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Technical equipment used by professional moving companies

A comprehensive guide to specialised moving tools for safe and efficient relocations
By · March 6, 2025
Technical equipment used by professional moving companies

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Moving home or delivering large household items requires specialised moving equipment to ensure safety, efficiency, and protection of property.

Professional moving companies in South Africa utilise a variety of technical equipment specifically designed for relocation tasks.

Below, we detail essential equipment commonly employed in the moving industry.

Furniture dollies and hand trucks

Furniture dollies, also known as platform dollies, are constructed from sturdy hardwood or reinforced metal with swivel casters designed to manoeuvre heavy furniture easily.

Hand trucks, often aluminium or steel-framed, feature two wheels and an L-shaped design, optimally engineered to transport boxes, appliances, and furniture vertically, reducing physical strain.

Appliance dollies

Appliance dollies are technically specialised hand trucks equipped with heavy-duty securing straps and rubber-coated stair climbers. Engineered to handle substantial weights of up to 500 kilograms, these dollies ensure the safe relocation of refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and other bulky appliances, particularly on stairways or uneven surfaces.

Furniture sliders

Furniture sliders comprise high-density polyethylene or felt materials attached to foam padding. These technical components significantly reduce friction, allowing for the seamless movement of heavy furniture across varied floor types, including carpet, tiles, and wooden flooring, mitigating the risk of surface damage.

Moving blankets

Moving blankets or furniture pads are robust textiles, typically made from woven polyester or cotton blends filled with recycled fibres. These blankets possess high tensile strength, durability, and padding density, ensuring that furniture surfaces remain protected from scratches, abrasions, and impacts during transportation.

Ratchet straps and tie-downs

Constructed from durable polyester webbing, ratchet straps and tie-downs feature high-tension ratcheting mechanisms, enabling secure fastening of furniture and boxes within moving vehicles. This precision tensioning prevents load shifting, ensuring safe and stable transportation even over long distances or uneven terrain.

Pallet jacks

For extensive moves involving palletised goods, manual or powered pallet jacks are essential. These technical tools consist of hydraulic lifting mechanisms with robust forks that slot beneath pallets, facilitating the smooth transport of heavy, consolidated items and improving logistical efficiency.

Ramps and loading platforms

Aluminium or steel ramps and loading platforms are designed to withstand substantial weights, allowing effortless loading and unloading of furniture and appliances into moving vehicles. Engineered with slip-resistant surfaces and reinforced edges, these ramps enhance safety during the critical transfer phase.

Stretch wrap and packing materials

Industrial-grade stretch wrap made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) provides exceptional load stability and moisture resistance. Combined with specialised packing materials such as bubble wrap, foam corners, and corrugated cardboard inserts, these technical resources maximise item protection throughout the relocation process.

Hoisting straps and moving harnesses

Engineered for ergonomics and load-bearing efficiency, these nylon straps and harnesses enable movers to distribute the weight of heavy furniture evenly, significantly reducing the risk of physical strain and injuries.

Cargo nets

Made from heavy-duty polyester webbing, cargo nets secure irregularly shaped items or multiple small objects, ensuring comprehensive containment and preventing load movement within transport vehicles.

Corner protectors

Typically manufactured from rigid plastic or rubber, corner protectors safeguard furniture edges from impacts and abrasions, especially during securing with ratchet straps.

Moving crates and plastic totes

Durable and stackable polypropylene crates or plastic totes with interlocking lids offer robust, reusable packing solutions, increasing logistical efficiency, security, and protection for fragile or valuable items.

Lifting jacks

Hydraulic or mechanical lifting jacks facilitate the safe elevation of heavy furniture or machinery, allowing for the seamless placement of dollies, sliders, or pallets beneath objects for easier transportation.

Professional moving companies utilise these technical tools and equipment to ensure optimal operational efficiency. These tools also ensure that the highest standards of safety and customer satisfaction are upheld during every home relocation or item delivery within South Africa.

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Great service. Thank you Abel
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