How to Move a Vending Machine

One of those tricky items that homeowners and business owners are sometimes faced with is how to move that vending machine. This may be a vending machine for an office move or a vending machine you keep at home for visiting clients, the kid’s friends, or for a fun addition to your basement game area.

Since these are so heavy and bulky, you’ll definitely want to hire a professional moving crew to get it out of your home or office safely and transported to your new location without damage. Take a look at what to expect with the vending machine move, how to prep it before the move, and what your movers will have to do to get the job done.

Why it’s such a challenge to move

Vending machines are something you wouldn’t normally think about moving but sometimes it has to happen. You’ll definitely need a crew of people to handle the job because it wouldn’t take much to damage this machine.

You usually head to the vending machine to grab an afternoon snack and don’t put much thought into filling it or maintaining it, but these heavy duty machines need to be cleaned, maintained, and sometimes relocated. You don’t want to hurt the machine or worse, hurt yourself, so be sure to hire a professional staff to handle the job.

How to prepare the machine for moving

The vending machine likely weighs between 400-900lbs empty and is much too heavy to do solo or without proper equipment. You’ll want to ease the weight by emptying the machine of treats and money inside before the movers arrive. They will arrive with multiple movers, the proper equipment, and a plan in place to transport the machine safely. Trained professionals will be able to avoid damaging the machines or hurting themselves by taking proper precautions.

Equipment and the actual move

Your movers will likely arrive with a pallet jack, screwdrivers, furniture blankets, and enough men to move it. The pallet jack is a forklift tool that allows you to any heavy item like a vending machine. The furniture blankets will protect it and the truck during the move or going through hallways and stairways in the home.

The movers will arrive in proper attire for the move to avoid injury and then will measure the machine and the exit routes for the move. If necessary, the doors can be removed to make sure the route is going to be big enough, a trick often used with large furniture move.

Since the vending machine is empty of drinks, snacks, and money, it will be much easier to move and less likely to have a liquid spill or food explosions inside. The power cord will be secured to avoid a trip and fall, whether it’s put inside a special compartment or taped to the upper part of the back panel.

The movers will wrap it in furniture blankets in case it hits anything along the way. The pallet jack will be lowered to the lowest position for the machine to be set on it and then it will be raised from the ground.  The machine can’t be placed on its back or side if it has a refrigerator inside. Fortunately, having other movers will help keep the machine stabilized as it’s raised off the ground and moved to the next location.

The best thing you can do for your vending machine move is called a professional moving service to handle the job. It’s the best way to ensure there is no damage to the machine, the building it’s moving from, the new home, or anyone helping to move it.

6 Easy Meals to Prepare When You're Moving

Moving is a hassle and even when you hire movers, all of the things going along with moving take up time. Sometimes, it's easier just to grab fast food, which can be very unhealthy.

You don't have to settle for greasy food when you move. Here are some of the easiest meals you can prepare in just one pot, when moving.

Chili

Chili is an easy meal to make in one spot on the stovetop or in a crockpot. The best thing is you can choose whichever recipe you want, throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and just let it cook. Then, it's ready for you whenever you're ready for it.

Stews and Soups

Of course, stews and soups fit with the same type of cooking process as chili. You can simply create the recipe in your crockpot or a pot on the stove and you can just let it cook all day. In fact, the longer you let a soup cook, the better the flavor usually is and you can even keep the leftovers for another day.

Grill Meals

If you have a charcoal or gas grill, pack it up last. This will allow you to create meals on the grill without much issue. You can easily grill up meats or vegetables and make a great meal without having to worry about using pots or pans, which you may already have packed up.

Stir Fry

The best part about cooking a stir fry when you're moving is the fact that you can use just about any ingredient in your fridge. If you have fresh or frozen vegetables, throw them in with a sauce and some type of meat and you're all set. It's best served over rice, which can be cooked very fast in the microwave making this a very healthy and fast meal for moving.

