Car movers are hydraulic jacks that move cars and other vehicles on designated tracks and their wheels. They usually come with a weight limit, which you should keep in mind. There are hand car movers, which can give some people an upper body workout as they push the car up onto the track; self-propelled car movers, which have a small motor to help them along; and more significant types of equipment for trucks or construction machinery.
There may be rubber insulators lining the tracks, so they don’t damage surfaces underneath them too much if the vehicle being moved has been stuck there for some time. This way, they can protect the flooring beneath the car and its new nesting place from any possible damage.
A hydraulic car mover should work smoothly and not wobble as it moves. It is a good idea to find out whether you can use your car mover on other surfaces, such as gravel or grass since this will make them more versatile. You should also consider the size of your vehicle before purchasing a hydraulic jack because some models aren’t meant for large vehicles like trucks or construction equipment.
The weight limit for hand-operated jacks is usually somewhere between 1,300 and 3,000 pounds. This type of equipment can be used anywhere from industrial sites to industrial warehouses or garages with designated tracks for moving vehicles in and out. More extensive self-propelled model car movers are cordless electric jacks that are battery-operated. These are usually meant for commercial use, so you should probably look into getting a hand-operated model if you are using them at home.
There are also models of car movers who have an electric motor so that they don’t require any physical labor to move vehicles interstate. There is even a self-loading car mover that has hydraulic arms with rubber rollers to help it glide along tracks or ensure that the surface beneath it doesn’t get damaged during transportation. This type of equipment is usually used in warehouses where the truck or other factory equipment needs to be moved frequently throughout the day and can either load or unload itself depending on what is most convenient for workers.
Maintain an open line of communication between yourself, whoever is riding in the car with you (if anyone), and multiple helpers. This way, if any instructions need to be given on either side, everyone is aware of what is going on. While someone else moves the car’s shifter into the neutral position, you should turn the steering wheel from side to side. This works because it disengages the power steering system and reduces the amount of torque that has to be transferred through the axle shafts and transmission when you start pushing or pulling on your car.
Most types of car movers come with a limited warranty. You should check with the manufacturer before making a purchase so that you know exactly what you are getting. It is always better to be safe than sorry because if the equipment doesn’t turn out to be as useful as advertised, it will probably take up space in your garage for quite some time before you decide to throw it away.