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unloading/moving a 60 gal compressor

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oscarsnapkin

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Feb 22, 2025
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535
The vertical-on-pallet orientation only works as long as the ground is flat. So the fundamental assumption is not valid anymore.

A forklift is what you need. Hire a guy to move it on a small forklift.

A pallet jack won't offset the tilt of your drive the way most forklifts can tilt the forks.

Moving a vertical compressor is dangerous. We did it with two men and a (literally strapping) young boy and a combination of appliance dolly and small 2x4 HF dolly on casters.
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I had to move one about the same size as this by myself. It was bolted to a pallet and I had a pallet jack and a box truck with a lift gate. It was scary as ****. Not to mention, you definitely don’t want the weight of a truck messing up that nice driveway of yours. The oil stains will also be very hard to get out.
 

mikedodge

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Jun 27, 2017
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2,851
If you move it laying down in a truck or trailer gravity is on your side, it's not hard to tilt back up. Find someone who has one to help for a little bit or rent on. Minivan might work too.
 

finn

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Mar 27, 2005
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16,372
Location
The UP, God's country
You can get away with a lot by "Walking" on a gentle tilt.

It's been a lifesaver for me. As I'm playing around with my 80 gallon champ, I've had to move it (by myself) quite frequently with the pump and motor mounted and all the weight attached.

It's surprisingly doable despite the 550#+ weight. And I'm no spring chicken or frequent guest at the local gym. I'm an office monkey over 50.
Granted, I don't want to be moving the Champion all the time, but it's possible.

I will be building an angle iron base for it so I can put it on a dolly that's just off the ground.

Did you see the pictures of his driveway?

No way am I walking a compressor that far, up that hill.

He did say it’s a 60 gallon, not an 80 gallon, but given the L/D aspect ratio, I’m not sure the smaller tank helps with stability.

Also, not all compressors are created equal. My 80 gallon Champion has a heavier, and more top heavy motor and pump than my 80 gallon Rand 4000 80 gallon, plus the Rand seems to have a lighter tank.

One is relatively easy to walk, the other is sort of scary.
 

Hohn

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Aug 25, 2016
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Diesel Central, Indiana
Did you see the pictures of his driveway?

No way am I walking a compressor that far, up that hill.

He did say it’s a 60 gallon, not an 80 gallon, but given the L/D aspect ratio, I’m not sure the smaller tank helps with stability.

Also, not all compressors are created equal. My 80 gallon Champion has a heavier, and more top heavy motor and pump than my 80 gallon Rand 4000 80 gallon, plus the Rand seems to have a lighter tank.

One is relatively easy to walk, the other is sort of scary.
I did, and I didn't mean to suggest that walking it up the driveway was a good idea. Rather, I was replying to the idea of walking it down a trailer ramp or such.
 

Hohn

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Diesel Central, Indiana
Thinking about my angle iron base idea--

It might make sense to fab a low-slung dolly with a fairly wide base using some 2x2x1/8 or such angle. Or find someone who can do this for you.

This lets you bolt the compressor to a rolling surface with a wider base and low CoG-- two good things to have with a tall and heavy compressor.

From there, it's just a matter of come alongs or winches, or several guys, in varying degrees of contribution.
 

carlaisle

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May 14, 2022
Messages
388
The same place that would rent the drop deck trailer probably also has a forklift. You can probably have one delivered in the morning, have use of it all day, and wave goodbye to it in the afternoon for under $500. It's not a bad price all things considered.
 

matt_i

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Mar 14, 2008
Messages
10,752
Location
SE Michigan
Did you see the pictures of his driveway?

No way am I walking a compressor that far, up that hill.

He did say it’s a 60 gallon, not an 80 gallon, but given the L/D aspect ratio, I’m not sure the smaller tank helps with stability.

Also, not all compressors are created equal. My 80 gallon Champion has a heavier, and more top heavy motor and pump than my 80 gallon Rand 4000 80 gallon, plus the Rand seems to have a lighter tank.

One is relatively easy to walk, the other is sort of scary.
If one had a week to "walk it up", it might just get done...assuming it doesn't auto-tip when left unsupported.

The side benefit would be that the pallet would be mostly worn away but the time he got to the top....
 

oscarsnapkin

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Feb 22, 2025
Messages
535
If one had a week to "walk it up", it might just get done...assuming it doesn't auto-tip when left unsupported.

The side benefit would be that the pallet would be mostly worn away but the time he got to the top....
You’d have to be worried, too, about the pallet coming apart. All that twisting/pushing/pulling would do a number on it.
 

strength_and_power

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Apr 26, 2015
Messages
1,424
I’ll be in your area in October, I can help you then.

Holding at dock for pick up is an option but looking at your location, it will probably be a decent drive. Know anyone with a shop and forklift close to you? Have it delivered there then it’s a lot easier to manage.
 

67King

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Nov 14, 2014
Messages
586
Location
Friendsville, TN (Knoxville area)
the advantage to yanking the pump and motor has more to do with center of gravity than with just weight.

With my pump and motor removed, I could actually lift my Champion 80 gallon tank from horizontal to vertical with the aid of my boy.
With the the additional 125# of the pump and the 80# or so of motor, there's no way that was going to happen.

Some kind of engine hoist, gantry crane or similar is an absolute must-have to do this kind of thing safely.

Right, I know, maybe I wasn't clear. I was saying he'd need a hoist to remove and install the pump. Yeah, I was able to move my tank around, as well.
 
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lesliewalker

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Jul 15, 2026
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2
Why wouldnt the delivery driver drive up the driveway? I had to pickup an air compressor that my boss bought 5ish years ago, and to move a big air compressor like that is so easy to mess up. Especially if its upright, it will want to tip or roll off
 
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toddmorr

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May 4, 2017
Messages
655
Location
Prescott, Arizona
you guys have given me a ton of things to ponder. very helpful. A couple comments. It is 475 lbs shipped. I'll have a 30 yr old man to help with the task, whichever way we go. We had a 26 ft box truck make it up the driveway to the top no issue when we moved in, but whenever I've had big deliveries in the past to prior home they seem to come in a 35 ft truck, so i gotta be realistic about that tactic.

at this point i'm leaning toward a) just paying a guy with the equipment (skidsteer, forklift etc) to do it, or b) renting trailer with ramp, having truck drop it on trailer, towing up the driveway and walking it off the ramped trailer with my friend. If this approach feels unrealistic, i'll remove pump/motor and walk it off that way. Figure 300 lbs for the tank, with 2 guys that should be doable.

btw, that fancy handtruck PugetDude mentioned in post 56.....that is intriguing. Wouldn't surprise me if Sunbelt rentals has those....
 
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thammel

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Oct 3, 2005
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2,252
Location
Maryland
I moved mine using an engine hoist. Furniture dolly won't be stable enough on your driveway. And if you are saying the truck won't come up your driveway, then I'd say you need to get a forklift or a different delivery service. When I say I moved mine with an engine hoist, that was after the delivery guy got it into my garage!!!
 

robin1731

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Dec 25, 2007
Messages
484
Location
Decatur, Indiana
I have an 80 gallon vertical compressor. I used a pickup with a liftgate to transport it from the store to my place. A friend and I walked it onto the lift gate and lowered to the ground. Then used an engine hoist to get it into position. Even better would be if you had tall enough doors to get the truck into the shop with the compressor still in it.

I would think you could rent a pickup with lift gate.
 
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