bairdo3 Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Looking for safe methods to transport soda machine 250 miles. Any opions/experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojorhino Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Here are some links to previous posts on this topic: Moving and transporting vending machines How do you move a vending machine? utility trailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairdo3 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks for reply. Looked at those preciously, but didnt find too many detailed processes with using a pick up truck with lift gate or using a basic single axle trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Well... I can't give you a video but there are about 3 ways that come to mind. Firstly, when using a lift gate, you need to use a lift gate that is flat. If it's a tuck-away that has 2 or 3 different angles on it creating a slope, it is dangerous and you need to do things PERFECTLY to prevent injury. Because of that, I won't even try to explain how to use a tuck-away because it's just too dangerous. If you are using a flat lift gate, you should really use a pallet jack if you can. The trick is to lean the machine far enough (you need 2 people) to get a 4x4 wood board underneath both sides. This gives enough clearance for a pallet jack. When you roll the machine (on the pallet jack) onto the lift gate, you have to turn the pallet jack AND the wheels so that nothing will roll off the truck and release the pressure so that the pallet jack is all the way down. You have to hold onto the pallet jack while you do this so that the whole thing doesn't roll off!!! Finally, once you've gotten all the way up to the bed of the truck, you have to place the machine in a corner somewhere where it can be secured and drop the machine on those same 4x4's that you used earlier. This will allow you to get your pallet jack out (or you can leave it underneath, just make sure the machine is on the boards and not the pallet jack where it can roll around). If you are using an appliance mover, you probably (I haven't done it this way) have to simply pull the machine onto the lift gate, set it down, lift the machine+dolly level with the bed, tilt the machine and place it where you want it. It's much simpler to do it this way but it's a major pain in the back. If you are using a trailer, you should get ahold of r.morris from these forums if possible because he has a lot of experience with this as far as I know. You could also simply hire a mover to do all of this. I typically pay $125+/hour for my machine moves but I have ZERO issues paying my mover. Sometimes I have to pay him to sit around and wait for me to finish what I am doing (and that can easily cost me an extra $50) but I don't mind because I know he'll get my moves done and I will NOT have a sore back nor will I have a sore lawsuit from any damage to the customer's property (because he is insured). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Looking for safe methods to transport soda machine 250 miles. Any opions/experience? As a sole operator, I have one strict rule when it comes to moving equipment - hire somebody to move your machines. If I go down doing this type of work I'm out of business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairdo3 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks guys. Just installed flat lift gate on truck today. Its going to make things ALOT easier and safer compared to the way I was doing it, which was just manhandling it with a few people on a utility trailer. I'm not to that point where I need or want to hire a mover. I'm 28 and only doing this part time, so it's really not too bad for me. I also don't mind the challenge. thanks again, I will be using this forum quite often, as it has been much help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojorhino Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks guys. Just installed flat lift gate on truck today. Its going to make things ALOT easier and safer compared to the way I was doing it, which was just manhandling it with a few people on a utility trailer. I'm not to that point where I need or want to hire a mover. I'm 28 and only doing this part time, so it's really not too bad for me. I also don't mind the challenge. thanks again, I will be using this forum quite often, as it has been much help. What kind/brand of lift-gate you did you have installed & how much did it cost? Please post pics of your truck with the lift-gate & machine on it so that others can benefit from your experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairdo3 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Its an Original Tommy Gate Lift. Bought it used for $350 and installed it myself (had a helper). Ill post pics as soon as I can. Plan on moving a machine tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 If you installed it yourself did you have installation instructions? Do you have the proper inside brackets for your truck bed? Is it supported to the frame underneath? The last thing you want is for it to twist backwards or break loose when it's loaded. There are some serious torques put on the main frame when you have a load sticking out when the platform is in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 It's in your best interest to respond to AZVendor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairdo3 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 I did have installation instructions, used the brackets and is supported underneath the frame, and ill probably be welding additional brackets and supports in the near future. I know transporting these machines is no joke, I tend to overkill everything i do dealing with these soda machines, including 3 to 4 people to help and supervise every move. I did use the lift on my truck for the first time today transporting a Univendor 2 - 10 selection soda machine today, (will put picture up as soon as I can of the move). Went extremely well and really glad I went with the tommy lift option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojorhino Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I did have installation instructions, used the brackets and is supported underneath the frame, and ill probably be welding additional brackets and supports in the near future. I know transporting these machines is no joke, I tend to overkill everything i do dealing with these soda machines, including 3 to 4 people to help and supervise every move. I did use the lift on my truck for the first time today transporting a Univendor 2 - 10 selection soda machine today, (will put picture up as soon as I can of the move). Went extremely well and really glad I went with the tommy lift option. If you took the pictures with a camera phone that is web enabled you can upload the pics directly to the gallery from your phone, then link them to this post when you are able to get to a computer later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairdo3 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 Here's the pic I promised. http://vendiscuss.net/index.php?/gallery/image/1328-20140318-140546/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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