Have you ever been in a situation where you must move shipping containers without heavy equipment because of certain circumstances?
If so, it must have been a headache-inducing experience because you had to move these steel boxes without the usual transport platforms.
Why does this happen? Maybe you’re working on a tight budget, in a remote location, or just need to reposition a container a short distance on your property.
Thankfully, the good news is you can move shipping containers without heavy equipment – but it requires planning, the right tools, and some elbow grease.
Also Read: Shipping Container Sizes for Moving Abroad and Our Offering
Situations Where Using Heavy Equipment is Unfeasible
Heavy machinery like cranes and forklifts is the go-to for moving shipping containers, but there are plenty of situations where they simply aren’t practical or available:
Remote or Confined Spaces
If your container is on uneven terrain, in a backyard, or in an area with limited vehicle access, bringing in cranes or forklifts might be impossible or just plain expensive.
Tight Budgets
Renting or hiring heavy equipment can be costly, especially for small projects or short-distance moves. If you’re working on a tight budget, manual or low-tech methods can save you thousands.
Short-Distance Moves
Sometimes you only need to shift a container a few feet or reposition it on-site because heavy machinery for such small moves is just overkill, and you don’t have to spend money.
Limited Operator Availability
Operating cranes and forklifts requires trained professionals. If you don’t have access to certified operators, heavy equipment isn’t an option, and you’ll just misuse it if you force yourself.
Urban or Noise Restrictions
In some urban areas, noise ordinances or space restrictions make using heavy machinery difficult or illegal. As such, you might as well save yourself from noise complaints from everyone.
Temporary or DIY Projects
If you want to do personal projects, pop-up businesses, or temporary setups, investing in heavy equipment may not be justified because they’re not as labor-intensive as the more permanent projects.
Best Methods to Move Containers Without Heavy Equipment
If you face any of the situations above, you now see how you must move shipping containers without heavy equipment. However, there is a silver lining in such a situation:
You can move shipping containers without heavy equipment all along – only with the true and tested methods!
Seeing how certain circumstances can prohibit you from using forklifts and cranes when you have to move containers, people have developed the methods below as alternatives:
Pipe Rollers (Old-School and Effective)
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, and it works like a charm. Think about how ancient civilizations moved giant stones, it’s (nearly) the same concept.
What You’ll Need:
- Steel or strong PVC pipes (3-6 inches in diameter)
- A bottle jack or car jack
- Plywood sheets (optional but useful)
- A pry bar or crowbar
How It Works:
- Use a jack to lift one end of the container high enough to slide pipes underneath.
- Once the pipes are in place, lower the container gently onto them.
- Push or pull the container from one side, and it will roll forward over the pipes.
- As the container moves, keep rotating the pipes from back to front.
You can try this method if the ground is sufficiently flat and firm. If the surface is softer, lay down some plywood to distribute the weight and prevent the container from sinking.
Come-Along Winch with a Skid Platform
This one’s great for short distances. If you’ve got something sturdy to anchor to, like a big tree, truck hitch, or post, you can slowly winch your container into position.
What You’ll Need:
- Heavy-duty come-along winch or ratchet strap
- Skid (built from wood, steel rails, or anything flat and durable)
- Grease, soap, or plastic to reduce friction
How It Works:
- Place your container on the skid using jacks and blocks.
- Anchor your winch point somewhere solid.
- Connect the winch to the container and slowly start cranking.
- Apply some grease or a plastic surface under the skid for easier sliding.
If the ground is too rough, you can lay down a temporary track using 2x4s or old plywood sheets, and make sure your winch is strong enough to handle the load.
Lever-and-Cribbing Method
If you only need to nudge your container a small amount – maybe a few inches or one side at a time – the lever-and-cribbing method works well.
What You’ll Need:
- Heavy pry bar
- Cribbing (sturdy wooden blocks)
- Patience
How It Works:
- Use the pry bar to lift a corner or side slightly.
- Insert cribbing under one end to gain height or shift the container.
- Alternate sides and reposition slowly.
This is best for leveling or adjusting the position, especially if you’ve placed the container and realize it’s not quite square with your foundation’s layout.
Bolt-On Caster Wheels
If you’re trying to move a container over concrete or asphalt, temporary wheels can make it feel like you’re pushing a really heavy shopping cart.
What You’ll Need:
- Heavy-duty caster wheels rated for at least 1,000 lbs each
- Bolts and brackets
- A jack and a wrench
How It Works:
- Jack up each corner of the container.
- Bolt the wheels into the container’s corner castings.
- Once all four are secure, you can push or tow it into position.
As a word of note, this method only works on hard, flat surfaces and short distances. Once you’re done moving, you’ll probably want to remove the wheels to stabilize the container.
Tow and Drag with a Vehicle
If you’ve got a truck, ATV, or tractor, you can pull the container short distances. However, this method is a bit rougher and you should only use it if your container can handle the stress.
What You’ll Need:
- Some tow straps or chains
- A vehicle with enough power
- Skid or pipe rollers for reduced resistance
How It Works:
- Attach the tow strap to the container’s lower frame or corner castings.
- Place pipe rollers or a skid underneath.
- Pull slowly, with someone guiding from the side.
Make sure you’re pulling from a low point on the container to avoid tipping. Also, double-check that nothing on the ground (like a root or bump) could cause the container to jerk or jam.
Manual Push with a Crew
If your container is already on rollers, sometimes brute force and coordination are all you need to move the container elsewhere.
What You’ll Need:
- 3–4 strong people
- Rollers or a wheeled base
How It Works:
- Get everyone pushing from the same side.
- Use consistent pressure, and guide the movement carefully.
- Communicate constantly to keep everything aligned.
If you hit a snag or slope, stop and adjust. This method works great in open, flat spaces and is perfect for final positioning once you’ve done most of the heavy work.
Also Read: Moving Containers: Methods, Tips, and More
Conclusion
Despite the challenging circumstances, you can still move shipping containers without heavy equipment so long as you follow the steps above. To ensure your containers are the best quality on the market, contact Tradecorp today! With over 35 years of experience servicing the industry, no one is better than Tradecorp when it comes to shipping container services anywhere.
