Moving heavy stuff alone

Howdy!

I want to start picking up stoves/other heavy appliances all alone instead of bringing a helper. I offer to pick up anything even if it's up or down stairs.

I'm a big dude so I can handle the weight on my own (most of the time, not always lol) but I need something solid and secure to grab on to. Looking for some kind of handtruck, cart or dolly with straps.

What do you guys use? Any specific brands? Links?

Thanks!

Go check out the appliance carts at the rental shops, their kinda tall with the big ratchet strap. Don't know where you could buy one of those tho,,,

although I haven't used this myself, I've been watching this dolly......can go up the stairs without you having to lift it every step.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-6-Wheel-Stai...item35b13419a3

I just use yer standard dolly.

I do it all alone just like you do bud. It's profitable, but man it can hurt ya if yer not careful. Protect yer back, shoulders, and neck.

How about a furniture dolly? I saw one at Home Depot for about $30. Don't know if this will serve your needs or not. Just a thought. I'm certain however that it could handle the weight of most appliances.

Got a email from Harbor Freight today and with coupon the appliance hand cart with strap is on sale for $64.99.

Save some money. Dont spend $60+ on an "appliance dolly" just because it has straps. Put yer appliance (or whatever) on the dolly, and use yer own straps to strap it on there. I've done that MANY times. Works like a charm.

Appliance dolly's are longer (taller). Isn't that worth the difference ?

Well, olddude you gave me a great idea....how about just hooking the wench to a regular dolly and just guiding it out ??

Ahhhh yes. Forgot about that! I reckon the extra length would help ease the back strain. Lord knows we could all use a few more inches...

Yes, i meant to pun. Im so punny.

Originally Posted by Dumpster Dee

Appliance dolly's are longer (taller). Isn't that worth the difference ?

Your a punny guy!

Originally Posted by TheHoss

Ahhhh yes. Forgot about that! I reckon the extra length would help ease the back strain. Lord knows we could all use a few more inches...

Yes, i meant to pun. Im so punny.

Well I have a conundrum. I was given permission to take a plow blade but its about half a ton and no way can I lift it and one helper isn't enough either. I dont have a winch on my truck, is there some easy build thing to make where I could possibly lift one end high enough to slide into my truck using another truck to pull a chain or rope attached to it?? I have ideas running through my head from building a 3 part frame with a chain or something lol, but Im not real technical like that to figure something out that I could erect in a few minutes and not permanently attach to the truck.

I like that barrel/chain idea, there isn't a tree large enough to use by it or where I could move it to by pulling with chains. I'm pretty sure there is come-along at my dads. Thanks Mick!

In my younger days I"d carry a washer and dryer upstairs around the corner to the apartment. Kinda old for that now, but them hand trucks with straps work pretty good. I also use furniture dolly's only have to lift about 6" and get em under there. Sometimes lift one side and put it on blocks, then lift the other and slide the dolly under it.

I was alone, about 80 miles out of town on a big ranch clean up project last summer. I stumbled upon a LARGE trailor frame. It was still on wheels, well, rims. I pulled er out of the ground with the pickup. I then backed up to it, got a log, lifted with all my might and get the tongue on the log. Took a rest. Rests are IMPORTANT when lifting heavy things alone. Then, lifted the tongue onto my bed. Just so it was barely on it. I had my tailgate off for this. I backed up the truck about 6 inches at a time. Each time, getting out, readjusting. Eventually i got it a little more than half way on, i then simply lifted the end on the trailor up, and the front of it fell down into the bed.

Took that alone to the scrap yard. Yard was only about 4 miles away from me, i was curious as to how heavy it was. The weight was 790 pounds.

I was able to lift this, by not EVER lifting the entire weight. Just used leverage. Leverage has been a life saver for me, i used it more than 20 times a day it seems.

With the bucket, i would do something like this. I had to load one of those suckers before, it was NOT fun alone, but i got it done. Took the tailgate off, slid a series of 2x4's and other wood under one end, simply by forcing them under the bucket 1 by 1. After i got it high enough where i could lift it on end without straining my back too much, i did. I lifted it until it was sitting on its end. The rest was simple. I just pushed er over, into the bed. It didnt go all the way in, so i took one of my heavy duty straps hooked it up to where my tailgate would click in, and around the end of the bucket on the ground still. Then, started ratcheting away. It slowly brought er up, and in. Using LEVERAGE. It was awesome and very effective, with little strain on my back. Come to think of it i didnt use 2x4's, i used somethin else, just wider boards layin around.

Sorry for the long post. Just got done tearin down TV's, reckon i needed to have a release of sorts haha.