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Posted: 12/1/2010 3:20:51 PM EDT
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I am buying a used safe weighing around 600 lb. I need to take it down four steps, turn 90 degrees and go down 6 steps to get the safe into the basement. Using a sturdy appliance dolly (u-haul rental) can two men move the safe down the stairs safely? I guess asked a different way, how hard is it to move a 600 lb safe down stairs using an appliance dolly?
Always appreciate the advice and experience of others. |
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Call your local safe dealer and ask if they will move it for you. I believe they use a motorized dolly and have the proper insurance.
Second choice would be to call a moving company. If you drop the safe on one of your buddies - your Home Owners Insurance may not cover it. |
Down is easy, up is the challenge.
Seriously, you need 3 guys if you can fit them in the stairwell. Myself and 2 guys moved a large Liberty (book says 1100 pounds) out of a basement (up stairs) into a trailer, off trailer, and back into a basement (walk in) not too long ago. It helps if 2 of the 3 guys are large mechanical engineers. Last weekend myself and 3 guys moved a 1400 pound Sturdy from a garage to a basement but there were no stairs. Think it through before you go and take your time. |
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Is this a real safe, or a sheetmetal gun safe? There's a huge difference in size. A small TL-15 can easily weigh 600lbs, and it would be dangerous for someone who's inexperienced to move one down stairs with just an appliance dolly. If it's a sheetmetal gunsafe, then it's no different than moving a refrigerator, and shouldn't be a problem, although you might want to ramp the stairs, or rent a stair climbing(and descending) handtruck at your local rental center. Either way, the rule of stairs if that no one is down hill of the load, even a 600 sheetmetal box can maim and possibly kill. Use straps, etc to slow the descent from above if needed.
ETA–– If the landing is tight, the way I'd do it is to ramp the stairs, and lay the safe down on it's back, golf balls in place at the landing before you start, and gradually lower with straps anchored at the top of the stairwell to something much heavier than 600#'s. This may mean running the anchor straps outside the house to a vehicle, etc, but it's the safe way. If the landing isn't so tight, rent the walking handtruck. |
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