Moving a heavy compressor

[onewheat]

I am looking to get a compressor something like this - IR 80 Gallon 2-Stage Compressor. I'm not set on this particular one - but seems about the right price point for me - anyway...

I'd like to put this on the second floor of my garage, which has about 3 steps to a door and then just through the door is a landing and a 90° turn to a flight of steps to the second floor. This particular compressor says it weighs 600 lbs. I need some ideas on how to get this 600 lb behemoth up the stairs. Any suggestions?

One thought was to pull the motor and compressor off the top of the tank and take parts up individually, but I'd hate to start disassembling a brand new compressor and having never done this, I'm not sure what all I could get into.

 

[Ggg]

Will the steps/stringer hold that kind of weight? Can you make access through a wall and use a forklift to install it?

 

[evintho]

Does it absolutely, positively have to go on the second floor? Would be way easier to keep it on the first level. However, to move it upstairs line the steps with plywood, lay it on its side and slide it up the stairs. An electric winch would help but if not, at a minimum 4 pretty big guys and a length of thick rope. 2 pulling, 2 pushing.

It ain't light! I have the exact same compressor. I've had mine since '06 and has been very dependable. I use it 4-5 times per week. Powers all my air tools and even a 90lb pressure blaster. Never runs outta air!

BTW, that's not a 2-stage.

 

[619DioFan]

I have moved them ( and other large items ) with a good appliance dolly. first - take it off the pallet. second- strap it to the dolly ( use the dolly strap plus (2) ratchet straps to secure it to the dolly) note that if the legs are wider than the dolly blade you will need to add a piece of steel to make the blade wider. before all this make sure the compressor will fit through the door way leading to the landing area- next make sure that once in the landing area you can pivot the unit around ( remember you will have a dolly attached that will make the unit wider ) you have to pivot the unit so the dolly is twords the stairs. also make sure you have the clearance at the top of the stairs to maneuver it around. if all these factors line up you can do it with 3 guys , 1 pulling , 2 pushing. keep the dolly at the right angle leaning back and the stair runners on the back lower side of the dolly will help it " roll " up the stairs. go one step at a time. good luck.

 

[onewheat]

Does it absolutely, positively have to go on the second floor? Would be way easier to keep it on the first level. However, to move it upstairs line the steps with plywood, lay it on its side and slide it up the stairs. An electric winch would help but if not, at a minimum 4 pretty big guys and a length of thick rope. 2 pulling, 2 pushing.

It ain't light! I have the exact same compressor. I've had mine since '06 and has been very dependable. I use it 4-5 times per week. Powers all my air tools and even a 90lb pressure blaster. Never runs outta air!

BTW, that's not a 2-stage.

It doesn't have to go on the second floor but I'd rather not give up the real estate on the main level or listen to it run.

It is 2-stage. It says it is in the description, just not in the title. It states, "5 HP electric-driven 230V two-stage air compressor".

IR's website says it is, as well.
80 Gallon Reciprocating Air Compressor - TS4N5 Two-Stage Compressors

 

[ard]

It doesn't have to go on the second floor but I'd rather not give up the real estate on the main level or listen to it run.


]

What will it be mounted on, upstairs, on the second floor, that will make it so you won't hear it throughout the structure?

 

[matt_i]

I moved mine to my attic (its an older 5hp 2stage T30 60 gal) on an appliance dolly. I used a lever hoist to do most of the actual lifting up the staircase. The lift point was rigged to a 2x8 screwed into multiple places in the building framing, and I think I took the motor off (or maybe just the belt guard cage?) to get access to the center hole on the bracket. I ran a roundsling thru the hole and trapped it with a 2x4 in shear.

Would have been much better with 4 guys...for that one pictured I'd get 6 guys....the points where it has to turn and can't be tilted back into balance, or the place where the loop handles are up against the wall are the places to worry most about. I would consider using one person as a "spotter" with some type of lever hoist, come-along, 2" or better ratchet-strap or possibly a chainfall (although using those non-vertically is very difficult). The idea being that in case somebody slips, or it gets to a position where nobody can move, at least the load can keep that position and everyone take a break without danger of falling back.

