Product Test: Dollies and Skates

Gary Stretton reveals the best gear to help move dormant Land Rovers in confined spaces

LRM tests the best gear to help move dormant Land Rovers in confined spaces

Moving a driven Land Rover around in an area barely larger than its own footprint is no mean feat and similarly, moving a powerless one around can be something of a chore if not almost impossible single-handedly without inducing a hernia. But there is a solution in the shape of wheel skates and dollies. Once mounted on a set of these, any Land Rover can be manoeuvred safely around small garages and workshops, and long-term projects can be pushed out of the way to create access down one side, for example. The flexibility offered by skates and dollies can transform how you work, utilise precious space and save lots of time and effort.

Dollies are simple affairs: four sturdy castors on a platform suitably shaped to accept a tyre. The vehicle requires jacking up for each dolly to be placed beneath each tyre in turn. Skates on the other hand are more sophisticated and use a hydraulic horizontal ram to lift the wheel onto the skate without the need for a trolley jack. Quick and simple. But which is best? Both types have their benefits and considerations so understanding each in relation to your needs is the key.

To gain the best experience from either type you need to consider the surface they will be rolling on. This is because both types are available with nylon or cast iron wheels and these, too, have their pros and cons. In short, nylon wheels are ideal for smooth floated concrete floors in particular, while cast iron types will run on most less smooth concrete surfaces but with much more noise. They might also break through painted surfaces of floors. Neither types like broken surfaces or unswept floors which will snag the wheels. The test surface was a painted concrete floor, not floated but still smooth. If you intend leaving a project on skates or dollies for very prolonged periods of time, the steel types might be better. Good quality nylon castors should not be expected to distort if left over a period of time with heavy loads on them, or if accidentally overloaded. Time constraints prevent us from testing this aspect. The other consideration to mention is storage. A set of four takes up space when not in use and are best hung up out of the way if possible.

So when push comes to shove and swivel, which is best for your needs?