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Having the right tools for a job makes the job easier – everyone knows that. What not everyone may know, however, is what the right tools for a particular job are – or how to use them. When it comes to moving, there are many useful pieces of equipment that can make the process faster, safer, and smoother – moving straps, moving dollies, furniture sliders, etc. Each of these specialized tools is extremely helpful, but the dolly is the most essential one to have on moving day. Moving dollies can help you move anything – from bins and boxes to furniture and appliances – with minimal effort and minimum risk of damages and injuries. When used properly, they can save you time, save your back, and ensure the safety of your items and your property. You just need to choose the right dolly for the job – and to know how to use it the right way. How to choose the right dolly for your moveMoving dollies are said to be movers’ best friends. But what is a dolly and what is it used for? A dolly for moving – also known as a moving cart – is basically a platform on wheels. It makes it possible to move large and heavy items without putting too much strain on the body and reduces the risk of damages and injuries during a move. Using a dolly allows you to move several boxes at once, move items that weigh hundreds of pounds, move items over obstacles, and even move items up and down stairs. It speeds up the moving process (using a hand truck can cut loading/unloading time by 50%) and makes it safer (using a dolly eliminates the risk of dropping an item during your move and breaking it, causing property damage, or hurting yourself; it also saves you a lot of heavy lifting and, therefore, reduces the risk of injuries from lifting heavy objects). Quality moving dollies are made of metal (so they can withstand heavy weight) and usually come with a strap (so the load can be easily secured). They may have solid rubber wheels (ideal for moving heavy objects across flat surfaces) or inflatable wheels (excellent for passing over obstacles and moving items up and down stairs). There are different types of dollies each of which is better suited for a different purpose and has its own specific advantages: Utility dollyWhen thinking of a dolly, the image that first comes to mind is a two-wheel, upright hand truck. There is a good reason why the traditional 2-wheel dolly is the most popular type of dolly – it’s extremely versatile, very easy to use, and highly efficient. Typically made of aluminum or steel, utility dollies have tall, vertical backs and small horizontal platforms at the bottom where to set the load. The back and the platform form the distinct L shape of the upright utility dolly. The best dolly for moving.Also called a big wheel dolly, a hand truck usually has two large pneumatic wheels connected to an axle that act as shock absorbers when passing over obstacles (so you can safely move your load over thresholds and other obstructions and even up and down stairs) and a handle at the top (either a semicircular handlebar or two ergonomic handles covered in rubber grips), so you can easily navigate the dolly. Most models come with durable elastic straps for securing the load to the frame of the dolly. Generally, utility dollies can handle several hundred pounds of weight – the standard load capacity of a hand truck is about 500-600 lbs. You’re, however, advised to always check the maximum carrying capacity of a dolly before using it, as each model is different – a heavy-duty dolly can withstand up to 700 lbs., while a folding dolly can only handle up to 400 lbs. Key takeaway: The utility dolly is an all-purpose dolly, widely considered the best dolly for moving. It is ideal for moving boxes, small furniture, and all kinds of small to medium sized household items – it allows you to stack and move several boxes at once, move lightweight furniture pieces like filing cabinets and small dressers, take items up or down stairs, and easily maneuver your load in tight spaces and around sharp corners. A hand truck, however, should not be used for moving large and heavy items like refrigerators and wardrobes. Appliance dollyAppliance dollies are very similar in appearance and structure to utility dollies, but they’re taller wider, and stronger. Specifically designed for moving big, heavy appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, appliance dollies are made of steel and can withstand great weights (the average load capacity of an appliance dolly is about 700 lbs., but some heavy duty models can handle up to 1,000 pounds). Appliance dollies typically have small solid wheels (to roll more easily) and strong nylon ratchet straps (to secure the load in place). Some models even feature a locking auto-recoil mechanism or a special tightening handle for increased safety. Most appliance dollies have dual continuous-flow handles for extra security and control and some even come with an additional handhold to help with steadying the load and moving on an incline. Quality appliance dollies have rub rails, as well – to protect the finish of the transported appliance. Key takeaway: The sturdy appliance dolly is your best choice when moving kitchen appliances and other bulky items. When considering the appliance dolly vs utility dolly dilemma, keep in mind that an appliance dolly has all the advantages of a regular hand truck plus a couple of added bonuses (bigger load capacity and better security), but it is more expensive and not as convenient as a utility dolly. Furniture dollyThe furniture dolly is a flat dolly with a rectangular platform made of wood or steel and swivel wheels at each corner. The platform area is usually covered in carpet or rubber for added protection (the thick rubber or carpet padding cushions the transported furniture piece and prevents scuffing and other surface damage). Simple, yet efficient.Unlike other dollies, a furniture moving dolly doesn’t have handles or built-in straps. Still, it is very easy to navigate (the 4-wheel dolly has a tight turning radius and the solid rubber wheels swivel 360 degrees, making the furniture dolly perfect for maneuvering large pieces in tight spaces) and can move just about anything (items of all sizes and shapes can fit on the flat dolly as the load is not confined in any way). Furniture dollies can handle up to a thousand pounds, allowing you to easily move large and heavy furniture pieces or other bulky items. Keep in mind though that there is no lever or lifting mechanism, so it is not very easy to load a heavy object onto the dolly. Besides, a furniture dolly cannot be used on stairs. Key takeaway: The heavy-duty, four-wheel furniture dolly is perfect for moving dressers, couches, desks, wall units, pianos and other big and heavy household items. Just remember that it cannot help you move items up or down stairs. Dolly cartA hand cart dolly is a combination of a furniture dolly and a hand truck – it has a large platform and four swivel wheels (like a furniture dolly), and a strong upright handle (like a utility dolly). The large, sturdy platform withstands extreme weight and allows for better stability, the swivel wheels ensure great maneuverability, and the handle facilitates navigation and steering (it increases the control you have over the load and reduces the risk of bumping into walls and other obstacles while taking your items in or out of the home). Despite their numerous advantages, however, dolly carts are not suitable for moving very long or very wide items that need to be balanced across the center of the dolly platform (such as couches, for example). And just like standard furniture dollies, 4-wheel cart dollies are difficult to load and cannot be used on stairs. Key takeaway: The push cart dolly is ideal for moving extremely heavy items on flat surfaces, as well as for moving several heavy boxes at once. It can help streamline your work and save you a lot of time and effort on moving day. Dolly pricesWhen choosing a dolly for your move, in addition to the specifics of different types of dollies, you will, no doubt, want to know the dolly cost as well. So, how much is a dolly? Dolly prices are not very high – you can easily afford to buy a dolly and if you only need to rent one for the day of your move, you can get it really cheap: Just the right dolly at just the right price.
