Removing a four post lift from a trailer

onefastmustang · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 07:15 PM

So in a few days I will be having a four post lift on a trailer in my front driveway. Question is the quickest and easiest way to get it off of said trailer. I don't exactly have a fork lift floating about my garage so I am looking for ideas for removal. Of course it can be unpacked and carried off too I am sure but is there an easier way?

This what the packaging looks like..

jwd · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefastmustang

Of course it can be unpacked and carried off too I am sure but is there an easier way?

That's what I did. Just take it apart on the trailer and re-assemble it in your garage.

Jim

D+10 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 08:42 PM

A lot of beer will attract Cobra guys who will unload the parts and assemble it

onefastmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 08:47 PM

I could get a 15 gallon keg from the local brewery..

tcrist · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 08:48 PM

Mike,
Just give me a yell when you plan to remove/assemble it. I'll be there. No worry about the beer, I quit drinking that stuff about 15 years ago.

Terry

D+10 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 08:51 PM

15 gallons should get it in your garage and operational

People will show up to help/drink that you have never seen before...

onefastmustang · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 09:15 PM

I am not sure on the timing yet.. It is supposed to be in the local freight dock by Friday morning. Not sure on the timing of getting home but I was considering assembling it on Sunday if I get it home. Next weekend I have to go to my sister-in-laws funeral..

lineslinger · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 09:40 PM

Got an engine hoist?

onefastmustang · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 09:49 PM

I do.. A rather hefty one too..

HI Cobra · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 09:54 PM

Disassemble it on the trailer and put it together in the garage.
I borrowed a truck with a 15' box and the package (looked like that one)
was 15'-3" so I had the guy push it over so I could shut the door.
Since I was the Lone Ranger on this job I took it apart in the van and slid
the pieces down the ramp into the garage and returned the truck.
Took me two days to put it together but it was just me and I wasn't pushing
it. Mine was the larger size and it barely fit - I lucked out on that one! If
it had been 3" longer I would have been screwed. Works great - no regrets.

Karl Bebout · #11 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 09:59 PM

Three of us managed to carry the individual pieces, except the ramp that had the hydraulic cylinder attached. For that, we used a four wheel wooden furniture dolly that had been collecting dust in the garage. It is a Harbor Freight Chinese treasure, but did the job just fine. Your engine hoist should help a lot but I don't know how well it will roll with the unwieldy big pieces attached. Keep your toes and fingers out from under the heavy stuff. Would not be prudent.

mln385 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009, 07:02 AM

I have an electric hoist in my garage so I removed it that way, another avenue would be to rent a car wrecker (flatbed) have it put on at depot with that then have the wrecker deliver to house and slide off in driveway for removal at liesure.

Marc

sharpe 1 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009, 07:22 AM

I used my cherry picker to unload and it was very useful during assembly.

LuvDaBlues · #14 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009, 07:27 AM

[quote=Karl Bebout;949015]Three of us managed to carry the individual pieces, except the ramp that had the hydraulic cylinder attached. For that, we used a four wheel wooden furniture dolly that had been collecting dust in the garage. QUOTE]

Same here, 5 guys & 1 gal, 1 case of beer and completed in 3.5 hours. Take your time and read the directions!

LuvDaBlues · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009, 07:30 AM

[quote=Karl Bebout;949015]Three of us managed to carry the individual pieces, except the ramp that had the hydraulic cylinder attached. For that, we used a four wheel wooden furniture dolly that had been collecting dust in the garage. QUOTE]

Same here, 6 guys & 1 gal, 1 case of beer and completed in 3.5 hours. Take your time and read the directions!

By the way. Even though you're not required to anchor to the slab, I would recommend it. Some weekends I operate the lift many times while working on the cars. It's just a comfort level I like. 5/8" grade 8 bolts with expansion shields. Four per base plate.

Tony Ripepi · #16 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009, 11:03 AM

Looks like what mine did when it arrived.

If you do not have a lot of bodies it can be done with two guys and two floor jacks. Jack up the front end remove the pallet, put a round roller under the back end. We used a piece of a solid wood tree stake approx. 3" in diameter. Roll whole thing off the end and onto the jack when the first jack gets to the end of the trailer put some 2x4's stacked high enough to hold it, roll the trailer away use the first jack to lower it to the ground.

Unpack the whole thing and use the two jacks together to move the ramp with the hydraulic ram into place...all of other bits can easily be moved by two people.

BTW get the two gallons of hydraulic fluid ahead of time so you can add the juice and enjoy the lift going up & down right after you get done adjusting everything.

Takes about three hours with two guys and not complictaed---Just nuts& bolts.

Naturally if you have more people it goes much easier !!!!!

Tony R.

Tugboat · #17 (**permalink**) 05-14-2009, 12:41 PM

Mike,

I put mine together with just alittle help from my 16 yr old and a engine hoist.
I picked up one end and slid it off the trailer with a round dowel. The engine hoist works well to lift the ramps and put them on the cross braces.

Your original question was how to get it off fast. Just lift one end with the hoist and put a couple dowels and then have the traler guy pull up. Once the crate is over half off the trailer just set it on the ground and pick the other end up and say adios to the trailer guy. Tools ready, finished in 10-15 minutes.

Then let the beer flow!!!

ps-The lift is one of your best purchases ever. I like to just climb under the car and check it out.

Larry