can't get through the door

[NeverSoldOut]

I've seen this touched on in previous threads but not in detail. How do you get an oversized soda machine through a regular sized door? When my dn600 is leaned back on a dolly it's height is 90.5". The access door is 82" tall. Machine is 79.5" tall but to walk it in requires coming up a raised step that is approximately 3". Any advice is appreciated.

[mojorhino]

What kind of dolly/moving equipment are you using?

[SnackInTheBox]

I moved a fairly large cold food machine into my old apartment once with two square "under the car dollys" on 3" casters and maybe 3/4" thick wood. This one looks similar to what I used except mine were wooden. Does the 3" step protrude above the bottom of the door frame causing the entrance to be shorter?

[SnackInTheBox]

That might not do it for you either...Yuck man that's a nasty fit.

[orsd]

I moved a fairly large cold food machine into my old apartment once with two square "under the car dollys" on 3" casters and maybe 3/4" thick wood. This one looks similar to what I used except mine were wooden. Does the 3" step protrude above the bottom of the door frame causing the entrance to be shorter?

fairly sucidal

 

 

 

 

hire a pro

[SnackInTheBox]

I completely agree. Perhaps I'll leave answers like this to a more seasoned veteran on TVF next time.

[Feral Vending Mechanic]

 

 

Though, a raised step into the room is enough to give one pause. Have they had vending before?

[AZVendor]

You need piano dollies to roll it through the door but your problem is the 3" step at the doorway. I hate those types of installs where the location isn't built with any thought of how to get large equipment or fixtures in. Your best bet, depending on the width of the opening, is a shorter flat front machine. Use a flat front 501T or a 368 and you'll be much happier. I would still be grumbling about the step though if it was me because my customers never look at what obstacles I will encounter.

[NeverSoldOut]

What kind of dolly/moving equipment are you using?

A standard soda dolly with kickback tripod wheels.

 

 

 

Though, a raised step into the room is enough to give one pause. Have they had vending before?

I've used something similar to this. I believe they called it a safe dolly. It won't work on that step unfortunately.

 

You need piano dollies to roll it through the door but your problem is the 3" step at the doorway. I hate those types of installs where the location isn't built with any thought of how to get large equipment or fixtures in. Your best bet, depending on the width of the opening, is a shorter flat front machine. Use a flat front 501T or a 368 and you'll be much happier. I would still be grumbling about the step though if it was me because my customers never look at what obstacles I will encounter.

I could probably walk it corner to corner through the doorway. Just not strong enough to lift it over that darn 3" step.

[mojorhino]

A standard soda dolly with kickback tripod wheels.

Is it a Dutro like this?

 

A Westco like this?

 

or something else; If so can you be more specific or up load a picture of what you are using?

[AngryChris]

It's extremely dangerous and I do NOT recommend it but... you can put a machine on its back and put it on some mover's dollies (the square looking one like SnackInTheBox mentioned) and roll it through the door... but this will only work if there are no tight turns.

 

If a mover can't do it for me, I won't do it.  A potential customer recently asked about putting 2 vending machines up to their second story break area (which currently has no electricity).  The staircase has THREE TIGHT 90 degree turns with enough space for one machine!  I'm not even sure if the machines could be turned into the break room (through a door) once they get to the very top step.  I told the customer that I cannot put a pop machine up there and I will only put a small snack machine up there if anything at all.  I asked them if I could place two machines down in their welding area.  The lady was worried that the gases and dust from the welding would do something to the soda and chips.  I quickly gave up on it.  I bet this account could do $75+/week in the Summer but it isn't worth messing with if they want me (or my mover) to go through THAT much trouble.  There are many other customers out there that would gladly accommodate my equipment.

[moondog]

If the door is wide enough an Enduro stairclimber would do the job - you'll need to hire somebody who has one as these are never available for rent, probably too much liability.

It's extremely dangerous and I do NOT recommend it but... you can put a machine on its back and put it on some mover's dollies (the square looking one like SnackInTheBox mentioned) and roll it through the door... but this will only work if there are no tight turns.

