How to unload a 500+ lb box?!

[eyekode]

I recently posted my 2 contractor style table saws for sale in preparation for buying a cabinet saw. Well the deed is done (in 3 days! I must have priced too low ).

Now for the problem. How do I get the box in my garage? I am considering a G0691 from Grizzly. I know they offer "lift gate service" but I honestly don't know what that means. I will call tomorrow and talk to the their sales but I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience.

Otherwise what am I looking at? Renting an engine hoist?

Thanks!
Salem

 

[scsmith42]

Salem, a pallet jack and a floor jack (with an assortment of wood blocks) should be all that you need. You might not even need the floor jack, as a couple of guys can easily wrestle several hundred pounds worth of equipment off of a pallet.

The floor jack is a good option (in addition to the pallet jack) if you are working by yourself. You'll need the lift gate service for unloading the crate from the delivery truck. Additionally, usually the drivers have a pallet jack on board and will assist you with getting it into your shop (presuming that you can roll it in). It's always a good idea to give them a tip for assisting.

Scott

 

[mkepke]

Best to ask the vendor, but "liftgate service" usually means the delivery-person will unload the boxes onto your driveway (normally it's your responsibility to unload a freight shipment).

The driver may or may not be willing to move the boxes any further than the ground next to the truck. Some people have had luck sweet talking drivers into putting the boxes into their shop.

Best to be prepared with something to move the boxes. A hand-truck should work nicely.

-Mark

 

[PeteQuad]

I have never had a problem with getting the delivery person to move the items into my garage when paying for liftgate service. it seems to me that they almost expect to do it.

Having a hand truck and someone to help you is your best bet. With one helper you will find that the load is not as bad as you thought - it's not like you have to clean and jerk the saw .

 

[Bas]

I know they offer "lift gate service" but I honestly don't know what that means. I will call tomorrow and talk to the their sales but I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience.

I purchased a 6" jointer and a 14" band saw from Grizzly a couple of years ago. Freight delivery, not lift gate service. That means the driver pulls up in a big truck, opens the back door, and tosses out the boxes. Well, I was there to help guide them down, but otherwise that's what would have happened. From there, I simply used my hand truck.

Lift gate means there is a lift at the back of the truck. The driver rolls the machine onto the lift with a pallet jack, presses a button, and everything lowers to the ground. Usually, the driver will put it in the garage for you, since the pallet jack isn't that hard to operate. If not, a $20 bill will usually offer sufficient incentive.

Definitely get the lift gate service for a machine this size.

 

[Bas]

If you're having trouble getting the saw off the pallet, an engine hoist will work, but a posting here on NCWW promising cold carbonated drinks does wonders on getting volunteers. Offer pizza and you may even get help cleaning off the cosmoline

 

[gdoebs]

When I ordered my jointer, drill press and bandsaw from Grizzly the shipping company (Overnight) called me to arrange delivery. I took my truck to there DC and they used their forklift and loaded the pallets for me. I was then able to slide the boxes off my lift gate and onto my workbench. Of course, this only works if you have access to a pickup and or trailer.

 

[CrealBilly]

I got creative with lengths of plastic PVC pipe when I installed my gas pack. You'll would be amazed how easily a large heavy object can be made to roll on PVC pipes. But I agree with others best to use something made for lifting as Scott suggested and tip the driver to help you get it into your garage. Remember: My Blue Heaven "Vincent 'Vinnie' Antonelli - It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping" the delivery guy is trying to make a honest living.

 

[steviegwood]

The driver that brought my bandsaw used his pallet jack and put it right in my shop. I was able to get it wrestled off of the pallet and used my appliance dolly to put it where it is now. Steve

 

[ScottM]

I work from home most days. Depending on my schedule I might be able to run over to assist.

 

[Robert Arrowood]

One thing to think about is when you contact the shipper ask for a straight truck.That way he can back into your drive "that is IF they CAN drive":rolf:.Mabe that way the saw will be closer to the shop:widea:.And if the weather is cold the day of delivery have a pot of hot coffee ready to offer the driver a cup:wink_smil.Truck driver's love hot coffee:gar-La;.

