Is it possible to transport a refrigerator lying down - there is an answer!

The basics of transporting a refrigerator horizontally: is this position dangerous?

However, if you follow the following simple rules, the risks of damage to the units and components of the refrigerator will be minimized:

1. When delivery is not provided in your locality, and you have purchased a new household appliance, you need to carefully inspect the packaging of the refrigerator. It must indicate in what position the purchased unit should be during transportation.
2. In the store you can study the instructions, which indicate in detail which side is best to lay household appliances. Determine which tube from the compressor the freon comes out of; it should be the one that faces up when you lay down the refrigerator.
3. Place the unit with the door hinges facing upward, as they may be damaged when loading or unloading the unit. Be sure to secure the compressor with bolts (they usually come with the device).

The optimal position for moving refrigerators is vertical, but it is important to secure it carefully/

When transporting the device in a car, remember that the lying position is dangerous for the refrigerator. There is a high risk of freon and oil leaking from the compressor. The device will not only stop freezing, but may not start at all.

Problems after transportation

In some cases, the refrigerator may stop freezing after transportation. This problem is preceded by the following factors:

• placement on the wrong side or at an angle greater than 40 degrees;
• not all the moving filling was carefully fixed, which led to a violation of the integrity of the tubes;
• the fastenings in the truck or car were too weak, which caused the device to fall;
• when driving on the road at too high a speed, the refrigerant may become agitated;
• The device was connected to power immediately after delivery.

In the event of a breakdown, it is better to immediately contact a specialist

Table 1. Common refrigeration problems and their causes

The burnt out compressor will have to be disposed of.

Prices for refrigerator compressors

Refrigerator compressor

We are trying to transport a refrigerator on its side: which one to choose, left or right?

If vertical loading of a household appliance is not possible, which, as we understand, is the most optimal for transportation, then the refrigerator can be placed sideways, observing a number of the following rules:

1. Place the device so that its doors are not pressed against anything; it is advisable that their hinges point upward, as does the tube that transmits freon for cooling the refrigeration chambers.
2. To secure all moving elements (compressor and doors), you must use special fixing belts or tape. This will prevent the structure from deformation.
3. Pay attention to the surface where the refrigerator will rest. It is important to first cover it with a thick old blanket or any other thick fabric. Next, fix the refrigerator in this place so that it does not slide on the body or trailer; it is ideal to leave two people who will additionally hold the equipment.
4. Loading and unloading the device should be done carefully, without grabbing the doors, as you can easily tear them off their hinges, and putting them back in place will be very troublesome.
5. If it is not possible to secure the internal shelves and containers inside the refrigerator, it is better to remove them and transport them separately from the equipment.

Using the Cart for Transport

Of course, if you use the services of a company during your move, then you don’t have to worry, because the specialists have special equipment for lifting equipment.

When transporting it yourself, you need to pay attention to the cart - such a device allows you to transport the device while standing, so that the equipment will not be damaged when going down stairs, an elevator, or moving over bumps.

The standard cart is equipped with special clamps to firmly secure the refrigerator

Prices for cargo trolleys

Cargo trolley

If you are going to lower the device down the stairs, then use a cart with three wheels, and if in an elevator, then with two. If the road is uneven, it is recommended to use a device with three-dimensional wheels.

Of course, for a one-time transportation it will not be practical to purchase a new cart, so you can rent one.

When climbing stairs, do not rush

How to properly transport a new refrigerator in a car in a lying position

Do not transport the refrigerator yourself on a bicycle or motorcycle, as you risk losing the device along the way.

Modern refrigerators, although made from durable plastic, are significantly inferior in strength to their “Soviet” counterparts. Therefore, it is necessary to provide for all the details:

1. The sides of the vehicle in which transportation will be carried out must be higher than the height of the refrigerator if you plan to place the unit vertically.
2. Be sure to stock up on fastening elements: ropes and special belts will save the device from falling and deformation.
3. If your equipment is equipped with wheels, then it is better to unscrew them during transportation, otherwise any turn of the car will cause the refrigerator to roll around the entire body or trailer.
4. If you are bringing home appliances from the store, do not remove them from the box. The unit is protected by plastic and sealed film. If you are just transporting it from place to place, then wrap it in tight packaging and wrap it in a rag.

Due to improper transportation, the springs in the refrigerator compressor may come off, which will affect its performance.

