How to unload air compressor

[johnand]

I ordered the Craftsmen 5.5HP 80 gallon 2 stage compressor. It is ready for pickup.

I know they come attached to a pallet, and I will just have them load it into my 5x8 utility trailer. Though, I can't figure out how I am going to get it off the trailer and moved into position w/o killing myself, since it is top heavy and weighs 417 pounds. Do you guys have any tips, tricks or advice?

 

[malibu101]

Buy a couple of cases of beer and call a few friends over.

 

[bmwpower]

Are you laying it down? I'm not sure I'd feel safe pulling one of those in a utility trailer.

 

[johnand]

Are you laying it down? I'm not sure I'd feel safe pulling one of those in a utility trailer.

Didn't plan on it, as I thought they really aren't supposed to be layed down. I figured I would have to strap the hell out of it, to keep it from falling over.

 

[Uncle Buck]

When I got my stationary 60 gallon upright, I got my pa in law and a couple other guys to heft it out of my truck with me.

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

If you lay it one its side you will need to wait before you start it to allow the oil to drain down. I moved mine with the help of two friends and a dolly to the basement.

 

[chet]

I used my engine hoist to lift mine in and out. Worked really well just remember, like you said, tyhat it is really top heavy!

 

[johnand]

If you lay it one its side you will need to wait before you start it to allow the oil to drain down. I moved mine with the help of two friends and a dolly to the basement.

So, you layed yours on it side OK? I won't be running it for a week, as my electician buddy won't be able to wire it for me until next weekend.

 

[johnand]

I used my engine hoist to lift mine in and out. Worked really well just remember, like you said, tyhat it is really top heavy!

That is what I was thinking, just thought it might be hard to find a good place to chain or strap it.

 

[G1K]

Drive in reverse towards the garage, hit the brakes really hard, and the compressor will slide right off (make sure to open the garage door first)

On a more serious note, call up a coule of friends and offer some beer. You should be all set.


R

 

[Uncle Buck]

I had no problems moving my 60 gallon in the upright position, I simply strapped er down with 3-4 motorcycle tie straps, 3-5 minutes tops to secure it. You can tie down almost anything with a set or two, get some, you will never again use rope if at all possible!

 

[cranker]

I moved my 8o gallon Quincey upright standing up. Did the same as HH just used 4-5 straps and tied it down well in the back of my truck. Never moved an inch. Then used a Gehl fork lift with extendable boom to set it in my shop. Then a pallet jack to move it to its final location. The company that i bought it from (Proffesional air shop) said it would be fine just left mounted to the pallet, the wood would help to absorb the vibration. Plus if i ever need to move it just grab the pallet jack and its a piece of cake....

Tom

 

[W-Cummins]

I moved my 8o gallon Quincey upright standing up. The company that i bought it from (Proffesional air shop) said it would be fine just left mounted to the pallet, the wood would help to absorb the vibration. Plus if i ever need to move it just grab the pallet jack and its a piece of cake....Tom

Watch it your gonna get called a redneck for leaving it on the pallet BTW my small 80gal 5hp is still one the pallet and has been sence 1986

 

[sjsfire]

I'm not sure about the larger upright tanks but some of the smaller horizontal units that I know of are usually shipped with out the oil. So check with your vendor, it may be possible to haul it home on your trailer laying down. If it was mine I'd much rather do that than take a chance of it tipping over #1 It's got to be top heavy, #2 you never know if someone will pull out in front of you. IMO it's better to be safe......

 

[cranker]

W-C : I know i was waiting for that, but it was actually suggested my the company I bought it from. Since i spent more then i had planned on it i thought it would be a good idea to listen to him.. Hey maybe it is an Iowa thing........ lol

 

[Uncle Buck]

Nope, see it regularly in Kansas too!

 

[kartracer55]

Th eaton came on a tractor trailer, and was moved with a pallat jack. The problem was getting it off the pallat (shipping weight over 500lbs). Lets just say and engine hoist will definetly help. A bit of redneck engineering and you should be all set. 3 of us got it off, and my dad and I "rocked" it back to the corner. Hard to explain, but maybe you knwo what I mean anyway.

Jim

 

[Tim240Z]

I bought a 7hp, 60 gallon upright from Lowes. I had them load it in the back of my 71 C20 with their forklift. When I got home, I unloaded it and took it to the shed behind the garage by myself. It was even raining lightly at the time. It was quite the adventure....being so top heavy makes thing interesting.

 

[Uncle Buck]

God forbid, make sure and strap it down, I worked at HD for a few years, and I saw several fools throw em in trucks and start to drive off, the compressors would fall right out of the truck and into the parking lot! By the way, HD did not give them new ones or refund their money, it was the customers responsibility to secure the load once it had been loaded by the associate.

 

[Jay H 237]

Once you get it home you could remove the pump and motor to remove some of the top heaviness before unloading it. Then once you get it to it's location you can reassemble it.

On smooth ground you can leave it on the pallet and roll it on pipes.

 

[maronha]

I unloaded mine by myself I just moved it to the rear of my f350 and layed it down for about a split second then pulled the pallet so that the tank would just slide right down the tailgate to the ground, i used a peice of cardboard to put between the tailgate and tank so it would not scratch it. Then i just kinda walke it were i wanted it, you will be amazed at how easy it will move on hat pallet even though it has some weight to it. BEST BET IS TO GET A CASE AND A FREIND. I had a rainstorm comming so did not have time to wait around.

 

[G M]

Mine came on a 5 ton truck, with the deck 5 feet up from ground level. After trying to figure out how to get the thing off the truck (500 lbs) we ended up taking the motor and pump off the tank and carrying each piece off the truck. I was planning on taking it apart anyways to lift it into the attic so it wasn't a big deal, took less then 5 mins to take the whole thing apart.

