unloading/moving a 60 gal compressor

[pcmeiners]

540 pounds you can't lift it, but two decent sized guys could reasonably handle it.

Two world class weight lifters could do it...... but not normal humans beings with the pump and motor in place. Close to 400 lbs to lower it to ground level.

 

[oscarsnapkin]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[manwithtools]

@LXCam or @PugetDude , do you guys know anyone in the Prescot area that could help move this compressor?

 

[67King]

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.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Maybe this will help

 

[OccupantRJ]

 

[Renegade1LI]

But did you use epoxy tire wire to secure it to the ladders?

 

[PugetDude]

@LXCam or @PugetDude , do you guys know anyone in the Prescot area that could help move this compressor?

I don't know anyone in Prescott but Cam.

Maybe see if he can rent one of these:

 

[LXCam]

@LXCam or @PugetDude , do you guys know anyone in the Prescot area that could help move this compressor?

I’m sure we can make this happen.

OP, problem is I’m in page this week on a cutover thru Saturday then I’m obligated in Phoenix all next week. I’ll send you my number and we can talk later.

Best regards, Cam.

 

[firebirdparts]

they're light, but the center of gravity is crazy high.

You can just tip it over and lay it down in the back of the truck.

 

[lesliewalker]

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

 

[toddmorr]

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....

 

[thammel]

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]

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.

 

[mike93lx]

I bought this hand truck at northern tool to move a 1k lb safe. Worked great, but it was a box, not a cylinder, so securing it was easier. We used it to get the safe on and off a uhaul truck and then place the safe in my garage

https://www.northerntool.com/products/strongway-industrial-hand-truck-1-200lb-capacity-model-67969-67969

 

[OccupantRJ]

I move top heavy 2200 lb Bridgeport milling machines with one of these drop deck trailers and a pallet jack. I also suggest a cable comealong to tug it into the trailer. Sunbelt rents them.

 

[PugetDude]

I move top heavy 2200 lb Bridgeport milling machines with one of these drop deck trailers and a pallet jack. I also suggest a cable comealong to tug it into the trailer. Sunbelt rents them.

That's how I brought my mill home. Strapped it to a pallet. Pallet jack made it an easy job.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Take the compressor, switches and motor off and then put tank on side and just roll the round tank up the drive. Two people should be able to just roll the round tank up the drive. Then use a dolly for the motor and compressor final trip up the drive. It will scratch the tank up unless you put a moving blanket around the tank and tape it on. Might take a 4x4 stub to act as a scotch to give you a break rolling it up the hill.

 

[aka Larry]

I’m sure we can make this happen.

OP, problem is I’m in page this week on a cutover thru Saturday then I’m obligated in Phoenix all next week. I’ll send you my number and we can talk later.

Best regards, Cam.

Another reason why the folks on GJ are awesome!

 

[SilverJimmy]

Having delivered maybe 30 large air compressors over my years as a Snap-On Dealer, by myself, and using only a two wheel cart to load and unload it onto and off my many trucks, my advice is Don’t! I was able to do it successfully all those times for a couple reason. 1) I had to cuz it was a big sale! 2) I’m a pretty big guy, 6’5” 220 lbs and I’m not fat! 3) I’m stubborn and STUPID! I was told to never try to move a compressor by myself, I’m thinking, how hard can it be?!
The last one I moved was earlier this year, one bigger than the OP is trying to move.
80 gallon monster that weighs over 550lbs! I needed to move it into my mechanical room in my new shop. I did get it moved into it… almost! Thankfully the cabinet guy, Ramon, showed up right after I had it halfway thru the doorway and then was stuck teetering on my two wheel cart. I was stuck in the room holding this thing on its balance point keeping it from tearing a hole thru the wall or me. Good thing I had set my cellphone down on the bench so I wouldn’t hurt it. Ramon helped me get it under control and then we pulled the door off the hinges to get enough room to slip it into place. Lesson here is bring friends!
For the OP I would recommend he try to rent two things, a pickup truck with a lift gate that can handle the weight of the compressor. Pickup truck is better for his driveway from what I can see from the picture. A trailer would have to negotiate that hill and the curve and probably would need to be backed up the hill which adds even more difficulty to that part of the move. The compressor would be able to be strapped into the bed standing up and still be able to be backed up that hill, no concern if secured properly.
The other thing I’d rent would be a pallet jack that fits the pallet properly. A pallet Jack will allow loading, unloading, and moving that top heavy compressor 100% easier. When I say a pallet jack that fits properly I mean one whose forks fit into the pallet centered on the compressor. I have 3 pallet jacks but all of mine have forks too wide for every air compressor pallet I’ve ever tried to move. So I’ve always picked up the compressor off to one side and then had someone stand off the other side to balance the load. PITA and not the right way to do it, but, remember, I did admit to being STUPID!
I‘d be willing to help, but right now I’m wounded and can’t even drive a car currently. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[mike93lx]