Choosing a moving dollyDollies come in different shapes and sizes – you can get a 2-wheel dolly or a 4-wheel dolly, a flat dolly or an upright dolly, a collapsible dolly or a convertible hand cart, a small dolly or a large dolly, etc. Now that you know the specifics, advantages, disadvantages, and costs of each type, you can easily choose the right one for you. Consider the items you have for moving (small furniture, large furniture, appliances, specialty items, or just boxes) and the peculiarities of your origin and destination locations (stairs, tight spaces, etc.) and pick the dolly that best suits your needs – get a flat dolly if you need a dolly for moving heavy furniture, a hand truck if you need to take your items up or down stairs, an appliance dolly if you’re moving your kitchen appliances, etc. If necessary, get two (or even three) different types of dollies – what matters is to make your move as easy and safe as possible. To do so, however, you need to not only choose the right dolly for the job, but also to know how to use it the right way. How to use a dolly like a proDifferent types of dollies are used for different purposes and in slightly different ways. There are, however, some fundamentals of using a dolly that apply in all cases:
Related: Safety tips for moving day Now that you know the basics, it’s time to find out how to use different types of dollies: How to use a hand truckAs already mentioned above, the utility dolly is extremely versatile and can be used to move a wide variety of items. Yet, it is most often used to transport boxes – the hand truck is the preferred type of dolly for transporting stacked boxes because of the extra support provided by the upright metal frame. So, how to use a dolly to move boxes?
Good to remember:
How to use a hand truck to move small furniture piecesA utility dolly is your best bet for moving not only stacks of boxes, but small furniture pieces as well. Here is how to use a dolly to move furniture:
Good to remember:
How to use a dolly on stairsOne of the greatest advantages of utility dollies is that they can help you move a heavy item up or down stairs. Here is how to use a hand track on stairs in a safe and efficient way:
See also: How to move heavy furniture up stairs How to use an appliance dollyAppliance dollies are used in much the same way as utility dollies, but the loads are bigger, heavier, and more vulnerable to damage, so extra precautions are required to ensure safety and efficiency:
Good to remember: When going up stairs or up an incline, have a helper support the appliance from below and push it forward as you pull the dolly backwards up the stairs or up the slope. When going down stairs or down an incline, roll the dolly slowly and carefully down each step or down the slope and have your helper brace the appliance from below to keep it stable and help guide it downward. (If wondering how to use an appliance dolly on stairs, check the above tips for using a hand truck on stairs.) See also: How to move kitchen appliances How to use a furniture dollyYou already know how to move furniture with a utility dolly. This method, however, works only for small, lightweight pieces. When moving larger and heavier furniture, you need to use a furniture dolly:
Remember: Using a dolly to move furniture will save you a lot of heavy lifting and will help prevent injuries and damages on moving day. Must-read: How to move large and heavy furniture by yourself Using a moving dolly will make your move faster, safer, and easier. Yet, if it seems like too much work or too much of a risk, it may be better to leave the job to the experts. Professional movers have the specialized equipment, expert skill, and rich experience to perform your move in the safest and most efficient way possible. They will bring a dolly (several dollies, in fact) and will know how to use them properly – and they will take good care of your items and will ensure your smooth and successful relocation experience. Posted on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, Last updated on December 7, 2021
Jessica RyanJessica Ryan is an experienced moving expert and regular contributor to MyMovingReviews.com with in-depth informative articles and useful relocation guides. She likes to focus on the small details that make every person unique and every moment worth living by incorporating non-traditional ideas, solutions, and points of view in her work. For the last 5 years, she has been focused on helping people make the right relocation decisions as she has covered a wide range of moving-related topics. You can contact Jessica at: What is the difference between a utility dolly and an appliance dolly?At first glance, an appliance dolly may look a lot like a regular hand truck or utility dolly. Appliance dollies feature straps to help secure and protect your bulky item. Many appliance dolly also commonly feature an additional handhold to help with steadying the load and moving on an incline.
Can you use a regular dolly to move appliances?You should never attempt to move a large appliance without a specialized appliance dolly. These dollies have key differences from typical hand trucks or furniture dollies. Appliance dollies have high loading capacity, often between 600 – 800lbs. They are built for heavy items.
What are the different types of dollies?Some of the different types of dollies are:. Drum dolly.. Furniture dolly.. Piano dolly.. Pry dolly.. |