Sandwiches

A very easy solution to meal time when moving is sandwiches. You can use cold deli meats to make sandwiches or you can make pulled pork, sloppy joe or pulled chicken in your crockpot. If you go the route of the hot sandwich in the crockpot, it can sit in the crock pot all day on low and you can eat whenever you're ready.

Pizza

Of course, the tried and true for moving day and days leading up to moving is ordering a pizza. If you want to be a bit more adventurous and have some fun with it, you can make your own and it can even be done on the grill. Just do an internet search for "grilling pizza" and you will find all kinds of great recipes.

There are several easy and healthy things you can make during the weeks leading up to moving and even the day of the move. Crockpot meals are excellent because they can stay warm all day and your family can eat when you're hungry instead of having to stop and prepare a meal. Even if you have movers coming your way, you will need to eat. Use these meals to make your moving day food needs easier.

Proper Lifting Techniques Used by Professional Movers

When you hire The Professionals Moving Specialists, you don't have to worry using proper lifting techniques. Professional movers know how to use the right techniques to avoid injury and to get the job done quickly. Here's a look at some of the proper lifting techniques professional movers use when moving a home or business.

Start with a Plan

Putting together a plan for moving is vital to the success of the move. Before anything is lifted and moved into the truck on moving day, it's important to have a plan. Professional movers do this every single day and they always take the time to have a plan before they lift one single item.

Stretching before Lifting

It's important to stretch before lifting. If you were to go to the gym, you'd likely stretch as a part of your warm up before you start your full workout. Lifting is much like a workout and stretching first goes a long way to prevent injury.

Know What You're Lifting

Professional movers are very experienced and they don't move something without knowing what they are lifting. Even if it's boxed up, they know what's in the box; if it's fragile and how heavy the item is before they try to lift it.

Using the Proper Stance

Moving anything heavy requires the right stance before lifting. An athletic stance with your feet shoulder width apart is best. One foot should be just a bit further forward than the other, as well.

Bending with Your Knees, not Your Back

The fastest way to become injured is to lift with your back. This would be the wrong lifting technique. Professional movers will bend at the knees to protect their back. In addition, they will keep their back straight, shoulders back, chest out and eyes ahead while they are lifting and moving heavy objects.

Not in a Hurry

While professional movers want to get the job done on time, they won't be in a hurry when lifting and moving items into the truck or out of the truck. Instead, they will take the proper amount of time to move everything safely without injury to themselves or harming your precious possessions.

In addition, professional movers slowly lift with their legs as they keep their back straight during the process. By lifting slowly, movers can help to prevent injury, which could lead to harming your things.

Take Small Steps and Communicate

When you hire professional movers for your residential move, you will notice they take small steps when moving heavy items. They will also communicate with each other to ensure items are moved properly without injury. It's especially important to communicate when two people are moving a larger object together.

Moving can be dangerous. Without the proper lifting techniques, trying to move on your own could lead to injury. At the very least, you'll end up rather exhausted. There's no reason to risk it. Hire a professional moving company for your move and you'll ensure all your items are lifted and moved with the proper techniques.

How to Pack to Move in a Hurry

Sometimes families end up in a rushed moving situation because things happened so last minute. That means you have to move in a hurry which is most people’s worst nightmare for their upcoming move. However, sometimes, an emergency move is unavoidable.

The good news is that the move will be over in a jiff, but on the other hand, you may feel more stressed than normal. Fortunately, your moving company will be able to handle everything for you and ensure everything is moved safely and efficiently. Make sure you get organized by using these tips when relocating on short notice.

Moving in a hurry checklist

The best place to start is to make your moving checklist. Besides the work your professional moving crew will do, you’ll want to make sure you’ve gathered paperwork for your new location like school records and medical records, arranged to have your utilities setup, and had a moving away party to say goodbye to loved ones. Make a list of everything you’ll need to do before the move and after the move to stay organized. Include daily details and how much time you have to complete each task.

How to pack for a move in 3 days

If you only have 3 days to pack for your move, you can do it with the right game plan. First, you’ll want to realize there is no time to waste and you need to start immediately. Paring down your possessions will make it easier to pack since there are likely items in the home that are ready to be donated, sold, or discarded.

