How to secure a washing machine drum during transportation?

The drum is a moving part of the washing machine, so if it's not secured properly during transport or not secured at all, it can cause damage. How can you protect your washing machine and secure the drum during transport to ensure the machine arrives safely?

We securely lock the drum

Washing machine manufacturers provide a way to secure the washing machine drum. To do this, use shipping bolts, screwing them into special holes on the back of your washing machine.

Shipping bolts are usually included with the washing machine, but few people keep them and they often get lost. So, when the washing machine needs to be transported and the drum needs to be secured, they're often out of reach. You should not try to adapt bolts from other machines or from regular fasteners for this purpose, as this can seriously damage the body of the washing machine. You can buy shipping screws, but no one wants to do that for a one-time move, so the question arises: is it possible to make them yourself?

In fact, you can secure the drum using improvised means. To do this, you'll need plenty of soft cloth: a pile of rags, a small pillow, a blanket, or a throw. The method involves removing the top or back of the washing machine, and stuffing rags between the front and back walls and the drum so that the drum remains stationary.

Important! Be careful not to place the fabric too tightly to avoid displacing the wiring and damaging the machine's internal components.

Once secured, check that the drum doesn't wobble. If there's enough room for wobble, add more fabric between the drum and the walls. After transporting, remove the fabric and replace the cover.

Do I need to pack the machine?

Securing the drum during transport protects the washing machine from internal damage. However, the machine's exterior can also be damaged, so it's important to consider external protection. If the journey is short and involves city roads, a blanket wrapped around the washing machine will suffice. However, if you're traveling on bumpy roads, it's best to place something underneath the machine, such as:

• a large sheet of foam;
• corrugated cardboard of three or four layers;
• mattress;
• pillows;
• foam sheet;
• synthetic padding, etc.

If you're transporting a washing machine in the bed of a truck, you need to ensure it doesn't bounce around inside the bed. To do this, it's a good idea to secure it on at least two sides with other heavy objects. To prevent bulky items from damaging each other during shaking, the space between the machine and the items should be filled with soft materials.

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When transporting, it's important not only to secure the washing machine drum but also to load it correctly into the vehicle. Never turn the machine upside down; tilting the body slightly backwards is acceptable when carrying it. The ideal position for transporting the washing machine is vertical, but if this is not possible, you can lay it on its side, after removing the powder compartment.

It's also a good idea to remove any remaining water from the machine before transporting it, especially in cold weather. Liquid can freeze, which can damage the internal components. Water often remains in the drain hose, so it's best to drain it immediately in the apartment, using a basin underneath. Moisture also inevitably remains in the dust filter, so it should also be removed and the system drained.

   

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