Loading Harbor Freight tool cabinets?

[texasdiver]

Looking to pick up the US General 44 inch cabinet this weekend. I understand these things are big heavy beasts so I’ll be renting a trailer from Uhaul or Home Depot to haul it home with the Highlander.

Question. Will Harbor Freight load it for me with a forklift or do I need to bring help along to get the thing loaded?

I’m assuming I’m going to need help getting it off the trailer. Question is, do I need to bring help with me to the store also?

 

[WWheeler]

Man up. You don't even need a trailer.

Seriously though, my HF has a forklift and will help with loading, not sure if they all do, but regardless of where it was I've never regretted bringing along help for any items that would need it to get on and/or off.

 

[texasdiver]

I’ve got 4 stores within a 20 min radius and 4 more stores if I want to drive an extra 10 min. So I guess I’ll call first to confirm stock and if they will load it so I’m not chasing around town with a trailer.

 

[Tallpilot]

They should all have a forklift to load it for you. I used the small utility trailer with the ramp gate. I was able to slide the box off the trailer into the garage then manipulate it from there without too much trouble. If your garage floor isn't smooth it may be more difficult.

 

[Mikeske]

They have loaded all the toolboxes I have bought from them with a forklift no issue. the only issue I had was a 3/4 ton pickup and the height off loading it. Thank god I had a tractor with a front end loader and forklift forks to remove it from the truck on my first 44" toolbox. I wised up when I bought the 2nd 44" toolbox and took my car trailer down, that was a lot easier to get it off the trailer as I was a lot lower to the floor of my carport.

 

[yamaha0343]

You will need these...

 

[tomtomgt356]

When I bought the 44" top and bottom set, they had two or three guys load them into my truck. All i had to do was strap them down. Unloading wasn't too bad. I unboxed them in the bed and removed all the drawers before my wife and I moved them into the basement.

 

[Spiffers]

They should all have a forklift to load it for you. I used the small utility trailer with the ramp gate. I was able to slide the box off the trailer into the garage then manipulate it from there without too much trouble. If your garage floor isn't smooth it may be more difficult.

Did they get on your ramp loading the box? I'd hate to have them run the fork lift upon the ramp and warp it.
I'm thinking if I use my little trailer if I get a HF box and just putting the casters on the box in the parking lot and just rolling it up.

 

[Mr_B]

If ramps don't unhook easy just tell driver don't go on the ramps and either keep pallet as far out on forks as can or push it if needed with forks once placed on trailer . 2 good guys or 3 office fairy's can man handle that pretty easy .
Last boxes I dealt with was 56" internationals, I was going hook hand winch to pull it on fully but my lad and forklift guy man handled it to final position in seconds .

 

[barnee]

I just bought the 44 and it fit on its back in my Tahoe. Two of us lifted it in and my son and I unloaded it at my house. Not really a big deal.

 

[bullnerd]

take? You mean truck or Tahoe?

 

[Tallpilot]

Did they get on your ramp loading the box? I'd hate to have them run the fork lift upon the ramp and warp it.
I'm thinking if I use my little trailer if I get a HF box and just putting the casters on the box in the parking lot and just rolling it up.

No they didn't get on the ramp. The guy was careful and did a pretty good job. If I remember correctly the box was packed upside down. It rides better that way with less chance of damage.

 

[driz]

I just bought the 44 and it fit on its back in my take. Two of us lifted it in and my son and I unloaded it at my house. Not really a big deal.

The wife and I did mine easy. Just have them load it in your truck and then open the box and unload the pieces separately . It’s not that terrible at all.
Word of advice! If the carton is dented in open it and check it right there . Those boxes take a beating in shipping and sometimes it caves in the sheet metal. Make sure the drawers move freely. 5 years on and one of mine is still sticks a little even though well oiled. Look it over good so that some other guy gets the funky one.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[djcslice]

Looking to pick up the US General 44 inch cabinet this weekend. I understand these things are big heavy beasts so I’ll be renting a trailer from Uhaul or Home Depot to haul it home with the Highlander.

