A Complete Guide to Using Cranes, Hydra, Forklifts & Boom Lifts for Efficient Machine Shifting
Every industrial machine carries years of investment, calibration, and production value — one wrong lift can damage the equipment and delay operations for weeks. That’s why choosing the correct lifting equipment is the backbone of safe and efficient machine shifting. We plan every shift with the right combination of cranes, hydras, forklifts and boom lifts to ensure machines reach their new location without a scratch and start running again in expected time.
When industries relocate a single CNC or move their entire production line, the biggest challenge is handling weight, size and the limited movement inside running factories. Spaces can be tight, pathways uneven and machines extremely sensitive. Selecting the wrong equipment can lead to instability, slippage, or damage. When the right equipment is chosen, shifting becomes smoother, faster and much safer for both the machine and the workforce.
Cranes-The Strong Backbone of Heavy Machine Shifting
Cranes are essential when machines are large, tall, or installed outdoors. They allow us to lift equipment vertically without tilting, which protects internal mechanisms like bearings, motors, shafts, and guides. During one of our relocation projects, we had to shift a massive 15-ton industrial press from an old plant to a newer production unit. Using a mobile crane with balanced slings, we lifted the machine with complete stability and loaded it directly onto a low-bed trailer. The press reached the new site without misalignment saving time during reinstallation and commissioning.
Cranes are most suitable when machines cannot be pulled or rolled out due to space restrictions or have to be shifted from one building to another where height clearance is required. With careful planning, cranes reduce risk and improve efficiency in machine shifting.
Hydra Cranes- Perfect for Tight Spaces and Indoor Movements
Hydra cranes are one of the most versatile tools during machine shifting, especially indoors. Their compact body and flexible movement help navigate narrow pathways, pillars and factory layouts without dismantling internal structures. We commonly use hydras when machines need to be extracted from deep corners of plants where regular cranes cannot enter.
In Navi Mumbai, our team successfully relocated several heavy machines from inside a running workshop without disturbing production areas. The hydra crane allowed us to pull the machines out gently, rotate them within limited space and guide them towards the loading bay. This saved the client both time and the cost of dismantling walls or removing fixtures.
Hydras are ideal when shifts happen within the same premises – for example moving a machine from one manufacturing hall to another for layout changes or adding new production lines.
Forklifts- handles Loading, Unloading and Precise Placement
While cranes and hydras handle major lifts, forklifts play a key role in machine shifting by managing short-distance movement. Forklifts help load machines into trucks and position them during installation with great accuracy. This precision becomes extremely important when machines have electronic panels, delicate attachments or mounted accessories.
During a relocation in Gujarat, we shifted multiple CNC machines with side-mounted control panels. Extended forklift forks ensured the machines stayed stable and untouched throughout movement, preventing panel damage and protecting wiring. Forklifts also support alignment during final placement, especially when the machine has to be positioned on foundation plates or anchored according to layout plans.
Forklifts make the entire shifting process smoother by connecting every stage — dismantling, transport, unloading and installation.
Boom Lifts — Safety and Support During Dismantling and Reassembly
Boom lifts may not carry heavy machines, but they are extremely valuable in machine shifting projects. They allow technicians to reach height safely while dismantling overhead components, disconnecting supply lines or reinstalling equipment after transport. When conveyor systems, mezzanine machines or elevated units are involved, boom lifts make the work safer and faster.
In an automotive relocation project, our team used boom lifts to guide technicians while detaching overhead electrical systems and reinstalling them at the new site. This helped maintain alignment accuracy and reduced human error, ensuring machines restarted smoothly during commissioning.
Boom lifts improve worker safety, reduce dismantling time and support a more controlled reassembly process — making them an essential part of machine shifting.
Experience Matters—Tools Work Best With Skilled Hands
Using cranes, hydras, forklifts, and boom lifts correctly is not just about availability it’s about expertise. Every machine has a unique center of gravity, weight distribution, and lifting point requirement. At Oneworld Logix, our trained operators and technical supervisors study each machine before the shift begins. We consider weight, movement path, ground conditions, and safety clearance, ensuring every lift is calculated and controlled.
With the right lifting equipment and experienced professionals, machine shifting becomes predictable, safe and cost-efficient. The goal is always the same protect your assets, reduce downtime and restore operations as quickly as possible.