How do _you_ move equipment? What "tools" do you use?

From: Jason McBrien <jbmcb_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Tue Oct 21 14:43:06 2003

I've moved a full height Comtal Vision/One 19" rack in the back of a
standard Plymouth Voyager minivan. Just barely fit, with the front seat
moved up a bit. I even managed to manhandle it into my basement by myself,
though it *was* empty and had the side and front panels removed. I'll soon
see if an Aztec has as much room...

As for disk/tape drives, have you looked into using an engine hoist? It may
be much cheaper than a portable hydraulic lift, and more maneuverable to
boot.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay West" <jwest_at_classiccmp.org>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 3:11 PM
Subject: Re: How do _you_ move equipment? What "tools" do you use?


> For moving racks, I just use a regular van, with a few extra steps. I have
> found that I can easily move one or two 19" six foot racks by myself with
> ease.
>
> It just so happens most of the racks I move are on casters. And I keep
> everything in my basement, which has double walk out doors onto a concrete
> patio which is level with the back yard. The yard is fenced, but there is
a
> large double gate in back, which opens to a large common area between the
> two rows of houses that goes up to the major street.
>
> So when I pick up a rack with the van, I wheel it to the back of the van,
> back of the rack facing the van. On the bed of the van is a huge cut piece
> of plywood fitted to the contours of the van floor outline. The metal rack
> will slide MUCH easier on plywood than metal. I tilt the rack back gently
> until the back side of the rack is leaned up against the edge of the van
> floor. Then go around front of the rack and tilt it backwards further.
Then
> just push from the bottom of the rack in, sliding easy on the plywood.
> Because of the way the rack is "tilted in" against the edge, I have found
I
> can easily move VERY heavy racks, much heavier than I normally would be
able
> to, because the edge of the van bed acts like a fulcrum point. You're
> actually never lifting it, just tilting slowly. This way the rack is
laying
> on its back on the van floor, and rackmount components won't slide out at
> all.
>
> Depending on the configuration of the rack and it's doors, sometimes I may
> wrap once around the rack with tape or a tie down to keep the doors closed
> if that's a problem. The only issue I've run into doing it this way is if
> power cables, etc. are on the back door - have to have a smooth surface to
> slide on. Sometimes I will also put a big rug or shipping blanket on the
> edge so that when the rack tilts back it is on a blanket. I will always do
> this if the rack is taped or tied around, because the tiedowns will make
it
> slide much less easily. The blanket against the plywood slides easily.
>
> Then I drive the van through the common area, back up onto the cement
patio
> just in front of the walkout doors. Pull on the bottom of the rack until
it
> slides out enough that the weight makes it start tilting down and let it
> down easy. Then it's an easy matter of tilting it up and just wheeling it
> into the basement.
>
> Once you do this a few times, you get a good feel for where the weight
> distribution in the rack is, the center of gravity, and if the edge of the
> van floor is just the right height and you make good use of these things
to
> help you, it becomes very easy. I've moved two racks at a time, some
> weighing almost 1000 pounds... by myself with no real straining. Just make
> the weight work for you on the tilting.
>
> Now what I REALLY want - is one of those lift genies that is like a hand
> truck but with a large flat platform that you pump up and down. Not to
move
> racks, but to lift disc drives and tape drives up from 5 inches to 5 feet,
> so that they can be easily rackmounted. Haven't found one cheap yet
though.
>
> Jay West
>
> ---
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>
>
Received on Tue Oct 21 2003 - 14:43:06 BST