LGH’s air skates helped float a 3,600-lb pizza oven into place for a retirement community in Pennsylvania without a crane or lift.
Clark Food Service Equipment was contracted to renovate the retirement community’s kitchen space. The project included, but was not limited to, custom-fabricated counters, a kitchen exhaust hood, commercial cooking equipment, and the star of the show: a 3,600-lb pizza oven.
“The residents made it clear they were ready for the pizza party!” said Nate Holton, Assistant Project Manager at Clark Food Service Equipment. “Installation of the pizza oven required careful planning to ensure the safety of the residents and to move the pizza oven as seamlessly as possible.”
To achieve this, air skates from LGH were used, proving to be the most effective solution for moving the pizza oven into its new home.
Existing site conditions prevented Clark Foods’ team from using the traditional means of bringing the pizza oven into the kitchen. Due to these conditions, the team faced several obstacles when planning how to move the oven to its final setting place.
With these factors in mind, the team investigated outside-the-box methods of transporting the oven once it was inside.
So, an engineer on the project recommended LGH. Holton explains, “I reached out to LGH for a general inquiry and connected with Keith, who was very knowledgeable and went above and beyond to make sure we had the right equipment for the job.”
Keith O’Brien, an LGH Outside Rental Representative in the Philadelphia area, suggested using air skates as an effective solution to move the pizza oven into place.
In addition to the air skates, to transport the oven 250 feet, the crew used a diesel tow-behind air compressor (staged outside), enough airline, and a telehandler to unload and set the oven through the window onto the skates.
Inside, the floor was fully carpeted, which doesn’t work well with air skates. To make the carpeted floor compatible with the air skates, the team needed to devise a makeshift solution. “To achieve this, we utilized plywood, masonite board, and foil tape to construct a smooth surface that would allow the skates to operate optimally,” Holton states.
Throughout the 250-foot move, the process required all crew members to be attentive and maintain constant communication, using verbal cues and hand signals to ensure a safe and smooth process.
With all the pieces of the pie in place, the entire process was seamless. Moreover, the constructed floor allowed the pizza oven to float nearly effortlessly across the room.
Because air skates distribute weight evenly across a cushion of air rather than concentrating it on wheels or rollers, the team was able to move the oven across the fragile subfloor without additional reinforcement—while keeping it level and balanced.
“Our project development team foresaw the pizza oven being a complex piece of the install and accounted for it,” says Holton. “That said, LGH was reasonably priced, and the product and service exceeded expectations.”
Thanks to LGH’s air skates, Clark Food Service Equipment successfully installed the new pizza oven. Now, with a fresh new kitchen equipped with a state-of-the-art pizza oven, the residents are ready for pizza parties!
“I want to give Keith another shoutout for walking us through the process, making sure we knew all our options, and meeting us on site the day of to assist,” Holton adds. LGH is proud to have supported this pizza oven installation and looks forward to future collaborations with Clark Food Service Equipment.
Pulling equipment rentals, such as air skates, enables crews to move any load safely and efficiently. Next time you need to move a heavy piece of machinery like a pizza oven, LGH is happy to provide expert support to keep your project on track.
Clark Food Service Equipment has built a strong reputation for its intricate knowledge of food service design and equipment expertise. For over 30 years, we have supplied food service design/build services, equipment, small wares, stainless steel fabrication, and custom millwork.
LGH is North America’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to the rental of lifting and moving equipment. With one of the most comprehensive inventories of hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment available, LGH supports contractors with expert guidance and proven solutions for even the most complex jobsites.
