A snowblower is a heavy piece of machinery, and transporting it can be tricky. If you are not careful, it can cause serious accidents.
Using a pickup truck is probably the best way to transport a snowblower to a new place. But, the question is - how to put a snowblower on a truck?
No need to get frazzled because I'm here to talk all about loading a snowblower on a pickup truck safely.
Transporting A Snowblower
Even though minivans and SUVs are great for transporting your furniture or light equipment, they don't have enough cargo space to fit a snowblower. Usually, these vehicles come with a cargo space of around 25 square feet, but a typical snowblower can have a width of up to 36 inches, including tall handles.
You can attach a rear cargo carrier to your SUV or minivan to transport a snowblower, but it might be troublesome. The best course of action is to arrange a pickup truck and get your machine on it with minimum effort.
How To Transport A Snowblower In A Pickup Truck?
Now that you know about the best vehicle for transporting a snowblower, it's time to get down to business and learn about getting the machine on the truck.
Step 1: Measure The Snowblower Width
The first thing you need to do is measure the wheel-to-wheel width of the snowblower before loading it on the truck. Measuring the machine's width will help you pick the right ramp that you can use to get the job done safely without much hassle.
Step 2: Set Up The Ramp
Once you've measured the snowblower's width and picked the perfect ramps, drop the pickup truck's tailgate and place the ramps against it. Be careful while placing the ramps against the tailgate so that they don't slip while loading the snowblower.
Step 3: Get The Snowblower On The Ramp
Maneuver the snowblower onto the ramps and make sure the engine is turned off to avoid accidents. It's best to wait for about half an hour after turning off the engine to let the machine cool down so that you don't burn your hands by touching it.
Step 4: Load It Up
After setting the snowblower on the ramps, it's time to put your muscles to good use and slowly push the machine up the ramps. Don't falter in your steps while pushing the machine, and keep it as steady as possible.
Push the snowblower inside the truck without letting it hit the rear window to avoid cracking it. Remember to close the tailgate once the machine is finally in the truck.
Step 5: Secure It
You have to secure the snowblower inside the truck using ratchet straps so that it doesn't tip over while the vehicle is moving. Secure the machine's motor first because it has the most weight before using another strap to keep the tall handles of the snowblower in place.
You can attach the straps to the truck's undercarriage or use the open rings on its side to secure the snowblower. Some trucks also come with side rails inside the bed, which can be excellent for attaching the straps.
Tips To Remember
There are certain tips and tricks that might make the entire process of loading the snowblower on a pickup truck much easier. For instance, always turn the snowblower's chute inwards to keep it out of the way while transporting the snowblower.
Also, make sure to load the machine on the ramps by placing it on a flat and open surface so that you get enough space. Your driveway will be the best location to get the snowblower on the ramps while transporting it.
Pushing the snowblower up the ramps will require some heavy muscle work, and it becomes a lot easier if you have a second pair of hands. And remember to put pressure on your feet while loading the machine on the truck without straining your back.
Final Thoughts
I've come to the end of my informative guide on getting a snowblower on a truck. The task can be quite labor-intensive, but I hope you have a better idea of how to get the job done safely after going through my article.
You should always exercise caution when transporting heavy machinery like a snowblower. If the entire thing seems like too much hassle, you can always hire professional movers to take care of everything.
On that note, I'll sign off. Until next time!