New (to me) safe, need ideas.

[Depmandog]

We had to move a bunch of huge PCB containing transformers out of the federal building. I bought a bunch of millwright moving dollies / skates and toe jacks. Made the job very easy.

Heavy equipment moving Roller Dollies by JUNG - Toolwell

I also think you can rent these now.

 

[jmc]

Or dig a hole next to the new floor. Can you dig a hole next to it now to back your trailer in to? Jon

That is what I had in mind, like permanant loading docks when the slab is on grade. And the excavated ramp only needs to extend to the rear trailer wheels rather than the slab. Back fill it afterward.

 

[George2615]

I think the safest way to move the safe is either the HD tow truck idea, HD forklift or rent a HD telehandler. I'd suggest a low boy trailer and a semi to haul it instead of your 14K trailer.

12,lb Telehandler - Interstate Aerials

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

If you want to hire it look for a rigging company that moves machinery. 10k isn’t even heavy compared to what they deal with on a regular basis. They will have the equipment and skill to put it wherever you want.

 

[sandman2234]

I haven't moved one quite as large as that, but close. First, don't get in a big hurry, you will make mistakes that can hurt!
As far as tipping it up on edge, be careful, use 1/8 or 1/4 inch steel shim plates to make it go up a little at a time on each side. Don't try to put a 2x4 under it until you have the other side up near to that height.
I used steel pipe to roll my safes on, rather than golf balls. I carried a bunch of them, and would feed them under then front as it moved forward and they dropped out the back side. Not sure how strong your ramps and dovetail are, but steel beams laid over the ramps and extending past the dovetail will help spread the load. Use 3 or 4 or more and it will really help spread the load. Pipes will roll right up the beams and as the load nears the top of the ramps, the beams tips will lower down to the bed of the trailer. Pipes rolling rather than greased boards or steel will work better in my opinion.
I have a 6 ton comealong, that I use to pull heavy things. Worth it's weight in gold, big pain in the rear, but will never do without it! (chain style, multi pulley). The only duty cycle it has is how long my arm can stand cranking it! I picked up a cannon ball safe with it and sat it in the back of my pickup. As the feet reached the bed, they crushed the steel bed making imprints of 2.5x2.5 inches for each of the four. Didn't drop it, just kept letting it down, and it kept sinking. Dang thing was heavy also!
Rollback of the automobile style won't handle it, they typically max out around 8k. A larger one should be able to handle it, just make sure they know a typical rollback is not enough. A semi truck wrecker should have no problem lifting it and setting it on your trailer, but what are you going to do with it then? You will have to make sure he follows you home to unload! I think i would do the larger rollback way if you can find one or as was suggested, a machinery moving company. Both command higher rates but if you set up the time to their schedule, you should be able to negotiate a better rate.
David from jax

 

[bobmisi]

I am a retired locksmith ( 35 years ) . Find a locksmith company that has a safe moving trailer. The bed of the trailer lowers down to ground level and the safe is rolled into it. Then the whole bed raises up to normal height and away you go. Should not cost that much unless, there is a lot involved in getting it out of wherever it is, and where you want it to go. I moved many safes in my day and most were done that hard way. Safes are heavy and I've seen some people who really got hurt moving them. Jewelry safes are super heavy and bank safes are also heavy. You'll be way ahead if you can find someone with one of those trailers. If not, most riggers can do it, for probably more money. Most riggers are union. Google safe moving trailer to see what I'm talking about.