Question. Will Harbor Freight load it for me with a forklift or do I need to bring help along to get the thing loaded?

I’m assuming I’m going to need help getting it off the trailer. Question is, do I need to bring help with me to the store also?

If you are getting a trailer from Uhaul, I would suggest getting one with the ramp (5x9 w/ramp). Then you can just take the bottom out of the box and roll it down the ramp.

I have loaded my 44in solo into the back of my truck by leaning it up against the tailgate and lifting and tilting it on its back. Its a lot easier with 2 people.

https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/5x9-Utility-Trailer-With-Ramp-Rental/RT/

 

[vavet]

I bought two of the Yukon workbenches a few months ago. They rolled them out on a pallet with a pallet jack, then had 2 people load them in my trailer. I've seen a forklift in the back room. I'd imagine they use it mostly for unloaded the freight when it arrives.

 

[lhymes]

No need to overthink this. Get one of the Uhaul trailers with ramps. Have them forklift it down onto some dollies in the trailer. Strap it. Roll it out on the dollies that it’s sitting on.

 

[nes999]

They have used a fork lift every time ive purchased one.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

... the only issue I had was a 3/4 ton pickup and the height off loading it.

Same here. I had to slide it down carefully from the truck, but still, a corner was dented. No biggie, I hammered back into shape. But it's a concern.

 

[Tanro]

I used to load and unload my 44 by myself anytime I had to move it. (Change jobs, or onsite calls since it was basically my roll cart)

I just used 2 very long 2"x6"s

And if its empty.... forget about it. I don't remember if they come with casters on them or if you have to put those on... But it did come with a **** load of packing material...

 

[sberry]

You can tip the box in most any suv to load it, 2 people easy. I wouldn't bother with a trailer, you will look like amateurs.
I am not sure of the cargo dimensions but it might fit slid in . Measure it and see.

 

[6PTsocket]

They loaded the 44" top and bottom onto my pickup with a fork lift. Bring enough tie downs to keep it in place for the trip home. When I got it home, I uncrated them in the truck and removed the drawers. I was backed into the garage, where they now live. With the drawers out, my wife and I were able to slide them out, over a cargo blanket pretty easily. The packaging was undamaged but there was a ding in the bottom chest. It probably happened in the factory. While uncrating, look for damage in case you want to return or exchange it. It is a PIA to take it back after it is in it's casters, on the floor, with the drawers installed.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[eyeball]

I just bought the 44 and it fit on its back in my Tahoe. Two of us lifted it in and my son and I unloaded it at my house. Not really a big deal.

Same for me... me and my 17 year old son loaded two bottom boxes in the back of my wife’s minivan. It was very tight but I don’t recall much trouble getting them in or out.

One was the floor demo ahead of the new boxes arriving and the other was on a small pallet.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Spiffers]

If ramps don't unhook easy just tell driver don't go on the ramps and either keep pallet as far out on forks as can or push it if needed with forks once placed on trailer . 2 good guys or 3 office fairy's can man handle that pretty easy .
Last boxes I dealt with was 56" internationals, I was going hook hand winch to pull it on fully but my lad and forklift guy man handled it to final position in seconds .

No they didn't get on the ramp. The guy was careful and did a pretty good job. If I remember correctly the box was packed upside down. It rides better that way with less chance of damage.

20 years ago when I got my big gun safe, where Dad used to work you could "check out" tools on the weekend and he got a pallet jack so we didn't have to man handle it.

I'm still debating if I was to drop the coin on the Extreme 55" or get a top and bottom HF 56.

 

[Coach James]

I brought the HF 44 home in the back of my 4 cyl. Frontier. About 45 miles. HF had a forklift to load it. My wife and I lifted it off the bed and set in down by the garage.

Coach