Having delivered maybe 30 large air compressors over my years as a Snap-On Dealer, by myself, and using only a two wheel cart to load and unload it onto and off my many trucks, my advice is Don’t! I was able to do it successfully all those times for a couple reason. 1) I had to cuz it was a big sale! 2) I’m a pretty big guy, 6’5” 220 lbs and I’m not fat! 3) I’m stubborn and STUPID! I was told to never try to move a compressor by myself, I’m thinking, how hard can it be?!
The last one I moved was earlier this year, one bigger than the OP is trying to move.
80 gallon monster that weighs over 550lbs! I needed to move it into my mechanical room in my new shop. I did get it moved into it… almost! Thankfully the cabinet guy, Ramon, showed up right after I had it halfway thru the doorway and then was stuck teetering on my two wheel cart. I was stuck in the room holding this thing on its balance point keeping it from tearing a hole thru the wall or me. Good thing I had set my cellphone down on the bench so I wouldn’t hurt it. Ramon helped me get it under control and then we pulled the door off the hinges to get enough room to slip it into place. Lesson here is bring friends!
For the OP I would recommend he try to rent two things, a pickup truck with a lift gate that can handle the weight of the compressor. Pickup truck is better for his driveway from what I can see from the picture. A trailer would have to negotiate that hill and the curve and probably would need to be backed up the hill which adds even more difficulty to that part of the move. The compressor would be able to be strapped into the bed standing up and still be able to be backed up that hill, no concern if secured properly.
The other thing I’d rent would be a pallet jack that fits the pallet properly. A pallet Jack will allow loading, unloading, and moving that top heavy compressor 100% easier. When I say a pallet jack that fits properly I mean one whose forks fit into the pallet centered on the compressor. I have 3 pallet jacks but all of mine have forks too wide for every air compressor pallet I’ve ever tried to move. So I’ve always picked up the compressor off to one side and then had someone stand off the other side to balance the load. PITA and not the right way to do it, but, remember, I did admit to being STUPID!
I‘d be willing to help, but right now I’m wounded and can’t even drive a car currently. Hope this helps and good luck!

We all need a Ramon in our lives

 

[Glemon]

they're light, but the center of gravity is crazy high.

You can just tip it over and lay it down in the back of the truck.

Exactly, or trailer, people are making this much harder (or more expensive) than it needs to be.

 

[zimman]

i can assure you there's not going to be a fail. I'm pretty risk averse in things like this.

I just moved my entire garage into the "garage" and I'm still alive at 70, barely. LMAO
Just be careful and stand clear of falling objects. That's what insurance is for.
Mine has wheels tho and only a 30. LOL
Zim

 

[Citation]

I would take it apart. I helped my brother move a Sanborn 3hp, 80 gallon compressor. With the motor and pump off it was reasonable for the two of us to move the tank. With two people you can probably put the tank in the back of a minivan or SUV with the rear door open. The pump and motor are each heavy but again will fit in the back of a hatch/SUV/truck. My brother unloaded the tank from his minivan then waddled it across the floor to it's new home by himself. After that he reinstalled the motor and pump. It's just not that hard to take the thing apart and much safer to move that way.

 

[inphx]

Sounds like @LXCam is your man... but these guys https://www.sunstateequip.com/rental-equipment rent you all kinds of stuff with a credit card and they have a prescott location.

 

[fitter30]

Skidsteer with forks and rubber tires would fit inside a garage. Would have head room problem of a fork lift and with rubber tires wouldn't have the problem screwing up the pavers.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

If you can borrow a pickup truck this will not be a terrible task, especially with 2 people and a little gear. Get it dropped in the bed from the driver.

I got a 2 stage 80 gal Champion out of the back of my truck by myself and walked it 22 ft to the corner of the garage. Used a small come along to hold it from shooting out of the bed, once I got it to the tailgate and its tipping point. Slowly slack the come along whilst the 2nd person helps it stand up. Used some moving blankets to cushion and protect it.

It was lying down for hours before I got home with it. Once I stood it up, I drained it and left it alone for 24 hrs. Fill her up and she has been running without an issue for 10+ years.