What's the heaviest /biggest tank you can move by yourself?
- Thread starter FINWIN
- Start date
That I'd feel safe moving on my own? About 100L. 200ish if maybe I had a chance to set up some straps or something for a better grip.
730 gallon Glass Cages tank, about 1200 lbs. empty. Loaded on trailer, on the pallet shown, with forklift at GC factory. I used large ratchet straps to pull the pallet off the trailer onto furniture dollies and pushed/rolled the tank into the house. I little tough getting over the threshold, but made it inside. This was the toughest part of the job.
I built a lifting frame from 2X8 lumber and set up four farm jacks. I had two and borrowed another two from a friend. Lifted the tank off the pallets with nylon straps as shown and cut away the cardboard and styrofoam after lifting.
Tank is off pallet and stand is moved into place ready to slide under the tank when it is lifted high enough. I used more ratchet straps between the jacks to make sure they didn't get away from me during the lift. Jacks had way more lifting capacity than I needed, but had to make sure everything stayed straight
Replaced nylon straps with two strong fabric slings that could be pulled out from under the tank when it is landed on the stand. Lifted the tank by ratcheting the jacks up a couple notches per jack on alternating ends to keep the tank as level as possible during the lift. Lots of walking back and forth from one end to the other working the jacks. Tanks is still "floating" about 1/4" off the stand in the picture below, stand has just been pushed under the tank.
Jacks and frame removed, fabric slings have been pulled out. The tank and stand sit on strips of UHMW, low friction plastic to make it easier to move/slide on the floor. Tank and stand are about 2 feet off the wall at this point to allow access for work on sumps.
Sumps are in place and tank is ready to be moved back into its final location. Tank, stand and sumps now weigh over 2000 lbs. I sprayed Pledge® furniture wax on the floor ahead of where the tank would be sliding. I was planning to use a jack and push boards to move the tank, but couldn't resist trying to push it just to see if I could. Turns out that I was able to push/slide it back the two feet against the wall with less effort than I expected.
Total system, tanks and sumps are a little over 900 gallons. I did the move when the wife and daughters weren't home, just in case an unanticipated catastrophe occurred. By catastrophe I mean loss of the tank, I don't believe I ever put myself in harm's way. I know this kind of undertaking isn't for everyone, but I honestly believe the way I did it was more safe and under control than 15 guys, suction cups and lots of pizza. Took a lot of planning, purchase of materials and construction of the frame, but still way cheaper than professional movers.
I built a lifting frame from 2X8 lumber and set up four farm jacks. I had two and borrowed another two from a friend. Lifted the tank off the pallets with nylon straps as shown and cut away the cardboard and styrofoam after lifting.
Tank is off pallet and stand is moved into place ready to slide under the tank when it is lifted high enough. I used more ratchet straps between the jacks to make sure they didn't get away from me during the lift. Jacks had way more lifting capacity than I needed, but had to make sure everything stayed straight
Replaced nylon straps with two strong fabric slings that could be pulled out from under the tank when it is landed on the stand. Lifted the tank by ratcheting the jacks up a couple notches per jack on alternating ends to keep the tank as level as possible during the lift. Lots of walking back and forth from one end to the other working the jacks. Tanks is still "floating" about 1/4" off the stand in the picture below, stand has just been pushed under the tank.
Jacks and frame removed, fabric slings have been pulled out. The tank and stand sit on strips of UHMW, low friction plastic to make it easier to move/slide on the floor. Tank and stand are about 2 feet off the wall at this point to allow access for work on sumps.
Sumps are in place and tank is ready to be moved back into its final location. Tank, stand and sumps now weigh over 2000 lbs. I sprayed Pledge® furniture wax on the floor ahead of where the tank would be sliding. I was planning to use a jack and push boards to move the tank, but couldn't resist trying to push it just to see if I could. Turns out that I was able to push/slide it back the two feet against the wall with less effort than I expected.
Total system, tanks and sumps are a little over 900 gallons. I did the move when the wife and daughters weren't home, just in case an unanticipated catastrophe occurred. By catastrophe I mean loss of the tank, I don't believe I ever put myself in harm's way. I know this kind of undertaking isn't for everyone, but I honestly believe the way I did it was more safe and under control than 15 guys, suction cups and lots of pizza. Took a lot of planning, purchase of materials and construction of the frame, but still way cheaper than professional movers.
Bravo! I agree on all counts; no kids or spouses in the way, and a well-planned and carefully executed project. The friends/pizza/beer are best saved till the next day.
With enough dollies, hi-lift jacks, rigging, come-alongs, time and patience...anybody can move anything alone.
Satisfaction upon completion: priceless.
Sassafras
that's awesome. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
I'm stubborn and have dollys and an appliance hand truck- i've moved my 3 180's a few times
