need advice on moving a pretty large, top/bottom box combo....?

[GSully23]

Hey guys, I'm looking to go pick up a snap-on bottom/top combo box about 30 miles from my house. Long story short, a woman's father passed away, had a shop in his garage and there trying to clear some of the stuff out. I don't have the exact specs on the box, I had just seen it briefly when buying some other tools off of then but I would guess it's at least 52" long, 29" deep, and the height with both boxes together is somewhere around 6 feet maybe more. They can't find the keys to the box because they don't know where he kept them, and it still has a lot of stuff in the drawers. My question is has anyone here had a flatbed move a top/bottom box together. I m assuming it's possible but I just want to double check before I call the tow company. I've been told a flatbed is the way to move Large boxes, and I doubt I'd be able to roll this thing onto trailer with a fold down gate. Only other thing I could think of doing is renting a box truck with a lift gate and trying to load it that way. Any input is greatly appreciated

 

[matt_i]

The question is this: what are you going to do next when you get itt back...drill the lock, pick the lock, just go oxyacetylene, etc.

Id fast forward down that road and try to do that operation where it sits, after you have paid the people.

Then you can unload it, you can take the things out, its much lighter, you don't have to strap the hell out of it or worry about the straps chafing the paint nearly as much...keep in mind since its on casters it has to be secured very very well when transporting and since those are largely friction-based, the only way to get more friction is with more strap force.......Possibly the man-handles on a snapon are meaty enough to create independent tie-off points but that would be a little scary too.

 

[Hondarancher4435]

It really depends how much is in the box if it's close to empty you should be able to wrestle it onto a trailer with some man power but if it's loaded heavy a rollback would be the way to go. Don't open it till you get home or the guy may see things he had forgotten about and wants back you bought it what's in it is yours. Shouldn't be hard at all to drill the lock out

 

[JJThrasher]

I'd contact the local Snap On dealer. That person will have the experience with moving boxes as well local contacts for people that can do it. Also with proper paperwork they should be able to supply I set of keys for the box.

 

[youwish2bme]

Contact the local SNAPON guy and have him get you a set of keys.. About $50 empty the box then move it.

 

[ZRX61]

Don't even think of using a liftgate. They never sit perfectly flat... but they do sit at the perfect angle to tip the entire box over.

 

[Rrumbler]

As said:
1. Contact the local Snap-On guy.
2. Be real careful of tipping it; even empty they are top heavy. When moving it, even
empty, it would be best to separate the top and bottom, if they are not bolted
together from the inside.
3. If you are, or know someone who is adept at picking locks, and the locks are not the
kind with the round key, they should not be too hard to pick.

 

[GSully23]

Good to know, I figured a rollback was the way to go. I already contacted my local locksmith and he said it shouldn't be an issue, especially since it isn't a barrel lock mechanism. The box is older, I'd say at least 15 years old. I already bought the tools that were accessible in the few drawers that hadn't been locked and that's how I came across the box. My locksmith said snap-on keys are in a universal database for key codes that he has access to, so as long as I can get him the number off the lock he can cut me one, worst case pick it or go through snap-on. I had thought about the SNAP-ON guy, but the guy who use to come run our local route to our marina and the sorrounding areas went out of business recently and he was a real ***** anyways. I'm guessing my best bet is calling around to a few different local tow guys and seeing who would be the most comfortable with the idea. I figured the lift gate was a bad idea and for the price it would cost to rent a large enough box truck it'd probably cheaper for me to pay a tow truck for this short of a distance

 

[GSully23]

That was the other issue I have to deal with, I don't know if the boxes are bolted together or not, if I could remove the top I'd move the box myself, I'd end up throwing it on a trailer and taking it home myself, but since there stacked and I don't really want to fiddle around and tinker at this woman's house too long, she's not the nicest of people and is kind of annoyed at the mess that was left behind by her father if you can understand that. I'd just like to be able to pick it up, get it home, and than from there on out I can take my time waiting on my locksmith and seeing what other goodies are in there. I'm hoping I can find a driver that's comfortable with the whole idea

 

[RickP]

I'd rent a box truck with tie-down points on the walls. There's no way I'd want a 6' tall box on the back of a rollback truck. Keep that thing out of the wind and strapped against the front wall of the box truck!