 

[4570Man]

I haven't moved one quite as large as that, but close. First, don't get in a big hurry, you will make mistakes that can hurt!
As far as tipping it up on edge, be careful, use 1/8 or 1/4 inch steel shim plates to make it go up a little at a time on each side. Don't try to put a 2x4 under it until you have the other side up near to that height.
I used steel pipe to roll my safes on, rather than golf balls. I carried a bunch of them, and would feed them under then front as it moved forward and they dropped out the back side. Not sure how strong your ramps and dovetail are, but steel beams laid over the ramps and extending past the dovetail will help spread the load. Use 3 or 4 or more and it will really help spread the load. Pipes will roll right up the beams and as the load nears the top of the ramps, the beams tips will lower down to the bed of the trailer. Pipes rolling rather than greased boards or steel will work better in my opinion.
I have a 6 ton comealong, that I use to pull heavy things. Worth it's weight in gold, big pain in the rear, but will never do without it! (chain style, multi pulley). The only duty cycle it has is how long my arm can stand cranking it! I picked up a cannon ball safe with it and sat it in the back of my pickup. As the feet reached the bed, they crushed the steel bed making imprints of 2.5x2.5 inches for each of the four. Didn't drop it, just kept letting it down, and it kept sinking. Dang thing was heavy also!
Rollback of the automobile style won't handle it, they typically max out around 8k. A larger one should be able to handle it, just make sure they know a typical rollback is not enough. A semi truck wrecker should have no problem lifting it and setting it on your trailer, but what are you going to do with it then? You will have to make sure he follows you home to unload! I think i would do the larger rollback way if you can find one or as was suggested, a machinery moving company. Both command higher rates but if you set up the time to their schedule, you should be able to negotiate a better rate.
David from jax

I'd haul it on my F-450 rollback. A F-350 rollback thats fairly common here isn't up to the task. Any of the medium duty truck rollbacks could handle it. I wouldn't like the winching it up plan. You should really find a forklift.

 

[3930dave]

As the title states, I just got the deal of a lifetime on a safe. It is big. I need the best ideas on moving it. I have my 14k equipment trailer that I just equipped with a 12k lbs winch. I also have a couple snatch blocks to increase the pull. I also have my tractor, which will be woefully underpowered to lift it any. I'm hoping it is able to drag it some. It has already been dragged some by a wheeled skid steer, so that has my confidence up slightly. I'm told it weighs about 10k lbs. It measures 80" long, 38" deep, and is about 76" tall.

Any good ideas?

Contact the Safe Manufacturer if they are still around...... I'd want to confirm that weight before doing anything else. A 14k steel trailer typically weighs something like 2500 to 4k# itself. Too easy to end up a few thousand pounds overweight...... I hate changing tires on the side of the road, with that load you'd probably just end up burying the jacks....

Worked one summer years ago for a moving company.... they had a Top Gun crew that moved bank safes. Went through buildings smashing holes in walls to run cables for big industrial snatch blocks, used solid steel rollers..... all very HD stuff. Only saw a bit of the gear once, and knew enough about physics that I wouldn't have gotten involved as a temp, even if asked. Summer after I was there, a guy was killed when one of these safes fell off the back of a truck.... a crushed limb or 2 would be considered a good outcome, when dealing with this class of weight.

Lacking an appropriate skyhook, you are getting into the territory where you need heavy cribbing, and appropriate I beams and hydraulic jacks - basically what house movers use, but on a smaller linear scale. It's not a project I'd do on my own - I'd want at least 1 or 2 other weight savvy people to work with - there's too much that can go wrong here.

I'd prefer 2 extra savvy people to work with - Best case, things will go smoothly with that many like minds working on it. Worst case, one can apply first aid, while the other calls 911.

Be Safe, working on this safe.

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

Airtow is one manufacturer and some rental yards carry them... 6 ton payload for the standard model.

Loading an Advance Ground Sweeper onto a T12-10 Airtow Trailer - YouTube

I've rented before to move some heavy and expensive medical equipment... the first time I moved the 500k laser in my lawn mowing trailer the boss was not impressed... made me wonder why I was ask to to do it back in 1995... after that I rented the Airtow which loads at grade lever.

Wish I had a picture with me in my 1970 slant 6 Valiant and my 4x6 utility trailer moving a half million dollar laser 1.2 miles.

 

[4570Man]

This bottom stack of lumber weighs as much as the safe in question. As long as you're properly equipped it's not scary stuff. I'd hate to go at it with winches and ramps.