Moving heavy plate

[JayRS4]

Has anyone got any hints or tips on handling and moving heavy plate (without the aid of a crane/forklift)

I`ve just had a delivery that i`ve had to reject due to not being able to move it (for a start they were here on the wrong day) 15mm plate, 2m x 1m, 250kgs all in. It`s the top for my workbench.

Any ideas?

 

[Archie]

Is your bench to be a wheelie bench? When I did mine I made up the base before the sheet arrived and slid it straight off the back of the lorry onto the top of the bench. Otherwise I've no bright ideas I'm afraid.

 

[Luke]

where's it got to be moved to? over what sort of terrain?

I've moved all sorts of stuff with egyptian technology - rollers, skids, levers, wedges etc. there's not much that can't be moved with the proper application of a couple of lengths of 2"x4" or scaffold pole.

 

[Hitch]

Whats the problem, getting it off the lorry??

Lever it off onto some trestles with a bit of wood.
From there, if you are a strong chap, and you have 3 strong mates, ougth to be able to pick it up if its at a comfortable height.. 230kg for a 2x1x15mm.

If you get it onto the floor, you could raise it with some timbers bit by bit each end, until its at such height you can get a trolley under it.

Depending on whos delivering, and where its from, you might be able to aske for hiab delivery for a bit extra.
If it was me, id put a couple of timbers on the floor and push it off the edge of the truck. Putting some timbers against the sides of it to protect as the sheet falls.
Not always an option, depends where its loaded.
Worth asking them if they can do a hiab delivery....

 

[JayRS4]

Bench will be a wheelie bench yes, but it wont fit through the door, hmm, or down a small step (havent gotten around to making a ramp), or the gate.

It`s got to be moved from wherever the lorry gets to, over tarmac, then gravel (the fun bit) then paving

There is a problem with getting it off the lorry (see other thread titled "supplier issues")
I might be able to get a few people here, but it`s a matter of timing as well, can`t have people waiting around all day, and timed delivery is a fortune. I was assuming that the truck would have a hiab anyway, i was wrong, it appears they expect everyone to have a forklift available.

I`m currently thinking something along the lines of a pair of wheels on an axle, with some bits of angle to stop the plate moving. Then having the plate "vertical" between the bits of angle. Does that make sense?

 

[Archie]

How about a couple of poles with some rope between them to make a sort of stretcher. You could stand it upright on that and have a couple of mates help you lug it inside.

 

[ksimmons]

Do you have access to a cherry picker???

 

[Welderpaul]

When we had the plate delivered for one of the benches (20mm thick, 4m x 2m), we had no means of lifting it at that time. Backed the wagon up to the bench and slid it off using bars and timbers. We used a couple of ratchet straps from the edge of the bench to the opposite edge of the plate to slide it into final position.
And a big hammer fopr fine tuning!

We've thrown beams/plates etc of the side of wagons before. Doesnt usually damage them Makes a mess of yer drive though

 

[Delgado]

Why don't you just buy a second hand engine hoist off ebay, should be able to pick one up that will easily suit your needs for about £50.(you could just make one but it would probably cost you more in materials)

Any help?

 

[Drains]

How about a couple of poles with some rope between them to make a sort of stretcher.

Or Romanians, they're pretty handy too

Bods are the best tbh. I had to lift a bunch of 6m long, 1.6m wide 6mm tk plates into place a few years back with no lifting kit. I could have done it, but would have taken days, literally. Had a party instead. 8 people, 10 minutes, one pack of stubbies. Job done.

 

[weldingscotty803]

how much jay?
mine was about 90 quid plus delivery (16 quid)

 

[Hitch]

Do you have access to a cherry picker???

And of course cherry pickers should never be used as cranes, and 250kg is probably over the capacity of most anyway.

 

[JayRS4]

Thanks for the input everyone, i think due to the variety of surfaces it`ll be a combination of methods, and then an engine hoist to move it finally. Luckily the scaffys are in next door, so plenty of poles (both sorts) around, just not todaay when i needed them.

Scott: almost ashamed to say, 152.42, plus vat, delivery was 25 quid total on the order, but I had stainless sheet with special packaging as well. Where was yours from and when?

Oh, and it`s a no to the cherry picker, it`s my home workshop.

 

[pedrobedro]

15mm thick 6mm with some pallet boards under it would be as much as I would use and it would be a lot lighter and cheaper. What are you using it for, an anvil ?

 

[JayRS4]

Well I wouldnt want it warping now would I. Plus i`d rather do it right the first time, than have to do it twice.

 

[MrFluffy]

Put two scaff boards from the wagon down to the floor, and slide the plate down it in a semi controlled manner from above in case anything goes wrong. If you put some wood at the bottom as a foot and a nail through the scaff boards to encourage them to stay in the right place then it wont even get bruised/marked on the edge off the tarmac.
I cheat and fire up my digger, chain up heavy stuff onto the front bucket and just lift it in. Anyone near you with some heavy stuff?

 

[JayRS4]

There`s a plumb centre very close, they have a forklift, but i dont think i could get it round here, would mean them driving it on the road. I`ve borrowed a pallet truck from them before, but that`d only help moving on the tarmac sections

 

[weldingscotty803]

it was from shackletons. i order a few quids worth and always, always ask if thats the best price. play a few companies against each other. im bad i know, but its the only way to get recognised within work.
'yes boss ive saved £230 on the steel ive just ordered'
'well done lad. now get back to work!!!!!!!!!!'
lol

 

[Justme]

There`s a plumb centre very close, they have a forklift, but i dont think i could get it round here, would mean them driving it on the road. I`ve borrowed a pallet truck from them before, but that`d only help moving on the tarmac sections

Use the pallet truck on the gravel by putting some nice wide boards down.

 

[Bugnut]

BEER - would be the best solution.

Buy lots and text your mates photos of a stack of crates - they will all be there ready to help , quick time !