and-slide system, the load stays grounded at all times and moves only when hydraulic pressure is applied to push the load along the skid tracks.
Those of us who operate jack-and-slide systems like to say “friction is our friend.” As soon as force is removed, the load stops moving, and operators control movement from a distance through hydraulic lines. Another advantage is that all components of a hydraulic skidding system can be hand-carried into a space.
5. Disassembly
When none of the above methods will work, some teams resort to cutting the equipment apart and removing it in pieces. This option is expensive, time-consuming, and risks destroying equipment that could otherwise be refurbished or reused. Disassembling equipment is often treated as a last resort.
Jack-and-Slide Systems are Simple, Reliable, and Built to Last
Jack-and-slide systems are fully mechanical. They have no electronics, software, or sensitive components. We know of systems that have been in constant use for 30 years. Hydra-Slide’s systems can be assembled by hand with no tools, and operators can learn to use the system with just a few minutes of training.
Maintenance is minimal, and the systems are built to handle rough conditions on active job sites.
When Jack-and-Slide Makes Sense for Machinery Moving
Jack-and-slide hydraulic systems are a strong option when:
- The machinery is too heavy for a forklift
- The move takes place indoors or in a confined space
- Overhead clearance is limited
- The machinery is sensitive to tilt, vibration, or impact
- Safety is a priority, and improvised methods are not acceptable
Hydra-Slide systems are often used in manufacturing plants, power facilities, paper mills, and a wide range of industrial environments where these conditions come up regularly. In many cases, the teams we work with did not realize there was a purpose-built solution for this kind of move until they found our hydraulic skidding systems.
If you have a machinery move coming up or you’re looking for a safer alternative to the methods you’re using today, the Hydra-Slide team can help. Our team will be happy to discuss your situation and recommend a system that meets your needs.