 

[OldNeons]

If you aren't overly picky the rollback could be fine,but I wouldn't be happy if they scratched or tweaked my new toolbox. As mentioned, restraining it without damaging/crushing it is the key factor.

One way to load would be a forklift. I have a HD dump trailer with 3' steel sides that I'd lift it into with my skidsteer. Blanket wrap, shrink wrap, and MULTIPLE 2" ratchet straps from many directions.....

If you cannot make absolutely certain the boxes are firmly connected, I would include additional straps wrapping the two boxes together.

Be safe, it is HEAVY!!!!

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Where is THE VIDEO?
We can't talk about moving a large tool box without someone posting a link to THE VIDEO.

 

[Joe B.]

I had my box of about the same size moved twice by tow trucks. The guys that moved it were just the local tow company that I found online. They had done it many times before and it was no big deal. I would just call tow trucks and ask if they have done this kind of move before. Most probably have. The only difference is that I was able to remove all of the heavy tools. However, I don't think that would have mattered as long as they did not go over crazy bumps.

I thought through all sorts of ways to move the boxes. Just letting the tow truck do it was the best approach.

 

[budco]

I'm getting ready to move all my tool boxes in a couple months. The set I have at work is a Mac Macsimizer and the bottom itself weights in well over 1000 lbs empty. I'm going to empty them, seperate the top and bottom and then strap them down in an enclosed trailer. I'm guessing I'll have to get a come along to pull them up into the trailer. The boxes will be one of the more interesting things I have to move...

 

[matt01073]

I have seen the snap on guy move lots of big boxes in and out of our shop . he will not touch a full box must be empty . Unless you know that the top is bolted down on all 4 corners i would not even consider moving it in one piece . we moved a couple double and tripple bank snap on boxes with tops on our roll back trucks and they are easy to get on the truck , however strapping them down is hard to do because you cant strap them tight enough to secure them and not crush the top covering them and using plywood on top to distribute the load helps but not my favorite idea . paying the snp on guy to move it is the best idea he does it all the time and the truck has a liftgate and proper tracks to secure the box without strapping over the top he can also get keys within a few days so it can be emptied out . also if you dont want to wait for keys the older regular keyed snap on locks are soft and the center will drill out easy just drill out until you get to the edge of the core and you can turn the linkage and open it .

 

[Playwme]

Find someone close with a forklift.

If she's annoying like you say, you want to be as quick and clean as possible. No doubt you got it for a steal so you don't want to open it in front of her in case the price goes up once she sees the tools inside.

 

[Marcm157]

Haven't been around long enough to know if this is "The Video" or not but it is one reason you should empty the box first...

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/nxp2vrd/

 

[GSully23]

Haven't been around long enough to know if this is "The Video" or not but it is one reason you should empty the box first...

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/nxp2vrd/

Well that's just pure "idocracy" right there. I'm an overhead gantry crane operator by trade and am pretty decent at operations involving large loads, I've just never been in a situation where I can't do it "my way" to say the least. The box is old enough that the drawers that are open won't lock like the rest if pushed all the way in ( I don't know if the newer snap-on boxes do this, but my Matco 5s does). Another thing I should've said in the original post is I'm not to worried about a small bend on the lips or a scratch here and there. I buy and sell tools on my off time and I'm mainly buying this box as a gamble hoping there's some good stuff left in it, because what I already bought out of the 4 open drawers was "insane", I'm hoping the other 21 drawers hold some more goodies. I think I can run straps around both boxes just to ensure the drawers stay closed. Than I'll bring some 2x4"s to avoid direct contact with the box but run a couple more straps around both boxes and crank them pretty tight to keep them tight together, I would still do that even if I knew they were bolted together . I guess I'm just going to go for it, I'll let you guys know how it turns out, I'm sure I'll be able to make it happen and thanks to those who reassured me, I needed it. I'd go get it today but it's raining, so as soon as the weather let's up I'll get to it and update you all with the results

 

[maxpower_hd]

I bought a very similar box full of tools. It appeared that the top box might be bolted but once the drawers were removed it was quite a bit lighter. As far as moving them, i used a pick up, small trailer and three guys. We rolled to whole box to the back of the truck. Then we slid/lifted the top into the truck. Then I connected the trailer to the truck and rolled the bottom onto the trailer with two small ramps.

