The Hydra-Slide HT500 heavy-duty skidding system rental from LGH expertly slides a large piece of machinery.
When a project involves moving an exceptionally heavy load, the first question is often, “What size crane do we need?” In many situations, a crane is the right answer. But when overhead clearance is limited, space is restricted, or the load needs to stay close to the ground, a heavy duty skidding system may be the better solution.
LGH rents the Hydra-Slide HT500 Heavy Track System, a 500-ton hydraulic skidding system designed to move large loads horizontally with control and precision. Instead of suspending the load in the air, the HT500 keeps the load supported on engineered tracks while hydraulic cylinders push it forward in controlled increments.
For transformer swaps, refinery work, power plant projects, large pressure vessels, and other heavy industrial moves, the HT500 gives crews a powerful option for moving heavy loads when cranes, forklifts, or rollers may not be practical.
The Hydra-Slide HT500 heavy-duty skidding system rental from LGH on a jobsite.
A heavy-duty skidding system is a hydraulic moving system used to slide large loads along a controlled track path. It is often referred to as a hydraulic skidding system, modular skid system, jack and slide system, or jack and slide equipment.
At a basic level, the system uses:
The load rests on the skid shoes, while the hydraulic cylinders push the load along the track. After each stroke, the cylinders reset and continue advancing the load.
This grounded, incremental movement makes skidding systems useful when crews need precise horizontal movement without lifting the load overhead.
The Hydra-Slide HT500 heavy-duty skidding system rental from LGH.
The Hydra-Slide HT500 is engineered to push loads up to 500 tons. It uses rigid steel track sections, skid shoes, and integrated hydraulic push cylinders to move heavy loads across a defined path.
Key features include:
With an 8-inch working height, the HT500 can help reduce headroom concerns compared to equipment that requires the load to be raised higher before movement. This makes it useful for tight industrial sites, indoor work, and areas with overhead obstructions.
The HT500 uses rigid track sections with a ratchet-style cutout design. Skid shoes sit on the track and carry the load. Specially modified hydraulic push cylinders engage with the track and move the load forward in controlled strokes.
As the cylinders extend, they push the load along the track. When the cylinders retract, the attachment resets into the next cutout, allowing the system to continue advancing the load one stroke at a time.
This repeatable push-and-reset motion gives crews controlled movement throughout the skid path. Instead of relying on momentum, the load moves deliberately and remains supported from start to finish.
The HT500 uses graphite-coated skid shoes and a graphite steel top plate on the track sections. This creates a graphite-to-steel sliding surface with a coefficient of friction around 0.15 to 0.20.
That friction value is important. It keeps movement controlled while reducing the amount of force needed to move the load. For example, at a 0.20 coefficient of friction, a 500-ton load may require approximately 100 tons of force to move.
The graphite surface also helps reduce the risk of uncontrolled movement or runaway. Because graphite is a dry lubricant, debris can be brushed off the track more easily than with wet lubricants, helping protect the system’s surfaces during use.
A crane lifts the load into the air. A hydraulic skidding system keeps the load supported close to the ground.
That difference matters in many heavy-moving applications. When a load is never suspended, crews can reduce concerns related to overhead clearance, crane access, pick radius, wind exposure, and suspended load movement.
A heavy-duty skidding system may be useful when:
The HT500 is intended to operate on a level surface and should be planned as part of a complete engineered move. Site conditions, blocking, track support, load path, and floor capacity all need to be reviewed before use.
The Hydra-Slide heavy-duty skidding system from LGH, being used to slide cooling units into a data center construction site.
The Hydra-Slide HT500 is built for large, heavy loads that require controlled horizontal movement. It is often used in industrial environments where access, clearance, or load size makes traditional movement methods difficult.
Common applications include:
Because the HT500 track is rigid, it can support heavy loads over certain unsupported spans when the move is properly engineered and the track capacity chart is used. Track connection joints must always be fully blocked.
The HT500 system can be used with the Hydra-Pac hydraulic power unit. This synchronous power unit is designed to operate multiple hydraulic points and help crews control movement during the skidding process.
The Hydra-Pac is a 4-port, double-acting hydraulic system that can operate up to four points simultaneously. Its mechanical operation makes it straightforward to use compared to more complex computerized synchronous systems.
For skidding applications, coordinated hydraulic control helps maintain predictable movement and gives crews better control during heavy load transfers.
The Hydra-Slide XLP jack and slide system, moving heavy machinery.
LGH also carries Hydra-Slide XLP30 and XLP150 skidding systems. These are Extra Low Profile systems designed for lighter loads, tight access, and portable setup.
The XLP30 can push or pull up to 30 tons and has a 1.125-inch profile. The XLP150 can push or pull up to 150 tons and has a 1.25-inch profile. Both systems are hand-portable and use low-maintenance steel-and-UHMW slide surfaces.
The HT500 serves a different purpose. It is not the smallest or lightest system. It is the heavy duty skidding system option for much larger loads, with a 500-ton pushing capacity, rigid steel tracks, and the ability to support heavy loads over certain spans when properly planned.
In simple terms:
The Hydra-Slide HT500 gives crews a controlled method for moving heavy loads horizontally.
Key benefits include:
Because many skidding operations involve repeated movements from unloading to final placement, the HT500 can help streamline the move while reducing the need for multiple handling steps.
To see how the system works, watch LGH’s demonstration video showing the Hydra-Slide system moving a conex box to simulate a transformer or generator move.
The video helps show how the track, skid shoes, cylinders, and hydraulic power unit work together to move a large load horizontally while keeping it supported on the system.
LGH rents Hydra-Slide hydraulic skidding systems for heavy load movement, including the HT500 Heavy Track System, XLP30, and XLP150. Our rental specialists can help review your load weight, move distance, clearance, track layout, floor conditions, lifting requirements, and jobsite constraints.
Whether your project requires a heavy-duty skidding system, hydraulic skidding system, modular skid system, jack and slide system, or other jack and slide equipment, LGH can help match the right solution to the job.
The Hydra-Slide HT500 is a heavy-duty skidding system designed for controlled horizontal movement of loads up to 500 tons. With rigid steel tracks, graphite slide surfaces, automatically resetting cylinders, and an 8-inch working height, the HT500 gives crews a practical option when large loads need to move without being suspended.
For transformer swaps, power plants, refineries, pressure vessels, and other heavy industrial applications, the HT500 can help move massive loads through tight or restricted spaces with control and precision.
For help choosing a hydraulic skidding system or jack and slide equipment 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 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
