Can I carry the refrigerator while lying down? Rules and standards for the transportation of refrigerators

Have you thought about transporting refrigeration equipment in connection with the purchase of a new model or with a change of residence? Agree: it’s stupid to spoil expensive equipment due to a violation of the rules for organizing transportation. Therefore, it is better to find out in advance whether it is possible to transport the refrigerator while lying down and how best to do it.

We will help you dispel all doubts. The article describes the main ways of placing a refrigeration unit for its safe transportation. Also, attention is paid to the proper preparation of the refrigerator for movement, the problems that can be encountered are listed.

So that you do not have any questions about transportation, we provided the article with visual photos and picked up videos with recommendations for preparing the refrigerator and its placement when changing your place of residence.

The important role of the correct position

Refrigeration equipment of different brands works on a similar principle. The cooling system is a closed loop consisting of many thin tubes.

Conventionally, it is divided into two parts: an evaporator located inside, and a condenser mounted on the outer back wall. Basically, these components are implemented in the form of a coil, which contributes to the efficient absorption and transfer of heat.

In order not to damage the main components and important working bodies of the refrigerator during transportation, it is better to familiarize themselves with their location and system design in advance

The working system of the refrigerator is filled with freon, which continuously moves through the tubes, alternately changing its state of aggregation.

Cooling cycles follow the same pattern:

• the gaseous refrigerant is pumped out of the evaporator and enters the compressor;
• the substance is compressed and sent to the condenser under high pressure;
• during condensation, freon turns into a liquid and cools, giving off heat to the environment;
• the liquid passes through the filter dryer and is directed towards the evaporator, entering it through a narrowed capillary tube;
• refrigerant pressure drops, causing it to boil;
• evaporating into the gas, freon absorbs heat from the inner chambers, evenly cooling the space.

Then the freon vapor is pumped out again and the cycle repeats. The role of the main functional element in the process belongs to the compressor.

It pumps the refrigerant, creates the necessary pressure in each part of the system and is responsible for the uninterrupted transfer of heat from the inside of the device to the outside. Stable and silent operation of the motor is supported by suspension on the frame and immersion in oil.

The compressor is placed in a metal casing and is installed at the rear of the equipment between the condenser and the evaporator. In modern versions, it is almost invisible, since the manufacturer hides the device behind the wall

Any damage to the tube system, displacement or separation of the compressor from the suspensions leads to major breakdowns that require complex repairs.

It is easiest to disrupt the normal functioning of the cooling system when transporting the product. That is why it is necessary to approach this issue with maximum responsibility.

All the most serious damage to the operating components of the refrigerator is caused mainly during transportation. After the installation of the unit, the housing prevents mechanical stress

Preparing refrigeration equipment for relocation

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

In order to prevent such troubles, it is necessary to correctly plan the process itself, conscientiously pack the cargo and securely fix it inside the truck.

It is best to put the device in the factory box. If it has not been preserved, then you can wrap the unit in thick paper, cardboard, a special bubble wrap. It is strictly forbidden to transport the device without appropriate packaging.

If the refrigerator is new, the manufacturer must take care of its reliable and safe packaging even before the equipment reaches the storehouse. If it is supposed to transport an aggregate already used at the farm, it is necessary to prepare it for such a responsible operation first.

Preparatory work is usually started in a day, adhering to the following procedure:

• free the existing freezer compartment and refrigerator;
• disconnect the device from the power supply and wait until it is fully defrosted;
• gently rinse 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 by packing each item separately in a piece of soft cloth or paper;
• Drain and dry the inside thoroughly.

The compressor must be fixed with transport bolts or a rope. Otherwise, from strong shaking, vibrations and tremors, he can easily fly away. The wire is neatly attached to the compressor with tape. In non-standard models of refrigerators that do not pass into the opening, the door is removed or the door door is dismantled.

The doors of the device are also additionally secured with soft tie straps, masking tape or ordinary rope. This is done so that they do not accidentally open and 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 place.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 to ease the task. According to transportation standards, the equipment is carried in an upright position. It is necessary to load and unload the device into the trailer or the body smoothly and carefully, avoiding sharp jolts and bumps. In this case, do not take on the door handle.

How to properly pack the refrigerator before transportation, the video will demonstrate:

Overview of possible transportation methods

Regardless of the dimensions of a particular model, experts strongly recommend transporting any refrigerator in freight transport, placing it strictly vertically.

Nevertheless, it is possible that it is impossible to transport equipment in this way due to the limited internal space of the car. In fact, three methods of placement are used: standing, tilted and lying.

Ideally, the refrigerator should be transported vertically. It is desirable that the height of the sides of the machine selected for transportation be not less than the height of the unit. In the case of using a trailer, the refrigerator needs a reliable support such as a welded metal frame

Option # 1 - transportation in vertical position

Standing transportation of the refrigerator is the most correct option, which manufacturers emphasize in the documentation attached to the equipment. It ensures the safety of constructive refrigeration components and their normal performance in the future.

With a large-scale apartment move, as a rule, order a cargo taxi. The dimensions of the machine make it easy to fit even the largest refrigerator inside and securely fix it with straps

First of all, prepared by the manufacturer for transportation purchased refrigerator carefully transferred and put into the car.