My compressor is very heavy to start. One time a guy who got roped into helping me move (unloading) for an hour or so had this attitude emptying the truck was a quick jamup job to be done as fast as possible. He decided he was going to move the air compressor by himself. I had moved it across country, strapped to the dolly, on a box truck, doing the actual moving with the help of my Dad, us both 20 years younger than today. This cat tilted it back and with a huge over-reaction to the top heavy weight suddenly coming down at him basically slammed it back down on all 4 feet. So then everyone stopped and looked at the big bang on the floor of the truck. I think he was embarrassed, and immediately tried to tilt it back again, the same exact reaction. At which point I asked him to please move some boxes before the compressor got damaged. Just to point out that its not a 1 man job...unless you started as middle linebacker at a Division 1 college. Just kidding, slightly, but you have to be prepped for balancing the heavy load. If it gets to the point where its past your level of strength, its going to go horizontal because it only gets heavier from there.

Just to add, 600 lbs is a lot to put in 4-9 square feet, that's approaching 100 psf which is probably beyond the "design rating" of most attic-trusses.

 

[RWorth]

got any pix of the stairs and top level? you could put that upstairs alone with a come-along and the proper rigging.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Those compressors are very top heavy and unless you have a lot of strong help the chance of if falling over is very good. I would remove the motor and pump and move it in three pieces, should not take more than 30 minutes to take it apart and put it back together. Then each piece would be the size you could handle probably by yourself. Dropping a compressor on its side or top is not a good idea.

 

[stonesfan68]

^^ This.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I would recommend taking it apart too, it's not hard at all to pull the belt, disconnect some electrical and an air line or two. Gives you the chance to make sure everything is proper and good & tight when you re-assemble. A lot of the weight is in the motor & pump and like someone else said makes very top heavy..

By removing the pump you can now tilt the tank all sorts of directions and have much better clearance.

Take the opportunity if it has the cheap petcock on the bottom to pipe in a nice ball valve before you stick the pump & motor back on.

 

[vettex2]

I concur or go to a gym and get some weightlifters

 

[Ironhorse74]

Go to a Hearth shop. A place that sells wood stoves. They all have an Escalera. The Escalera climbs stairs piece of cake. I used to do those kind of moves for 50-100 bucks. Gun safes too.

 

[vettex2]

I had to google that. Cool !!

 

[nes999]

I would call a moving company. I've often had them move 400+ pound fish tanks and its always been in the 80 to 100 dollar range.

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[rlitman]

Go to a Hearth shop. A place that sells wood stoves. They all have an Escalera. The Escalera climbs stairs piece of cake. I used to do those kind of moves for 50-100 bucks. Gun safes too.

Interesting thought. The local safe companies charge an arm and a leg for delivery.

Those compressors are very top heavy and unless you have a lot of strong help the chance of if falling over is very good. I would remove the motor and pump and move it in three pieces, should not take more than 30 minutes to take it apart and put it back together. Then each piece would be the size you could handle probably by yourself. Dropping a compressor on its side or top is not a good idea.

^^ This.

I have an 80 gallon compressor in my garage loft, and that's what I did. Motor, pump, and tank were hoisted up separately. The tank was hoisted horizontally, and then was stood up, and then I put the rest on it.

 

[larry_g]

Me personally I would want to set it up and go through the break-in procedure and use it for a bit before I went to the effort to get it up stairs. Infant mortality is not unheard of.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[btdobie]

My fear is whether or not your stairs are strong enough to hold a 600lb compressor and three strong men as previously mentioned. I would either take it up in pieces or temporarily reinforce the stairs for the move. To me the appliance dolly seems to be the way to go. Whatever you decide you should test it at ground level first.

