moving a 950lb safe

Did a few searching and didn't get a good response.

1. I have to move a 950lb safe.... Renting a pallet jack will cost the same as buying one, and can't go upstairs. Worth it?
2. An appliance hand truck can do 1000lbs, but would it be to risky leaning that much weight?
3. A motorcycle jack would work to get it up onto wheels, but again, can't go upstairs. But would it be able to go up a U-Haul truck ramp?

any inputs besides getting a moving company? They want the same price as a new safe, to move it to TX.

That's a tough call man. 950lbs can be pretty unwieldy even for professional movers and an injury from moving it will cost more than a new one... Are you selling your current place perhaps? I wonder if you can include it as an incentive for potential buyers, and build in an extra $1K toward a replacement once you move. I honestly almost expect to leave my current safe in my house when I move... sad, but true.

I saw how some pros moved an ATM (which is essentially a big safe) into a bank once. They did use a pallet jack, as it came on a pallet. It took them about 20 minutes to get it off the pallet. But when they got it down on the ground, they moved it around on thin rods (1/8th" metal dowels), which rolled underneath. They always had one to add in front of it when it was about to come off another, so there were always two underneath it. Might be of some help moving it around.

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Originally Posted by Sawin

That's a tough call man. 950lbs can be pretty unwieldy even for professional movers and an injury from moving it will cost more than a new one... Are you selling your current place perhaps? I wonder if you can include it as an incentive for potential buyers, and build in an extra $1K toward a replacement once you move. I honestly almost expect to leave my current safe in my house when I move... sad, but true.

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I have a buddy at work that would want it, and I could just buy another one down in TX, BUT, then I would have to deal with moving it to his place.

How did you get it in the house?

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Originally Posted by Sharpienads

How did you get it in the house?

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never did [Bang] guy delivered it and dropped it in the garage. I managed to man handle it into a corner and bury it with stuff so it can't be seen, and takes a minute to access.

Take the door off and have a couple buddies help you out.

Remove the door - reduces the weight significantly.

Wrap a tow strap around the center about knee high - Tie another strap to this one, pass it under the base, and tie to first strap on other side (like a big safe thong). You can then have up to 8 guys (two on each side) grab hold of the center strap and easily carry/lift it wherever you want. I've seen two large men move a 1000 lb safe using this method.

Also, as generalmeow alluded to, you can use lengths of 3/4" schedule 40 PVC to roll it across a floor. Used to do this in my basement over a tile floor - works like a charm.

Or, you could hire someone with an electric stair-climbing appliance dolly to do it for you. Call around to the local safe sellers - they do moving also.

Similar to the PVC pipe, I used a bunch of golf balls on the floor to roll the safe over. Had myself and one friend push/guide, and one friend out front with the golf balls. Made moving it very easy.

Call a local company that sells safes and ask them who they recommend. For $150-200, someone can move it and will be insured if anything breaks (like stairs).

Sutherlands - Cheyenne
5221 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009
Phone Number: 307-637-7447
Toll Free: 888-597-3860

Rocky Mountain Shooters Supply
3507 E Mulberry St
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone Number: 970-221-5133

Sounds like you need something like this!! 1500lb stairclimber. I might know someone who has one [Coffee]
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/q...128_185339.jpg

I would be concerned about a 1000# safe causing the stairs to collapse. I would highly consider a professional safe person to do this move.

In case the subtle hint was not enough, one of our own, Opie011 is a pro safe moving kinda guy.

I can attest to the highly professional work done by Opie011. You cannot go wrong there.

I just checked you tube. I searched using "moving a safe" and got a bunch of hits including up or down a stair.

My smart ass reply is to first take all the guns out. A bunch of guns adds up.


Be careful. That big hunk of steel doesn't care what it crushes.

Nah, that's probably worth 2 PMags, maybe 3. Then its totally worth it for opie to drive up to Cheyenne! [LOL]

I moved my 450lb safe with an appliance dolly. It was extremely easy to tilt back (granted, half the weight as yours and no stairs were involved) and I didn't feel like it was going to tip over on me as you'll notice when you get close to the tipping point. Others have suggested PVC or wooden dowels to push it across a room. If you're going across carpet, laying down some plywood will make rolling it easier as you won't be pushing into the carpet.

But, first and foremost, DO NOT move it ALONE! Make sure at the very least that someone is there to call 911 for you.

eta: You can physically move it alone, but have someone present to watch and make sure it doesn't crush you. If it does, they'll call 911.

If you need any advise just shoote a PM [Beer]

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Originally Posted by trot

I like your encouragement. :)

"Feel free to move it with this method, but make sure someone has a smart phone on hand so they can take pictures and post it here when it literally kills you. I mean, so they can call 911. Yeah...911...."

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Yup, or you HOPE they'll call 911. But I'm sure they won't call 911 until AFTER they take the pictures first.

Opie011 delivered and set a 3600 pound safe for me. He's the man!

What is your back and safety worth?

Pony up the dime, let a professional do it.

Find friends who squat and deadlift. Grab two of them. If the three of you can't move it, you need to do some serious work in the weight room.

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Originally Posted by ZERO THEORY

Find friends who squat and deadlift. Grab two of them. If the three of you can't move it, you need to do some serious work in the weight room.

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Or just have Stan Efferding come over, get a 6 pack and watch.

Roll out of garage, cut hole in roof call Evergreen crane and have him set it where you want, repair hole in roof.

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Originally Posted by blacklabel

Or just have Stan Efferding come over, get a 6 pack and watch.

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I'm not impressed; Lu Xiaojun squats as much as he does at a mere 170 lbs, and Efferding doesn't even pull triple BW at 275 lbs equipped!


OP: just hire Lu, Ivan Stoitsov, and Little Caprice (for eye candy) for the day.

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

What is your back and safety worth?

Pony up the dime, let a professional do it.

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THIS! X1000

Injuries suck. And self-inflicted ones from trying to save a few bucks are the worst.

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Originally Posted by rondog

THIS! X1000

Injuries suck. And self-inflicted ones from trying to save a few bucks are the worst.

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Right, he should distribute the contents to the membership and give the safe away to someone who has the capability to haul it off.

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Originally Posted by Mtn.man

Right, he should distribute the contents to the membership and give the safe away to someone who has the capability to haul it off.

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Bingo. OP, I can be there tomorrow.