When planning an equipment move, one of the first questions to answer is whether you need hydraulic jacks, machine moving skates, or both. While these tools are often used together, they serve very different purposes. Choosing the right one depends on the kind of movement your application requires and the level of control you need throughout the process.
Understanding the difference can help you avoid unnecessary complications and make the job safer and more efficient from the start.
When Hydraulic Jacks Are the Better Choice
Hydraulic jacks are used for vertical lifting. If your equipment needs to be raised off the floor so it can be repositioned, supported, or placed onto skates, a hydraulic jack is usually the right tool for that part of the job.
They are especially useful when working with heavy machinery with limited ground clearance or when precise lifting is required. In many industrial settings, hydraulic jacks are used to lift one side of a machine just enough to create space for additional moving equipment underneath. This gives operators more control during setup and helps reduce the risk of unstable lifting methods.
If your application is focused on lifting rather than transporting, a hydraulic jack is likely the better fit.
When Machine Moving Skates Make More Sense
Machine moving skates are designed for horizontal movement. Once a load has been lifted and properly supported, skates allow it to be moved across the floor in a controlled manner.
These systems are often used in manufacturing facilities, warehouses, aerospace operations, and other industrial environments where heavy equipment needs to be repositioned without extensive teardown. Depending on the layout and load, machine moving skates can help operators move machinery through tight spaces, around obstacles, or into precise final positions.
If your main goal is to transport heavy equipment across a facility floor, skates are generally the right solution.
When You Need Both
In many real-world applications, hydraulic jacks and machine moving skates are not an either-or decision. They work together as part of the same move.
For example, a team may use hydraulic jacks to lift a machine just enough to place skates underneath it. Once the load is supported on the skates, it can then be moved horizontally to its new location. This combination enables both safe lifting and controlled transport, which are often necessary during equipment relocation, plant reconfiguration, or machinery installation.
Thinking about the move in stages can make it easier to determine which tools are needed and when.
Key Factors to Consider
The best choice depends on several factors, including the load weight, available floor space, ground clearance, travel path, and whether the move involves lifting, rolling, or both. Precision matters too. Some applications call for precise positioning, while others require greater maneuverability in tight spaces.
The more clearly you define the move, the easier it becomes to select the right equipment for the job.
Choosing the Right System for a Safer Move
At HTS Direct LLC, we understand that hydraulic jacks and machine moving skates each play a different role in a successful move. That is why we offer both ECO-Jack® and ECO-Skate® systems, with several combinations of lifting and carrying capacities to meet the specific needs of your application.
Since 1989, HTS has been the choice of machine movers and riggers throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, and since opening our first North American facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2016, we have continued to support industrial customers with dependable load lifting and load moving solutions.
If you are planning an upcoming move, contact us at (616) 591-3945 or explore our products online to find the right fit for your operation.