Use your first day to pack up the less used spaces like your attic, your basement, and your garage. Then work on the linen closet, your home office, and your guest rooms. Anything that is out-of-season like holiday décor or sports gear can be all packed up on day one.

Use day two to pack up your decorative items, your books, the children’s toys, and most of your family’s clothes. Make sure they have what they need for the moving day when it comes to clothes and shoes, but pack the rest of it. The last day of moving will be for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, electronics, and furniture. Make sure to leave out your important documents, a survival kit, and a first week kit with some of the essentials to get you started.

How to pack for a move in one day

Sometimes you are moving so quickly that you’ll only have one day to work with. In this scenario, you’ll want all of the help you can get. Make a list of everything you have before you start, start at the crack of dawn, and pack everything one room at a time. If you can pack decorative items and artwork ahead of time, that is all the better.

Start with the kitchen where you have fragile items that take up time and have your supplies handy always, such as packing paper and boxes. Purge what you can as you go and label things thoroughly. It may help to take photos before you seal boxes for an inventory and to remind yourself what is in which box.

Last minute moving tips

Sometimes moves are just last minute and it gives you no time to prepare. In that case, it’s time to call emergency moving companies like The Professional Moving Specialists that can help you with a move in a hurry. Try not to panic and just get your family into action right away.

Take the most time on your breakables and pack things like clothes, still on the hangers, into garbage bags where they will still be in the order they were in your closet. Talk to your moving crew to see if they will handle the packing job for you or what you need to have done before they arrive. Make sure to not pack any boxes overweight and keep boxes at 50lbs or less for safety.

The best way to move quickly is to hire a great moving crew, get organized, and to stay calm. Use these tips to move your household efficiently during a quick move.

How to Safely Pack All Your Electronics

Moving some of the more delicate items in your home can be worrisome for a family, but one area you may not have looked into is the moving of your electronics. Unless you’ve shipped electronics to someone in the past or had electronics shipped to you, you may not have thought about how fragile these items can be and how much protection they should have.

The last thing you need for your upcoming move are broken laptops or printers, or missing cords and pieces when you go to reassemble something at your new home. Take a look at the ways that you can safely pack your electronics so that you can have a worry-free move to Chicago.

How did you receive it originally?

Something to consider first is how you received the electronic originally. If you happened to have saved the original packing materials, you can just repack it into its original box for the best protection. If not, you can use your product manual to get advice on the best way to pack and store the electronics. The product manuals can often be found online. If you don’t have the original box, simply make sure you have all of the essentials. This includes sturdy cartons, paper wrapping such as a newspaper, packing tape, and labels with markers to mark all of your boxes.

Organize cords

You can also stay organized by taking some precautions before taping up the box. While you are packing, use color labels for your cords to make sure you know what goes to what. Your computer or stereo may have several cords involved and it may get confusing trying to remember which goes to which device. Use color coding to know that all orange cords go to one device while all green tags go to another.

Don’t be shy about extra protective materials

It’s more than alright to go overboard on your protective materials. Don’t be shy about getting extra protection such as by adding blankets or moving pads to your electronics for the move. You’ll be glad that you were safe rather than sorry.

Think about the temperature

You may not have realized the importance of temperature when it comes to electronics safety. Computers and TVs are more sensitive to temperature and may fare better in a climate-controlled storage facility. Be sure to find out from the manufacturer if the temperature is a consideration before moving electronics.

Keep track of the inventory

You’ll want to keep track of everything using an inventory. Make sure to write down what is in each box, as well as the components in each box so that you don’t forget. You’ll also be able to see if something is missing at the destination.

Wrap and tape

Lastly, be sure to wrap your electronics with clean paper or linen to prevent dust. You’ll also find it easier to prevent dust from getting to your devices when you use proper packing tape for sealing the box.

You can safely pack and move your electronics by taking extra precautions ahead of time. Use these tips before moving your valuable devices.