Roller Skids vs. Machinery Skates vs. Transport Dollies

Moving heavy machinery in a warehouse or industrial facility is a hazardous task. Often, machines weighing thousands of pounds must relocate from one position to another. Massive objects in motion need efficient managing. That can be difficult, if not dangerous, when you don’t have the proper material handling equipment.

We at Cherry’s Industrial offer three material handling options that will serve to safely transport heavy loads in your warehouse or workplace. Although their names sound different, all three tools serve the same general purpose: rolling your products from one spot to another. These moving devices are roller skids, machinery skates and transport dollies.

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You can source the best quality roller skids, machine skates and transport dollies through Cherry’s Material Handling. All Cherry’s material handling solutions are the best tools available in the nation at the best possible prices. They’re also the safest material handling equipment. Let’s examine the differences between roller skids vs. machine skates vs. transport dollies.

The Differences Between Roller Skids, Machine Skates and Transport Dollies

Whether you compare roller skids vs. machinery skates, roller skids vs. transport dollies or machinery skates vs. transport dollies, you’ll find them built on an age-old principle: the roller, rather than the wheel. Rollers are simple machines that significantly reduce friction between an object and the surface it’s moving over.

Friction is your biggest obstacle, no matter what you move. As a rule of thumb, the heavier an object is, the more friction it has when in motion with another surface. For instance, a lightweight pallet is fairly easy to skid across the shop floor, compared to dragging a large and heavy stretch wrapper. Friction is a gravity problem, and your simple solution is installing a friction-reducing tool between the stretch wrapper and your warehouse concrete floor. That solution is a roller, whether it’s housed in a roller skid, a transport dolly or a machinery skate.

Rollers are elongated wheels. By turning, rather than dragging, rollers break the gravitational bond between your surfaces. Because they are long and cylindrical, rather than tall and narrow like wheels, rollers allow plenty of load-bearing contact while giving excellent friction reduction. The surface contact area is the main difference between rollers and wheels.

Each material handling tool has specific applications allowing them to do various tasks in your facility. The difference is in directional abilities, load placement and linkages between the tools. The different designs in skids, skates and dollies dictate how each tool is used.

Roller Skid Uses

All roller skids have similar designs. However, they vary in size and weight capacities. You’ll find roller skids of all sizes used in professional machine moving in American industries like aerospace, aviation, automotive, defense, hospitals, manufacturing, offshore oil and printing. Roller skids are the most common material mover supplied by Cherry’s Industrial Equipment, and that’s because they’re so versatile.

Roller skids are economical and efficient solutions for moving all types of machinery weighing anywhere from 2,000 to 120,000 pounds. That’s a wide range, and it’s served by an assortment of roller skid sizes with different features for different uses. Because there are so many roller skid uses, there’s no such thing as one size fits all.

Lightweight lifts and moves can use small roller skids like the Mark 1 from MultiRoll. It’s a single roller within a small frame that handles 2,500 pounds per roller. Doubling, tripling or quadrupling the number of roller skids you use under your machinery while you move proportionately increases your capacity. You can also step up to larger roller skids like the Mark 2, which has two rollers inside its frame. Or, you can go for the Mark 12, which is a beast with 12 rollers and a 30,000-pound capacity per roller skid.

Many warehouse managers and operators keep an assortment of roller skids on inventory. With different capacities, they can move machinery and containers, no matter how heavy they are. Smart operators know when to use roller skids. They also keep roller skids constructed with different roller materials. Machinery movers use polyurethane or nylon rollers for skidding loads on sensitive floors, steel rollers for concrete or steel floors and steel chain roller skids for rough and irregular surfaces.

Roller Skid Benefits

Warehouse managers and factory operators primarily use roller skids when they want flexibility in moving. Roller skids from Cherry’s Industrial Equipment have swiveling features and abilities that let you turn your machinery while moving. Maneuverability is especially important when you’re in tight places, in corridors or moving around corners and along slopes.

Cherry’s roller skids come as individual tools. This allows you to add to your inventory as you see fit. It’s unusual to use a single roller skid in one movement, but you’ll find they work in pairs, in groups of threes or in quads, where one roller skid is under all four machine corners. You can also buy Cherry’s roller skids in complete kits and with detachable pulling and steering individual handles. Cherry’s also supplies you with custom roller skids.

