Moving an 80 gallon compressor ???

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Ok my fellow garage mates. You just finished building you nice new garage. You are rolling over your tool boxes, the car you want to finish, work benches and such. But, you still need to move that nice 80 gallon upright compressor you bought two years ago. How are you going to move it without destroying either the compressor or yourself ???

 

[PAToyota]

In my shop, that would be done with the Bobcat...

But without the Bobcat I'd just tilt it to get a couple furniture dollies under it to move it around carefully - probably with someone on either side just to make sure that it didn't tip over.

 

[boiler7904]

Nylon strap(s) and cherry picker

 

[snorky18]

"Nylon strap(s) and cherry picker "

I used a furniture dolly (or you could use a sturdy creeper if you don't have the f. dolly) to roll around the garage.

I used a cherry picker with straps to unload it from the truck when I got it home. Used the cherry picker again later to pick it up off the original pallet, and place it on my home-made stand ~12" off the ground. That way it's easier to reach the drain (not so low to reach down) and I have storage space under the compressor as well.

If you use cherry picker / straps, make sure that you support not only the legs with straps, but also have a strap or two around the top to keep it from falling over.

 

[Steve in Mi]

I used a sky hook (cherry picker will do) to get it off the pallet and bolt it to a piece of 3/4" ply. Then I used the little 3 wheeled thingies to roll it thru the shop to its new home under the stairs. These are low enough that I could tip it to get a couple dollies under one side. With my foot against the plywood between the 2 already placed dollies, I pulled the compressor toward me and rolled it over the top of a third dollie. Reverse the order to set it back down. If you are working alone it requires footwork to place the dollies - watch your toes.

 

[rsanter]

you can do it yourself
drain the oil and strap it to an appliance dolly
tilt it into the back of the pickup or roll it into the back of a moving truck and stand it in the corner

if it too heavy you could always remove the motor and even the compressor head and re-assemble later

it would be hard to hurt a compressor unless you drop it

bob

 

[kbs2244]

Because they are so top heavy, I like the lift from the top with a hoist or engine lift idea better then wheels underneath.
If you do go with a dolly, have some help to steady it.

 

[rsanter]

yes... with the dolly is NOT a one person deal

bob

 

[Alex]

This worked for me, but for a short distance it'll tilt easy and a dolly will work fine....

 

[PoorOwner]

I was able to move it back and forth to mark the holes for drilling with 2 people, just hug the thing and kind of rotate it..

3 people to get it off the pallet, but 2 might have worked for that also.

 

[edl]

in terms of lifting it with straps or anything that lifts it upward off the ground, where are you placing the lifting weight? - on the brace between the tank and motor? - all the way down through the legs? - thanks!! ED

 

[dauntless]

in terms of lifting it with straps or anything that lifts it upward off the ground, where are you placing the lifting weight? - on the brace between the tank and motor? - all the way down through the legs? - thanks!! ED

I just wrapped a strap around the brace for the tank and motor (NOT all the way down through the legs). When I winched it up (using an overhead hoist) it lifted off the ground on a slight angle but it seemed fine and was not damaged. I do not know if this is the correct procedure but it worked for me and my upright. Just be careful about not damaging any piping or whatever is not rigid steel when lifting.

 

[Steve in Mi]

The first photo was not the best distribution of weight for lifting but suitable for lifting it off the pallet.

In the second photo is a better ****** closer to balanced and a straingt lift for me to bolt the plywood base on the feet. The nylon strap was moved to the opposite side of the copper line (as shown in the picture) to prevent putting any stress on it and for a straight lift. IIRC the nylon sling was wrapped around a piece of 2 X 4 on the underside of the motor and compressor mount.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I think I can position my engine hoist so it can pick it up by putting a strap around the top under the lift arms similar to the first pic posted by Steve in Mi. I'm still a few weeks away from moving my compressor anyway. Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[Tscott]

In the second photo is a better ****** .

Um I am not a moderator, but I am pretty sure these types of pictures are not allowed.

 

[RickP330]

Take a look at my garage threads below. I put 2x4's under the feet and used 1" pipes to roll it on. After I painted the floor I put down .99 cents tiles under the rollers to protect the floor n moved it back, then I took the 2x4's off and made vibration pads. I also did this once in my younger days with an appliance dolly and 2 persons. When they delivered this unit the driver did it himself originally. said it was par-for the course for him, he did it daily!
RP

Here is a shot...

 

[JJSCHM]

When I moved mine to the new garage, I took off the pump and motor to remove the top weight and dollied it the rest of the way.
-Jon