

Machine Skates
Machine Skates - also known as air skates, air casters, casters, air cushions and air sleds - are
the usual tools of choice for moving heavy machines. They can easily
outperform any forklift or overhead crane in most indoor locations. With
weight capacities starting at 1000 pounds, machine skates can
range right up to 100 tons and all points in between.
Machine skates are used when heavy machines are required to be lifted and
moved. There are not many machines that an air skate machine moving
system cannot handle.
Air skates machine moving kits are available in sets of four or six air
skate load modules. The only power source needed is compressed air which
most industrial locations have in-house to power other tools. Using only
compressed air (pneumatic) machine skates can generate tremendous
lifting power to handle the largest and most awkward heavy machines.
To the right is a
heavy, complex electrical distribution center.
If you click on the
image it will expand and you will clearly see the way this
machine has been lifted.
Note the
bolstering and the way it is supporting the machine.
These air skates
are so versatile in how they work and the different ways they
support their loads, that nothing is off the table except their
weight capacities. |
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The versatility of machine skates allows them to be place in strategic
positions beneath the machine they are moving. This helps to take care
of any uneven load distribution properties of the machine.
Air casters machine moving kits are very versatile in as much as they are
not required to have a fixed position underneath the machines. The great benefit to this is that you can move a machine that
has differing weight proportions. For instance, one side may weigh
several tons more than the other side, and with the versatility of the
machine skates, they can be placed at the correct places beneath a machine
to allow support under the machine in the correct places. You can use
any number of machine skates beneath many locations of the machine you are
going to move.
Below right, is a diagram of a typical four-station air machine skate
moving layout. These skate positions can be altered to suit the
weight of the machine they are going to move. Using as many air skate
modules as you need, you can place them in different locations beneath
the machine to suit the properties of that machine. There is very little
that is beyond these tremendous load moving tools.
Machine
skates are used in series of four or six and assembled into a load
moving system via air line hoses, valves, tee-pieces and other hardware.
See below, right.
This form of load moving is known as air film technology.
Machine Skates
Please see the links below for more information on air bearings, air
casters and machine moving equipment.
More About Air Bearings
Air Casters
Machine Skates Load Moving Products
Contact for More Info
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