You get many roller skid benefits when you shop with Cherry’s Material Handling. Besides the wide range and load capacities, you get Cherry’s exceptional service and product knowledge. Additional benefits of Cherry’s roller skids include:

Made in America for long life and top performance
50 years of engineering and design experience
Robust and compact construction
Shielded bearings that increase life and decrease servicing
Rollers approved for carpet, tile, wood and concrete floors
Customization options to tailor roller skids to your needs

Machinery Skate Uses

While roller skids have flexible designs that allow turning and steering your load, machinery skates have a linear application. You’d generally use machinery skates when you want straight-line movement such as skating a machine straight across the warehouse floor. Machinery skates give you safety and stability.

Machinery skates can be used in hospitals, automotive facilities, and large industrial sites where huge machines and equipment are raised, rolled and reset nearby. While machine skates are efficient they are limited to moving either straight-ahead or straight-back. They are by themselves not able to turn until they are set up as a 3-Point load system.

In a 3-point load system, the back portion of the load would rest on an adjustable (non-swivel) machinery skate while the front and center portion of the load would rest on a transport dolly skate which has a swivel platform. The key to having a successful 3-point load system is to make sure that capacities are more than enough for the load being transported and that the platform height of the rear machinery skates are equal (if not very near equal) to the platform height of the front transport dolly skate. (In a later section we will discuss transport dollies in more detail.)

As an example, Cherry’s ASKT-6 carries loads up to 12,000 pounds and comes with eight rollers in one steel frame. The platform height of this unit is 4-3/8 inches which makes it compatible with the SSKT-6 transport dolly which also has a 12,000 pounds capacity and a platform height of 4-9/16 inches. The ASKT-12 has a 24,000 pounds capacity and is compatible with either the SSKT-6 and the SSKT-12 which has a 24,000 pounds load capacity and platform height of 4-9/16 inches.

For higher capacity rigging projects the ASKT-24 machinery skate provides a massive 48,000-pound load or 24 ton max capacity. This unit comes with 16 steel rollers and has a platform height of 4-1/8″ which is slightly lower than that of the ASKT-6 and ASKT-12. The lower profile is always welcomed since it helps bring more stability to the load.

Machinery Skate Benefits

Cherry’s ASKT machinery skates come with a non-slip rubberized top surface and 2 connecting rods that allow them to adjust in width. Here are some of the benefits you will experience from these amazing machine skates:

Flexibility: You’ll have great flexibility with Cherry’s machine skates. Individual skates turn into multiple support dollies by attaching to adjustable slider bars. You can use the skates under all sorts of shapes and sizes. One set of machinery skates is flexible enough to move all your facility’s machines.
Stability: Cherry’s Industrial machinery skates have a low four-and-a-half-inch profile. That keeps your machine’s center of gravity as low to the floor as possible. High weight centers make for top-heavy loads that easily upset. Stability is a key benefit you’ll get by using machinery skates.
Easy carrying and positioning: Your Cherry’s Industrial machinery skates have detachable handles that allow easy positioning. Each skate is sufficiently light so you can safely carry it by hand and slip it under your raised machines. That makes it easy to load and unload your equipment.
Slip-free movement: Every ASKT-6, ASKT-12 and ASKT-24 machinery skate from Cherry’s has a specially designed rubber surface that grips your machine’s underside. Your equipment stays firmly in place while you move, and there’s no worry of dangerous slippage like there is with bare steel tops. Your moving riggers and crew will appreciate how safe they are when using their machine skates.
Solid steel construction: The machinery skates have a solid steel construction. Whether you choose steel or nylon, all your machine skate housings and frames will be high-tensile steel providing you the durability you need to get the rigging job done.
Varied load capacity options: Another key benefit with Cherry’s machinery skates is the varied load capacity options you have. You choose between six-, 12- and 24-ton rated models. And, you can also vary each capacity in the same lift for heavier and lighter machine load points.
Warranty coverage: Like all material handling equipment and industrial products sold by Cherry’s, you have full warranty coverage with your machinery skate purchases. Cherry’s honors original manufacturers’ warranty conditions, so if you have any issues, our service staff will immediately rectify them to your satisfaction.

Transport Dolly Uses

Transport dollies can be divided into two types: the straight-line dolly and the steerable dolly. The straight-line dolly has a design similar to the machine skates with two skates connected by an adjustable rod which provides various range of widths. This dolly like the machine skates can only go either forwards or backwards in one single direction. The steerable dolly is the skate with a swivel loading platform and attached handle that enables a load to be turned in any direction.

The key to knowing when to use transport dollies is knowing your loads. Unlike machinery skates that move as one-directional supports, transport dollies allow easy maneuverability. Dollies sit under your machinery and allow full movement and turning, no matter where you need to travel.