When I got it home I removed the drawers one by one and emptied them. Then I was able to move the bottom off the trailer myself and reload the drawers. I needed help with the top even with the drawers removed to get it on top of the bottom box. Mine is from around the 80's.

 

[Graham08]

That was the other issue I have to deal with, I don't know if the boxes are bolted together or not...

Make sure of this one before you attempt to move the pair together. I had an incident with a pair of Matco boxes that I ***-U-ME'd were bolted together that were not. It wound up costing a bunch of money and aggravation to find out that they were not bolted together the hard way.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Find someone close with a forklift.

If she's annoying like you say, you want to be as quick and clean as possible. No doubt you got it for a steal so you don't want to open it in front of her in case the price goes up once she sees the tools inside.

Opening it on-site is just asking for trouble.

 

[rick2752]

I moved mine. Its not that big of a deal if you are smart about it. First dont use the handles to pull it. They will get screwed up or bent like mine....I used a trailer and a come along. I put a piece of plywood down on the ramp and wrapped a good strap around the whole box. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE DRAWERS DONT OPEN!! I almost dumped my whole box on the ground when a couple drawers slid open. Make sure the front 2 wheels go onto the ramp at the same time and just come along slowly onto the trailer. Strap it down good and you are set. On most boxes there are a set of numbers on the lock you can buy ebay snap on keys for like 10 bucks with the correct code.

 

[Rod N]

We had the movers do it when we moved.
4 gorillas got some speed up and just ran it up the ramp into the truck.
I admit I was freaking out a bit, but they said it was no biggie for them.
56" full of tools.

 

[joeysh03]

I did a job for a buddy of mine and we had to unload and load a snap on 72" everyday off a 7x14 trailer onto dirt. Box was fully loaded. We were building farm equipment so we had 3/4 sockets up to 2" all the air tools you could think of with double and triple of everything. There were 3 of us and we just pushed the box in and out of the trailer everyday. Wansnt easy but wasn't too difficult either. It can be done

 

[Steevo]

If you decide to move it with the top box still on it, be sure to get a lot of pictures for the WTF thread, or other "how badly did I **** up" threads.

 

[GSully23]

So I have it set up for Saturday morning, I got a super deal on this setup. It's a shame the box has a ton of stickers on it but once I get it home and clean all that nonsense off, wax her up I'm sure she'll pop like new. It just looks like it's been sitting for a while. I bought about 6 cardboard boxes full of tools that came out of the open drawer from her already, and it had a bunch of stuff. I probably spent about 1200 and in return got about 18 complete Mac/matco/snap on socket sets, some other sk and proto sets aswell, about 25 snap on/mac ratchets, countless exstensions. Atlas 12 complete snap-on/matco/mac wrench sets, tons of pliers, and much more, that's just naming a few. And not to mention that all came out of about 5-6 of the 24 drawers it has; not including the top hutch that opens. It's a Christmas present to myself, because the last thing I need is another box, but all I can think of is the stuff left in there, there wasn't any screwdrivers in the tools I bought off her so I know that awaits me and much more. She has another older mac roll cart with two side hutch extensions I might end up buying off her aswell because it's loaded. I'll keep you guys posted on the progress once I get it home......it's sad to say but I live for finding deals like this

 

[DodgeMech]

rollback to move it, then once you get it home, use a long flat piece of steel slid on top of the top drawer, all the way back, then push down...that should release the latch...if it's a snap on, anyway...

also, if it is a snap on, you should be able to order keys based on the number stamped on the lock

 

[geartow]

I drive a flatbed . And have moved boxes it is not for a rookie operator. Get shrink wrap and wrap it top to bottem then duct tape around it. Pull it on with winch then 4 straps 1 to each wheel. Ant two over the top. And one around the top and bottom so they can not seperate.

