When moving out of an apartment or house, carrying all that stuff can be tiring which is why it’s best to make use of a furniture dolly. This equipment is not to be confused with a hand truck. Although they do the same thing, there are some important differences. A hand truck is L-shaped and stands upright on two wheels, while a furniture moving dolly is a platform with four wheels and two axles. Dollies can be very big which is why they can accommodate all kinds of furniture while hand trucks are more suited for smaller loads.
Furniture vs Appliance Dolly
When moving your appliances, you should avoid using a furniture dolly and instead use an appliance dolly. A moving furniture dolly is best when it comes to moving awkward loads such as shelving units, dressers, large couches and china cupboards. Dollies that are used for heavy furniture come covered with carpet to cushion the weight of the load and prevent scratches.
An appliance dolly is best for tall and bulky loads such as refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers as it comes with rub rails and it’s padded with rubber to prevent damaging the finish of appliances. The weight capacity of an appliance dolly ranges between 270 kg and 360 kg. Although not as powerful as a lifting trolley, a quality furniture dolly is able to carry loads up to 450 kg.
How to Use a Furniture Dolly?
Basics
Always have someone to help you load the furniture piece on the dolly. To load the item on the dolly, tilt it and slide the dolly underneath. When you have the dolly under the furniture piece keep it in place with your foot as the weight of the item can easily push it out. Slowly lower the item and position it on the centre of the moving furniture dolly so it is well balanced and square.
Roll the furniture piece slowly with the person in front of the dolly having their hands on the item as to steer it. The person in the back should also have their hands on the item and they should push it. Always pay attention to the ceiling and floor to avoid obstacles.
Couch
If your couch or sofa has a solid surface on the backside, then loading it is going to involve placing the dolly behind it and tipping it over. But if your couch has a hollow backside or one with just a frame, then you’ll need a piece of plywood or anything solid with a flat surface. This will prevent tearing down the upholstery or the couch falling off the dolly.
Tall Furniture Pieces
You can place a tall furniture piece either on its side or upright. The latter is usually not recommended but sometimes tight spaces won’t allow for anything different. To position a tall piece upright, just place the dolly on the side and lift the side of the piece where the dolly is. Have a mate hold the other side for you whilst you push the dolly underneath until it touches the item. Whilst holding the dolly with your foot, slowly lower the side of the item you previously lifted back onto the dolly.
Placing a tall piece on its side is done by positioning the dolly near the piece’s face-down side. Then pull the top of the item towards you slowly and lower it whilst keeping an eye on the dolly so it’s in place. Set the item square on the dolly whilst holding it with your foot – once set up you are ready to move it out. This can be extremely hard if it’s a very tall piece.
Moving Tips
Before placing a furniture piece on a dolly, make sure you have all drawers and doors secured with pieces of string or plastic wrap that will keep them closed. Map out an exit route before loading heavy items. In case some measurements show that you won’t be able to fit the item on its side through a door, change its position.
If you are moving chairs, always hook them around corners. In this case you won’t need a dolly as you turn the chair on its side and move it through the doorway with the back first. Then you just curl it around the frame of the door and move it through. Avoid dragging furniture as this can damage the floor, instead use hard plastic sliders for carpeting and soft ones for hard floors.
Protect fragile items using old blankets by wrapping them around using stretch film. Dissasemble everything you can in order to make things easier when going through a doorway or a tight hallway. If you have a recliner, take off the back and tie the footrest so it doesn’t spring open when you least need it to.
