I don't often move heavy machinery, so I'm looking for thoughts on this plan for transporting a Delta DJ-20 (~400#) into my walkout basement on Saturday. I watched Jonathan Katz-Moses video on moving machinery (https://youtu.be/LqmZzTh7Kp8?t=404), and the genie lift seemed like a good fit for a jointer as you don't need to wrap lifting straps under the cast tables with it. I have an F150 and the machine is 45 minutes away. I've never towed a trailer before and sunbelt wants $85 to rent a lift-deck trailer for 24 hours, so I'm inclined to find a way to get it in and out of the truck bed instead.
Here's what I'm thinking:
- Rent genie lift from Home Depot, rated @450 lbs. ($57)
- Place 2 sheets plywood in truck bed, cut to full length of bed so it doesn't shift when tailgate is closed.
- Using hand truck, lift edge of jointer onto genie lift, move whole machine onto forks, then wheel to truck bed and lift into truck bed on top of plywood.
- Move into place with helper (center). Add blocking into plywood to prevent jointer from shifting side-to-side and front to back.
- Put 2x6 over jointer tables to distribute weight of ratchet straps and avoid contacting with ratchet straps / prevent shearing.
- Wrap strap around table and 2x6 and secure in each corner of truck. Ratchet until secure, but not too tight to avoid breaking casting.
- Strap around base of the cabinet as well.
- Tarp the tool and bungie the tarp (it's supposed to rain)
Unloading
- with genie lift lowered onto tailgate, move jointer onto lift.
- wheel back, lower jointer onto mobile base. (Would a dolly be better in terms of it bottoming out over terrain?)
- Use plywood from truck bed to wheel jointer over grass, around house to basement door.
- Need some kind of ramp to get it up two steps and into shop. I have some 5/4 pine slabs that are 20" wide that might do the trick.. TBD.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.