I need a hand moving a 500lb generator

[mvpel]

Hi folks,

As you may have gathered from my other posts, I'm in the process of installing a new automatic standby generator in my house.

My main problem is that the unit weighs about 500 pounds, and is in my garage at the far end of the house from where it's going to be installed.

I think that four reasonably fit guys could lift and move it fairly well, with one at each corner, so that means I need the help of three more reasonably fit guys.  The unit has holes at the base where one can put hooks or what have you.  It's currently bolted to a pallet, so that could also be used as a lifting point until we get it over there.

My friend Rick has a trailer that might work to get the unit most of the way there without too much effort, I think it's just the process of getting it on and off, and positioned properly, that's going to take some muscle and mechanical advantage.  I've also got a piano dolly which might be useful for getting it part of the way there, but it would need a boardwalk in order to get across the grass.

If anyone has a decent convertible hand truck, perhaps also with pneumatic tires, that would also probably come in handy I expect, though I'm not 100% sure of how suited the plastic base of the unit is for hand-trucking.

After it's done, we can head up to Murphy's for beer on me.

Let me know if you're game and when you might be available - 424-6916 or mvpel@hushmail.com.  Thanks!

[cathypeschke]

Did you hook it up?  Did you like it?  Did you price check around?  We are considering get one we would like to know what you think of yours.

[mvpel]

It's still sitting in the garage at the moment, but it looks very nicely built and thoughtfully designed.  I won't have it up and running for a little while yet, as I need to get the gas piping and wiring work done after I move it, but I'll let you know how it goes.

It was around $2,700 from Home Depot, including a $43 donation to GO-NH through iGive.com.

The Home Depot folks wanted $1,800 to install it, and while there are moments when I wish I'd taken them up on it, as I sat there trying to sort out how I'd move it from one end of the house to the other, I think I'm going to wind up with a better net result paying Energy North Propane to re-plumb my main gas line and put in a new line to the generator, plus whatever other incidentals I run into as I do the installation myself.

[Nat F]

I've got a hand truck, a strong back and a short trip to your house.  Let me know the date and time to move it and I'll be by to help.  (Well, I'm not available Friday - Sunday this week though).

-Nat

[Amos Keag]

I'd be happy to help if I can, Michael.

[mvpel]

What do you guys think of Thursday after work as a time?

[Nat F]

If 6:30 or later fits the after work description then that's fine, traffic doesn't allow me to get home any earlier.

-Nat

[Quantrill]

If you still need another guy I could probably do it.  Normally get home 430-5ish. 

[mvpel]

Yeah, 6:30 will work out perfectly - we've got our 1-year follow-up with the social worker at about 5:00.

So, 6:30 at 3 Woodbine Lane, Merrimack, http://maps.google.com/  - I'll get in touch with the rest of the guys directly.

I'll go get some decent nylon rope and what have you later today.

I think we'll be in good shape by using the pallet as a lifting point until we get it over there, then unbolt it from the pallet and use the frame holes to position it on the gravel bed.

I'm hoping that the cable length will allow me to run the wiring through the band joist, rather than having to drill a big hole through the foundation wall.

[MaineShark]

I can swing by as well, if an extra pair of hands would help.

Joe

[mvpel]

Sure, thanks!  The more the merrier, even if it's just to call 911 if we drop it on someone. 

[Amos Keag]

What do you guys think of Thursday after work as a time?

I can't be there that early, but if you need my help have Quantrill give me a call.

I could be there by 8 or so.

[mvpel]

Everything went quite smoothly!  Lildog's (Rick Barnes') antique flat-bed cart proved extremely useful, so that just four of us were needed to move it across the lawn and next to the gravel bed.  The lawn wasn't as soft as I thought, or the wheels on his cart were sufficiently big and numerous, that it didn't sink in.

By the time we detached it from the pallet and hefted it into place, there were about eight of us, and many hands made very light work.  We probably could have juggled the thing.  We threaded a rope through the holes in the base, then lifted it off the pallet and set it down.  A little shimmying around got it lined up with the house with the help of Jack's measurements, and now comes the gas lines and electrical hookup.

Unfortunately, it appears that complying with the three-foot clear space around the house means that the electrical whip is not quite long enough to reach the band joist, so I either have to drill a hole through the foundation wall or build a longer whip.

Thanks very much, everyone!  I owe you one!

[Lloyd Danforth]

Its great that there are so many of you within a reasonable drive

[mvpel]

That's the great thing about New Hampshire as opposed to Montana, where the trip from Bainville to Troy is about 650 miles and 11 hours.