 

If a mover can't do it for me, I won't do it.  A potential customer recently asked about putting 2 vending machines up to their second story break area (which currently has no electricity).  The staircase has THREE TIGHT 90 degree turns with enough space for one machine!  I'm not even sure if the machines could be turned into the break room (through a door) once they get to the very top step.  I told the customer that I cannot put a pop machine up there and I will only put a small snack machine up there if anything at all.  I asked them if I could place two machines down in their welding area.  The lady was worried that the gases and dust from the welding would do something to the soda and chips.  I quickly gave up on it.  I bet this account could do $75+/week in the Summer but it isn't worth messing with if they want me (or my mover) to go through THAT much trouble.  There are many other customers out there that would gladly accommodate my equipment.

And don't forget who would be climbing those stairs to stock the machines - had some supermarkets like that once - never again!

[mojorhino]

I've got a DN276E & FSI 3 wide snack machine on the 2nd story break room at a bank.  The stairs have a 90 degree turn at the bottom of the stairwell & a 180 degree turn halfway up, guess how I did it?

[AngryChris]

I've got a DN276E & FSI 3 wide snack machine on the 2nd story break room at a bank.  The stairs have a 90 degree turn at the bottom of the stairwell & a 180 degree turn halfway up, guess how I did it?

 

Hired a mover to do it for you? LOL

[mojorhino]

See the girl in the pink shirt on the right?

She does all my moving & heavy lifting.

[NeverSoldOut]

Is it a Dutro like this?

A Westco like this?

or something else; If so can you be more specific or up load a picture of what you are using?

I'm using a westco I guess. Looks just like the one in the link you provided.

[mojorhino]

So you are definitely using one of these Appliance/Vending dollies

 

with the back wheels that kick out are are on casters that swivel?

 

I wish they would not call it an Appliance Truck/Vending Truck & just call it an appliance truck because it is not the best option for moving taller vending machines.  This site gives it 4.8 out of 5 stars when it actually only deserves about 3 stars because it is not very good for moving the taller 79 inch machines. Here is a link to a previous post that gives some of the reasons why I don't recommend using this Appliance Truck.

[allen watson]

Take your time and build a nice little ramp with some 2x4's and thin plywood. Then with a narrow/short dolly get a run at it and let it fly. A 3" step isn't anything more than an annoyance. I have a piece of aluminum I carry in place of the plywood. Also just to let you know, I have had several machines stuck in doorways with no hope of ever getting them thru but somehow they get to their spot sooner or later. If it is an office with guys around, they usually see me in despair and offer a hand. The "Z" type corners are far worse than the little step into a narrow/short doorway.

The one I use is a little different. The little wheels are stationary down low and the large wheels kick-out or stay down, depending on whether or not you want to tilt it way over. With the large wheels kicked-out they are able to support a machine completely horizontal.

[allen watson]

For the last 7 years I've been using a trailer just like that. Only difference is, I've been fighting the stupid ramp. I thought about just tilting the entire trailer but never had enough courage to do it. Do you use a stand to keep it tilted up after the weight of the machine is off of it?

[mojorhino]

For the last 7 years I've been using a trailer just like that. Only difference is, I've been fighting the stupid ramp. I thought about just tilting the entire trailer but never had enough courage to do it. Do you use a stand to keep it tilted up after the weight of the machine is off of it?

I'm not sure I follow what you mean. . . ?  I never let the machine roll off the trailer (at least not anymore) after about losing control of a DN 440 once.

 

Here are some are links with pictures of what I did to move a couple of machines in the past

1. Small Dixie Narco move
2. National 145 move

[NeverSoldOut]

So you are definitely using one of these Appliance/Vending dollies

with the back wheels that kick out are are on casters that swivel?

I wish they would not call it an Appliance Truck/Vending Truck & just call it an appliance truck because it is not the best option for moving taller vending machines. This site gives it 4.8 out of 5 stars when it actually only deserves about 3 stars because it is not very good for moving the taller 79 inch machines. Here is a link to a previous post that gives some of the reasons why I don't recommend using this Appliance Truck.