 

[GSully23]

Well, today was the day. First time I really got a good look at the boxes, and they had a little bit of damage oli noticed upon closer inspection. Really just on the top hatch, I believe it was slightly bent from a previous move so when the rollback came today I wasn't to worried about him throwing straps over it. From what I can see I purchased most of the tools out of it, but there's still some goodies I can see through the cracks on the bottom half. I already pulled out a bunch of small goodies, but I don't believe it was what I was hoping for so I guess I'll have to go buy the other box. The box will clean up nice after I remove all the stickers and the slides have all been updated. I can't get a key cut until Monday so it will give me something to do in the mean time. I'm going to end up selling the top half, it stands over 6' tall. Here's a picture of it, I'll post some pics of the stuff I pull out of it on monday.

I paid 1400 for the whole lot

 

[zkling]

Wow nice, that's a KR1200/KR1000, going to be fun seeing what all you got inside.

 

[GSully23]

Here's some stuff I got out already out if one of the top drawers, 2 tap kits, 2 retread ingredients kits, and 4 punch sets. There's a lot more small stuff but these were a nice addition/suprise

The stuff I bought from the woman before I bought the box was the cream of the crop though, tons of socket sets, wrench set, and more

 

[purplezr2]

I moved my 84" epiq with a 5' utility trailer with sides . I rolled it right up the rear gate

 

[Rod N]

Why do people put stickers on their boxes?
Maybe they have bumper stickers on the their cars. Dunno

 

[efncrx]

I drive a flatbed . And have moved boxes it is not for a rookie operator. Get shrink wrap and wrap it top to bottem then duct tape around it. Pull it on with winch then 4 straps 1 to each wheel. Ant two over the top. And one around the top and bottom so they can not seperate.

I guess they'll let anyone tow.

 

[GSully23]

Here's a picture of just the name brand stuff I pulled out, all Matco,mac, and snap-on

 

[bob15]

I guess they'll let anyone tow.

What is wrong with what geartow said? Pulling it onto a rollback is bad?

 

[efncrx]

Was referring to the "not for a rookie operator"
Moving a toolbox with a flatbed should be easier than a car out of a ditch or on its side.

I however agree that the shrink wrap is a good idea, as well as thick cardboard or scrap wood for all the tie-downs.

 

[jonjon1]

I dont think its a huge deal, I have moved many boxes, I agree, EMPTY them, lol. And separate tops from bottoms.
these are $10 each...
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-12-14-in-1000-lb-capacity-hardwood-dolly-61899.html

I have stack of them things, I have to own 10 of them dollies, they work and are pretty strong...

So its simple, 2 or 3 guys pick the empty top off the box and set it on the dollies, wrap it with bankets and ratchet strap the dollies to it, push it where ever it needs to go...

For the bottom, wrap it with moving blankets and push it to the truck, lift 1 side at a time and strap it in place...


I know people LOVE making a big deal out of things, but sometimes you just DO it, dont let common sense go out the window, but also dont over think everything..


I also agree, if you are the type that can not get anything done, for what ever reason, I know a lot of people like this, then just hire a tool guy or moving company, it will be easier and cost a few bucks, thats all...

Me I have a bunch of guys around, my brothers, father, sons, plus workers, friends, etc... I own skid steers with forks, excavators, a forklift, and a cat tl1255 (like a lull forklift), and trucks with lift gates, trailers that can move excavators, etc... and I am surrounded by strong guys that work with their hands all day, SO moving is easy for us, if you have to beg your cpa brother in law to help you and borrow you sisters Ford ranger, and dont own a ratchet strap or moving blanket, YES, HIRE A PRO to move it, lol...

Come to think about it, I guess if you are asking how to move the box, it may be a good idea to just hire the tool man, sure empty it into totes and move the tool syourself, but hire someone to move the box...