 

[CarvedTones]

I have a 4x8 utility trailer that tilts. If I get something heavy, I load it where it is forward so it is easy to take out the pin and start sliding it back slowly until it is near the balance point. Using body weight I then tilt it to the ground/floor and silde the item back until it is off. I am nearby and might be able to lend a hand also.

 

[eyekode]

Thanks for all the tips and offers for help. Seems ncwoodworkers are used to large deliveries .

As long as the Griz doesn't charge an arm and a leg for lift gate service it sounds like all I need is luck or a handtruck + friends . And I will be sure to ask for the straight truck, otherwise it will be 80 feet uphill from the culdesac!

 

[steviegwood]

Thanks for all the tips and offers for help. Seems ncwoodworkers are used to large deliveries .

As long as the Griz doesn't charge an arm and a leg for lift gate service it sounds like all I need is luck or a handtruck + friends . And I will be sure to ask for the straight truck, otherwise it will be 80 feet uphill from the culdesac!

Mine came UPS and the extra charge was I think $35 for the lift gate and they brought it by 18 wheeler even when I requested a straight truck. The driver was good and put the back of the truck at my shop door. He used every inch of space to turn that rig or he would have been over the hill with it. Steve

 

[timf67]

When I got my cabinet saw, I didn't even bother trying to move it in the box. The combination of impatience and lack of lifting assistance led me to open the box right where it "landed" and I moved the saw into its new home in pieces as I assembled it. Just pray for good weather on the day of delivery and you can do the same.

 

[JimmyC]

Also, check to see how many boxes it comes in. My Jet cabinet saw (500lbs total) came in four boxes : The base and basic top, the cast iron wings, the extension table, and the fence. The heaviest box was about 250 lbs which wasn't too hard to handle with a friend. I had it loaded on a pick up truck and handled it from there.

Good luck,

 

[RobS.]

My grizzly planer was delivered by Overnight. They called to alert me. The truck had to park out in front of my house where he could get off the road. We used 2 long 2 x 10's to slide the crate (slowly and carefully) out of the truck (no lft gate) and into the bed of my pickup. We moved the pickup around back to the shop and used the planks to slide it out of the truck and into the shop. It weighed just under 500 lbs. my son and I were able to move it without any problems. We did tilt the crate here and there to let it pivot where necessary.
Then I had help from 3 folks here to lift it off the floor and onto it's stand. My son and I would never have managed that by ourselves. Thanks Sawduster et al. :eusa_clap

 

[CaptnA]

if you aren't used to deliveries or the company, it would be worth a phone call to see what they are intending. We have had everything to both extremes when we had things delivered to the fire stations. A hose dryer that weighs 900 pounds in a box that had less than a foot on any side was a bear to unload. The box had to come 7 feet out without tipping more than 4 inches. That driver just wanted to get on the road and wasn't happy about waiting for a truck from another station to come for manpower. Others have gone so far as handtrucking into the building and helping us unpack items. We had a 55 gallon drum of foam (about 440 pounds) that one driver unloaded that impressed me (and saved our backs). He threw down three old tires and rolled the drum out the back and onto the tires. The drum hit the tires and bounced upright onto its bottom.

 

[Mike K]

I had a jointer delivered the same way. Lift gate service. The driver used a pallet jack to move it into my shop. A little tip and you are on your way. As far as the table saw goes, it will probably be shipped without the wings attached. Just break down the box, and the unit with the cabinet and motor is not that bad to move. A couple of guys in the neighborhood can take care if it. Myself and two other friends lifted my Steel City saw off the back of my truck into my shop. Hope this helps. If you need help, let us know and we can be there...MK

 

[Kyle]

I recently posted my 2 contractor style table saws for sale in preparation for buying a cabinet saw. Well the deed is done (in 3 days! I must have priced too low ).

Now for the problem. How do I get the box in my garage? I am considering a G0691 from Grizzly. I know they offer "lift gate service" but I honestly don't know what that means. I will call tomorrow and talk to the their sales but I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience.

Otherwise what am I looking at? Renting an engine hoist?

Thanks!
Salem

lift with your legs