Transport dollies can be used in a 3-point or 4-point rigging system depending on the steerable dolly used. For example, in the 3-point system you have the straight-line dollies which set in the back portion of the load while the steerable dolly with one swivel platform sets under the front and central portion of the load. This forms a 3-point transport system. The 4-point system includes one straight-line dolly and one steerable tandem dolly.

Transport dollies are especially effective in large industrial settings such as power plants, refineries and railroad operations. Other transport dolly uses take place in warehouses, big or small. Again, the key to safely and efficiently using transport dollies is knowing the load, calculating the weights and correctly placing the dolly system under the machinery you’re moving.

Cherry’s Industrial Equipment handles and distributes a full line of transport dollies for all types of applications and facilities. It doesn’t matter what you’re transporting — Cherry’s has exactly what you need. You can choose from four different dolly types.

Individual dollies: These heavy-duty fixed straight-line skates come with a connecting rod that can be adjusted to provide a range of widths. They can be used in conjunction with another set of straight line dollies to create a 4-point system that goes in one direction or they can be used with either steerable or tandem dollies to provide a more maneuverable 3-point or 4-point rigging system.
Tandem dollies: Tandem transport dollies have two roller platforms that work together. They allow four contact points for superior stability and maximum load capacity. Tandem systems provide a steering handle for safe control and maneuvering around corners.
Steerable dollies: Steering dollies come with an attached handle and one swivel loading platform. Used in conjunction with the individual straight-line dollies they form a highly maneuverable 3-point rigging system.
Complete dolly kits: Complete transport dolly kits are your best choice for putting all of the rigging pieces together into one equipment moving solution. Kits allow you to adjust contact points and use an effective rigging configuration for great stability and turning in tight places. Cherry’s has several kits that give you options for weight capacity and load handling ease.

Transport Dolly Benefits

Cherry’s Industrial Equipment delivers you extra transport dolly benefits when you choose these material handling systems. Features and benefits from Cherry’s transport dollies include the following.

Strong frames: You get professional top-quality dolly frames that won’t fail under their rated loads. Cherry’s dollies have precision machining that eliminates thin frame walls that can bend under heavy weights. You can depend on these dollies for your rigging applications.
Sturdy bearings: Robust bearings withstand their design rating. They’re calculated to support their maximum weight rates and give you years of trouble-free service. Sturdy bearings give smooth and reliable movement, which is what you can expect in a Cherry’s product.
Anti-slip surfaces: All transport dolly contact surfaces have a slip-resistant coating. The anti-slip surface protects you and your workers from machinery sliding out of place while moving. When it comes to heavy loads resting on rigging skates, the higher the coefficient of friction the better.
Adjustability: Adjustable transport dollies from Cherry’s have strong attachment points. They benefit you by ensuring you’ll never have system failure from broken links or detached components. Adjustability comes with dependability, and that’s another key benefit of partnering with Cherry’s Industrial Equipment.

Cherry’s Roller Skid Equipment

Cherry’s MultiRoll roller skids are amazing versatile rigging skates. They come from a great American heritage dating back to the 1950s. For this and many other reasons they’re so popular with customers and clients of Cherry’s Industrial Equipment. It’s also why Cherry’s has such a great selection of roller skid designs and capacities. Here is brief overview of the MultiRoll roller skid family:

Mark 1 Poly Roller Skid: This is a single polyurethane roller model designed to carry 2,500 pounds per unit. It’s lightweight and compact, with sealed bearings that prevent contamination and failure. You can use the Mark 1 on many surfaces including tile, vinyl, wood and carpet.
Mark 1 Steel Roller Skid: With the same size and capacity rating as the Mark 1 poly roller skid, the steel roller in this compact tool lets you move machinery on rugged floors like concrete and grated metal. It also withstands solvents and chemicals found in some plants that would destroy a poly roller.
Mark 2 Poly and Steel Roller Skids: The Mark 2 roller skid models have twice the capacity of the Mark 1. With two rollers, it can carry up to 5,000 pounds each. You can get the Mark 2 in both poly and steel roller configurations.
Mark 3 Poly and Steel Roller Skids: Stepping up to the Mark 3 roller skid, you get an individual capacity of 7,500 pounds. You still have the choice between three poly rollers for sensitive floors or steel rollers for heavy-duty conditions. The Mark 3 roller skid is a popular choice for many facilities where large machines often need moving.
Mark TL4 and Mark TL5 roller skids: These highly robust, heavy duty skates have roller chains instead of poly or steel cylinder rollers. Their capacities are 20,000 and 30,000 pounds, respectively. The Mark TL4 and TL5 comes with a turning lock (TL) which sets the swivel top platform in place so that it doesn’t turn. With the use of the compatible T-Bar TL turning handle the Mark TL4 and TL5 can be manuevered without the turning lock impeding the swivel platform from turning. If your application does not require a turning lock then you can still purchase the Mark TL4 and TL5 and simply remove the turning lock by extracting the pin that holds it in place. Once the turning lock is removed the swivel top will turn without any impediment.
Mark 6 Poly and Steel Roller Skids: The Mark 6 roller skid comes with 6 wheels and has a capacity of 17,500 pounds. Available with either polyurethane or steel wheels this skate is a great tool for moving heavy loads. As a kit the Mark 6 handles loads up to 70,000 pounds.
Mark 12 Poly Roller Skid: The most robust of the poly wheel MultiRoll roller skids is the Mark 12. This unit comes with 12 polyurethane rollers and has an individual load capacity of 30,000 pounds. For rigging projects demanding the transportation of very heavy loads while taking into consideration the overall appearance and condition of the floors, this is a great choice.