Transporting a new refrigerator

The rules for transporting a new refrigerator from the store depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the requirements of the service center. They need to be clarified with a representative, consultant, manager or seller. Check if they match those specified in the instructions.

If it turns out that you transported the equipment incorrectly, there is a risk of losing the warranty. If your refrigerator is damaged due to improper transportation, you will be denied service. There is a 99% chance that the warranty will be voided.

If the seller delivers the refrigerator or freezer to you, check exactly how they will transport it. Small shops may not have a truck, rigging, or other necessary equipment. If the refrigerator is damaged during delivery and you do not notice, the blame remains with you.

Transporting an old “Soviet” refrigerator when moving

Soviet models of refrigerators are more resistant to transport deliveries; they can be transported not only in a car trailer, but also on the top trunk, after laying down thick fabric so as not to damage the paint coating. In addition, even old types of refrigerators “Dnepr”, “Oka”, “Salyut”, “Odessa” are prohibited from being placed on the rear (engine down). But they can be transported lying on their side.

Before transportation, the refrigerator must cool down; to do this, disconnect it from the power supply in advance.

Although the external design of “domestic” units is durable, mixing of freon and oil can occur at any time. Typically, this condition cannot be repaired.

After the warranty period has expired, do not throw away the packaging from the device; it will be useful in case of transportation.

Why is it important to transport your refrigerator correctly?

In appearance, the refrigerator does not seem as vulnerable as it really is. It is not for nothing that refrigerator manufacturers insist that any refrigeration equipment should be transported only vertically. This condition is explained by the internal design of the device. The main part of the refrigerator is the cooling system, which is located both inside and outside the body. It consists of two main parts:

• evaporator – installed in the housing;
• capacitor - located on the back wall.

When the refrigerator is connected to the network, a special gas, freon, continuously circulates through the system pipes, which ensures the cooling of the products inside. The system works according to the following scheme:

1. Special freon gas is supplied from the evaporator to the compressor.
2. The compressor compresses the freon, after which it enters the condenser.
3. The condenser converts gas into liquid, releasing heat.
4. The liquid is sent to a special filter, which converts it back into gas.
5. As the liquid turns into gas, the refrigerant boils and the internal chambers cool evenly.

Then the cycle repeats. If at least one part of the system is damaged, the circuit will stop working and the refrigerator will not perform its main function.

If the equipment is not positioned correctly during transport, the risk of breakage will be obvious as the main part will be in a vulnerable position. It is extremely important to know the structure of the system in order to protect the unit from damage during transportation.

The back wall and door are fragile components

It is strictly forbidden to transport refrigerators on the back wall or door. In this procedure, you can damage the operating mechanism of the refrigerator: deformation of the tubes and the compressor itself will occur, and microcracks are likely to appear in the tubes, through which all the freon will evaporate very quickly.

By placing the appliance on the doors (they are usually convex), you risk losing not only the attractiveness of the household appliance, but also getting damaged, which will play a role in the further cooling of the food. The inside of the case may crack or the rubber seals may be severely compressed. In the future, such damage will allow outside air into the refrigerator, thereby spoiling its operation.

Don’t be surprised if, after improper transportation, your refrigerator does not maintain the desired temperature. Something was probably damaged.

Horizontal or vertical?

When transporting, the best option is to transport the refrigerator while standing. In this case, the oil from the compressor will not penetrate other components of the system, will not settle on the walls and mix with sediment and contaminants.

You can transport equipment in a lying position. But you must follow the rules for transporting a refrigerator. In this case, after transportation it cannot be turned on immediately. You need to let it sit for some time. We talked about this in more detail in the article “Why you can’t immediately turn on the refrigerator after delivery, transportation, transportation.” We recommend reading it; it will not be unnecessary information.

Which tube is freon flowing in: how to determine without reading the instructions

Manufacturers intend that the cooling gas in the refrigerator is freon. As you know, it exits from the compressor through a tube to the rear of the housing, where it penetrates into the refrigeration chamber, supplying cold air. You must determine from which tube it is supplied and condenses when exposed to the external environment. This is done in order to lay the unit on the correct side. You should touch all the tubes coming out of the refrigerator motor, the one that will be hot is the one you need. It is this pipe that should face upward when transporting the unit.

Refrigerators equipped with a No Frost system (not requiring mechanical defrosting) must be transported in a strictly vertical position or at an angle not exceeding 40°.