 

[Cruzan80]

Managed to haul a 60gal out of a basement with a buddy and me. Appliance Dolly and ratchet straps. Any time it is going up or down, even one stair, strap it down.

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[evintho]

It is 2-stage. It says it is in the description, just not in the title. It states, "5 HP electric-driven 230V two-stage air compressor".

My bad! That's a pretty good price on a great compressor!

 

[rsanter]

And I guess there is no place to put it outside?
Will the floor handle this load? This is a bunch of weight in a small footprint.
You may not want to do it but there is also the option of separating the motor/compressor and the tank. One can go outside and the other in the attic if you wanted to.

To move upstairs I would either hire it out or take it apart. Use an appliance dolly. I have used one to move my 60 gal a couple of times

Bob

 

[redmondjp]

Managed to haul a 60gal out of a basement with a buddy and me. Appliance Dolly and ratchet straps. Any time it is going up or down, even one stair, strap it down.

Yes, but if the one you are talking about was a typical consumer-grade compressor, it likely weighed less than half of the one that the OP is talking about.

I have all of the following (don't ask; CL compressor addiction :

- consumer-grade 60-gallon single-stage - weighs less than 300lbs.

- semi-consumer-grade Snapon 80-gallon 2-stage - weighs 500lbs.

- industrial-grade Quincy 325 80-gallon 2-stage - weighs over 800lbs.

 

[Cruzan80]

Mine probably weighs at least 300, but I get your point.

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[metalmagpie]

BS. Stick a 2x4 through the motor platform and put a big guy on each end. Two more guys each with a foot. Up she goes. I have a big Champion 2-stage 80 gallon vertical and moving it like that was a snap.

metalmagpie

 

[md21722]

I don't buy it. The last thing you want to do it end up killing someone or breaking your air compressor. 600 pounds is a lot of weigh up a staircase. I have a 600 pound compressor. We took our time and had the top secured with a ratchet strap. Better safe than sorry. That was just getting it off the trailer. The 260 pounds 3.x HP units from Home Depot you can easily lift with 2 people like they're nothing.

 

[Bandit]

For a move like that I all ways took the motor and pump off , less chance to damage anything .
I used a appliance dolly with a piece of angle iron and a extra strap .
( the fact I charged by the hour , was NOT the main reason I did it that way , Safety of the unit , Personal , and building Was . )

 

[onewheat]

If it isn't a big deal to remove the motor and compressor - that is the way I'd probably go. I don't really know anyone in town, so LOTS of help is tough to come by. I moved my French door refrigerator into the house by myself - out of my truck, up 3 steps and into place with an appliance dolly. It weighs about 400 lbs. If I can do that, I can move pieces of the compressor if I take it apart, I think. I'd have to see when I get it how it feels. I'd love to find one of those stair climbers, but I haven't been able to find one locally. I do want a 900 lb safe in my basement that requires descending about a dozen steps outside to get in the basement. I think the joists are fine for 600 lbs. That is 3 guys standing in close proximity upstairs. Shouldn't be a big deal. They are 12" engineered I-beams, I think. The compressor would be over near the knee wall. I can get pics of the steps and things later. The steps are 2x10 treads and whatever standard stair width is - 36" maybe? They should hold the weight fine too, I would think. I don't know what it will be on up there - pucks, the skid, rubber feet - dunno? I haven't gotten that far yet, but it has to be quieter than being in the room with it. Putting it outside is not an option - or building an outside closet. I had the garage wired with every intention of it going up there. I just need to figure it all out. These are some great ideas though. Compressor, heat and lift - just need to do them.

 

[bulletpruf]

I didn't take the motor and pump off my 80 gallon Quincy for my last move and I regretted it. It's not difficult to do and will greatly reduce chances of someone getting hurt or compressor being damaged.

 

[brownbagg]

600 pounds on second floor, with it running, you got bigger gonads than me, that would break through that floor withing the hour

 

[Dr Stan]

Me personally I would want to set it up and go through the break-in procedure and use it for a bit before I went to the effort to get it up stairs. Infant mortality is not unheard of.

