Concrete statues are a beautiful way to ground your landscaping, but they present a unique challenge when it’s time for a change. A 500lb statue is far too heavy for a standard dolly and far too delicate to be dragged across your lawn or patio.
Whether you are relocating a focal point in your garden or moving a piece to a new property, here is how to handle the heavy lifting safely and effectively.
1. Assess the Statue’s Integrity
Before moving a heavy concrete piece, inspect it for hairline fractures or weathered joints. Concrete is incredibly strong under compression but can be brittle. If a statue is moved improperly, existing cracks can expand, leading to structural failure. Always lift from the base rather than the limbs or decorative elements of the statue.
2. Prepare the Path
A 500lb weight will sink into soft turf or crush delicate pavers. Plan a clear, flat route from the current location to the destination. If you are moving the statue across a lawn, you may need to lay down thick plywood sheets to create a temporary “road” that prevents your equipment from getting stuck or damaging the grass.
3. Choose the Right Equipment
For a weight of 500lbs, manual lifting is not an option. You generally have three professional paths:
- Industrial Pallet Jack: Best for flat, paved surfaces like driveways or large patios.
- Heavy-Duty Furniture Slings: These require multiple people and a high degree of physical strength and coordination.
- Professional Crane Service: This is the safest and most efficient method, especially if the statue needs to be moved over a fence, onto a pedestal, or into a backyard with limited access.
4. The Benefit of Using a Crane
When it comes to heavy material like concrete, a crane removes the risk of “human error” and physical strain. Using a specialized lift allows you to:
- Clear Obstacles: If your statue is in a walled-in courtyard or a backyard with a narrow gate, a crane can simply lift the piece over the house or fence.
- Precision Placement: Lowering a 500lb object onto a specific pedestal or a fresh concrete pad requires extreme precision. A crane operator can feather the controls to place the statue exactly where it needs to be without the jarring impact of a manual drop.
- Protect Your Property: By lifting the object vertically, you eliminate the risk of tearing up your lawn or scratching your stone walkways with a heavy dolly.
5. Secure the Load
If you choose to use professional lifting services, the team will use specialized rigging—usually nylon slings or padded chains—to ensure the statue is balanced. Because concrete can be slippery or unevenly weighted, proper rigging is the most important step in preventing a fall.
Let SkyHook Cranes Do the Heavy Lifting
At SkyHook Cranes, we specialize in those “difficult to move” items that make your house a home. From backyard spas and storage sheds to heavy concrete statues, we bring the equipment and expertise to get the job done safely.
Need help moving something heavy? Give us a call at 602.615.0712 to schedule your lift today. We make the heavy stuff look easy!