How best to transport a refrigerator: a special trolley to help you

Most often, large equipment carriers are approached primarily because they have special lifting and transport equipment. Particularly convenient is a special trolley, which will allow you to easily transport the refrigerator in an upright position, carefully lower it down the stairs, carefully transport it along uneven roads and load it into a transport vehicle.

In order to lift the refrigerator up the stairs, three-wheeled carts are used, which, due to the special design of the wheel unit, allow it to be smoothly delivered to the apartment.

If it is possible to lift the refrigerator in an elevator, then use two-wheeled carts that have a folding platform.

The cost of such a cart is no less than 3.5 thousand rubles. Therefore, it’s probably not worth buying it just to transport the refrigerator once. It is more profitable to order delivery from a specialized company. They have a wide range of equipment for transporting goods.

Time of year and proper transportation of refrigerators

You can transport the refrigerator at any convenient time of the year. However, each weather has its own nuances for this process. For example, if you have planned a move in the winter, you must therefore remember that at frosty temperatures the oil from the compressor is compressed. Therefore, it is not recommended to start the unit immediately after installation. Allow the equipment to reach room temperature.

In summer, it is better to transport electrical appliances in closed, well-ventilated bodies. It is extremely important that the refrigerator does not heat up during transport. High temperatures will turn the motor oil into a liquid consistency.

The lying position creates additional pressure on the refrigerator, so after installation, make sure that the compressor is intact and does not move.

Problems with violation of transportation rules

By neglecting the established rules for transporting a refrigerator, equipment owners face many unpleasant consequences. The most common reason for panic occurs when, after being installed in a new location and connected to the network, the device refuses to work or functions malfunctioning.

You should not turn on the unit immediately after bringing it into the room. The oil in the engine quickly acquires a thick consistency in the cold. It will take several hours for the oil composition to warm up and for the resulting condensation to evaporate.

This often happens due to the mixing of wear products with oil, which causes the motor to jam in units that are already in use.

Another reason may be the fact that the oil that spread during transportation has not yet had time to fully drain back into the compressor. In turn, it will not start without sufficient lubrication.

In most cases, the problem can be dealt with without losses by allowing the equipment to settle and acclimatize: 8-16 hours after horizontal transportation, 2-4 hours in warm weather and 4-6 hours in frosty winter periods. The longer and more difficult the path, the more time it will take to rest still.

Without experience and knowledge, it is advisable to call a team of specialists to diagnose and repair breakdowns. Illiterate intervention in the design of equipment will only increase the scale of the problem and complicate further repairs

If after the specified time the refrigerator continues to work incorrectly, it makes sense to talk about more serious factors that caused the failure. One of the typical breakdowns includes freon leakage, caused by depressurization and various mechanical damage due to improper transportation of the device.

It is determined by several criteria:

• the compressor is running, but the cooling capacity of the device is noticeably reduced;
• the equipment does not turn on, but the lighting in the chamber works;
• after starting, the unit begins to function, but soon turns off;
• a sound or light indicator is triggered, signaling critical increases in temperature inside the device.

Having discovered similar signs, you need to find the place where the leak occurred, replace the filter drier and charge the equipment with freon. This operation is quite complex and dangerous, so it is better not to try to cope with it on your own.

The next thing that can affect the operation of the refrigerator is a breakdown of the compressor. During transportation, contacts are often broken and the springs holding the rotor fly off.

Because of this, the device may not turn on at all, one of its sections stops working, and a characteristic engine knock appears. Since the compressor has a non-separable design and has to be replaced with a new one, most likely the repair will be expensive.

Stages of preparing a refrigerator for transportation: points that cannot be neglected

In order to reduce the risk of damage to the refrigerator after transportation, it is necessary to properly prepare the unit. To do this, it is better to act in stages so as not to forget anything.

1. Stage one . Defrosting the refrigerator and emptying it of food. This must be done one day before the intended move. It is important that the unit is defrosted and dried.
2. Stage two. Having identified the freon tube, fix it in a vertical position. You can use tape for this. To protect against scratches, use packaging structures and boxes.
3. Stage three. Remove all components: shelves, containers, freezing dishes, and collect them in a separate box.
4. Stage four. Properly equip the household appliance, take it out of the house and place it securely in transport.