That's an excellent idea.

"An electric winch would help but if not, at a minimum 4 pretty big guys and a length of thick rope. 2 pulling, 2 pushing."

This one not so much. One should never have people under a heavy load while it is being lifted. Just remember the potential OH Sh!t is much more than a pinched finger. Buy, borrow, or beg a suitable lifting device. Chain hoist, winch, come-a-long etc. Attach it to a very good strong point such as a 2X6 attached to the trusses. I'd probably go with spanning at least 4 trusses. Then run verticals down to a 2X nailed/screwed to the floor. Supports to the steps at about the halfway point is another recommendation. One on each side with diagonal bracing.

And do not use rope as it stretches way too easily. Chain rated for lifting and/or lifting straps is the way to go.

BTW worked as a millwright during part of my industrial experience and moved many heavy items such as large machine tools. You'll never know if you over did the reinforcement, but finding out it was inadequately supported is a horse of a different color.

Just a thought. Is it possible to pull up some of the flooring? I assume its 4X8 sheet goods. Mount a lifting device to the trusses (see above) and take up one sheet. Hoist away, or use a forklift.

 

[Dr Stan]

600 pounds on second floor, with it running, you got bigger gonads than me, that would break through that floor withing the hour

The 2nd floor should be rated much higher than 600#, but you have a good point. I suggest vertical 4X4's under the AC along with diagonal bracing. A 4X4 piece of OSB or plywood under the AC would also help spread the load. The problem with that is he'd have to give up some 1st floor floor space.

 

[DeltaWye]

I know I wouldn't be the guy underneath that thing.

 

[strength_and_power]

I work for a large safe company and routinely take safes 800-1000 pounds upstairs with one other guy and one of two stairclimbers. A compressor wouldn't be a big deal. Understanding the concept of center of gravity and staying within its limits is pretty simple. PM me and I may be able to recommend as safe company local to you that has the right equipment


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[Dr Stan]

There's a co-member of the Metal Working Fun forum who documented the disassembly of a brand new vertical mill, then lowering the still heavy components down to the basement. He too follows the overkill is better thought process.

 

[GasNSteering]

Remember as the air reaches the cooler lower level the air will Have a lot of moisture in it.

 

[onewheat]

Just a thought. Is it possible to pull up some of the flooring? I assume its 4X8 sheet goods. Mount a lifting device to the trusses (see above) and take up one sheet. Hoist away, or use a forklift.

I can reinforce the flooring easily enough - lifting flooring isn't an option. My I-beam floor joists are too close together to fit a compressor between. They are probably 16" on center? I'm not sure exactly, but WAY closer than what it would take to get a compressor through.They span the depth of the garage so I have no posts - 28' or 30' or whatever their length is.

 

[Dr Stan]

Here's a link to the milling machine disassembly, move to the basement and reassembly I mentioned. The thread is 68 pgs long so this is for page 24:

http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=2981&page=24

 

[matt_i]

I can reinforce the flooring easily enough - lifting flooring isn't an option. My I-beam floor joists are too close together to fit a compressor between. They are probably 16" on center? I'm not sure exactly, but WAY closer than what it would take to get a compressor through.They span the depth of the garage so I have no posts - 28' or 30' or whatever their length is.

This also raises the spectre of disassembling the staircase for the move-event.

Then you have a vertical shaft to use a forklift (ideal if you had access) or you could attempt to mount a piece of S4 x 7.7 I-beam to the wood framing, then use a half-ton trolley and a chainfall. Raise the tank in the hatch, then trolley it over to the landing and lower it. You'd have to "shuffle-pivot" it over to where the final resting place is. To test your rigging and structure, my standard procedure is to lift it up 1/2" and see what happens. If you feel good that there's no deflection or signs of impending doom, then time to raise away, slowly, to avoid bouncing and impact loads. Also, imo, while suspended, an excellent time to add swiveling leveling feet.