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Working Alone

Smarter Ways To Use Clamps, Ladders, Wheelbarrows and Dollies.

By Jeff Gorton

From The Family Handyman

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Carry Extension

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Wheels are the ultimate tool for moving heavy stuff. So when it comes time to move your stove, dryer or other heavy, bulky items, don’t forget your local rental store. Appliance dollies and other special dollies are available to move everything from trees to pianos.

Appliance dollies ($15 per day to rent) like the one shown have straps to secure the load and rollers on the back to assist in going up and down stairs. The strap mechanism can be confusing, though, so ask the rental salesperson to show you how it works.

Load the appliance onto the dolly by pushing against the top to tip it away as you slide the lip of the dolly underneath. Then wrap the straps around the appliance and tighten them. Be careful, though. Properly tightened straps exert a lot of pressure, so make sure they’re underneath and away from handles or other parts that could be damaged. Now brace the bottom with your foot and pull back on the handles of the dolly to tilt the appliance off the ground and roll it away. It’s easiest to roll backward over bumps or rough surfaces. Get help if you have to go up or down stairs. To set the appliance down again, brace the bottom with your foot and hang from the top of the handles. Let your weight do the work as you gently lower the appliance to the floor.

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We all know how easy it is to move heavy stuff in a wheelbarrow, but what if you can’t load it alone? Use the technique shown here to avoid having to lift heavy stones, bags of potting soil or shrubs up into a wheel-barrow. Just tip the wheelbarrow on its side and roll the stone into it. Then push on the top edge while you lift on the bottom to right the wheelbarrow. Be careful when you reach the top not to tip the wheelbarrow over in the opposite direction. Balance the load in the wheelbarrow and you’re ready to roll.

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