How to move heavy games upstairs without breaking back or expesive dolly

[john2654]

How to move heavy games upstairs without breaking back or expesive dolly

I was in the process of doing my last stair move, done with that crap. I bought a house with a ground level garage and basement/ finished room. Only problem was I had to move all games from old house, which were downstairs in the basement. No problem, only one last time. Right...
Moved up dart board. Kind of felt something. Ignore. Get bowling game up half way and OUCH.
That was it for 2 weeks.

Back felt better and came up with this contraption. A 2,000 lbs winch attached to dolly. I didn't want to spend thousands on a stair climbing dolly. The winch did all the work. I just had to make sure that the dolly was tilted so the weight was a even load on the wheels (like normal moving). Need to do a little tweaking yet, like get it up a bit higher.

One game up so far. Had to wait for others as it was snowing like crazy.
I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I've probably moved over 30 games up and down those stairs.

 

[VectorCollector]

Yes, the winch idea, thought of that myself too but never tried it.

And I like that you make the point by having a heavy Atari game on the dolly. LOL

 

[john2654]

I figured if I was going for it, pick a good test machine.

 

[amsvette]

I was in the process of doing my last stair move, done with that crap. I bought a house with a ground level garage and basement/ finished room. Only problem was I had to move all games from old house, which were downstairs in the basement. No problem, only one last time. Right...
Moved up dart board. Kind of felt something. Ignore. Get bowling game up half way and OUCH.
That was it for 2 weeks.

Back felt better and came up with this contraption. A 2,000 lbs winch attached to dolly. I didn't want to spend thousands on a stair climbing dolly. The winch did all the work. I just had to make sure that the dolly was tilted so the weight was a even load on the wheels (like normal moving). Need to do a little tweaking yet, like get it up a bit higher.

One game up so far. Had to wait for others as it was snowing like crazy.
I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I've probably moved over 30 games up and down those stairs.

Ah, excellent! I had a similar idea, and bought a winch but had not yet thought how best to mount it. I like what you've done with the wood at the door frame. Only other idea im thinking of stealing is I saw someone here built a ramp out of 2x6 with a 2x4 attached to the inside edges to form a lip to keep the dolly wheels going straight. May be unnecessary with a dolly like yours with the "stair climber" on the back edge, but should work great for my basic dolly.

 

[oppolo]

You need to have someone video the stair climber

 

[brmorr]

Looks good. Having anything that helps move games upstairs is great.

I bought a escalera years ago and would suggest it to anyone. Best money spent and if you sell it down the road you can always recoup most of your cost.

 

[VectorCollector]

I figured if I was going for it, pick a good test machine.

Which Atari game is it?
I looked thru your VAPS listing and did not see anything obvious.

 

[john2654]

Championship Sprint.
Real test will be my Rush games. But I'm going to remove surround and monitor before it makes the climb.

 

[thegleek]

I bought a escalera years ago and would suggest it to anyone. Best money spent and if you sell it down the road you can always recoup most of your cost.

i would agree, if you can dispel a myth or miscommunication about a similar product:

i rented one of these beasts for a weekend and the damned thing weighs 165lbs itself!

it didn't make the work easier, it made it twice more difficult! (actually impossible)

i'm hoping this escalera weighs like 40lbs, cuz otherwise i don't see the point... link:

https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment/items/1225/stairclimbing-motorized-hand-trucks/

 

[thegleek]

i'm hoping this escalera weighs like 40lbs, cuz otherwise i don't see the point..

yup, did some quick searches on escalera's website: http://www.escalera.com/models/index.htm

and that thing only weighs a mere 75-83 lb's! that'll make a world of difference! i'm
assuming the gigantic stair climber i rented is meant to move bank safes and elephants!

 

[brmorr]

I have the MS-66 and it's great. Can move pinballs up and downstairs by myself. Have move a ton of other things as well. It's definitely paid for itself.

 

[Triple3Fast]

You should take a video!

 

[pacmandan]

I have the MS-66 and it's great. Can move pinballs up and downstairs by myself. Have move a ton of other things as well. It's definitely paid for itself.

It's PRICELESS cause it's saves your back!!!! I will get one someday!!!

 

[john2654]

I see someone's tag. I wanted to pay a moving company, but when I mentioned what I want moved to the 1 person that responded, he said yeah, that isn't going to be cheap. (over $300 if I remember).

My winch attached to a 4" X 4", placed on top of 2 upright bricks did the job perfect.
I moved all my games without a hurt back. All I did was put the game on the appliance dolly, attach the winch about mid point on the dolly and had my buddy work the controls. I just held the dolly so the game's weight was even on the wheels.

Under $100 winch ( can always sell it or even take it back ) + wood, bolts and buddy's free help.

 

[CharlieBronson]

You should take a video!

+1 i wanna see this in action

 

[easy_rider]

+2 and ingenious idea!!

 

[Hydreigon]

Moving those arcade projector units.

I would like to know if anyone has moved these rear projector arcade units up/down a stairway or not.

 

[jawhn]

+3, brilliant!

 

[MikeL]

JAWHN.....or you could just have an Andrew!

 

[bdn103]

I have a walk out basement. I use a similar winch that I attach to the class c hitch on my truck. Works great and I have used in a few other situations as well.

Brian