Furniture is one of the most expensive and valuable items of a house which is why you must take extra care of it. Furniture is usually damaged when loading and unloading, especially during a move. You can always hire professional loading services that can help to assist you in this process, but you can do it yourself as well. Hiring a professional company will be costly for you, so you can do the job yourself if you are tight on budget. You may need a few extra hands because furniture is heavy, but by following some effective methods and tips, you can load and unload your furniture without damaging it. Here are some of the best ways to load and unload your furniture.
The Best Equipment for Loading the Furniture
- A Hand Truck
Also called a two-wheeled vehicle or stacker, a hand truck has a metal frame shaped in the form of an L and a metallic toe plate. Hand trucks are used by the companies which provide loading services to load the furniture on the trucks efficiently.
- Using Furniture Sliders
When moving furniture from a house or an office, the leading equipment you will require is a furniture slide. Even if you hire someone for loading services in Sioux Falls, they will need a furniture slide to move furniture without any damage. The slider is placed under the furniture and is then taken to another location. It allows damage-free yet comfortable movement.
- A Forklift
Also called a pallet truck, the general purpose of a forklift is to load the furniture on the truck. This machine is generally a small truck with two forks and can easily lift heavy objects to move them at short distances. The two forks are placed horizontally and can be moved up and down accordingly.
Tips for Optimal Loading of Furniture
- Park the Truck on Even Surface
Parking on a horizontal surface is important if you don’t want your furniture to slip. It gets easier to load the furniture on the truck when it is parked on a level surface. If you do not have flat ground, you can apply the brakes and place bricks in front of the tires to prevent the truck from moving backward.
- Disassembling the Furniture
Furniture occupies a considerable amount of space on the truck. Be sure to disassemble all furniture to save maximum space. This allows you to maximize truck space so the large items can be distributed evenly.
- First Load the Heavy Furniture
As soon as you are ready to load a truck with furniture, begin with the heavy items. This includes beds, frames, sofas, tables, dining chairs, and large coffee tables. Most of these items are heavier in size; they should be placed on the floor of a truck to avoid crushing or damaging other boxes or items. Furthermore, furniture like sofas, chairs, and tables should be placed upside down.
Best Equipment Used in Unloading of Furniture
- Ramp
Ramps are among the best equipment used by the companies which provide unloading services for unloading furniture from trucks. Since it is placed in trucks and containers from the ground, furniture carried by forklifts can be easily transported directly to ground level.
- Liftgate
This is an electric platform that attaches to the back of the truck and helps you easily unload the furniture. The height of the liftgate can be easily adjusted from the level of the truck to the ground level. This type of equipment is available by professional companies that provide unloading services.
- Forklift
Just like a forklift was ideal equipment for easily loading heavier objects onto the trucks, it can also unload them with the same efficiency. With the help of forks, you can easily take your furniture from the truck and move it inside the house.
Tips for Safely Unloading the Furniture
- Be careful of Heavy Objects
If you have heavy furniture, you must be careful when unloading it. Make sure that you lift the furniture by putting the maximum weight on your feet, not your back because you don’t want to hurt anyone. If you don’t know how to unload, or if the furniture is too heavy, hire someone for unloading services.
- Take Regular Breaks
Unloading furniture is difficult as compared to loading. Hence, you must take regular breaks. If you get tired, take a rest for a while, and once you get the energy back, start unloading again. This will prevent injuries and ensure your safety when unloading your furniture. Also, some friends and family can help you in unloading if you don’t want to hire someone for it.
When loading and unloading your furniture, make sure to use the methods and tips shared above to avoid any damage. By following these tips, you will safely and smoothly handle the whole process, and the chances of any mishap will be considerably reduced.