Transport the unit completely empty; if anything is not securely fastened in it, it may fall and become unusable.

Preparing refrigeration equipment for moving

The famous writer Scott Westerfeld in one of his novels described moving as a terrible thing, after which you never know where you will find it and where you will lose it. And this is true - when transporting property from one point to another, there is a huge risk of damaging or losing something.

In order to prevent such troubles, you need to properly plan the process itself, conscientiously pack the cargo and securely secure it inside the truck.

It is best to place the device in the original box. If it is not preserved, then you can wrap the unit in thick paper, cardboard, or special bubble wrap. Transporting the device without appropriate packaging is strictly prohibited.

If the refrigerator is new, the manufacturer must take care of its reliable and safe packaging even before the equipment reaches the store’s warehouse. If you intend to transport a unit already used on the farm, it is necessary to first prepare it for such a responsible operation.

Preparatory work usually begins 24 hours in advance, following the following procedure:

• empty the freezer compartment and refrigerator cabinet of existing products;
• disconnect the device from the power supply and wait for complete defrosting;
• Gently wash the inside and outside of the equipment with a neutral detergent (the best option is a warm soapy solution);
• remove all shelves, niches, drawers and balconies, packing each element separately in a piece of soft fabric or paper;
• drain the water and dry the insides thoroughly.

The compressor must be secured with shipping bolts or rope. Otherwise, due to strong shaking, vibrations and jolts, it can easily fly away from its place. The wire is carefully attached to the compressor with tape. In non-standard models of refrigerators that do not fit through the opening, the door is removed or the door frame is dismantled.

The doors of the device are also additionally secured with soft tightening straps, masking tape or regular rope. This is done so that they do not accidentally open or come off due to sudden movements.

You can start loading only after completing all the described processes. Ignoring at least one of them often leads to incorrect operation of the device in a new location. To carry the unit from the room to the car and vice versa, at least two people will be required.

A trolley, a pallet with wheels, or special safety belts will help make the task easier. According to transportation standards, equipment is carried in an upright position. The device must be loaded and unloaded into a trailer or body smoothly and carefully, avoiding sudden jolts and impacts. In this case, you must not grasp the door handle.

This video will demonstrate how to properly pack a refrigerator before transportation:

Recommendations for drivers and delivery workers

The performance of the equipment depends on how correctly the refrigerator is delivered from one point to another by the driver himself:

1. Drive at low speed: it is unacceptable to exceed the threshold of 40-60 km/h, otherwise there is a high risk of shaking the household appliance.
2. The driver must avoid all bumps and potholes on the roads; sudden shocks are of no use even to a used device.
3. If you undertake to transport refrigerators refilled with freon, remember that you are responsible for the performance of the device
4. If the road is flat, then it is not necessary to fix the refrigerator; otherwise, firmly attach it to the body or sides of the trailer.
5. If, in addition to the main cargo, you are carrying furniture and heavy bags, then make sure that they do not come into contact with the unit; unnecessary movements will easily damage the fragile body of the equipment.

How to pack a refrigerator before transportation

Procedure:

1. Fold and pack shelves, dividers and drawers separately. Shock-absorbing film is perfect for this purpose. Pay special attention to glass parts.
2. Close the doors and secure them. A prerequisite is that each door must be attached to the body in at least two places. To secure, use a rope or wide tape.
3. Secure the compressor. The best option is special bolts for transportation, which are usually factory assembled. If these parts are missing, use rope or wide tape.
4. Strengthen the clamping of the compressor. Any shaking on the road can cause a breakdown, even if you carry the refrigerator in an upright position. To avoid this, fill all the free space around the compressor with crumpled paper. Do not use foam for fixation, as some sources advise. When the foam hardens, it expands and can cause damage to parts.
5. Twist and attach the power cord to the body.
6. Pack the cooler. To prevent damage to the body, cover all walls with foam or cardboard and secure with tape or rope. If you don't have the right amount of packaging material, attach foam in the corners.

Having a factory box will greatly facilitate the transportation of large kitchen appliances.

Acclimatizing the device after moving, or How long after you can turn on the refrigerator

Immediately after installing a household appliance in the right place, you cannot check the operation of the device. The editors recommend waiting a while (optimally 10-12 hours, but a day is better). Then connect the device to the network. If your refrigerator was transported on its side, then it is enough to wait 18 hours for the refrigerant and compressor oil to return to their place. After 3 hours, you can start the device if it was delivered in an upright position.

