Move a 260lbs safe downstairs

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TheStupid

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I have a small 260lbs safe (RSC) that I want to move downstairs then to a U-Haul truck.

I don't want to hire anybody or ask any friend to help. Is it possible to do this myself safely? I want to buy one of these that comes with stair-climber. would that work?

http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Industrial-Appliance-Truck-Capacity/dp/B0000AX72Z

Of course my girl can help but our combined weight is about 260lbs, less than the safe. No, i cannot bench press 200lbs, 100, maybe
 
first... wouldnt it be easier to ask a friend to help rather than to buy a special piece of equipment? second... 260 isnt that heavy... I would suggest, if you must do it on your own... you can tilt it up on its edge and walk it on its back corners... because one corner will always be on the ground, you will never be lifting the whole weight of the safe... Or you could use two to four pieces of pipe as rollers (think egyptians and pyramids.)

when getting it down the stairs, you could turn it on its side, and use two pieces of pipe to lower it down the stairs one at a time... using one pipe as a lever to lower and the other to take the load as you reposition the first.


as to loading on a truck... some brute strength will be necessary, but if the safe is tall enough to reach the gate of the truck, you and your girlfriend shouldhave the combined strength to lift the safe from a propped position and slide it into the truck on its side...


All that said... CALL A FRIEND
 
i think there should be two "hold my beer"s, and just maybe a "watch this"


if it is a great day, possibly even a "what's the worst that could happen?/what could go wrong?"
 
Most of my friends are quite out of shape and they mostly rather help me move a body.

I do need a dolly anyway to move stuff.
 
i have used a lot of dollys and they can cause more problems than they solve but if you are going to use it any ways i say get comfortable with it before the big move. Also if you are renting a u haul they have dollys you can rent as well. good luck if i was close by i would help you out
 
Bamabob is right. You can rent an appliance dolly from Uhaul with the truck. It will be built better than the one you're looking to buy. This safe is light enough that you can move it yourself, just make sure you can figure out how it balances prior to taking it down the stairs.

google forarm forklift

I've seen more of these things stuck under dropped safes than any other tool.
 
Agree with Bama & A1. Appliance dolly has a strap to wrap around and rolling treads on the back frame to help it walk/roll down stairs.
 
Have you considered the consequences of being unsuccesful in this venture?

A broken back & paralysis can be a life-changing event.:eek:

If you can't afford to hire someone, let us know; I'll contribute five bucks to the enterprise.
 
Be caaaaaaaaaareful.

Once 260 pounds gets moving, it gets MOVING. I know this because I weigh over 260 pounds. A sheetrock wall, between studs, will not successfully stop that much mass if it is falling rapidly down stairs :eek: Please do not ask how I know this. This is especially true if it is a long run of stairs without a landing.

This is a two person job, minimum: one at the top of the safe with the dolly in hand, one at the base of the safe. Three persons are better yet - the third person with a rope secured around the safe/dolly to act as an emergency brake should person A or B slip, preventing the one at the base from being killed. A block & tackle system or a come-along (use an upstairs doojam with a 4x4 across it for the mounting spot) for the third person to use for control is excellent.


The safe isn't especially heavy, but it is bulky & awkward. That is what makes it difficult. Seriously: call some movers (use your yellowpages or the 'net) and get some quotes. You might be surprised how affordable it is. Then again, you might be surprised at how ridiculous it is.

I am not an engineer, nor have I ever played one on TV. I have, however, had to move 8 times in my adult life, moves which included large appliances & furniture. Weight + stairs = no joke.

Q
 
Not really about the money. I just don't people know that I have a safe or where it is going.
 
Keep in mind you're not carrying the safe downstairs.
Most of the weight is born by the stairs.
Rent an appliance dolly, take your time, and you'll see it's not that difficult.
For that matter, wrap it in moving blankets, tie a rope around it, and lower it down the stairs.
 
DO it like they do in the Marine Corp,, get 260 Marines carrying a pound apiece!
Problem solved

an old Army Sgt said that. LOL
 
Number 1 don't get below the safe on that stairway. Number 2 get a heavy duty sleeping bag under that sucker, tie rope to all four corners, stand at top of stairway and belay it down slowly.

blindhari
 
+1 on the dolly and ratchet straps strap it down TIGHT vertically as well as laterally, it's scary if you move something and it starts to slide off. Thows everything and everyone off and usually a dent in the wall and at worst a crushed buddy.

You two are small and light right? Well normally for a 2 man job on a 260 safe would be to have one man below to brace it as it moves but this is NOT an option for you for safety reasons. Both of you ease the dolly down by the handle, stay low to the ground and stairs so the weight doesn't toss you over and flip you. get a longer rope or strap and take Quoheleth suggestion of bracing a 2x4 in a doorway or something SOLID at the top landing and secure the rope to that. After each step, she goes back up to loosen the rope to let it go down just to that step, both grap the dolly, repeat.
It may take a while but it is the safest way to do this with who you have.

I only offer my suggestion, and I am also no expert nor qualify this as professional advice. Take your time and take it slow and reallly watch your step and be absolutely careful. Actually I'd throw your mattress at the bottom of the stairs just in case too.
 
Get some help, don't try to do it yourself unless you have a video camera so you can post it up on Youtube so others can learn from your mistake.
 
600 lb. Liberty Centurion Fat Boy Jr. Safe. $ 1000 Bucks
Cost to have it moved in to the basement down 13 steps, $150 bucks. from a local mover.
Best damn 150 bucks my wife ever spent !!
 
While it was a bit tiring, I was able to lift a 145 lb safe up the stairs by myself, and I'm not in really good shape. So two healthy men should be able to get it down the stairs.

Just one word of caution though. Do NOT get below it to ease it down. Stay above it and if it slips, let it go. Your life and health and that of your helpers is much more valuable than a safe or the walls/floor/stairs.
 
The;

Both A1abdj and I do safes for a living. I'm not a large person, and I'm a person whose close to retirement. I don't regard your unit as even a small challange, just a chore. Get the appliance dolly, use the straps, work smart and carefully, done deal. The U-haul truck should come with a built-in ramp. You may find it more difficult to haul the thing up the ramp than it was getting it down the stairs.

900F
 
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