Cherry’s Machine Skate Equipment

Cherry’s Industrial Equipment has fewer machinery skates in the lineup than roller skids. But, what Cherry’s offers in machine skates is superb quality you can depend on for years of safe machinery moves. If you need straight-line moving, look at these heavy-duty machinery skates on the Cherry’s Industrial Equipment website:

ASKT-6 machine skate: This is a six-ton or 12,000-pound rated skate with eight nylon rollers. For a machine skate, the ASKT-6 is relatively light-duty. That’s why it’s equipped with nylon rollers that suit sensitive floors as well as smooth concrete.
ASKT-12 machine skate: The ASKT-12 has 12 nylon rollers and carries up to 24,000 pounds, or 12 tons. It’s Cherry’s medium-duty machine skate and is a popular item. With a low-profile height, this skate is a steady performer.
ASKT-24 machine skate: If you need a big and robust machinery skate, the 16 steel-rollered ASKT-24 is for you. It carries 24 tons per unit. That’s 48,000 pounds of pure machinery-moving strength.

ASKT-12 Machine Skate 24,000 lb Capacity

Cherry’s Transport Dolly Equipment

Transport dollies from Cherry’s Industrial Equipment might be your perfect solution for universal material handling challenges in your warehouse. There are sizes and combinations just right for small, medium and large operations. There’s also a selection you can rely on year after year. Check out these transport dollies and systems at Cherry’s.

Individual transport dollies: Cherry’s has six different individual transport dolly sixes. The F3, F6, F9, F12, F18 and F20 straight-line dollies carry from 6,000 pounds on the small model up to 40,000 pounds on the big guy. All come with Cherry’s excellent warranty that guarantees you the best possible value.
Tandem transport dollies: You’ll find two tandem options with Cherry’s tandem transport dollies. The TL6-10229 tandem dolly carries 13,000 pounds. The TL12-10230 holds 24,000 pounds. Both are designed for carrying loads over level floors.
Steerable transport dollies: There are nine different steerable transport dollies in Cherry’s line. The small dolly carries three tons of cargo, while the largest dolly holds up to 20 tons. Various models have nylon and poly rollers.
Complete transport dolly kits: Take advantage of purchasing a complete transport dolly kit from Cherry’s. You’ll get everything you need to move machinery and equipment weighing between three and 18 tons. That is a wide range of weight for the exceptional value you get when partnering with Cherry’s Industrial Equipment.

Partner With Cherry’s Industrial Equipment for Your Material Handling Needs

For more than 30 years, Cherry’s Industrial Equipment has partnered with great people like you to bring them the best in industrial material handling tools. Sure, we sell roller skids, machinery skates and transport dollies, as well as a lot of other material handling equipment. However, Cherry’s offers you more than just top-rated, high quality goods.

At Cherry’s Industrial Equipment, we truly believe in making you a partner in our business supply chain. Our service and support staff intimately know our products. They’re here for you to ensure you get the exact material handling pieces you need for your application. And, if we don’t have exactly what you’re looking for, we’ll either source it or have it custom-made.

Our core values include customer service, relationships and feedback. Our staff prides themselves on their communication skills and making sure we support you with every purchase decision you make. That could include discussing the merits of roller skids vs. machinery skates vs. transport dollies. Or, we can talk about any other Cherry’s product you see on our website.

Call Cherry’s Industrial Equipment today at 877-350-2729, or feel free to contact us online anytime.