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Anyone use the Shoulder Dolly to move a gun safe?
4/9/2012 10:49:50 AM
I am looking for get a safe that is about 600lbs.
I have a set of forearm straps, but I think that 600lbs would be way too much to try to do with those.
Has anyone used the Shoulder Dolly to move a heavy safe? It says they are rated up to 800lbs, so I am curious if me and a pretty stout buddy could manage a 600lb safe across a sloping (hence no wheeled dolly) back yard and up 2 steps into the house?
I have a set of forearm straps, but I think that 600lbs would be way too much to try to do with those.
Has anyone used the Shoulder Dolly to move a heavy safe? It says they are rated up to 800lbs, so I am curious if me and a pretty stout buddy could manage a 600lb safe across a sloping (hence no wheeled dolly) back yard and up 2 steps into the house?
4/9/2012 3:06:53 PM
No I haven't but I wouldn't try either. If it was to fall while you are moving it there's less chance you can get out of the way because you're essentially tied to it. Especially with a slope. Bad Idea IMO.
4/9/2012 7:17:45 PM
I understand this isn't what you asked, but I'm gonna say it anyway. You can rent a pallet jack for reasonable price. You can do amazing things with a pallet jack and patience.
4/9/2012 7:21:11 PM
I used a case of buddies favorite beer and pizza lift. worked great.
4/9/2012 7:21:49 PM
How much slope?
4/9/2012 7:31:19 PM
I have a $20 harborfreight dolly ive and bought 6-7 over the years and its a one man job these are 600-800 safes..Careful though dont tip it it back to far
4/10/2012 7:42:43 AM
Our house is elevated about 15 feet above the level of the driveway where we will be unloading the safe. I would say it is a solid 30-40% slope up to the level of the house, and then the yard levels out flat.
Once we hit that level area, there are only 2 small steps into the house - the rest is level moving.
A dolly would be fine for the level areas, but I do not think it would go up the rough, dirt and grass yard slope.
Once we hit that level area, there are only 2 small steps into the house - the rest is level moving.
A dolly would be fine for the level areas, but I do not think it would go up the rough, dirt and grass yard slope.
4/10/2012 11:20:04 AM
I have never moved any safe so take what i say with a grain of salt. But i think this would be fine. The key would be to strap the safe to the hand cart. Then the extra people are more for extra help with balance. Balancing it will be key. it wont take much strength to keep it balanced. But once it gets out of balance you will have a problem. I think extra hands balancing even if they are not strong people will be better than one or two strong people. It will be "delicate" work not "strength" work. Because the key is keeping it balanced and not letting it tip to much.
I have moved motorcycles around a lot they weigh almost that much. They have a much lower center of gravity but it is still the same thing where they need to be kept balanced. If you keep them balanced well anyone can hold them. But if they tip too much it is really tough to catch it. Extra sets of hands really help. This is because one or two people dont always realize when it is STARTING to tip until it is too late. Extra people will kind of help see this from different angles.
Just my opinion.
I have moved motorcycles around a lot they weigh almost that much. They have a much lower center of gravity but it is still the same thing where they need to be kept balanced. If you keep them balanced well anyone can hold them. But if they tip too much it is really tough to catch it. Extra sets of hands really help. This is because one or two people dont always realize when it is STARTING to tip until it is too late. Extra people will kind of help see this from different angles.
Just my opinion.
4/10/2012 11:55:15 AM
I do appreciate the info from everyone. It will be an experiment.
I have one friend, my dad and wife lined up to try to get it into the house this weekend. If we fail then next week I have a couple buddies from work (who are not free this week or weekend) that are willing to come and try it.
The way our house is perched on the hill makes it hard to find an easy way in. Not to mention we have to go in 1 certain door because there is no other way to get it to the room where we are putting it through any other door.
For anyone curious, here is the safe in question.
On sale at tractor supply for 900.
36 gun Cannon Safe
(apparently the TSC website is broke right now or else i would have linked it)
I have one friend, my dad and wife lined up to try to get it into the house this weekend. If we fail then next week I have a couple buddies from work (who are not free this week or weekend) that are willing to come and try it.
The way our house is perched on the hill makes it hard to find an easy way in. Not to mention we have to go in 1 certain door because there is no other way to get it to the room where we are putting it through any other door.
For anyone curious, here is the safe in question.
On sale at tractor supply for 900.
36 gun Cannon Safe
(apparently the TSC website is broke right now or else i would have linked it)
4/10/2012 12:36:04 PM
If two people have worked together long enough at moving safes to have their communications clear and unambiguous, it will work out.
However, adding another person to the adventure of moving a safe can create many, many more problems than it solves.
Safe moving is 95% thinking and 5% actually moving the safe. It will take two people four times as long to do the thinking (Thinking Squared) as it will take one person.
I have personally moved a 1600 pound Fort Knox safe with a rented pallet jack and no assistance (i.e. distraction) from others.
The only place where moving a safe benefits from help is in the initial getting a corner up to start things. After that, it's best done solo.
However, adding another person to the adventure of moving a safe can create many, many more problems than it solves.
Safe moving is 95% thinking and 5% actually moving the safe. It will take two people four times as long to do the thinking (Thinking Squared) as it will take one person.
I have personally moved a 1600 pound Fort Knox safe with a rented pallet jack and no assistance (i.e. distraction) from others.
The only place where moving a safe benefits from help is in the initial getting a corner up to start things. After that, it's best done solo.
4/10/2012 10:35:04 PM
Is there any chance this safe has external hinges on the door? If it does, you can open the safe, two or 3 guys lift off and move the door.
BTW - the idea of a few beers for the buddies after the move works the best.
BTW - the idea of a few beers for the buddies after the move works the best.