We are waiting for your questions, ask them in the comment form. Our specialists will quickly respond to you and advise you on any issue related to the given topic. If you know other information about transportation methods, share with us, we will be happy to discuss.

How to properly transport a refrigerator after purchase

In this case, delivery is carried out by a household appliance store. Employees follow the main rule - transportation is strictly in an upright position. The operating condition of the refrigerator is influenced by several factors:

1. Manufacturers of refrigerators require that they be transported in a strictly vertical position, so the height of the sides of trucks must be appropriate. In this case, freon does not mix with the compressor oil.

After transporting any refrigerator, new or used, it should sit for three to four hours.
This is indicated in any instructions. During this time, freon is distributed throughout the entire system. If the buyer intends to transport the refrigerator himself, but in a horizontal position, then the seller immediately disclaims warranty obligations.

2. A prerequisite is transportation in shockproof original packaging, namely in a special polystyrene box that protects the refrigerator cover and corners from damage.
3. Protective films on doors and parts, transport struts and devices for fixing the compressor soften possible shocks and vibrations during transportation.
4. Trucks must have devices to secure large equipment so that it does not move around the body while driving.

When the warranty expires, many people throw away the packaging. We recommend leaving it in case you need to move the refrigerator to another location.

The importance of correct positioning of the refrigerator during transport

Refrigerators from different manufacturers, regardless of Atlant, operate on a similar principle; their cooling system is a closed circuit, which is represented by a large number of tubes and pipes. Conventionally, any household refrigerator consists of two components - an evaporator, which is located inside the equipment, and a condenser, fixed on the rear outer wall. In most cases, these components are made in the form of a coil, which allows for the most efficient heat transfer.

Attention! To prevent damage to key components of a household refrigerator during transportation, it is necessary to determine where these significant components are located in a particular unit.

The cooling circuit of the equipment is filled with refrigerant (in the vast majority of cases, freon gas), which constantly circulates through the nozzles and tubes, cyclically changing its state of aggregation - from liquid to gaseous and back. Each of the cooling cycles follows an identical pattern:

1. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator in gaseous form and is supplied to the refrigerator compressor.
2. Freon under high pressure is sent by the compressor to the condenser.
3. During the condensation process, the refrigerant turns into a liquid aggregate state and cools, while heat is transferred to the surrounding air.
4. Liquid freon, passing through the drying filter, goes towards the evaporator and enters it through a narrowed capillary tube.
5. The pressure exerted on the freon decreases, which causes the gas to boil.
6. Transforming into a gaseous aggregate state, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding space inside the freezer and refrigerator compartment and uniformly lowers the temperature inside them.

After this cycle is completed, the refrigerant vapor is pumped out again and the process repeats. The main functional role in this process is given to the compressor. This node provides the following processes:

• pumps freon;
• maintains the required pressure levels in the system;
• guarantees uninterrupted heat transfer from inside to outside.

The quiet operation of the motor is a consequence of its position. The engine is suspended on a frame and buried in oil.

Reference! The compressor is housed in a metal casing and is located at the rear of the unit, between the evaporator and the condenser. In modern models, this unit is virtually invisible, since the manufacturer hides it behind the wall of the unit.

Any damage to the cooling circuit, separation or displacement of the compressor in relation to the suspensions, leads to serious damage to the refrigerator, which subsequently requires expensive and complex repairs. The easiest way to introduce disturbances into the cooling circuit of a household refrigerator is during transportation, so the transportation process must be approached responsibly.

When to turn on the refrigerator after transportation

If you turn on the refrigerator immediately after transportation, the cooling system may fail. Do not connect the refrigerator to the electrical network for a while. Which one depends on the model, brand and outside temperature.

As you know, there is liquid freon inside the cooling system, and oil in the compressor. During vibrations and shaking, liquids are agitated and moved through the system tubes. If the refrigeration equipment is turned on ahead of time, the oil will mix with freon and the system will fail.

The time during which the refrigerator must “settle” depends on the method of transportation. If the move was carried out in the summer, warm spring or autumn, and the refrigerator was transported vertically in the back, it is not recommended to turn it on for 4 hours, and if horizontally, for at least eight hours. Some models need to be left unplugged for longer. You can find exact information in the instructions.