Author Topic: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift battery  (Read 5114 times)

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donald77777

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Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift battery
« on: March 02, 2008, 06:56:58 PM »
Hello everyone, I have recently found a company that will give me one of their forklift batteries that rhey do not need anymore that still works. The only problem I have is how to move it (includes transportation). What would you do? I will post the specs of the battery later when the email me them, including weight.

Thank you for your help.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 06:56:58 PM by (unknown) »

TomW

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Re: Easiest ancheapest way to move a fork lift bat
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2008, 01:02:00 PM »
donald;


Well, if they deliver it and from then on you you are lucky enough to have a concrete floor you can use lengths of pipe under the case to roll it about.


My plan when I finally score one is to have a backhoe or tractor with bucket set it on a pad outside then build a doghouse type structure over it so I don't have to deal with going thru entry doors in the power room itself.


You may find it cheaper to buy enough heavy cable to connect it thru the wall than move it into a tough spot. In my case I can set the battery within 5 feet of the inverter so a few feet of massive cable will save the nightmare of getting it across a gravel floor, thru a standard 32" entry door and still not be much closer inside.


You could also move the inverter easier perhaps than the big battery chunk.


A wrecker could set it anywhere it can get to.


So much depends on what you have and where it has to live.


Can you rig an overhead trolley?


Might look into how machinists set heavy equipment. You would be amazed at how they yank and crank massive things into place. jacks, rollers and come alongs can do a lot.


Too many variables to offer much solid help.


It might be easier to set it outside and work around it than try to get it in some confined space. Especially if elevation changes or small doors will be involved.


Just first thoughts.


By the way , I took the [&] out of your subject it kills commenters ability to post.


TomW

« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 01:02:00 PM by TomW »

MattM

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2008, 02:37:21 PM »
Use a tailgate lift for this kind of work.  You dolly it up to the lift, raise it, and from the lift you slide it onto the bed of the truck.  Viola!
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 02:37:21 PM by MattM »

BT Humble

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2008, 02:40:33 PM »
I suspect that the easiest way to move it would be if you buy the forklift as well! ;-)


BTH

« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 02:40:33 PM by BT Humble »

thirteen

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move a fork lift battery
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2008, 02:42:42 PM »
how about a piano dolly or rent a small bobcat or small forklift
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 02:42:42 PM by thirteen »
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kurt

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2008, 02:45:11 PM »
portable engine hoist and a couple straps??
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 02:45:11 PM by kurt »

thirteen

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Re: move a fork lift battery
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2008, 02:45:56 PM »
take two wooden posts (square) slide it up into a truck with a comalong
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 02:45:56 PM by thirteen »
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Lumberjack

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Re: Easiest way to move fork lift battery
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2008, 02:47:28 PM »
a furniture dolly will handle it so long as you are carefull. This is a much heavier dolly then the normal ones and usually include a heavy strap to secure the load and larger wheels then normal. Properly used, moving a 1000 pounds is not very difficult.


I would get a hoist of some type to do any lifting of the battery.

« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 02:47:28 PM by Lumberjack »

donald77777

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Re: Easiest ancheapest way to move a fork lift bat
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2008, 04:27:29 PM »
ok sorry about the & symbol did not even know.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 04:27:29 PM by donald77777 »

donald77777

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Re:Easiest and cheapest way
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2008, 04:31:05 PM »
ok thank you everyone for helping me. Depending on the weight I might rent a forklift. I can't set up a overhead hoist wish I could though, would have helped in moving my dad's record boxes. If the wight is not so bad I'll try one of those stronger dollys. Once again thank you.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 04:31:05 PM by donald77777 »

Live6766

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Re:Easiest and cheapest way
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2008, 07:49:50 PM »
   The Forklift Batteries are about 1000 lbs. I have used on of those dollys a few times to move 800 lb Boilers up and down steps.


  Make sure you have it strapped on good and your back is in good shape.    Good Luck.

« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 07:49:50 PM by Live6766 »

Live6766

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Re:Easiest and cheapest way
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2008, 07:51:08 PM »
    OOOO  and Make sure you have help 3 guys can do the job.
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 07:51:08 PM by Live6766 »

Shadow

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Another place to try
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2008, 07:02:06 AM »
Another place you might try is a Tow Truck company,My brother has a towing company and he gets a variety of calls for different things, like winching out tree stumps, and lifting 200 gal tanks of waste veg oil from restaurants etc. Most love to deal in cash.
« Last Edit: March 03, 2008, 07:02:06 AM by Shadow »

Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #13 on: March 03, 2008, 01:52:05 PM »
Contact your local safe or safe-mover company.  They have special equipment for toting fireproof safes up and down stairs and putting them into tight spots (like closets) with precision.


Fireproof safes are double steel boxes with the space between full of firebrick/  They're in the 850 pound or higher range and have a similar footprint to a forklift battery.

« Last Edit: March 03, 2008, 01:52:05 PM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »

Brian H

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2008, 05:20:11 PM »
Myself, I would build, buy, beg, borrow or steal a heavy duty wooden pallet to set it on, and when I needed to move it, borrow or rent a hand pallet jack. Of course, this won't help you get it up or down stairs, or any kind of grade, but as long as you're moving it around on relatively flat smooth concrete, it would work just fine.


Cheers!

Brian H.

« Last Edit: March 04, 2008, 05:20:11 PM by Brian H »

RedLance

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #15 on: March 04, 2008, 10:20:43 PM »
Mine only weigh 500 pounds each, but I just had the forklift company strap them to a pallet, and load them into my pickup truck.  Then I had a friend with access to a skid steer loader (bob cat) bring it over and lift them outta the truck, and lower them into my outside basement door using some log chains.  From there, my neighbor and I heaved them a couple feet over so they are under my other equipment.


Friends are an awesome resource.

« Last Edit: March 04, 2008, 10:20:43 PM by RedLance »

DanB

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Re: Easiest and cheapest way to move a fork lift
« Reply #16 on: March 08, 2008, 08:58:08 AM »
I had a similar problem.  My forklift battery is about 3500 pounds.  It was quite simple to hire a towing company to deliver it close to where I needed it - then we rolled it around on bits of steel pipe from there.  A 'come along' winch is handy too.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2008, 08:58:08 AM by DanB »
If I ever figure out what's in the box then maybe I can think outside of it.