Top drawer vs lower one

[Blue924.9]

Hey guys I have a snap on Krl 1022 that I have to take back and forth to college ( john deere ag tech program)
which means I forklift it in and out of my truck frequently. I currently have chrome sockets in the top drawer with electric impacts and ratchets. I have my impact sockets and impacts In the second to the bottom drawer. My thought for this was increased stability while lifting it. I'm running tight on room and was thinking about moving my impacts to the top drawer. I am wondering if this will greatly affect stability as I would be moving the heaviest drawer to the top.

 

[rlitman]

In the spirit of a GJ answer, let me be the first to suggest you get a second toolbox.

 

[WittHay]

I don't think it matters to a front end loader or forklift where the weight is located in the box if your lifting from the top.

Its the transporting, i would use a couple of 6 x 6 posts in the pickup box or on the flatdeck to keep the weight off the casters, so its not as tipsy. Couple of straps to secure it and you should be fine.

 

[Wamsutta]

The KRL1022 is now officially a portable tool box. Who would've known?

 

[davethorik]

Whatever you do, make sure you lock the drawers before lifting a tool box. I know, it sounds like common sense.

I used to work with a guy at a machine shop, and he left for a higher paying job. When he left, his toolbox was forklifted into the bed of his T100 with drawers unlocked, and facing away from the forklift. Our loading dock also was at a slant.

The aftermath was pretty nasty. I'm pretty sure the box was junk after that, as the slides got bent/torn out. Not to mention machinist tools dumped all over the concrete and bed of the truck.

 

[fatfillup]

You won't like my comment but I would never transport a tool box full of tools, especially repeatedly. Every time you hit a bump, you multiply the load on the slides as the tools bounce and come down. I would recommend taking a lot of the weight out of the drawers.

I have seen too many good quality boxes turned to junk riding in the back of box trucks and trailers.

As proof of this, I offer Snap on's Heavy duty road chest. They are made with friction slides not ball bearing slides. They do that for a reason.

Third line down in specs
https://store.snapon.com/KRA60B-Ser...Heavy-Duty-8-Drawers-Gloss-Black-P760255.aspx

 

[dr_clyde]

I fairly routinely move my KR1000 with a forklift. I drive it back and forth between buildings on our work campus. I just pick it up by the bottom and drive away. I've never had stability issues with it. Granted, my drawer layout is different, but essential you're moving a big rectangular box with a big flat bottom to put your forks under.

My only advice would be to make sure the drawers are locked, and to pick evenly with the forks all the way through on the bottom. Lift with the drawers facing the mast.

 

[rlitman]

Whatever you do, make sure you lock the drawers before lifting a tool box. I know, it sounds like common sense...

+1 The Lock-N-Roll is just a little plastic part. It's fine when you're rolling the box on the floor, but I'm not so sure I'd trust it for this sort of move.

 

[Blue924.9]

Thanks for all the feed back. One thing to note is the box gets loaded from the side or the long way as this is the only way it fits in the truck. I also have no room to unload the tools and no trailer to make more room.

 

[Blue924.9]

In the spirit of a GJ answer, let me be the first to suggest you get a second toolbox.

No room for a second one. Were allowed a 54 inch wide box at a max

 

[Blue924.9]

The KRL1022 is now officially a portable tool box. Who would've known?

They have had wheels from the get go so you should have known a long time ago lol

 

[rlitman]

Thanks for all the feed back. One thing to note is the box gets loaded from the side or the long way as this is the only way it fits in the truck. I also have no room to unload the tools and no trailer to make more room.

That may actually be a good thing. It puts less force on the drawer locks.

A bigger concern I'd have is with the internal load shifting. Kaizen foam might be a good idea for you.

Raising the CG by moving heavy stuff from a lower drawer to an upper drawer shouldn't be much of a concern, so long as the weight is between the wheels.

 

[Al Borland]

Instead of beating the drawer locks to death, you might consider a couple ratchet straps around the box holding the drawers shut. Go top to bottom around the box at each vertical column of drawers.

 

[redwrench60]

I second the strap around the box holding the drawers shut. Remember the locks on KRL’s are a gravity operated lock rod. Hit a bump and bounce the lock rod and it could release locked drawers. Strap the drawers!

Oh and moving the sockets up one drawer won’t kill any puppies. It’s only 3 or 4 inches higher anyway. Just strap the box in tight. Crib if necessary. The 6x6 wood posts suggestion is a good one if feasible. Then you’re not strapping against the casters.

 

[anndel]

I would get another cheaper box for school and keep the SO KRL1022 at home.

 

[PelicanPines]

I would get another cheaper box for school and keep the SO KRL1022 at home.

This... HF or Husky or Milwaukee... You're not impressing anyone at the school with the SO box.

 

[redwrench60]

This... HF or Husky or Milwaukee... You're not impressing anyone at the school with the SO box.

I don’t think you fellas realize how much more storage space a Snap On KRL1022 roll cab has than a HF 44” roll cab. It’d take almost 3 HF 44” roll cabs to equal the storage space of 1 KRL 1022 and the OP says he’s short on space as it is.

HF 44” 11,528 cubic inches.
Snap On KRL 1022 has 33,735 cubic inches.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Service cart for school for the day to day stuff you'll need there. Bag up what you need to transport between the two sites, and bring it to work when done with school.

 

[PelicanPines]

I don’t think you fellas realize how much more storage space a Snap On KRL1022 roll cab has than a HF 44” roll cab. It’d take almost 3 HF 44” roll cabs to equal the storage space of 1 KRL 1022 and the OP says he’s short on space as it is.

HF 44” 11,528 cubic inches.
Snap On KRL 1022 has 33,735 cubic inches.

Nowhere did I say HF 44... obviously... if you have two boxes in two locations... the same tools don't appear magically in both boxes. The solution I am suggesting requires a second set of tools that would be limited to those needed at school.

While some specialized tools could be transported with much less pomp and circumstance...

 

[redwrench60]

Nowhere did I say HF 44... obviously... if you have two boxes in two locations... the same tools don't appear magically in both boxes. The solution I am suggesting requires a second set of tools that would be limited to those needed at school.

While some specialized tools could be transported with much less pomp and circumstance...

So....you’re suggesting the OP buy another toolbox and a second set of tools just for school and shuttle special tools back and forth?

 

[MikeF2316]

I second the strap around the box holding the drawers shut. Remember the locks on KRL’s are a gravity operated lock rod. Hit a bump and bounce the lock rod and it could release locked drawers. Strap the drawers!
...

+1 I wouldn't trust the lock mechanism to keep the drawers shut, especially if they're loaded and in the back of a truck.