 

[REFLEXX]

Back up to the house slowly, when within 50 feet, HARD REVERSE, BRAKES, HARD FORWARD.

Air Compressor will unload itself. All done!

 

[Tom]

You can transport it laying on it's side just as long as there is no oil in it. (most won't have oil in them) Slide it off onto a tire or two, tip it up and shimmy it to where you want it. I used to deliver the damned things by myself to the middle of nowhere Iowa at a former job. Same trick works for 55 gallon drums.

 

[Remi]

When I ordered my quincy 60 gallon I wondered what to do. I was going to get a buddy's low deck trailer and a few friends to offload it at the garage. In the end I decided to let the pro's do it. It's really not that expencive to get a cartage company to deliver it. They got it right into my garage where I wanted it with a pallet jack.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I bought a 80 gal, 7.5 hp two stage, from Home Depot. Biggest one they make. Borrowed a old snowmobile trailer from a neighbor (he used to live in NH) and stood it upright on the pallet. Strapped it with about three of Home Depot's 10,000 lb ratchet straps (best deal going at about $13 each.)

When I got it home I put one of those straps around a truss of the building (metal building with rediron structure) and hung an old chain fall of unknown tonnage from it (bought it at a yard sale for $5, never used it till then, rusty as could be) Used a chain thru the compressor mounting plates extra holes and hoisted it up off the trailer, rolled the trailer out of the way and set it down.

Then I fabricated a six legged stand with adjustable machinery feet and moved it with casters across the shop to where it sits now. Here is the base I made.

Charles

 

[danski0224]

I ordered the Craftsmen 5.5HP 80 gallon 2 stage compressor. It is ready for pickup.

I know they come attached to a pallet, and I will just have them load it into my 5x8 utility trailer. Though, I can't figure out how I am going to get it off the trailer and moved into position w/o killing myself, since it is top heavy and weighs 417 pounds. Do you guys have any tips, tricks or advice?

If it was me, I would spend the $90 to rent a truck with a liftgate. Strap the compressor to the E-track on the truck walls.

While you are at the rental place, get a narrow pallet jack. Then you can move it in the truck and up the driveway easy-like.

Invite some friends over to help- just in case.

Best money you will spend. No doctor visits for strained backs, either.

Redneck engineering isn't worth it.

 

[krooser]

hook a come-along to the garage rafters and lift it from the trailer. OR buy some beer.....

 

[Remi]

If it was me, I would spend the $90 to rent a truck with a liftgate. Strap the compressor to the E-track on the truck walls.

While you are at the rental place, get a narrow pallet jack. Then you can move it in the truck and up the driveway easy-like.

Invite some friends over to help- just in case.

Best money you will spend. No doctor visits for strained backs, either.

Redneck engineering isn't worth it.

It cost me less than that to get a company to deliver it to me.

 

[johnand]

Well, I got it unloaded ok. I tool the head and motor off. Then 2 of us pulled the tank off the trailer. It was much easier than I expected.

Another question:

How important is it to have the compressor 12" from the wall? It says in the manual for air flow, but it has plenty. I have mine with the tank about 3" from the wall. Other than making it hard to get to the belt and pulleys, how much of a problem is this?

 

[ARAMP1]

I got a similar one from sears and it comes crated to lay on the side or stand up. You should be able to lean it up against the side of your trailer, load it in on it's side and unload it by yourself. I had no problem.

 

[danski0224]

It cost me less than that to get a company to deliver it to me.

That works if you get paid for time off of work to meet the delivery crew. Not me.

 

[Ron Lombardo]

Rent a moving hand truck with the strap and back up as close to the loctation with the trailer and get a couple friends. 4oolbs is not that heavy wiht 4 guys. each one should be able to lfit 100lbs. Other wise get new friends LOL

 

[dclark]

Just unloaded an 80 gal from a pickup...layed it on it's side,unbolted the skid,slid it out,stood it up and "walked" it into garage. I didn't fire it up for a few days but it seems to be doing fine.

 

[Steve_S]

I moved my 60-gallon upright laying down once. Didn't hurt it and didn't leak any oil.

The second time I moved it I simply removed the motor and pump from the top. The bare tank was no problem to move around and it only took 10 minutes to remove the heavy stuff and 15 minutes to reinstall it.

My compressor was also on the pallette for 10 years until just a couple months ago. I finally removed it because I had to put the compressor under some cabinets and it was too high. It was handy on the pallette but it takes up a lot less room now siting on its own.

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

So, you layed yours on it side OK? I won't be running it for a week, as my electician buddy won't be able to wire it for me until next weekend.

I just let it sit upright for 24hrs to make sure all the oil ran back down. It has worked fine for three years. It was easier to unload on its side was my reason for doing it.

 

[johnand]

Here is pics of the compressor on the trailer



It wouldn't fit in the garage on the trailer, so we took the head and motor off, then pulled in the garage.

Here it is installed:



I used the vibration dampers from Grainger to mount it on. Then some 3/8" concrete anchors to hold the dampers down. I also modified the tank drain with a ball valve to make draining the tank easier.

 

[dirttracker18]

Do you know anyone with access to a truck with a liftgate? It could took some calls but you can find a friend of a friend sort of deal.
That's how I moved mine. No back breaking labour. If you leave the pallet on the bottom it slides on the concrete real nice too.

 

[mikefromme]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_120050_120050

Real handy to have around.

 

[Zrexxer]

Do you know anyone with access to a truck with a liftgate? It could took some calls but you can find a friend of a friend sort of deal.
That's how I moved mine. No back breaking labour. If you leave the pallet on the bottom it slides on the concrete real nice too.

Being as how it's over four years later, I suspect it's off the trailer, one way or another now.