An Airfloat air skate for moving heavy equipment, available for rent from LGH.
Moving heavy equipment inside a facility can be difficult when space is limited, floors need protection, or the load must be positioned with precision. Forklifts, cranes, rollers, and machinery dollies all have their place, but they are not always the best fit for every move.
Air skates for moving equipment give crews another option. By using compressed air to create a thin cushion beneath the load, air skates help reduce friction and allow heavy equipment to move smoothly across suitable floor surfaces.
In this product spotlight, we’ll look at five reasons crews use air skates to move heavy machinery, industrial equipment, HVAC units, vehicles, fabricated components, and other large loads.
Air Skates from LGH moving a Chiller at Montclair University.
Air skates work by creating a thin film of air between the skate and the floor. Once the load is supported on that air cushion, it can move with far less force than many traditional methods.
That reduction in friction can make a major difference when crews need to reposition large or awkward equipment inside a facility. Instead of dragging, rolling, or repeatedly jacking and resetting the load, air skates allow the equipment to glide across a smooth, level surface.
This can help make heavy equipment moves more efficient, especially when the load needs to travel across a plant floor, warehouse, production area, or maintenance space.
Moving heavy equipment with rollers, forklifts, or other traditional methods can create concentrated pressure points on the floor. In some facilities, that can lead to surface damage, floor marking, or costly repairs.
Air skates distribute the load across a larger bearing area and reduce direct surface friction. When used on the right floor surface, this can help protect finished concrete, epoxy-coated floors, and other sensitive facility surfaces.
Floor conditions still matter. Air skates work best on smooth, clean, level, and non-porous surfaces. Cracks, debris, gaps, and uneven transitions should be reviewed before the move begins.
Air Skates from LGH moving a cargo tank with ease.
One of the biggest advantages of air skates is 360-degree movement. Once the load is floating on the air bearing, crews can move it forward, backward, sideways, or rotate it in place.
That level of control is especially helpful in tight spaces where forklifts, cranes, or traditional skates may be difficult to use. Instead of stopping to reposition rollers or reset machinery dollies, crews can make small directional adjustments while the load remains supported.
This makes air skates useful for machinery installation, equipment relocation, plant layout changes, and jobs where final positioning needs to be precise.
Some loads are not just heavy. They are also sensitive to vibration, impact, or uneven movement. Air skates can provide a smoother way to move equipment because the load rides on a cushion of air instead of rolling across the floor on wheels or rollers.
That makes air skates a practical option for moving machinery, production equipment, large HVAC units, vessels, fabricated structures, and other components that require careful handling.
For example, LGH has used air skates to move equipment such as chillers and cargo tanks. Air skates can also be useful when crews need to move loads through active facilities without relying on larger equipment that may not fit the space.
LGH air skates moving a NASCAR race car.
LGH offers Airfloat air skate systems in capacities ranging from 25,000 lbs. to 315,000 lbs., giving crews options for a wide range of heavy equipment moving applications.
Air skates can be used for:
Because air skates are low-profile and configurable, they can be positioned under different load shapes and footprints. The right setup depends on the load weight, center of gravity, floor conditions, movement path, and available air supply.
Want to see air skates in action? In this LGH video, air skates are used to move a Ford F-150, showing how the system can support a heavy load and allow smooth movement across the floor.
The video is a simple visual example of how air skates reduce friction and allow a large load to move with controlled force.
Air skates may be the right choice when crews need to move heavy equipment across a suitable floor surface with minimal friction, controlled movement, and reduced floor impact.
Consider air skates when:
Air skates are not the right solution for every job. Rough floors, cracks, ramps, debris, porous surfaces, or poor air supply can affect performance. Before using air skates, crews should evaluate the load, floor, route, and air requirements.
Airfloat air skate system for moving heavy equipment.
LGH rents Airfloat air skates for moving equipment, machinery, industrial components, vehicles, HVAC units, and other heavy loads. Our rental specialists can help review your load weight, floor conditions, air supply, movement path, and equipment footprint to determine whether air skates are the right fit.
For jobs that require smooth movement, precise positioning, and reduced floor impact, air skates can provide a practical alternative to traditional heavy equipment moving methods.
Air skates for moving equipment can help crews reduce friction, protect suitable floors, improve maneuverability, and position heavy loads with greater control. They are especially useful inside facilities where space is limited, the floor needs protection, or the load must be placed accurately.
From machinery and HVAC units to vehicles, tanks, and fabricated structures, air skates give crews a flexible option for moving heavy equipment across smooth, level surfaces.
For help choosing air skates or another material handling solution for your next project, contact LGH today or call 800-878-7305 to speak with a rental specialist.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. With over 80,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
