The Hydra-Slide jack and slide system from LGH.
When tackling heavy, critical lifts—especially in confined spaces—traditional equipment like cranes or machine skates often seems like the obvious choice. But these familiar tools can run into serious limitations. Whether due to budget constraints, tight operating footprints, or challenging ground conditions, sometimes traditional rigging simply can’t deliver the results you need. That’s where a jack and slide system comes in.
A jack and slide system is a specialized rigging solution that combines hydraulic jacking and controlled skidding to move extremely heavy loads with precision and efficiency. Unlike traditional skates or cranes, a jack and slide system—like the Hydra-Slide HT500—requires minimal headroom and a very small operational footprint.
By supporting the load on a low-profile track, a jack and slide allows operators to incrementally “leapfrog” track sections ahead as the load progresses, making it one of the most versatile and space-efficient systems available for moving up to hundreds of tons.
The Hydra-Slide HT500 jack and slide system, moving a large jobsite load.
Cranes, while powerful and versatile, can come with significant drawbacks:
✅ High rental costs
✅ Large assembly and disassembly requirements
✅ Extensive ground preparation
✅ Significant operating clearance
On the other hand, machine skates or air skates (with a coefficient of friction as low as 0.01) provide excellent low-resistance movement but struggle to bridge unsupported spans and often require holdbacks on slopes or uneven floors.
In comparison, a jack and slide system offers:
Minimal vertical clearance – The Hydra-Slide HT500, for example, needs just 8 inches.
Controlled movement – The higher coefficient of friction (0.15–0.25) allows for superior load control on slopes of up to 2%.
Pinpoint precision – Paired with a Hydra-Pac synchronous power system, you can achieve exact placement at up to 55 feet per hour with up to 10,000 psi of pressure.
Leapfrogging track segments – Easily reposition track sections to cover longer distances with less gear.
Bridging capability – Handles short unsupported spans with confidence, something neither air skates nor machine skates can manage.
These advantages make jack and slide systems an excellent solution for high-tonnage moves in facilities with floor loading limits, restricted access, or sensitive ground conditions.
The Hydra-Slide Hydra-Pac power systems complete the jack and slide system.
At LGH, our Hydra-Slide jack and slide rentals have been successfully deployed in industries including:
Power generation
Petrochemical
Construction
Industrial manufacturing
Heavy equipment installation
From transformers and heat exchangers to massive mechanical assemblies, this system helps crews move loads safely, accurately, and on budget.
In one recent example, the Hydra-Slide allowed crews to move equipment exceeding 350 tons through extremely tight conditions without the need for expensive ground reinforcement or major site rework.
The Hydra-Slide XLP jack and slide system, moving heavy machinery.
LGH is proud to offer the Hydra-Slide Hydraulic Skidding Systems for rent, complete with the Hydra-Pac synchronous power unit to ensure maximum precision and performance. Backed by 25 locations across North America, our experts can help you select, deliver, and set up the right system for your project.
When you work with LGH, you also gain our decades of rigging and lifting expertise—helping you solve complex challenges and get the job done safely and efficiently.
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 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
