Using Lifting Equipment to Move a Hot Tub

Moving and installing a hot tub in your garden, onto the decking, or in a custom location can be a daunting task. Not only are hot tubs heavy and awkward to handle, but improper handling can lead to damage to both the tub or your property.

Whether you’re relocating to a new home or repositioning the new purchase of a hot tub within your garden, choosing and using lifting equipment to move a hot tub is essential for a safe and efficient move of one of these items.

Thankfully, there are several pieces of lifting and moving equipment available that are designed to handle such tasks, ensuring that the job is done safely and with minimal effort.

In this article, we’ll discuss four types of lifting equipment that are commonly used to move and install hot tubs. We’ll explore the advantages and specific features of each option, making it easier to determine which equipment is best for your specific needs.

1. Moving Skates and Rollers (Dollies)

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to move a hot tub on hard surface areas is by using skates and rollers / dollies. These devices are designed to make the process of moving heavy objects, like a hot tub (or garden spa), much more manageable.

Skates are flat platforms that are equipped with wheels or castors, and when used together with rollers, they allow you to slide the hot tub across a flat surface without lifting it entirely.

How It Works: To use skates / dolly units and rollers, you first position the rollers under the hot tub. The skates are then placed around the hot tub, typically at the corners.

This setup allows for easy maneuvering and control as you push or pull the hot tub / garden spa into its new or required position. The rollers reduce the friction between the tub and the ground, making it easier to slide the hot tub with minimal effort.

Please note: If your hot tub requires positioning into your chosen place over a garden wall or fence, then an item of lifting equipment will be required as well as the use of moving skates, dolly units and rollers.

Advantages:

Low cost and quite easy to use
No lifting required, reducing the risk of injury (providing access is available to the area)
Ideal for moving hot tubs across flat surfaces or only short distances
Can be used by one person if necessary, though two people are recommended for safety and efficiency

For more information on where to go to for obtaining the rental of moving skates and rollers, you can visit www.liftingequipmenthire.com.

Here you can find useful information on National and local lifting equipment / moving equipment suppliers including their contact telephone numbers, addresses, and more…

2. Forklifts

For larger, heavier hot tubs, or when the tub needs to be lifted to a higher location (such as onto a raised deck), a forklift truck is often the ideal solution. Forklift trucks provide significant lifting power and control, making them suitable for both lifting and moving hot tubs.

While this equipment is typically used in industrial and warehouse settings, many companies offer forklifts for rental, making them accessible for private use when moving a hot tub.

Some sellers of hot tubs and garden spa’s have their own forklifts, using them when necessary if the installation site is suitable and especially as far as access goes.

How It Works: A forklift truck has a set of large forks at the front, which can be inserted underneath the hot tub. The forklift driver / operator then raises the hot tub to the desired height and moves it to the required location.

Forklifts are equipped with very precise controls, allowing for accurate lifting and horizontal movement, even in tight spaces. They are typically powered by an electric motor, diesel engine, or an engine that runs on propane lpg.

Advantages:

Ideal for very heavy, large sized hot tubs or those that need to be lifted to a significant height
Provides a controlled lift, reducing the risk of accidents
Can be used on uneven or slightly inclined surfaces, unlike skates and rollers

3. Chain Hoists (used in conjunction with mobile gantry or beam)

If you’re moving a hot tub across uneven terrain or need to lift the tub into a position that’s too high for a forklift, a chain hoist / Chain Block is an excellent piece of lifting equipment to consider.

A chain hoist is a manual (or electric lifting) product that uses a chain to raise and lower heavy objects, it provides excellent control and lifting power. They are very effective when a high degree of accuracy and precision is needed for lifting the hot tub into a new position.

How It Works: A chain hoist is attached to a secure overhead point, such as a gantry, beam or a crane, and a chain is connected to the hot tub.

By pulling on the chain (either manually or through an air powered or electric motor), the hot tub is lifted vertically. Once the hot tub is raised to the desired position and height, it can be carefully lowered into place.

Advantages:

Ideal for moving hot tubs into elevated positions, such as placing them on decks or raised platforms
Offers accurate control over the lift, allowing you to adjust the height up or down as needed
Suitable for uneven terrain or areas where a forklift or other item of lifting equipment cannot be accessed
Can handle heavy loads with ease, even if the hot tub is particularly large (this item is available in various tonnage lifting capacities, eg: 1T, 1.5T, 2T, 2.5T, 3T, 3.5T, and more.

Using a chain hoist does require more initial setup time and may require a large amount of overhead clearance, but it’s an excellent solution for more complex moves and for use with heavy multi-person hot tubs (especially 6 – 8 10 seater models).

4. The HIAB Crane (Vehicle Mounted)

For those looking for a fast and heavy-duty solution, and you are thinking of how to go about using lifting equipment to move a hot tub, a HIAB vehicle mounted crane is one of the best options for installing or moving a hot tub.

HIAB cranes provide a fast, powerful and efficient way of lifting and transporting large, heavy hot tubs and garden spa’s.

These cranes are mounted on the back of a pick-up or lorry, allowing for mobility while still offering very strong lifting power. A HIAB crane is ideal for moves / installations that require a high degree of precision, and where access to the site may be limited or challenging.

A large number of hot-tub / spa shops in the UK and also the USA deliver and install hot tubs by using HIAB vehicles.

How It Works: A HIAB crane is positioned as close as possible to the hot tub, and its powerful hydraulic lifting system is used to lift the hot tub off the ground or vehicles load-bed.

The crane can then lift and move the hot tub to its new location, often over long distances, fences, walls, or terrain. The flexibility of the HIAB type of crane allows it to lift the hot tub over obstacles as well as around tight corners, making it a highly versatile choice for complex moves.

Advantages:

Capable of lifting large and heavy hot tubs with ease, even over long distances or heights
Ideal for sites with limited access, such as tight backyards, garden, over garages, or into garden areas which have no direct road access
Provides precision and accurate control when lifting and placing hot tubs into tight spaces or elevated positions (decking, raised patios etc)
Can be rented from specialised equipment hire companies featured in www.liftingequipmenthire.com

HIAB cranes require professional trained operators, so it’s important to ensure that you have the right personnel in place to handle this dedicated equipment safely. It is advised that you use operators or a company that is familiar with lifting and moving hot tubs.

Using Lifting Equipment to Move a Hot Tub