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Safes, pianos, machines and other heavy goods present a unique challenge when moving. Incorrect action can not only damage the object, but also injure people and destroy floors or walls. We explain what is really important when it comes to professional special transport.
Most moving goods can be easily transported with the right team, good packaging materials and a bit of experience. But there are objects that represent a completely different category: safes weighing several hundred kilograms, wings and pianos with sensitive mechanics, heavy machinery, oversized aquariums, or antique furniture with special protection requirements.
These properties require special equipment, specially trained personnel and careful planning that goes far beyond the normal removal process. An error when transporting a 400-kilogram safe can not only damage the object, but also crush floors, damage stairwells and, in the worst case, seriously injure people.
In this article, you'll learn what to consider when it comes to specialized transport — and why professional help is not an option but a necessity in these cases.
A safe is naturally designed to be heavy and immovable — which is exactly what makes it the biggest challenge when moving. Even small wall safes can weigh 50 to 100 kilograms, while large standing or armored safe safes can weigh from 300 to over 1000 kilograms.
Before a heavy safe is transported, the Soil bearing capacity be tested both at the old and at the new location. Old buildings with wooden floors are often not designed for extremely heavy loads. In case of doubt, a structural engineer or construction expert should be consulted.
During transport itself, the weight of the safe is spread over a very small area — which increases the pressure per square centimeter enormously. Special transport rollers with wide wheels and shims help to distribute the weight over a larger area and prevent floor damage.
Professional specialist transporters use for heavy safes:
Before transport, the safe should be completely emptied — not only to reduce weight, but also to transport the contents separately and securely. Valuables, documents and cash should be kept in a secure, sealed container during the move.
A piano isn't just a heavy object — it's a delicate musical instrument with thousands of moving parts. Improper transportation can detune the mechanism, damage strings or permanently deform the housing.
Before transportation, a piano is prepared by experienced specialists:
Pianos, and especially grand pianos, represent an extreme challenge when transported through narrow stairwells. In many cases, a outdoor lift or furniture lift The only safe option to move the instrument across multiple floors without damaging the stairwell or endangering the instrument.
After each transport, a piano should be tuned by a professional piano tuner. Vibrations, temperature fluctuations and changes in humidity in the new home influence the mood of the instrument. Plan this appointment before you move.
Aquariums with a capacity of over 200 liters are a particular challenge when moving. The glass is extremely sensitive to twisting and pressure, the frame can break if transported improperly and the technical equipment — filters, heating, lighting — must be carefully dismantled and transported separately.
Fish and other inhabitants must be transported in sufficiently large, oxygen-supplied transport containers. The transport time should be kept as short as possible — ideally less than 4 hours.
Anyone who owns a workshop, a small business or agricultural equipment faces particular challenges when moving. Heavy machines such as lathes, presses or compressors require special transport vehicles, lifting equipment and often also special permits for road transport.
Antique furniture from the 18th or 19th century is not only heavy but also extremely sensitive to pressure, humidity and temperature changes. Polished surfaces, inlays and gold-plated decorations require special packaging materials and particularly careful handling.
Special transport is not an area for improvisation or personal initiative without experience. The risks are too great — both for the transported goods and for the people involved and the infrastructure of the building.
Professional moving companies with specialist transport experience have an appropriate Transport insurance, which also applies to heavy and valuable objects. In the event of damage, you are therefore covered. Anyone who organises the transport themselves or relies on unqualified helpers bears the full risk.
Damage to stairwells, floors or door frames due to improper heavy cargo transportation can be expensive. As a tenant or owner, you are liable for such damage. A professional specialist hauler has the right equipment and experience to prevent such damage from the outset.
Gerber Transport has many years of experience in the area of special transport in the Winterthur and Zurich region. Whether it's a heavy safe, a sensitive piano, a large aquarium or a valuable piece of antique — we have the right equipment, trained personnel and the necessary know-how for every exceptional transport task.
Contact us for a non-binding offer and rest assured that your most valuable and heavy items are in safe hands.
Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 5, 8404 Winterthur
info@gerber-transport.ch
You can also email us to share your inquiries and details of your move. We will answer your message in a timely manner and assist you every step of the way.
+41 44 240 41 42
Our friendly team is available over the phone to answer any questions you may have and help you plan your move. We are happy to be there for you.