Yep. That's the one. Was told it'd move any soda machine and with some blocks of wood it'd move my snack units as well(that seems unsafe and I've never tried). You make good points and I like the one that you have. Haven't seen any like it on the secondary market. I dislike paying retail.

[mojorhino]

While I've never personally used one of those Westco Appliance dollies I have done quite a bit of research on them.  In fact I almost purchased one before going with a customized Dutro1888-78

 

That being said  . . .  Here is what I would recommend:

1.  If you have a shorter machine such as a Dixie Narco 276 or 501E use it at this location (swap it) & put the taller one outside or at location that has a taller entryway.

2. Hire someone with experience to move the 601E machine for you or at a minimum to help you get this one through the doorway

3. If you plan on moving the 601E (Possible but dangerous)

• The problem you are facing is that the machine (even when leaned back) is too tall (even taller than the picture below) to get under the doorway

 

That being said here is how I suspect you could overcome it.

 

Prerequisite: You are going to need a minimum of 1 helper (ideally 2-3) unless you have the girl in the pink I mentioned earlier available in your area (she could do it by herself)

1. Pull the machine backwards up to the door
2. Kick the extra set of fold out wheels back into the dolly & lean the machine back at about a 30 degree angle (this is where your 2nd helper will be needed).  You will need to hold the handle on the right of the dolly & have them hold the handle on the left. This will allow you to get the machine under the door & the 2nd person will be able to help bear the weight of the machine.
3. Try & pull the machine over the the 3 inch raised step.  If you are unable to get the machine over the raised step then I would suggest using your 3rd helper to help push the machine over the raised step.
4. If you are still unable to get over the raised step then I would suggest doing what Allen mentioned & making some type of ramp.
5. Once you get the machine over the raised step use your helpers to lift the machine back up & kick the wheels back out on the machine
6. Move it to where you want to place the it (if you have any other doorways to go through then repeat stpes 1 through 5)

I need to reiterate that this is possible to do but very dangerous so if you're gonna do it be careful.  When I first started vending I moved a Dixie Narco 440 through a standard doorway with an appliance dolly from Lowes using the method above.  The two main differences are that I only had a 1 inch threshold to go over & I had 3 friends help me.

[rmorris1953]

Is that a 3" landing ot a 3" lip going into the door?

 

 

This is what I use. For a 3" landing I have 2- 4" inch aluminum C channel ramps about 20"s long. Push it up the landing and the through the door. Being hydraulic jacks you only have to pick it up 1/8".  A D/N 600 MC most likely will have to be twisted. For a 3" lip same procedure.

 

This is a two man operation in my opinion. Make sure you have a tape measure to get good measurements. Most openings are 80" before the moldings and thresholds. The bolts on the hinge always seem to get in the way.

 

Second option is take door off the 600. It will lightened it up and also allow you to lay back on good dolly and go straight through.

[rmorris1953]

 

This is a Step Rider Big Boy... Very heavy   I never lay it down. LOL I leave it on the casters like this and just move it around like a shopping cart. I tie it down in trailer just like this. 

 

It has a strap that goes around the machine and one you can use over top. Head Knockers is what most call them  Never have been hit in the head. I do not get in a hurry when moving equipment. 

Second it has a bar down by the plate that lays down so you can move snack vendors without a board under the vendor.

It also has a 4 wheel cart that attaches to the bottom of the dolly that allows you to stand a pop machine up and twist it through the door.

 

It has a bar that lays down and extends past the larger wheels for tipping vendor back. Makes it almost effortless. Plate is narrow enough to go between legs of a vendor from side.  

 

If you do a lot of moving this is the ultimate dolly. Pepsi and Coke both got with these people and designed it.  

[jerry1973]

rmorris, I have seen you post about that dolly on other threads. Where do you buy these? I never see a reference to them online except for your posts. I have no problem moving machines with what I use, however I see major advantages to the one you have.