In the cabin, it is firmly fixed in the designated place with straps and additional stops that prevent unwanted shifts during sudden braking, bumps and turns. Once again, the reliability of fixing the doors is checked.

Transferring equipment to the upper floors, you need to ensure that the compressor is at the back. In the forward position, an oil retaining valve opens in the process of climbing the steps. Fluid enters the tube system, and this has a negative effect on cooling capacity

AT two door models adhesive tape is glued in four places. Between the floor of the cabin and the body of the device, lay any improvised material that will perform shock-absorbing functions on the road and protect the paint from damage: polystyrene foam, cardboard from old boxes, several layers of dense cloth.

If you plan to transport the refrigerator in a passenger car, do not try to put it vertically in the trunk or on the roof. A more acceptable option is to place the device lying on the reclined rear seats

Option # 2 - Sloping Transportation

Unable to use a car with a high van, it is difficult to transport refrigerators longer than 1.75 meters in an upright position. If the device does not fit in the cabin to its full height, installation under slight inclination is allowed. The angle of inclination should not exceed 40 degrees.

To transport refrigeration equipment at an angle, it is important not to overdo it with an angle of inclination, and also provide protection from accidental damage from all sides by placing soft fabric rollers

Having placed in this position, the refrigerator should be well fixed, put on the side and under it as many materials as possible that will dampen the vibration.

Drive the vehicle carefully and carefully. It is important that the driver travels at minimum speed and, if possible, go around the smallest potholes and pits found on the roads.

Option # 3 - horizontal placement

To the question of whether it is possible to place the refrigerator in the salon lying down, experts give mixed answers. The instructions of the vast majority of manufacturers of refrigeration equipment indicate that this should not be done, since there is a high probability of damage.

When transporting a new unit, you must not forget to clarify the manufacturer's recommendations on how to transport a particular refrigerator. Some plants reserve the right to withdraw the guarantee if it is transported lying

The masters involved in the repair of household appliances claim that this is quite feasible, but only over not too long distances, taking into account a number of nuances and, as they say, at your own peril and risk.

However, the statistics are not so sad: in 10 cases, consequences arise in 3 of them. Moreover, they are associated more with a bumpy road, careless loading and carrying, the lack of good fastening of parts, than with the position of the equipment.

Lay the unit in a horizontal position on the right side. The side on which the compressor tubes face should look up. Another method of placement can cause oil to drain, which then enters the circulation system and clogs the capillary tube.

If the tubes diverge in different directions or are not visible, you can put the refrigerator on the right or left side. Putting the device on the back and front is not recommended - it is dangerous for the motor, the door structure, it is fraught with bursting of thermal insulation

It is worth considering that lying transportation is extremely undesirable for two types of equipment - old-style refrigerators made in the Soviet Union, and new models with the built-in NoFrost system.

Long-life and heavy-duty Soviet units are equipped with a very heavy motor, which easily breaks off the mounts during the shaking process, which is inevitable on the road. In modern products equipped with innovative technology, refrigerator compressor often moves away from the built-in internal spring.

The result is a complete failure or partial malfunction of the compressor, manifested in the form of extraneous noise and knocking.

As a result of violation of the transportation rules, the compressor may be completely damaged or its connection with the system will be broken, because of which it will be necessary to repair the unit

Transportation Violation Issues

Neglecting the established rules for transporting the refrigerator, the owners of the equipment are faced with many unpleasant consequences. The most common cause for panic occurs when, after installing in a new place and connecting to the network the device refuses to work or malfunctioning.

Do not turn on the unit immediately after entering 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 have time to evaporate the condensate formed.

Often this is due to the mixing of wear products with oil, which provokes motor jamming in already operating units.

Also, the reason may be the fact that the oil that spilled during transportation has not yet had time to fully drain back to the compressor. In turn, it does not start without enough lubrication.

In most cases, the problem can be dealt with without loss, allowing the equipment to settle and acclimatize: 8-16 hours after horizontal transportation, 2-4 hours under warm weather, and 4-6 hours in a frosty winter. The longer and more difficult the path was, the more time it would take for a motionless rest.

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

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

It is determined by several signs:

• the compressor works, but the cooling capacity of the device decreases markedly;
• the equipment does not turn on, but the camera is lit;
• after start-up, the unit starts to function, but soon shuts down;
• a sound or light indicator is triggered, signaling critical increases in temperature indicators inside the device.

Having found similar symptoms, it is necessary to find the place where the leak occurred, replace the filter dryer and fill the equipment with freon. This operation is quite complicated and dangerous, so it’s better not to try to cope with it on your own.

The next point that can affect the operation of the refrigerator is a compressor breakdown. During transportation, the 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 departments stops working, appears characteristic knock of the motor. Since the compressor has a non-separable design and has to be replaced with a new one, it is most likely that repairs will cost a lot.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Tips for transportation and explanation of the features of the device equipment:

When buying a new refrigerator for the home, or moving to another place of residence, you need to think through all the possible nuances and correctly organize its transportation.

Not only the preservation of the aesthetic appearance of the equipment depends on this, but also its stable and serviceable work in the future.

Tell us about your experience in transporting a refrigerator. Share the secrets of preparing the unit for transportation and the nuances of its movement. Please leave comments in the block form below, ask questions and post a photo on the topic of the article.