Moving Heavy Stuff...what to buy in what order

[Matthew Groves]

Hey All,

I'm going to be moving soon, and though my shop is *not* filled with powerhammers and multi-ton lathes, I still have heavy stuff to move around, and now to move locations.

I bet there are some good opinions here as to how a person should progress with their "moving equipment".

A hand truck is probably first, but what comes next? cherry picker? small forklift? Maybe some intermediate steps are not worth it?

If I'm going to be moving this stuff, I might as well have the equipment to do it, and do it safely. This way, I'll be able to move stuff at my new location, and I'll own it, too.

Spread forth your collected wisdom. I'm eager to learn. Or maybe some common mistakes in purchases?

[rthibeau]

Move only what you can pick up yourself and walk with. The rest of it, leave there and publish your address. It will move before you know it.....

[6013]

Give us more details as to what you have to move.

Put everything on pallets. Rent or borrow a fork truck to load pallets on the truck. Place the unloaded pallets close where you want it to be in the new shop.

[son_of_bluegrass]

You don't need to buy equipment, you can rent. If you're looking at just needing something for a day or two that may be your best option

[Matthew Groves]

I realize that I can rent, but I want to embark on a long term plan. I don't think that renting is a good long term plan.

Say I want the 600lb Canedy Otto Post drill on the other side of the room, or I actually get an anvil too big for me to carry across the way. Workbenches get heavy. Wood lathes, too. Can barely wait to get a metal lathe...the list goes on.

I'm not so much worried about the move, per se, but the thought of moving all the stuff got me thinking about a long term plan for having some hoisting/moving/lifting type equipment around. *That* reminded me that I don't *have* a long term plan, and then I thought to myself, "you're not the only one with this problem, and others probably have good and not so good solutions. Go find em."

So (and this is where you guys bring reality to the situation), why buy a $100 dolly when a $300 engine hoist would work so much better? Why not a $500 used forklift for not much more?

I'm using you guys to help me find the "sweet spot" of moving equipment, realizing that I'll always have to rent to pick up the Nazel 3B that I don't have, and that I still don't want to lug that Canedy Otto beast around with an appliance dolly. Let's focus on objects more than I want to lift (200lbs) and less than a ton.

[6013]

A pinch bar, wooden wedges, and pipe rollers will move a lot of material.

[Ten Hammers]

Like 6013 says, hand moving is good for lotta stuff. Material handling is one of the most important things in a shop. How big the new shop and what kinda access you gonna have ?

[Matthew Groves]

Unfortunately, I have no idea what the new shop is going to be like. It's not happening until next May or June. Just thought I'd get a head start. This makes it an impossible question, I realize.

I hope to have overhead doors and a cement floor is all I know. The pallet idea is winning in my mind at this point.

[Dodge]

If you opt to lift anything heavy with a cherry picker, engine hoist, block and tackle etc, keep in mind the center of balance. Most of the weight of a power hammer is in the anvil but weight can fool and tragedy can strike quickly! Manny odd shaped things like power hammers, lathes, etc may have the bulk of the weight to one side. Many factors need to be considered when lifting heavy objects. Have plenty of help. Even if you can manage a cherry picker or engine hoist alone, the balance can shift if you aren't using the proper lifting straps or slings. Chain is most susceptible to shifting when weight is applied. Remember, the toes, hands, LIFE you save may be you own!!

[Swamp Fox]

Levers, fulcrums, and wedges can be used in any size shop and you can never have too much cribbing. A two wheel dolly will pay for itself many times over. Get the one with the big pneumantic tires.

Always inspect ropes, cable, chain, slings etc. for wear or abuse before you use them. Take it out of service if there is a question.