I'd like to move my compressor downstairs into my cold room and pipe it through to the attached garage...this way I save some floor space and cut down on the noise. As it stands I have a little 26 gallon compressor that would be no problem to move, but I'm planning to upgrade to a 60 gallon which is substantially heavier (probably the quincy 5hp so 400+ lbs). Any thoughts on how to get it down a straight flight of 10 stairs without killing myself (and any friends lucky enough to help?).
How to get compressor downstairs?
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Oldbear
Well-known member
Beg, borrow or steal an furniture dolly. They have straps to hold stuff on, and wheels with a set of "tank" tracks along the back to aid in rolling down the stairs. And some help... and a few beers to pay your help
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What OldBear said is probably a good idea. But guy it off with a pretty good size rope to keep it under control and keep any one from breaking their back.
I'd probably leave it on the pallet or whatever it comes in/on. Lay it down on a piece of 3/4" plywood and attach it to the plywood; slide it down the stairs. Again use a rope to control the slide.
Good Luck and don't get hurt.
I'd probably leave it on the pallet or whatever it comes in/on. Lay it down on a piece of 3/4" plywood and attach it to the plywood; slide it down the stairs. Again use a rope to control the slide.
Good Luck and don't get hurt.
flippin
Well-known member
sparky36000
Well-known member
We rented a cart like this to move 4 1200lb pieces of equipment up about 30 stairs. It rented for about $50 a day. It worked great.
I've moved a few compressors up/down stairs in the past. And honestly I am a fan of just removing the head and motor off it first and moving them separate.
A 60 gallon tank weighs practically nothing once the motor/head it off.. Just a couple bolts and wires no big deal. Might take 30 minutes to take apart and 30 minutes to put together, no back breaking, do damage to the house or compressor. No owing your friends for breaking their backs for your new toy
and you could probably almost move it by yourself..
Otherwise a real fridge dolly like pictured with built in ratchet strap and stair climber tracks is the best way. The taller/longer the dolly the easier it is to handle as well.
If a 5hp 60-80 gallon comp gets away on the steps the guy(s) on the down end are toast. This ain't no couch that the person on the bottom might could struggle to hold or pin against the wall.
Good luck, and post up some pics if you get it done!
A 60 gallon tank weighs practically nothing once the motor/head it off.. Just a couple bolts and wires no big deal. Might take 30 minutes to take apart and 30 minutes to put together, no back breaking, do damage to the house or compressor. No owing your friends for breaking their backs for your new toy
and you could probably almost move it by yourself.. Otherwise a real fridge dolly like pictured with built in ratchet strap and stair climber tracks is the best way. The taller/longer the dolly the easier it is to handle as well.
If a 5hp 60-80 gallon comp gets away on the steps the guy(s) on the down end are toast. This ain't no couch that the person on the bottom might could struggle to hold or pin against the wall.
Good luck, and post up some pics if you get it done!
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BD1
Well-known member
I've slid many a boilers down stairs. We used 2x12x14' or so depending on
stairs. We had it tied off with rope and worked well. It depends on stair rise and tread with. Some are really steep and would be more challenging .
stairs. We had it tied off with rope and worked well. It depends on stair rise and tread with. Some are really steep and would be more challenging .
SGKent
Banned
block and tackle. each loop over a block and tackle cuts the weight. You will need one and lines capable of handling the full weight of the unit plus an anchor that won't let loose. You can attach that to your freight dolly and control the descent. The anchor, rope, knots and gear must be rated for the full weight. A block and tackle with 6 ropes would drop the pull exerted from 600 pounds to appx 100 pounds. The rope would pull 6' for each 1' of lowering. Make sure you have enough rope to get to the bottom
wedge40
Well-known member
sparky36000
Well-known member
Two of us moved them. Strap it on just like an appliance cart and walk it right up the stairs. Very safe, no fancy rigging and the one we had was rated for 1500lbs. The guy at the rental place said people rent it a lot to move gun safes.
Drew_flux
Well-known member
Just make sure you're at the top before you push it down the stairs
This^^ It was the first thing that went through my head.
Just like some one else said above. Its no big deal to remove the four bolts that hold the pump and elec motor on and disconnect the air line and wires and move it that way. You could do it that way in 30 min and you would spend that much time locating a dolly and taking it back or rigging up other methods. I have moved several 80 gal compressors this way, when I couldnt get help.
jimindm
Well-known member
If I was moving a compressor to a basement, I would take the head & motor off of the tank. I have an eighty gallon, and I have just moved it a few times. Yours may only be 400lbs, but 250 of that is sitting on top. Making it very top heavy.
I have moved mine with a dolly as mentioned. I put a long eyebolt in the top, and just use the engine hoist now.
The newer they are the more safty gaurd that are on them. That add even more wieght. Gives you one more thing to damage besides the air lines in the moving process.
If you had the room, to strap it on an appliance dolly, lay it down on the side, and kind of just scoot it down the steps using some lumber. Laying it down, moving it and standing it back up.
I have moved mine with a dolly as mentioned. I put a long eyebolt in the top, and just use the engine hoist now.
The newer they are the more safty gaurd that are on them. That add even more wieght. Gives you one more thing to damage besides the air lines in the moving process.
If you had the room, to strap it on an appliance dolly, lay it down on the side, and kind of just scoot it down the steps using some lumber. Laying it down, moving it and standing it back up.
So...you must live alone....get the noise out of the garage and move it into the house....hmmm....at the very least get a shut off valve at the compressor and a good switch so the thing doesn't cut on and off at night. After a few times of you forgetting to turn it off you will be reminded ......
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
This is THE way to go.. just two months ago we moved my 400+ lb stove and refrigerator up two flights of stairs with that exact unit. It takes a little bit to get used to how it functions, but it is a back saver for sure
good guess, I do live alone...but even if I wasn't, my gf wouldn't even question it as she would always be out in the garage helping me (yes my life is that good). Also, the cold room is basically a concrete bunker that is located under the front porch which is not "inside" per say...so the noise would be no different than it being in the garage.Lot of good ideas folks, makes me feel a bit more hopefull that it won't be a disaster trying to do it. I think as it stands a dolly and removing the head are the best bets for me.
78Bird
Well-known member
Big ++ on taking the motor and pump off. Those things weigh a ton, and 3 heavy things are much easier than 1 OMG HEAVY thing, that's really top heavy to boot.
I question the idea in the first place.
A compressor that size is going to be loud.
I would wait and see if I can stand the noise with it in the garage before putting it in the house.
Remember most of the noise comes from the inlet and a small car muffler spliced into the inlet plumbing will help a lot.
A compressor that size is going to be loud.
I would wait and see if I can stand the noise with it in the garage before putting it in the house.
Remember most of the noise comes from the inlet and a small car muffler spliced into the inlet plumbing will help a lot.
Like I said the cold room is a concrete bunker under the porch, it's not really "in" the house although you access it from the basement through the utility room. The garage is attached, with a bedroom on top and only separated by studded walls/drywall/insulation. I imagine for people in the house (at this point nobody I live by myself) it will actually be quieter there. I already can't stand the noise of my little 26 gallon, you can't have a clear conversation without shouting anywhere in the garage. Also it's only a 1.5 car garage, so space is at a premium so this will give me room for another cabinet or whatever.