| Category | Machine skate move |
| Project | Click and Collect point move |
| Project type | Contract lift |
| Location | Sheffield |
| Sector | Supermarket retail |
Challenge
A national supermarket retailer wanted to locate an integrated click and collect point on the ground floor of a multi-storey car park for the first time. The problem was getting the structure into position, as there was no overhead space to use a mobile crane or lorry mounted crane. Hird’s machinery moving team was asked to find a way to carry out the task. The solution was to use machine moving skates to lift the unit off the floor and push it into position using a forklift truck.
Client benefits
- The lift and move was fully completed in three hours by two operatives, impressing the client who thought it would take much longer
- The supermarket was pleased to know the plan to have click and collect points in multi-storey car parks worked, and Hird had demonstrated precisely how they could be installed at other sites
- Hird’s attention to detail and careful planning ensured that the lift and move was carried out smoothly, quickly and without incident, with the health and safety of all concerned, protected at all times
- Hird provided a method statement and risk analysis management system (RAMS) for this contract lifting project.
Hird comment
“In terms of the equipment and technology used, this was a relatively simple machinery moving project. However, the significant care needed to be taken during the move and installation process, by an experienced machinery moving team. A senior manager from the retailer attended to view and record the process, because they wanted to repeat it at other locations.” Mick Bradshaw, Cranes and Machinery Moving Manager
Project
A site visit was carried out before the move, to fully plan how it would be carried out.
The click and collect unit was 8.5 metres long and 3 metres wide, and weighted 9 tonnes. It had been dropped 25 metres from the installation point when it was delivered to site.
First, the area of operation was fully cordoned off and warning signs put in place.
The Hird team used jacks to lift the unit and place machine moving skates at each of its four corners, one of which was a steering skate.
Wide skates (500mm) were used, with wide rollers, to spread the load weight and ensure the tarmac the unit was being moved across would not be damaged.
A forklift truck was then positioned behind the unit and used to push it along.
This way, the unit was taken to the installation point, then turned through 90 degrees, ready to be moved into place.
Because the area the click and collect unit was to stand on was 150mm below the level of the paved area leading to it, jacks were used again to keep it level as it was moved into position, then lowered into place.
Equipment used
Machinery moving skates
The machinery moving skates used for this project had a maximum capacity of 22 tonnes. They have heavy-duty nylon, non-marking rollers, designed to spread the load and reduce the risk of damage to flooring.
